Genetic Predisposition to Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Tuscan (Italy) Ancient Human Remain

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is currently believed to have originated in America, and after the discovery of this continent in 1492, to have been exported to the Old World. We evaluated the genetic predisposition to RA in the “Braids Lady” from Arezzo (Italy), a partially mummified woman's body dating back to the end of 1500 AD which presents the anatomical and pathological features of this disease. The study of the polymorphic HLA-DRB1 locus, which includes alleles strongly associated with RA onset, has received much attention over recent years, especially the loci codifying for the DR1 and DR4 antigens, widely represented in the Mediterranean population, and for DR14, widespread among Native Americans. Molecular analysis was performed on extracts of DNA from the mummy, firstly from histological bone sections and then from the whole bone. Two different HLA typing techniques, PCR-sequence-specific oligonucleotides (PCR-SSO) and PCR-sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP), were employed to identify HLA-DRB alleles. Both genotyping methods showed that the “Braids Lady” carried the DRB1*0101 allele, the serological equivalent of the DR1 antigen. Although the possession of RA risk factor genes cannot be considered a diagnostic marker, the positive result of the Italian mummy for DRB1*0101 and the RA features present, support the idea that this pathology was present in the Old World from at least the mid-16th century. A pathogenetic hypothesis of RA which might well explain its worldwide diffusion is the “molecular mimicry”, resulting from a cross-reactive antibody response between certain microbial antigens and shared epitopes of specific HLA-DR1, DR4 and DR14 susceptibility alleles, the frequency of which varies among different ethnic groups.

Besides the HLA loci: SNPs and non-HLA gene products as immunoregulatory factors in the onset of psoriatic arthritis subtypes

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is described as a multifactorial autoimmune rheumatic disease although its development is surely linked to some specific HLA genes (especially the HLA-Cw*06:02 allele). To date, its complex immunopathogenetic mechanism is not well clarified. Actually, increasing evidence suggest that qualitative and quantitative interplays between some PsA-susceptibility HLA alleles and other genetic, regulatory and environmental factors, may develop distinct subphenotypes of PsA. We first provide a brief summary of current knowledge about the various PsA conditions. Then, we consider the reasons why further analysis of the clinical course of patients affected by distinct PsA subsets, and who receive different therapeutic treatments, should be carried out in conjunction with deeper investigations about the identification of key genes and immunoregulatory agents by applying the most recent advances in biotechnology. This approach could better explain the molecular mechanisms responsible for both the onset and progression of this multi-faceted pathology with the purpose of significantly improving the management of PsA patients.

Immunogenetics and Hplc Analyses Contribute to Understanding the Etiopathology of Rheumatoid Arthritis through Studies on Ancient Human Remains

Genetic investigations on ancient human remains affected by rheumatological pathologies are a research field of particular interest for identifying origins and the etiopathology of diseases, especially those having an autoimmune background such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We wish to demonstrate how reliable studies concerning this topic require collaboration between multiple disciplines, usually starting from paleopathologic observations up to immunogenetic screening, even involving analytical chemistry. Here, we focused our investigation on the skeleton of Cardinal Carlo de'Medici (1595–1666) for whom RA and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) were postulated after paleopathologic examination. RA susceptibility is linked to specific HLA alleles belonging to DRB1*04 locus, such as DRB1*0401, while Cw*0602 and DRB1*07 predispose to PsA. Thus, we genotyped the Cardinal's remains to search for RA or PsA “risk genes”. Ancient DNA is often subjected to hydrolysis followed by fragmentation. For this reason, all immunogenetic tests were preceded by an original RP-HPLC-FL method able to inform on the ancient DNA preservation and the extent of contamination, with the purpose of avoiding the risk of false positive results. After DNA isolation from a piece of bone from the Cardinal, PCR-SSP and reverse-SSO hybridization assays were applied to perform genomic HLA-typing. RP-HPLC-FL analysis revealed a good preservation of DNA without contamination by exogenous genomes. Molecular tests assigned to the Cardinal the genotype DRB1*0401/*1102 for HLA-DRB locus and Cw*04/*12 for HLA-C locus, data that support a genetic predisposition for RA but not for PsA. This multidisciplinary study has allowed us: (i) to ascertain that the remains undoubtledy belonged to the specific subject, Cardinal Carlo de'Medici; (ii) to sustain that the subject suffered from RA rather then that PsA, and (iii) to state that RA was already widespread in Europe at the Renaissance age, despite some authors claiming that the disease was introduced to the Old Continent from America after colonization during the 18th century

Rheumatoid arthritis in Cardinal Carlo de' Medici (1595-1666): a confirmed macroscopic, radiologic and molecular diagnosis

OBJECTIVES

The paleopathological study of the skeletal remains belonging to Cardinal Carlo de' Medici (1595-1666), son of Ferdinando I (1549-1609) and Cristina of Lorena (1565-1637), has been presented previously. A diagnosis of Klippel-Feil syndrome, tuberculosis and a polyarthopathy, interpreted as rheumatoid arthritis, was suggested. A revision of this case based on the analysis of the historical documents and of some radiological images of Carlo's bones has been proposed recently; according to the Authors, the Cardinal was affected by the 'Medici syndrome', a combined Psoriatic-DISH arthropathy. This revision offers us the opportunity to discuss this complex case, comparing different points of view, and to present the results of the molecular analyses carried out on Carlo's bone samples. We looked for the genetic risk factors of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). We also searched for the primary candidate genes of RA and PsA, i.e. DR4 or DR1 and Cw6 or DR7 respectively, the latter predisposing also for psoriasis.

METHODS

An original molecular protocol was applied to achieve an aDNA uncontaminated by exogenous sources and almost intact, starting from one of the Cardinal's rib pieces. The allele risk factors for both diseases were identified by PCR-SSP assay as HLA genotyping methodology.

RESULTS

Our data assigned Carlo the genotype DRB1*04/*11 for HLA-DRB locus and Cw*04/*12 for HLA-C locus.

CONCLUSIONS

Since Carlo was infected by M. tuberculosis during infancy and was carrying the DR4 variant but not the Cw6, he surely had a predisposition to RA, not to PsA and/or psoriasis. The diagnosis of RA is thus confirmed.

CD1a and CD1e allele frequencies in an Italian population from the Abruzzo region

CD1 is a small family comprising 5 MHC-like genes located on chromosome 1 and encoding glycoproteins termed CD1a, CD1b, CD1c, CD1d and CD1e. They are expressed mainly on the surface of dendritic cells, monocytes and some thymocytes and are specialized in presenting lipid antigens to T lymphocytes. The structure is similar to that of MHC class I molecules with 3 globular domains and the Beta2-microglobulin. It has been shown that all five human CD1 genes exhibit a limited number of polymorphisms in the alpha1 domain whose effects are still unknown. CD1e results to be the most polymorphic isoform with six CD1e alleles (01, 02 in exon 2 and 03, 04, 05, 06 in ex3) described to date. At this moment, few investigations on the allele frequencies of the CD1 genes have been reported and all additional information improves our knowledge on this new class of antigen-presenting molecules. In order to study possible allelic variations of exon 2 of human CD1a and CD1e genes, we analyzed, by a sensitive technique, the sequence-based typing (SBT), 114 DNA samples from unrelated healthy Italian individuals from the Abruzzo region. Our experimental findings indicate that the allele frequency distribution of both CD1a and CD1e genes is in accordance with that observed in other geographic areas and did not identify any new allele, thus confirming a very low polymorphism.

Interferon-α Therapy and Anti–Human Leukocyte Antigen Antibodies in Hepatitis C Virus–Positive Patient: Case Report

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is currently the only treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C. Yet it can induce acute renal transplantation rejection possibly by stimulating humoral responses. We tested patient sera for detection of donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies observing an increased panel-reactive antibodies value after IFN-alpha therapy. Then, we also investigated whether antiviral treatment with IFN-alpha was related to an increased and/or different production of class I and class II anti-HLA antibodies. Patient sera analysis performed by a cytofluorimetric method using flow PRA tests showed the appearance of new HLA-antibody specificities. This study underlined that INF-alpha therapy modifies a patient's immune profile; hence, it is recommended to confirm HLA-antibody specificities after treatment in order to protect recipients from enhanced rejection risk owing to a false-negative donor-specific cross-match.

Regulatory role of bradykinin in the coronary and cerebral circulations and in systemic hemodynamics

Bradykinin (BK) increased carotid blood flow (CBF) and jugular nitric oxide (NO) levels when administered into the common carotid artery of rabbits, and potentiated selectively, when infused together with histamine (HIST) or serotonin (5-HT), their effects on both CBF and jugular NO levels (but not vice versa). Such a potentiation was prevented and reversed only by nitroarginine or 1,10-phenanthroline (PHE) (which also reduced basal jugular NO levels) and did not involve the BK1 or BK2 receptors. Either HIST or 5-HT potentiated (likely involving the H1 and 5-HT2 receptors, respectively) the activating effect of BK on kininase I (K1), thus increasing the availability of L-arginine for the synthesis of NO. In patients with migraine, venous NO and K1 activity were higher during HIST desensitization than in basal conditions; moreover, HIST reduced the activities of prekallikrein (pre-KAL), kallikrein (KAL) and kininase II (K2) in the venous blood of these patients, in which the intensity of pain was related to the levels of plasma NO, and the administration into the humeral artery during circulatory arrest of BK alone (but not HIST) or BK and HIST together caused a strong pain attack. BK was confirmed to interact selectively with other autacoids in regulating systemic and local hemodynamics through the system of NO.