2
|
Engel S, Jolivel V, Kraus SHP, Zayoud M, Rosenfeld K, Tumani H, Furlan R, Kurschus FC, Waisman A, Luessi F. Laquinimod dampens IL-1β signaling and Th17-polarizing capacity of monocytes in patients with MS. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm 2020; 8:8/1/e908. [PMID: 33203651 PMCID: PMC7676421 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000000908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of laquinimod treatment on monocytes and to investigate the underlying immunomodulatory mechanisms in MS. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, we performed in vivo and in vitro analyses of cluster of differentiation (CD14+) monocytes isolated from healthy donors (n = 15), untreated (n = 13), and laquinimod-treated patients with MS (n = 14). Their frequency and the expression of surface activation markers were assessed by flow cytometry and the viability by calcein staining. Cytokine concentrations in the supernatants of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated monocytes were determined by flow cytometry. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression level of genes involved in cytokine expression was measured by quantitative PCR. The LPS-mediated nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cell (NF-κB) activation was determined by the quantification of the phosphorylation level of the p65 subunit. Laquinimod-treated monocytes were cocultured with CD4+ T cells, and the resulting cytokine production was analyzed by flow cytometry after intracellular cytokine staining. The interleukin (IL)-17A concentration of the supernatant was assessed by ELISA. RESULTS Laquinimod did not alter the frequency or viability of circulating monocytes, but led to an upregulation of CD86 expression. LPS-stimulated monocytes of laquinimod-treated patients with MS secreted less IL-1β following a downregulation of IL-1β gene expression. Phosphorylation levels of the NF-κB p65 subunit were reduced after laquinimod treatment, indicating a laquinimod-associated inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. T cells primed with laquinimod-treated monocytes differentiated significantly less into IL-17A-producing T helper (Th)-17 cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that inhibited NF-κB signaling and downregulation of IL-1β expression in monocytes contributes to the immunomodulatory effects of laquinimod and that the impairment of Th17 polarization might mediate its disease-modifying activity in MS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sinah Engel
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Valérie Jolivel
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan H-P Kraus
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Morad Zayoud
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karolina Rosenfeld
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hayrettin Tumani
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roberto Furlan
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian C Kurschus
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ari Waisman
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix Luessi
- From the Department of Neurology (S.E., V.J., S.H.-P.K., K.R., F.L.), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Biopathology of Myelin (V.J.), Neuroprotection and Therapeutic Strategy, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), University of Strasbourg, France; Institute for Molecular Medicine (M.Z., F.C.K., A.W.), University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany; Sheba Cancer Research Center (M.Z.), Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Neurology (H.T.), University of Ulm, Germany and Specialty Clinic of Neurology Dietenbronn, Schwendi, Germany; Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit (R.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and Department of Dermatology (F.C.K.), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zayoud M, Vax E, Elad-Sfadia G, Barshack I, Pinkas-Kramarski R, Goldstein I. Inhibition of Ras GTPases prevents Collagen-Induced Arthritis by Reducing the Generation of Pathogenic CD4 + T Cells and the Hyposialylation of Autoantibodies. ACR Open Rheumatol 2020; 2:512-524. [PMID: 32869536 PMCID: PMC7504479 DOI: 10.1002/acr2.11169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE RasGTPases are master regulators of multiple intracellular signaling cascades. Perturbation of this pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study we aimed to define the therapeutic potential of a novel RasGTPases inhibitor, farnesylthiosalicylate (FTS), in the preclinical mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and better delineate its immunomodulatory effects both ex vivo and in the mouse. METHODS We analyzed in vitro the immunomodulatory effects of FTS on various CD4+ T-cell functions such as activation, proliferation, T-helper polarization, and production of proinflammatory cytokines. Using the CIA model, we further determined the efficacy of FTS to inhibit clinical, histopathologic, and diverse immunological outcomes of arthritis. RESULTS FTS treatment of CD4+ T cells in vitro effectively targeted distinct kinases (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38, protein kinase B/AKT, and mammalian target of rapamycin), the production of interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-22, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and Th17 polarization. FTS therapy in the mouse CIA model significantly reduced clinical disease severity and joint inflammation/damage by histology. Importantly, FTS suppressed the in vivo induction of splenic IL-17+ IL-22+ Th17 cells and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. The production of pathogenic autoantibodies and their abnormal hyposialylation was significantly attenuated by FTS therapy. Importantly, in vivo generation of collagen type-II specific effector CD4+ T cells was likewise repressed by FTS therapy. CONCLUSION The RasGTPases inhibitor FTS attenuates the production of proinflammatory cytokines by in vitro-activated T cells and is a potent immunomodulatory compound in the CIA model, primarily targeting the generation of autoreactive Th17 cells and the production of autoantibodies and their subsequent pathogenic hyposialylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morad Zayoud
- Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Einav Vax
- Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - Iris Barshack
- Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - Itamar Goldstein
- Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rainy N, Zayoud M, Kloog Y, Rechavi O, Goldstein I. Viral oncomiR spreading between B and T cells is employed by Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus to induce non-cell-autonomous target gene regulation. Oncotarget 2018; 7:41870-41884. [PMID: 27248822 PMCID: PMC5173102 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The two human lymphotrophic γ-herpesviruses, Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), are a recognized cause of human cancer, encoding multiple miRs that are major players in carcinogenesis. Previously, we discovered that EBV-encoded miRs transfer between infected B and T lymphocytes. To further explore the biological significance of the spreading of γ-herpesvirus-encoded miRs on carcinogenesis, we focused on KSHV-miR-K12-11 (miR-K12-11) that is unique in having an identical seed sequence with the oncomiR hsa-miR-155, implicated in B cell lymphomas development. Here, we show for the first time that miR-K12-11 transfers in vitro from KSHV-infected BCBL-1 and BC-1 lymphoma lines to T cells. The transferred miR-K12-11 is active in the adopting T cells and binds its canonical target, the 3'-UTR of BACH1. Importantly, we show that the transfer of miR-K12-11 from BCBL-1 to Jurkat cells correlates with inhibition of the innate type-I interferons response to viral dsRNAs downstream of IKKε, a validated miR-K12-11 target. Finally, we show that miR-K12-11 spreading is not reduced by blocking the classical ceramide-dependent exosome secretion pathway. In summary, we report for the first time that intercellular viral oncomiR spreading is an additional mechanism employed by KSHV to inhibit host anti-viral immunity and consequently promote oncogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nir Rainy
- Sheba Cancer Research Center, Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 5262100, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel.,Department of Neurobiology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences & Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Morad Zayoud
- Sheba Cancer Research Center, Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 5262100, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Yoel Kloog
- Department of Neurobiology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences & Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Oded Rechavi
- Department of Neurobiology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences & Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Itamar Goldstein
- Sheba Cancer Research Center, Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 5262100, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zayoud M, Marcu-Malina V, Vax E, Jacob-Hirsch J, Elad-Sfadia G, Barshack I, Kloog Y, Goldstein I. Ras Signaling Inhibitors Attenuate Disease in Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis via Targeting Pathogenic Antigen-Specific Th17-Type Cells. Front Immunol 2017; 8:799. [PMID: 28736556 PMCID: PMC5500629 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ras family of GTPases plays an important role in signaling nodes downstream to T cell receptor and CD28 activation, potentially lowering the threshold for T-cell receptor activation by autoantigens. Somatic mutation in NRAS or KRAS may cause a rare autoimmune disorder coupled with abnormal expansion of lymphocytes. T cells from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients show excessive activation of Ras/MEK/ERK pathway. The small molecule farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS) interferes with the interaction between Ras GTPases and their prenyl-binding chaperones to inhibit proper plasma membrane localization. In the present study, we tested the therapeutic and immunomodulatory effects of FTS and its derivative 5-fluoro-FTS (F-FTS) in the rat adjuvant-induced arthritis model (AIA). We show that AIA severity was significantly reduced by oral FTS and F-FTS treatment compared to vehicle control treatment. FTS was as effective as the mainstay anti-rheumatic drug methotrexate, and combining the two drugs significantly increased efficacy compared to each drug alone. We also discovered that FTS therapy inhibited both the CFA-driven in vivo induction of Th17 and IL-17/IFN-γ producing “double positive” as well as the upregulation of serum levels of the Th17-associated cytokines IL-17A and IL-22. By gene microarray analysis of effector CD4+ T cells from CFA-immunized rats, re-stimulated in vitro with the mycobacterium tuberculosis heat-shock protein 65 (Bhsp65), we determined that FTS abrogated the Bhsp65-induced transcription of a large list of genes (e.g., Il17a/f, Il22, Ifng, Csf2, Lta, and Il1a). The functional enrichment bioinformatics analysis showed significant overlap with predefined gene sets related to inflammation, immune system processes and autoimmunity. In conclusion, FTS and F-FTS display broad immunomodulatory effects in AIA with inhibition of the Th17-type response to a dominant arthritogenic antigen. Hence, targeting Ras signal-transduction cascade is a potential novel therapeutic approach for RA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morad Zayoud
- Sheba Cancer Research Center, Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Rheumatology Unit, Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Victoria Marcu-Malina
- Sheba Cancer Research Center, Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Einav Vax
- Sheba Cancer Research Center, Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Jasmine Jacob-Hirsch
- Sheba Cancer Research Center, Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Galit Elad-Sfadia
- Department of Neurobiology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences & Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Iris Barshack
- Institute of Pathology, Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yoel Kloog
- Department of Neurobiology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences & Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Itamar Goldstein
- Sheba Cancer Research Center, Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Rheumatology Unit, Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zayoud M, Vax E, Sfadia GE, Kloog Y, Goldstein I. Farnesylthiosalicylic acid reduces disease severity in the collagen type-II induced arthritis mouse model by inhibiting Ras Signaling in pathogenic T cells. The Journal of Immunology 2017. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.198.supp.224.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Ras proteins are vital for normal T cell activation, and downstream effectors of Ras include the MEK/ERK, PI3-kinase/AKT, and NF-kB pathways. T cells from Rheumatoid Arthritis patients exhibit abnormal activation of the Ras/MEK/ERK pathway. The small molecule Farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS) blocks the interaction between Ras proteins and their prenyl binding chaperones, attenuating plasma membrane localization and signaling.
Objectives
To investigate the immunomodulatory effect of FTS alone or combined with methotrexate (MTX) in the DBA/1 mouse collagen type-II induced arthritis (CIA) model.
Methods
Arthritis was induced in 8–10 week old male DBA/1 mice by immunization with collagen type-II (CII) and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). Animals were treated semi-prophylactically with once daily oral FTS (100 mg/kg); weekly i.p injection of MTX (0.5 mg/kg), FTS combined with MTX, or daily oral vehicle solution (control). Arthritis severity was scored daily from disease onset until study termination and multiple immunological biomarkers of inflammation were analyzed.
Results
Our data from the mouse CIA model show that the therapeutic efficacy of FTS was similar to MTX, and both drugs significantly reduced arthritis severity compared to CMC controls. Importantly, FTS significantly inhibited the production of pathogenic anti-CII autoantibodies and upregulation of serum IL-6 and IL-17A compared to control arthritic mice. The in depth, multiplex, analysis of the effect of FTS on the T cell cytokine response to CII, revealed strong suppression of IL-22, IL-17, IL-9, GM-CSF and TNF production. Importantly, FTS therapy positively correlated with reduced p-ERK1/2 and p-AKT levels in splenic lymphocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morad Zayoud
- 1Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- 2Immunology Core Laboratory, Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Einva Vax
- 2Immunology Core Laboratory, Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - Yoel Kloog
- 3Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Itamar Goldstein
- 1Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- 2Immunology Core Laboratory, Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- 4Rheumatology, Chaim Sheba Academic Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| |
Collapse
|