| 1. |
- Abelson, Anna-Karin, et al.
(author)
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No evidence of association between genetic variants of the PDCD1 ligands and SLE
- 2007
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In: Genes and Immunity. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1466-4879 .- 1476-5470. ; 8:1, s. 69-74
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PDCD1, an immunoreceptor involved in peripheral tolerance has previously been shown to be genetically associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). PDCD1 has two ligands whose genes are located in close proximity on chromosome 9p24. Our attention was drawn to these ligands after finding suggestive linkage to a marker (gata62f03, Z=2.27) located close to their genes in a genome scan of Icelandic families multiplex for SLE. Here, we analyse Swedish trios (N=149) for 23 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the genes of the PDCD1 ligands. Initially, indication of association to eight SNPs was observed, and these SNPs were therefore also analysed in Mexican trios (N=90), as well as independent sets of patients and controls from Sweden (152 patients, 448 controls) and Argentina (288 patients, 288 controls). We do not find support for genetic association to SLE. This is the first genetic study of SLE and the PDCD1 ligands and the lack of association in several cohorts implies that these genes are not major risk factors for SLE.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Ekdahl, Kristina N., et al.
(author)
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Use of serum or buffer-changed EDTA-plasma in a rapid, inexpensive, and easy-to-perform hemolytic complement assay for differential diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus and monitoring of patients with the disease
- 2007
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In: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology. - 1556-6811 .- 1556-679X. ; 14:5, s. 549-555
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We previously described a simplified quantitative hemolytic assay for classical pathway (CP) hemolytic function in serum that has been shown to correlate with the 50% hemolytic complement (CH50) assay. In the present study, we used this assay to compare CP functions; plasma levels of C3, C4, and C3dg; and ratios of C3dg to C3 in healthy individuals and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with different degrees of complement activation. A significant depression in CP function and levels of C4 and C3 and increased C3dg levels and C3dg/C3 ratios were observed in the SLE patients. In patients with RA, CP function was normal, whereas C3, C4, and C3dg levels and the C3dg/C3 ratio were elevated. The SLE results are compatible with systemic complement consumption, whereas the RA data suggest an acute-phase reaction with a normal C3 catabolic rate. To facilitate the handling of patient samples, we also developed a method to restore the hemolytic function of EDTA-plasma by transferring it to Veronal-buffered saline containing the thrombin inhibitor lepirudin. This process inhibits coagulation and enables complement activation, allowing a longer time lag between sample harvesting and testing. These results, combined with previous correlation studies, suggest that the CP hemolytic assay can effectively replace the CH50 assay for routine SLE differential diagnosis and monitoring of disease activity.
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| 4. |
- Hanly, J. G., et al.
(author)
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Neuropsychiatric events at the time of diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus - An international inception cohort study
- 2007
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In: Arthritis and Rheumatism. - : Wiley. - 1529-0131 .- 0004-3591. ; 56:1, s. 265-273
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. To describe the prevalence, characteristics, attribution, and clinical significance of neuropsychiatric (NP) events in an international inception cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Methods. The study was conducted by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC). Patients were enrolled within 15 months of fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) SLE classification criteria. All NP events within a predefined enrollment window were identified using the ACR case definitions of 19 NP syndromes. Decision rules were derived to determine the proportion of NP disease attributable to SLE. Clinical significance was determined using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey and the SLICC/ACR Damage Index (SDI). Results. A total of 572 patients (88% female) were recruited, with a mean +/- SD age of 35 +/- 14 years. The mean +/- SD disease duration was 5.2 +/- 4.2 months. Within the enrollment window, 158 of 572 patients (28%) had at least 1 NP event. In total, there were 242 NP events that encompassed 15 of 19 NP syndromes. The proportion of NP events attributed to SLE varied from 19% to 38% using alternate attribution models and occurred in 6.1-11.7% of patients. Those with NP events, regardless of attribution, had lower scores on the SF-36 and higher SDI scores compared with patients with no NP events. Conclusion. Twenty-eight percent of SLE patients experienced at least 1 NP event around the time of diagnosis of SLE, of which only a minority were attributed to SLE. Regardless of attribution, the occurrence of NP events was associated with reduced quality of life and increased organ damage.
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| 5. |
- Jönsen, Andreas, et al.
(author)
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Association between SLE nephritis and polymorphic variants of the CRP and Fc gamma RIIIa genes
- 2007
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In: Rheumatology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1462-0332 .- 1462-0324. ; 46:9, s. 1417-1421
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives. To study the relationship between clinical manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with polymorphisms in suggested susceptibility genes encoding Fc gamma RIIa, Fc gamma RIIIa, Fc gamma RIIIb, CRP and IL-1Ra. Methods. Genetic polymorphisms were analysed in 323 unrelated SLE patients and 200 healthy blood donors. The genotype frequencies were compared between clinical subsets of SLE patients, as well as with healthy controls. Clinical manifestations included the ACR classification criteria. Nephritis was further classified according to WHO class on renal biopsy. Results. Presence of a CRP4 A-allele was associated with SLE nephritis (P< 0.01) and inversely correlated with arthritis (P < 0.01), when comparing within the SLE group. The Fc gamma RIIIa F/F genotype was also associated with nephritis (WHO class III and IV, P=0.04 for the SLE group) and in combination with the CRP4 A-allele a stronger association was noted (P<0.001). Furthermore, the Fc gamma RIIIb NA2/NA2 genotype was associated with butterfly rash (P< 0.01). An association was found between seizures and the presence of both the Fc gamma RIIa R/R and the Fc gamma RIIIa F/F genotypes (P< 0.01) and an inverse correlation between serositis and the CRP4 A-allele when present together with the IL-1Ra 2-allele (P=0.01). Furthermore, a combination of the Fc gamma RIIa R/R genotype and CRP4 A-allele was associated with lymphopenia (P= 0.02) and a similar result was found for the combination of Fc gamma RIIIa F/F and Fc gamma RIIIb NA2/NA2 (P= 0.04). Conclusions. Polymorphic variants of the CRP and Fc gamma-receptor genes are associated with the clinical phenotype in SLE. Our findings suggest an immune complex-mediated pathogenesis in nephritis and seizures, while development of arthritis may depend on other pathogenetic pathways.
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| 6. |
- Jönsen, Andreas, et al.
(author)
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Gene-environment interactions in the aetiology of systemic lupus erythematosus
- 2007
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In: Autoimmunity. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0891-6934 .- 1607-842X. ; 40:8, s. 613-617
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease that displays a multitude of symptoms and a vast array of autoantibodies. The disease course may vary substantially between patients. The current understanding of SLE aetiology includes environmental factors acting on a genetically prone individual during an undetermined time period resulting in autoimmunity and finally surpassing that individual's disease threshold. Genetic differences and environmental factors may interact specifically in the pathogenetic processes and may influence disease development and modify the disease course. Identification of these factors and their interactions in the pathogenesis of SLE is vital in understanding the disease and may contribute to identify new treatment targets and perhaps also aid in disease prevention. However, there are several problems that need to be overcome, such as the protracted time frame of environmental influence, time dependent epigenetic alterations and the possibility that different pathogenetic pathways may result in a similar disease phenotype. This is mirrored by the relatively few studies that suggest specific gene-environment interactions. These include an association between SLE diagnosis and glutathion S-transferase gene variants combined with occupational sun exposure as well as variants of the N-acetyl transferase gene in combination with either aromatic amine exposure or hydralazine. With increased knowledge on SLE pathogenesis, the role of environmental factors and their genetic interactions may be further elucidated.
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| 7. |
- Jönsen, Andreas, et al.
(author)
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Genetically determined mannan-binding lectin deficiency is of minor importance in determining susceptibility to severe infections and vascular organ damage in systemic lupus erythematosus.
- 2007
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In: Lupus. - : SAGE Publications. - 0961-2033 .- 1477-0962. ; 16:4, s. 245-253
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Deficiency of mannan-binding lectin (MBL) has been reported to impact susceptibility to severe nfections and atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, MBL gene polymorphisms were analysed in 143 SLE patients and the frequency of severe infections and organ damage according to SLICC/ACR Damage Index regarding cerebrovascular accidents, angina pectoris, coronary by-pass surgery, myocardial infarction and peripheral arterial disease leading to significant tissue loss, were recorded during a mean follow-up time of 15 years from diagnosis. In a multiple logistic regression model, smoking (P = 0.001), hypertension (P = 0.030), alcohol intake (P = 0.027) and higher triglyceride concentration (P = 0.026) were associated with cerebrovascular, cardiovascular and peripheral arterial organ damage (CPAD), while the association with MBL deficiency did not reach significance (P = 0.098). Alcohol intake (> 15 g/month) was inversely correlated with CPAD (OR = 0.29, 95%Cl 0.096-0.87). MBL deficiency was not significantly more common in SLE patients with severe infections in a multivariate analysis (P > 0.3). In conclusion, classical risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, low alcohol intake and elevated triglyceride concentration were relatively more important for development of CPAD than MBL deficiency in SLE. Furthermore, MBL deficiency did not contribute to development of major infections in SLE.
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| 8. |
- Jönsson, Göran, et al.
(author)
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Rheumatological manifestations, organ damage and autoimmunity in hereditary C2 deficiency.
- 2007
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In: Rheumatology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1462-0332 .- 1462-0324. ; 46:7, s. 1133-1139
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. To analyse rheurnatological manifestations, organ damage and autoimmune responses in a large cohort of patients (n = 45) with homozygous C2 deficiency (C2D) and long-term follow-up. Methods. Medical records were reviewed and were supplemented with a mailed questionnaire for assessment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Organ damage was evaluated using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborative Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SLICC/ACR DI). Causes for disability pensions were investigated. Autoantibodies were determined with established methods. Results. Patients with rheurnatological diseases had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, n = 12), undifferentiated connective tissue disease (n=5) or vasculitis (n=3). Judging from annual SLICC/ACR DI, C2D patients with SLE run a similar risk of development of severe disease as other patients with SLE. An increased rate of CVD was observed not explained by Framingham-related risk factors. Disability pensions were mainly related to rheurnatological disease. The prevalence of anti-nuclear antibodies in C2D with SLE and of anti-SS-A was 25% while anti-RNP was found in 45%. Only one patient showed antibodies to dsDNA. Formation of anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL) appeared to be increased in C2D despite the absence of an anti-phosphol ipid syndrome. The prevalence of antibodies to the collagen-like region of C1q (C1qCLR) was also remarkably high and was not related to rheumatological manifestations. Conclusions. Severity of SLE in C2D is similar to that of SLE in other patients. Conventional risk factors do not explain the occurrence of CVD in C2D. The high prevalence of aCL and anti-C1qCLR indicates mechanisms through which impaired complement function promotes formation of autoantibodies.
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| 9. |
- Kalaaji, M., et al.
(author)
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Glomerular apoptotic nucleosomes are central target structures for nephritogenic antibodies in human SLE nephritis
- 2007
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In: Kidney International. - : Elsevier BV. - 1523-1755 .- 0085-2538. ; 71:7, s. 664-672
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Antibodies to double-stranded (dsDNA) are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and directly involved in human lupus nephritis. Information about their glomerular target antigens is inconsistent, and whether availability of target antigens, antibody specificity or avidity are nephritogenic parameters, is not determined. In this study, we analyzed renal tissue from anti-dsDNA antibody-positive lupus patients with nephritis by morphological and immunological assays, including immune electron microscopy (IEM) and colocalization IEM, an EM-based confocal microscopy assay. IEM demonstrated that antibody deposits were confined to electron dense structures (EDS) in glomerular membranes. These autoantibodies colocalized with nucleosome-binding anti-dsDNA/-histone/-transcription factor antibodies. To confirm the colocalization IEM-data, we developed a colocalization terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TdT) biotin-dUTP nicked end-labeled (TUNEL) IEM assay where extracellular DNA was traced by TdT-mediated introduction of biotinylated nucleotides and autoantibodies by IEM. Results consistently demonstrated that DNA colocalized with autoantibodies in glomerular membrane-associated EDS. The colocalization IEM and colocalization TUNEL IEM assays thus demonstrate that intra-glomerular membrane-associated nucleosomes are targeted by anti-dsDNA autoantibodies in human lupus nephritis. The data provide a new approach to understand basic molecular and immunological processes accounting for antibody-mediated nephritis in human SLE.
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| 10. |
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