| 1. |
- Svensson, Mattias, 1982, et al.
(author)
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Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand controls formation of regulatory T cells in autoimmune arthritis.
- 2013
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In: PloS one. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 8:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L) is known as the primary differentiation and survival factor for dendritic cells (DCs). Furthermore, Flt3L is involved in the homeostatic feedback loop between DCs and regulatory T cell (Treg). We have previously shown that Flt3L accumulates in the synovial fluid in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and that local exposure to Flt3L aggravates arthritis in mice, suggesting a possible involvement in RA pathogenesis. In the present study we investigated the role of Flt3L on DC populations, Tregs as well as inflammatory responses in experimental antigen-induced arthritis. Arthritis was induced in mBSA-immunized mice by local knee injection of mBSA and Flt3L was provided by daily intraperitoneal injections. Flow cytometry analysis of spleen and lymph nodes revealed an increased formation of DCs and subsequently Tregs in mice treated with Flt3L. Flt3L-treatment was also associated with a reduced production of mBSA specific antibodies and reduced levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. Morphological evaluation of mBSA injected joints revealed reduced joint destruction in Flt3L treated mice. The role of DCs in mBSA arthritis was further challenged in an adoptive transfer experiment. Transfer of DCs in combination with T-cells from mBSA immunized mice, predisposed naïve recipients for arthritis and production of mBSA specific antibodies. We provide experimental evidence that Flt3L has potent immunoregulatory properties. Flt3L facilitates formation of Treg cells and by this mechanism reduces severity of antigen-induced arthritis in mice. We suggest that high systemic levels of Flt3L have potential to modulate autoreactivity and autoimmunity.
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| 2. |
- Andersson, Karin, 1972, et al.
(author)
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Pathogenic Transdifferentiation of Th17 Cells Contribute to Perpetuation of Rheumatoid Arthritis during Anti-TNF Treatment.
- 2015
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In: Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.). - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1528-3658 .- 1076-1551. ; 21, s. 536-43
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- T-helper cells producing interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F cytokines (Th17 cells) are considered the source of autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we characterized specific pathogenic features of Th17 cells in RA. By using nano-string technology, we analyzed transcription of 419 genes in the peripheral blood CCR6(+)CXCR3(-) CD4(+) cells of 14 RA patients and 6 healthy controls and identified 109 genes discriminating Th17 cells of RA patients from the controls. Th17 cells of RA patients had an aggressive pathogenic profile and in addition to signature cytokines IL-17, IL-23 and IL-21, and transcriptional regulators RAR-related orphan receptor gamma of T cells (RORγt) and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), they produced high levels of IL-23R, C-C chemokine ligand type 20 (CCL20), granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF ) and transcription factor Tbet required for synovial homing. We showed that Th17 cells are enriched with Helios-producing Foxp3- and IL2RA-deficient cells, indicating altered regulatory profile. The follicular T-helper (Tfh) cells presented a functional profile of adaptor molecules, transcriptional regulator Bcl-6 and B-cell activating cytokines IL-21, IL-31 and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF ). We observed that anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment had a limited effect on the transcription signature of Th17 cells. Patients in remission retained the machinery of receptors (IL-23R and IL-1R1), proinflammatory cytokines (IL-17F, IL-23, IL-21 and TNF ) and adaptor molecules (C-X-C chemokine receptor 5 [CXCR5] and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 [CTLA-4]), essential for efficient transdifferentiation and accumulation of Th17 cells. This study convincingly shows that the peripheral blood CCR6(+)CXCR3(-) CD4(+) cells of RA patients harbor pathogenic subsets of Th17 and Tfh cells, which may transdifferentiate from Tregs and contribute to perpetuation of the disease.
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| 3. |
- Andersson, Karin, 1972, et al.
(author)
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Survivin co-ordinates formation of follicular T-cells acting in synergy with Bcl-6
- 2015
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In: Oncotarget. - : Impact Journals, LLC. - 1949-2553. ; 6:24, s. 20043-20057
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Follicular T helper (Tfh) cells are recognized by the expression of CXCR5 and the transcriptional regulator Bcl-6. Tfh cells control B cell maturation and antibody production, and if deregulated, may lead to autoimmunity. Here, we study the role of the proto-oncogene survivin in the formation of Tfh cells. We show that blood Tfh cells of patients with the autoimmune condition rheumatoid arthritis, have intracellular expression of survivin. Survivin was co-localized with Bcl-6 in the nuclei of CXCR5(+)CD4 lymphocytes and was immunoprecipitated with the Bcl-6 responsive element of the target genes. Inhibition of survivin in arthritic mice led to the reduction of CXCR5(+) Tfh cells and to low production of autoantibodies. Exposure to survivin activated STAT3 and induced enrichment of PD-1(+)Bcl-6(+) subset within Tfh cells. Collectively, our study demonstrates that survivin belongs to the Tfh cell phenotype and ensures their optimal function by regulating transcriptional activity of Bcl-6.
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| 4. |
- Brisslert, Mikael, 1974, et al.
(author)
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S100A4 regulates the Src-tyrosine kinase dependent differentiation of Th17 cells in rheumatoid arthritis
- 2014
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In: Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta-Molecular Basis of Disease. - : Elsevier BV. - 0925-4439. ; 1842:11, s. 2049-2059
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: To evaluate the role of S100A4, a calcium-binding regulator of nonmuscle myosin assembly, for T-cell responses in rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Arthritis was induced in the methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA)-immunized mice lacking the entire S100A4 protein (S100A4KO) and in wild-type counterparts treated with short hairpin ribonucleic acid (shRNA)-lentiviral constructs targeting S100A4 (S100A4-shRNA). The severity of arthritis was evaluated morphologically. T-cell subsets were characterized by the expression of master transcription factors, and functionally by proliferation activity and cytokine production. The activity of the Scr-kinases Fyn and Lck was assessed by the autophosphorylation of C-terminal thyrosine and by the phosphorylation of the CD5 cytodomain. The interaction between S100A4 and the CD5 cytodomain was analysed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrophotometry. Results: S100A4-deficient mice (S100A4KO and S100A4-shRNA) had significantly alleviated morphological signs of arthritis and joint damage. Leukocyte infiltrates in the arthritic joints of S100A4-deficient mice accumulated Foxp3(+) Treg cells, while the number of ROR gamma t(+) and (pTyr705)STAT3(+) cells was reduced. S100A4-deficient mice had a limited formation of Th17-cells with low retinoic acid orphan receptor gamma t (ROR gamma t) mRNA and IL17 production in T-cell cultures. S100A4-deficient mice had a low expression and activity of T-cell receptor (TCR) inhibitor CD5 and low (pTyr705)STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), which led to increased (pTyr352)ZAP-70 (theta-chain associated protein kinase of 70 kDa), lymphocyte proliferation and production of IL2. In vitro experiments showed that S100A4 directly binds Lck and Fyn and reciprocally regulates their kinase activity towards the CD5 cytodomain. Spectrometry demonstrates an interaction between the CD5 cytodomain and EF2-binding sites of S100A4. Conclusion: The present. study demonstrates that S100A4 plays an important part in the pathogenesis of arthritis. It controls CD5-dependent differentiation of Th17 cells by regulating the activity of the Src-family kinases Lck and Fyn. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 5. |
- Dehlin, Mats, 1968, et al.
(author)
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Inhibition of fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 alleviates experimental arthritis by reducing formation of dendritic cells and antigen presentation.
- 2011
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In: Journal of leukocyte biology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1938-3673 .- 0741-5400. ; 90:4, s. 811-7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- TKs are intracellular signaling molecules essential for cell homeostasis. Inhibition of TKs is used in treatment of malignancies and diabetes mellitus. The present study evaluated the role of Flt3 in antigen-induced arthritis. Mice were immunized with mBSA, and arthritis was induced by an i.a. injection of mBSA. Treatment with the Flt3 inhibitor sunitinib was started together with mBSA immunization or together with the induction of arthritis. The mBSA-injected joints were evaluated morphologically for signs of synovitis and bone/cartilage destruction. Markers of bone metabolism and antibody responses were measured by ELISA. Maturation of DCs in the bone marrow and spleen was evaluated by flow cytometry. Sunitinib treatment reduced the intensity of synovitis and the incidence of bone destruction. The reduction in bone destruction was seen when the treatment was started at the time of immunization or at the time of arthritis induction. The antiarthritic effect was achieved by inhibition of DCs, reduction of antibody production, and bone metabolism. Inhibition of Flt3 is a potent antiarthritic mechanism reducing antigen presentation, synovial inflammation, and bone resorption. Down-regulation of TKs may be a useful tool in the treatment of human RA.
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| 6. |
- Gravina, Giacomo, et al.
(author)
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Survivin in autoimmune diseases.
- 2017
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In: Autoimmunity reviews. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-0183 .- 1568-9972. ; 16:8, s. 845-855
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Survivin is a protein functionally important for cell division, apoptosis, and possibly, for micro-RNA biogenesis. It is an established marker of malignant cell transformation. In non-malignant conditions, the unique properties of survivin make it indispensable for homeostasis of the immune system. Indeed, it is required for the innate and adaptive immune responses, controlling differentiation and maintenance of CD4(+) and CD8(+) memory T-cells, and in B cell maturation. Recently, survivin has emerged as an important player in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Under the conditions of unreserved inflammation, survivin enhances antigen presentation, maintains persistence of autoreactive cells, and supports production of autoantibodies. In this context, survivin takes its place as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, systemic sclerosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension, neuropathology and multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases and oral lichen planus. In this review, we summarise the knowledge about non-malignant properties of survivin and focus on its engagement in cellular and molecular pathology of autoimmune diseases. The review highlights utility of survivin measures for clinical applications. It provides rational for the survivin inhibiting strategies and presents results of recent reports on survivin inhibition in modern therapies of cancers and autoimmune diseases.
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| 7. |
- Malmhäll-Bah, Eric, et al.
(author)
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Rho-GTPase dependent leukocyte interaction generates pro-inflammatory thymic Tregs and causes arthritis
- 2022
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In: Journal of Autoimmunity. - : Elsevier BV. - 0896-8411 .- 1095-9157. ; 130
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Conditional mutation of protein geranylgeranyltransferase type I (GGTase-I) in macrophages (GLC) activates Rho-GTPases and causes arthritis in mice. Knocking out Rag1 in GLC mice alleviates arthritis which indicates that lymphocytes are required for arthritis development in those mice. To study GLC dependent changes in the adaptive immunity, we isolated CD4(+) T cells from GLC mice (CD4(+)GLCs). Spleen and joint draining lymph nodes (dLN) CD4(+)GLCs exhibited high expression of Cdc42 and Rac1, which repressed the caudal HOXA proteins and activated the mechanosensory complex to facilitate migration. These CDC42/RAC1 rich CD4(+)GLCs presented a complete signature of GARP(+)NRP1(+)IKZF2(+)FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) of thymic origin. Activation of the beta-catenin/Lef1 axis promoted a pro-inflammatory Th1 phenotype of Tregs, which was strongly associated with arthritis severity. Knockout of Cdc42 in macrophages of GLC mice affected CD4(+) cell biology and triggered development of non-thymic Tregs. Knockout of Rac1 and RhoA had no such effects on CD4(+) cells although it alleviated arthritis in GLC mice. Disrupting macrophage and T cell interaction with CTLA4 fusion protein reduced the Th1-driven inflammation and enrichment of thymic Tregs into dLNs. Antigen challenge reinforced the CD4(+)GLC phenotype in non-arthritic heterozygote GLC mice and increased accumulation of Rho-GTPase expressing thymic Tregs in dLNs. Our study demonstrates an unexpected role of macrophages in stimulating the development of pro-inflammatory thymic Tregs and reveal activation of Rho-GTPases behind their arthri-togenic phenotype.
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| 8. |
- Svensson, Mattias, 1982, et al.
(author)
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Murine germinal center B cells require functional Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 signaling for IgG1 class-switch recombination.
- 2015
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In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 1091-6490. ; 112:48, s. E6644-53
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Switched antibody classes are important for efficient immune responses. Aberrant antibody production to otherwise harmless antigens may result in autoimmunity. The protein kinase fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 receptor (Flt3) has an important role during early B-cell development, but the role of Flt3 in peripheral B cells has not been assessed before. Herein we describe a previously unappreciated role for Flt3 in IgG1 class-switch recombination (CSR) and production. We show that Flt3 is reexpressed on B-cell lymphoma 6(+) germinal center B cells in vivo and following LPS activation of peripheral B cells in vitro. Absence of Flt3 signaling in Flt3 ligand-deficient mice results in impaired IgG1 CSR and accumulation of IgM-secreting plasma cells. On activated B cells, Flt3 is coexpressed and functions in synergy with the common-gamma chain receptor family. B cells from Flt3 ligand-deficient mice have impaired IL-4R signaling, with reduced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) 6, and demonstrate a failure to initiate CSR to IgG1 with low expression of γ1 germ-line transcripts, resulting in impaired IgG1 production. Thus, functional synergy between Flt3 and IL-4R signaling is critical for Stat-mediated regulation of sterile γ1 germ-line transcripts and CSR to IgG1.
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| 9. |
- Turkkila, Minna, et al.
(author)
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Suppressed diversity of survivin splicing in active rheumatoid arthritis
- 2015
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In: Arthritis Research & Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6354 .- 1478-6362. ; 17:175
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Alternative splicing distinguishes normal and pathologic cells. High levels of oncoprotein survivin recognise patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we assess clinical relevance of alternative splicing of survivin in leukocytes of peripheral blood (PBMC) and bone marrow (BM) in RA patients. Method: Transcription of survivin wild-type (survivin-WT), survivin-2B and survivin-Delta Ex3 was measured in 67 randomly selected RA patients and in 23 patients before and after B cell depletion with rituximab. Analysis was done in relation to disease activity, anti-rheumatic treatment and serum levels of rheumatoid factor (RF) and survivin. Results: Survivin-WT was the dominant splice variant equally expressed in T and B cells, while survivin-2B and survivin-Delta Ex3 were higher in B cells. High disease activity (DAS28>5.1) was associated with an excess of survivin-WT and low ratios between survivin-2B/WT (p=0.035) and survivin-Delta Ex3/WT in PBMC. Depletion of B cells by rituximab caused a decrease in survivin-WT (p=0.005) in PBMC, increasing the ratio between survivin-2B/WT (p=0.009) and survivin-Delta Ex3/WT (p=0.001) in BM. This increase in survivin-2B/WT was associated with reduction in CD19+BM cells (r=0.929, p=0.007), RF (IgM, r=0.857, p=0.024; IgA, r=0.739, p=0.021), and DAS28 (0.636, p=0.054). The increase in survivin-Delta Ex3 in BM was associated with a reduction of CD19+BM cells (r=0.714, p=0.058) and DAS28 (r=0.648, p=0.049), while survivin-Delta Ex3/WT was associated with RF (IgG, r=0.882, p=0.016). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the suppressed diversity of survivin splicing in leukocytes may attribute to adverse self-recognition in RA. Depletion of autoantibody producing B cells improves the balance of survivin splicing.
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| 10. |
- Wasén, Caroline, et al.
(author)
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Smoking activates cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells and causes survivin release in rheumatoid arthritis
- 2017
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In: Journal of Autoimmunity. - : Elsevier BV. - 0896-8411 .- 1095-9157. ; 78, s. 101-110
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- CD8(+) T cells have an emerging role in RA. Resent research indicates a causal relationship between the non-exhausted state of CD8(+) T cells, defined by lost function of PD-1, and development of arthritis. We investigated how smoking contributes to the non-exhausted phenotype of CD8(+) T cells and cause survivin release to serum. We compared serum survivin levels between smokers and non-smokers in 252 RA and 168 healthy subjects. Nicotine effects on CD8(+) T cells were studied in peripheral blood of smoking women, bone marrow of nicotine treated mice and in sorted CD8 spleen cells in vitro using flow cytometry and quantitative PCR. Smoking increased the frequency of survivin release in serum of healthy women (OR 3.64, p = 0.025) and in RA patients (OR 1.98, p = 0.039). CD8(+) T cells of smokers gained a non-exhausted PD-1 deficient phenotype. Expression of the cytotoxic marker CD107 correlated to survivin levels in serum. In the experimental setting, nicotine exposure led to an accumulation of non-exhausted PD-1(-)IL-7R(+) CD8(+) T cells in the bone marrow that is abundant with survivin producing cells. The production of the cytolytic protein perforin in bone marrow correlated to serum survivin levels. In vitro stimulation of nicotinic receptors on murine CD8+ T cells induced repressive transcription factors T-bet and Blimp-1 in support of the non-exhausted phenotype. We conclude that nicotine contributes to autoimmunity by supporting the non-exhausted state of CD8+ T cells resulting in the release of survivin. This presents a new mechanism by which smoking may contribute to the pathogenesis of RA. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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