| 1. |
- Knight, Ann, et al.
(författare)
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Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome in Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis : Subtypes, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcome
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of Rheumatology. - : The Journal of Rheumatology. - 0315-162X .- 1499-2752. ; 42:4, s. 690-694
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) have an increased risk of hematological malignancies, especially leukemia. Our aim was to assess clinical characteristics and treatment of patients with GPA complicated by hematological malignancies with focus on leukemia and to describe these malignancies in more detail.METHODS: From the Swedish population-based patient register, all individuals with a diagnosis of GPA from 1964-2012 were identified (n = 3224). Through linkage with the Swedish Cancer Register, we searched for all cases of leukemia [International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 7: 204-207 and corresponding codes ICD 8-10] registered after the first discharge listing GPA. The GPA diagnosis was evaluated using the European Medical Association classification algorithm. To confirm the hematological malignancy, all diagnostic bone marrow samples were reclassified. Clinical data of both the GPA and hematological malignancy were collected from medical files.RESULTS: Twenty-one cases were identified, all of myeloid origin, including 9 with myelodysplastic syndrome developing to acute myeloid leukemia (MDS-AML), 7 AML, 3 MDS, and 2 chronic myeloid leukemia. The median time from GPA diagnosis to hematological malignancy was 8 years (range 5-21). All patients had severe generalized GPA and had received high doses of cyclophosphamide (CYC; median cumulative dose 96.5 g). Cytopenia occurred in 76% of the patients prior to the hematological malignancy.CONCLUSION: The findings emphasize the longterm risk of leukemia and MDS in CYC-treated, severely ill patients with GPA. Cytopenia during the course of GPA may be a warning sign and warrants a liberal attitude toward bone marrow examination.
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| 2. |
- Carlsson, Henrik, et al.
(författare)
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Measurement of hydroxychloroquine in blood from SLE patients using LC-HRMS : Evaluation of whole blood, plasma and serum as sample matrices
- 2020
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Ingår i: Arthritis Research & Therapy. - : BioMed Central. - 1478-6362. ; 22:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is the standard of care in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases and potentially for the treatment in COVID-19 patients. Determination of HCQ for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) can be performed in whole blood (WB), serum, and plasma. Direct comparisons of WB, serum, and plasma levels of HCQ in patients with SLE have not previously been reported. We describe a method for the determination of HCQ in human blood using liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and compare the suitability of the three sample matrices. Methods A method for the determination of HCQ in human blood using LC-HRMS was developed, validated, and applied for the determination of HCQ levels in WB, serum, and plasma from 26 SLE patients. The reproducibility of the method, in the three matrices, was evaluated using quality control samples and repeated preparations and measurements of patient samples. The performance of the developed method for HCQ measurement in serum was further evaluated by comparison with two previously reported extraction methods. Results The performance of the presented method demonstrated high accuracy and precision. A large range of HCQ concentrations was observed for the SLE patients in all three matrices (WB, serum, and plasma). The mean levels in WB were approximately two-fold the levels in serum and plasma (813 ng/mL compared to 436 ng/mL and 362 ng/mL, respectively). Spiked quality controls showed high reproducibility for all matrices (coefficient of variation, CV, approx. 5%), whereas in patient samples, equally high-precision was only found using WB as the matrix (CV 3%). The CV for serum and plasma was 14% and 39%, respectively. Two alternative methods applied to serum samples did not demonstrate improved precision. Conclusions A LC-HRMS method for the measurement of HCQ in human blood was developed and validated. Whole blood was found to be the superior sample matrix in terms of sample reproducibility. Thus, whole blood samples should be used for HCQ analysis when patients are monitored for HCQ treatment effects. The assay is in clinical use to monitor levels of HCQ in patients.
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| 3. |
- Hagberg, Niklas, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Autoantibodies to the CD94/NKG2A and CD94/NKG2C receptors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Objectives: To investigate the occurrence and function of autoantibodies (autoabs) targeting the CD94/NKG2A, CD94/NKG2C or NKG2D receptors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Method: Murine Ba/F3 cells transfected with CD94/NKG2A, CD94/NKG2C or NKG2D, and untransfected cells were incubated with sera from 203 patients with SLE and 90 healthy individuals. Binding of immunoglobulin (Ig) to the cells was determined by flow cytometry. Autoabs were characterized with regard to isotype, subclass, λ/κ exclusion and interference with HLA-E-binding. IgG were evaluated for effect on NK cell degranulation in response to HLA-E-transfected K562 target cells, as well as their capacity to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The frequency and phenotype of NK cells from these patients were determined by flow cytometry and the exons encoding NKG2A (KLRC1), NKG2C (KLRC2) and CD94 (KLRD1) were sequenced. The titers of anti-CD94/NKG2A and -CD94/NKG2C autoabs were determined in longitudinally sampled sera and correlated to disease activity (SLEDAI score) and severity (SLICC/ACR damage index).Results: Seven patients with autoabs targeting the CD94/NKG2A receptor were identified. Two of these patients’ autoabs also recognized the CD94/NKG2C receptor. IgG from six of the patients interfered with the binding of HLA-E to CD94/NKG2A, whereas IgG from one patient increased this binding. Of the two patients with anti-CD94/NKG2C autoabs, IgG from one patient blocked, and IgG from the other patient stabilized the binding of HLA-E to CD94/NKG2C. Anti-CD94/NKG2A autoabs abrogated the HLA-E-mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity by CD94/NKG2A+ NK cells, whereas anti-CD94/NKG2C autoabs interfered with the HLA-E-mediated increased cytotoxicity of CD94/NKG2C+ NK cells. Furthermore, these autoabs induced ADCC of CD94/NKG2A- and CD94/NKG2C-expressing target cells. No uncommon non-synonymous sequence variations were found in the genes encoding NKG2A, NKG2C or CD94. The titers of anti-CD94/NKG2A and -CD94/NKG2C autoabs were associated to the SLEDAI score.Conclusions: Autoabs targeting the CD94/NKG2A or the CD94/NKG2C receptor are found in a subset of patients with SLE. These autoabs affects the cytotoxicity of NK cells, mediate ADCC in vitro and their titers are associated to the disease activity and a more severe SLE phenotype. Consequently, anti-CD94/NKG2A and anti-CD94/NKG2C autoabs may contribute to the pathogenesis of SLE and our findings highlight the possible importance of NK cells in the SLE disease process.
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| 4. |
- Hagberg, Niklas, et al.
(författare)
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Functional Anti-CD94/NKG2A and Anti-CD94/NKG2C Autoantibodies in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- 2015
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Ingår i: ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATOLOGY. - : Wiley. - 2326-5191 .- 2326-5205. ; 67:4, s. 1000-1011
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective. Recently we serendipitously identified a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who was positive for autoantibodies to CD94/natural killer receptor group 2A (NKG2A). The present study was undertaken to investigate the occurrence and function of autoantibodies targeting lectin-like NK cell receptors in SLE. Methods. Sera from 203 SLE patients and 90 healthy individuals were analyzed, by flow cytometry, for Ig binding to Ba/F3 cells transfected with CD94/NKG2A, CD94/NKG2C, or NKG2D. Autoantibodies identified were characterized with regard to interference with HLA-E binding, effect on NK cell activation in response to HLA-E-transfected K562 cells, and capacity to facilitate antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Levels of autoantibodies were determined in longitudinally sampled sera, and correlations with disease activity (SLE Disease Activity Index 2000) and severity (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index) were investigated. Results. Anti-CD94/NKG2A autoantibodies were identified in 7 SLE patients. The autoantibodies from 6 patients inhibited binding of HLA-E to CD94/NKG2A, whereas those from the seventh patient augmented this binding. Autoantibodies from 2 patients also reacted with the activating receptor CD94/NKG2C, with inhibition of the binding of HLA-E to CD94/NKG2C observed in 1 case and enhancement of this binding in the other. None of the sera contained anti-NKG2D autoantibodies. The levels of anti-CD94/NKG2A and anti-CD94/NKG2C autoantibodies correlated with disease activity and with a more severe SLE phenotype. Mechanistically, anti-CD94/NKG2A and anti-CD94/NKG2C autoantibodies both interfered with HLA-E-mediated regulation of NK cell activation and facilitated the elimination of target cells expressing CD94/NKG2A or CD94/NKG2C through ADCC. Conclusion. Anti-CD94/NKG2A and anti-CD94/NKG2C autoantibodies occur in a subset of patients with clinically active SLE. Given their capacity to deplete certain NK cell subsets and interfere with particular NK cell function, such autoantibodies may promote the pathogenesis of SLE.
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| 5. |
- Hellbacher, Erik, et al.
(författare)
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Malignant lymphoma in granulomatosis with polyangiitis : subtypes, clinical characteristics and prognosis
- 2019
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Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 58:11, s. 1655-1659
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Several autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and primary Sjögrens’s syndrome (pSS), have repeatedly been linked to an increased risk of malignant lymphoma [1,2]. Certain inflammatory conditions are also associated with the development of specific lymphoma subtypes such as mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma in pSS and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in RA. The underlying mechanisms behind this association remain unclear. The highly increased risk of developing MALT lymphoma of the parotid gland in pSS indicates that local inflammatory processes can promote lymphoma development at the site of chronic inflammation [3]. In RA, an association between disease severity and risk of lymphoma has been shown.Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly Wegener’s granulomatosis, is a systemic small vessel vasculitis associated with the presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) and characterized by granulomatous inflammation and necrotizing vasculitis of the airways and kidneys but possibly affecting any organ system. An increased risk of lymphoma in patients with GPA has been reported in several epidemiological studies [4,5]. However, very little is known about risk factors for lymphoma development in this group, possible relation to disease severity, treatment and lymphoma subtypes or the prognosis for the lymphomas. This is the first published study on GPA and lymphoma, giving detailed information on the GPA characteristics and possible risk factors for lymphoma and also lymphoma subtypes treatment and survival.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Hjorton, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Cytokine production by activated plasmacytoid dendritic cells and natural killer cells is suppressed by an IRAK4 inhibitor
- 2018
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Ingår i: Arthritis Research & Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6362. ; 20
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), immune complexes (ICs) containing self-derived nucleic acids trigger the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines by immune cells. We asked how an interleukin (IL)-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 small molecule inhibitor (IRAK4i) affects RNA-IC-induced cytokine production compared with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ).Methods: Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and natural killer (NK) cells were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of healthy individuals. PBMCs from SLE patients and healthy individuals were depleted of monocytes. Cells were stimulated with RNA-containing IC (RNA-IC) in the presence or absence of IRAK4i I92 or HCQ, and cytokines were measured by immunoassay or flow cytometry. Transcriptome sequencing was performed on RNA-IC-stimulated pDCs from healthy individuals to assess the effect of IRAK4i and HCQ.Results: In healthy individuals, RNA-IC induced interferon (IFN)-α, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)1-α, and MIP1-β production in pDC and NK cell cocultures. IFN-α production was selective for pDCs, whereas both pDCs and NK cells produced TNF-α. IRAK4i reduced the pDC and NK cell-derived cytokine production by 74–95%. HCQ interfered with cytokine production in pDCs but not in NK cells. In monocyte-depleted PBMCs, IRAK4i blocked cytokine production more efficiently than HCQ. Following RNA-IC activation of pDCs, 975 differentially expressed genes were observed (false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05), with many connected to cytokine pathways, cell regulation, and apoptosis. IRAK4i altered the expression of a larger number of RNA-IC-induced genes than did HCQ (492 versus 65 genes).Conclusions: The IRAK4i I92 exhibits a broader inhibitory effect than HCQ on proinflammatory pathways triggered by RNA-IC, suggesting IRAK4 inhibition as a therapeutic option in SLE.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Hjorton, Karin, 1974-
(författare)
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The activation and regulation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in SLE : and possible therapeutic interventions
- 2020
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease, characterized by the presence of anti-nuclear antibodies and the formation of nucleic acid containing immune complexes (ICs), which can cause organ damage by deposition in tissues. ICs strongly trigger the plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) to produce interferon (IFN)-α, which potently activates the immune system. An activated type I IFN system is seen in a majority of SLE patients. Natural killer (NK) cells enhance the IC triggered response of pDCs. Other NK cell alterations are described in SLE. Standard SLE treatment, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), reduces flare risks, and HCQ concentration measurement can optimize its dosing. However, new treatments are needed.In paper I, we screened for autoantibodies to lectin-like NK cell receptors. In 3.4% of SLE patient sera, autoantibodies to CD94/NKG2A and CD94/NKG2C were found, which interfered with HLA-E mediated regulation of NK cell cytotoxicity, and facilitated elimination of target cells expressing expressing these receptors. Autoantibody levels correlated with SLE disease activity and with a more severe disease phenotype.In paper II, we found that RNA-IC triggered proinflammatory cytokine production in immune cells from healthy blood donors and SLE patients. After RNA-IC stimulation of pDCs, RNA sequencing detected 975 differentially expressed genes, connected to cytokine pathways, cell regulation and apoptosis. An IRAK4i had a broader inhibitory effect on RNA-IC triggered cytokine production and pro-inflammatory pathways than HCQ.In paper III we showed that RNA-IC induced type III IFN production in a subset of pDCs (3%) which also produced type I IFN. Type III IFN production by pDCs was enhanced by NK and B cells, as well as by IFN-λ2, IFN-α2b, interleukin (IL)-3, IL-6 and GM-CSF. Type III IFN production by RNA-IC stimulated immune cells of SLE patients was detected in a minority. IFN-α2b and GM-CSF increased the proportion of responders to RNA-IC from 11 to 33%.In paper IV a LC-HRMS method, was evaluated for HCQ concentration measurement in whole blood (WB), serum and plasma from 26 SLE patients. The levels in WB were approximately 2-fold compared to serum and plasma, and correlated with weekly HCQ-dose. Large inter-individual variations were observed, despite equal doses. The WB matrix showed superior reproducibility in patient samples (CV<5%).These findings add to the knowledge of how cytokine production by pDCs in SLE is regulated, and support a role for NK cells in the pathogenesis of SLE. Moreover WB was the superior matrix for HCQ measurement in SLE patients.
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
- Hjorton, Karin, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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The regulation and pharmacological modulation of immune complex induced type III IFN production by plasmacytoid dendritic cells
- 2020
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Ingår i: Arthritis Research & Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6362. ; 22:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectivePatients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an ongoing interferon (IFN) production due to an activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), which can be triggered to type I IFN synthesis by RNA containing immune complexes (RNA-IC). Considering emerging data suggesting a role of type III IFN in the SLE disease process, we asked if RNA-IC can induce type III IFN production in pDC and how this production can be regulated.MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or immune cell subsets were isolated from healthy blood donors or SLE patients and stimulated with IC containing U1 snRNP and SLE-IgG (RNA-IC). Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and an interleukin receptor 1-associated kinase 4 inhibitor (IRAK4i) were added to cell cultures. Cytokine mRNA levels were determined with a microarray and protein levels with immunoassays. Single-cell RNA sequencing of pDCs using ddSEQ technology was performed.ResultsType III IFN mRNA and protein was induced in RNA-IC-stimulated pDC-NK and pDC-B cell co-cultures. A subset of activated pDCs (3%) expressed both type III and type I IFN mRNA. IFN-λ2, IFN-α2b, interleukin (IL)-3, IL-6, or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) enhanced IFN-λ1/3 production 2–5-fold. HCQ and an IRAK4i blocked the RNA-IC-triggered IFN-λ1/3 production (p < 0.01). IFN-α2b and GM-CSF increased the proportion of SLE patients producing IFN-λ1/3 in response to RNA-IC from 11 to 33%.ConclusionsType III IFN production is triggered by RNA-IC in pDCs in a TLR-MyD88-dependent manner, enhanced by NK and B cells as well as several pro-inflammatory cytokines. These results support a contributing role for both type I and type III IFNs in SLE, which needs to be considered when targeting the IFN system in this disease.
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| 13. |
- Segerberg, Filip, et al.
(författare)
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Autoantibodies to Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptors in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Induce Natural Killer Cell Hyporesponsiveness
- 2019
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Immunology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-3224. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity toward self-cells is restrained by the inhibitory HLA class I-binding receptors CD94/NKG2A and the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). CD94/NKG2A and KIRs are also essential for NK cell education, which is a dynamic functional maturation process where a constitutive binding of inhibitory receptors to cognate HLA class I molecules is required for NK cells to maintain their full cytotoxic capacity. Previously, we described autoantibodies to CD94/NKG2A in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study we analyzed sera from 191 patients with SLE, 119 patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), 48 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and 100 healthy donors (HD) for autoantibodies to eight different KIRs. Anti-KIR autoantibodies were identified in sera from 23.0% of patients with SLE, 10.9% of patients with pSS, 12.5% of patients with SSc, and 3.0% of HD. IgG from anti-KIR-positive SLE patients reduced the degranulation and cytotoxicity of NK cells toward K562 tumor cells. The presence of anti-KIR-autoantibodies reacting with >3 KIRs was associated with an increased disease activity (p < 0.0001), elevated serum levels of IFN-alpha (p < 0.0001), nephritis (p = 0.001), and the presence of anti-Sm (p = 0.007), and anti-RNP (p = 0.003) autoantibodies in serum. Together these findings suggest that anti-KIR autoantibodies may contribute to the reduced function of NK cells in SLE patients, and that a defective NK cell function may be a risk factor for the development of lupus nephritis.
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