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- Bergemalm, Daniel, 1977-, et al.
(author)
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Systemic Inflammation in Preclinical Ulcerative Colitis
- 2021
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In: Gastroenterology. - : AGA Institute. - 0016-5085 .- 1528-0012. ; 161:5, s. 1526-1539.e9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background & Aims: Preclinical ulcerative colitis is poorly defined. We aimed to characterize the preclinical systemic inflammation in ulcerative colitis, using a comprehensive set of proteins.Methods: We obtained plasma samples biobanked from individuals who developed ulcerative colitis later in life (n = 72) and matched healthy controls (n = 140) within a population-based screening cohort. We measured 92 proteins related to inflammation using a proximity extension assay. The biologic relevance of these findings was validated in an inception cohort of patients with ulcerative colitis (n = 101) and healthy controls (n = 50). To examine the influence of genetic and environmental factors on these markers, a cohort of healthy twin siblings of patients with ulcerative colitis (n = 41) and matched healthy controls (n = 37) were explored.Results: Six proteins (MMP10, CXCL9, CCL11, SLAMF1, CXCL11 and MCP-1) were up-regulated (P < .05) in preclinical ulcerative colitis compared with controls based on both univariate and multivariable models. Ingenuity Pathway Analyses identified several potential key regulators, including interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor, interferon-gamma, oncostatin M, nuclear factor-κB, interleukin-6, and interleukin-4. For validation, we built a multivariable model to predict disease in the inception cohort. The model discriminated treatment-naïve patients with ulcerative colitis from controls with leave-one-out cross-validation (area under the curve = 0.92). Consistently, MMP10, CXCL9, CXCL11, and MCP-1, but not CCL11 and SLAMF1, were significantly up-regulated among the healthy twin siblings, even though their relative abundances seemed higher in incident ulcerative colitis.Conclusions: A set of inflammatory proteins are up-regulated several years before a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. These proteins were highly predictive of an ulcerative colitis diagnosis, and some seemed to be up-regulated already at exposure to genetic and environmental risk factors.
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- Briggs, Andrew M., et al.
(author)
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Health systems strengthening to arrest the global disability burden : Empirical development of prioritised components for a global strategy for improving musculoskeletal health
- 2021
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In: BMJ Global Health. - : BMJ. - 2059-7908. ; 6:6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction Despite the profound burden of disease, a strategic global response to optimise musculoskeletal (MSK) health and guide national-level health systems strengthening priorities remains absent. Auspiced by the Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health (G-MUSC), we aimed to empirically derive requisite priorities and components of a strategic response to guide global and national-level action on MSK health. Methods Design: mixed-methods, three-phase design. Phase 1: qualitative study with international key informants (KIs), including patient representatives and people with lived experience. KIs characterised the contemporary landscape for MSK health and priorities for a global strategic response. Phase 2: scoping review of national health policies to identify contemporary MSK policy trends and foci. Phase 3: informed by phases 1-2, was a global eDelphi where multisectoral panellists rated and iterated a framework of priorities and detailed components/actions. Results Phase 1: 31 KIs representing 25 organisations were sampled from 20 countries (40% low and middle income (LMIC)). Inductively derived themes were used to construct a logic model to underpin latter phases, consisting of five guiding principles, eight strategic priority areas and seven accelerators for action. Phase 2: of the 165 documents identified, 41 (24.8%) from 22 countries (88% high-income countries) and 2 regions met the inclusion criteria. Eight overarching policy themes, supported by 47 subthemes, were derived, aligning closely with the logic model. Phase 3: 674 panellists from 72 countries (46% LMICs) participated in round 1 and 439 (65%) in round 2 of the eDelphi. Fifty-nine components were retained with 10 (17%) identified as essential for health systems. 97.6% and 94.8% agreed or strongly agreed the framework was valuable and credible, respectively, for health systems strengthening. Conclusion An empirically derived framework, co-designed and strongly supported by multisectoral stakeholders, can now be used as a blueprint for global and country-level responses to improve MSK health and prioritise system strengthening initiatives.
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- Johansson, H., et al.
(author)
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FRAX-based fracture probabilities in South Africa
- 2021
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In: Archives of Osteoporosis. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1862-3522 .- 1862-3514. ; 16:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The hip fracture rates in South Africa were used to create ethnic-specific FRAX (R) models to facilitate fracture risk assessment.IntroductionThe aim of this study was to develop FRAX models to compute the 10-year probability of hip fracture and major osteoporotic fracture and assess their potential clinical application.MethodsAge- and sex-specific incidence of hip fracture and national mortality rates were incorporated into a FRAX model for the White, Black African, Coloured and Indian population of South Africa. Age-specific 10-year probabilities of a major osteoporotic fracture were calculated in women to determine fracture probabilities at a femoral neck T score of -2.5 SD, or those equivalent to a woman with a prior fragility fracture. Fracture probabilities were compared with those from selected countries.ResultsProbabilities were consistently higher in Indian than in Coloured men and women, in turn, higher than in Black South Africans. For White South Africans, probabilities were lower than in Indians at young ages up to the age of about 80 years. When a BMD T score of -2.5 SD was used as an intervention threshold, FRAX probabilities in women age 50 years were approximately 2-fold higher than in women of the same age but with an average BMD and no risk factors. The increment in risk associated with the BMD threshold decreased progressively with age such that, at the age of 80 years or more, a T score of -2.5 SD was no longer a risk factor. Probabilities equivalent to women with a previous fracture rose with age and identified women at increased risk at all ages.ConclusionsThese FRAX models should enhance accuracy of determining fracture probability amongst the South African population and help guide decisions about treatment.
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- Kalla, R., et al.
(author)
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Analysis of systemic epigenetic alterations in inflammatory bowel disease : defining geographical, genetic, and immune-inflammatory influences on the circulating methylome
- 2023
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In: Journal of Crohn's & Colitis. - : Oxford University Press. - 1873-9946 .- 1876-4479. ; 17:2, s. 170-184
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Epigenetic alterations may provide valuable insights into gene-environment interactions play in the pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).METHODS: Genome-wide methylation was measured from peripheral blood using the Illumina 450k platform in a case-control study in an inception cohort (295 controls, 154 CD, 161 UC, 28 IBD-U) with covariates of age, sex, and cell counts, deconvoluted by the Houseman method. Genotyping was performed using Illumina HumanOmniExpressExome-8 BeadChips and gene expression using Ion AmpliSeq Human Gene Expression Core Panel. Treatment escalation was characterised by the need for biological agents or surgery after initial disease remission.RESULTS: A total of 137 differentially methylated positions (DMP) were identified in IBD, including VMP1/MIR21 (p=9.11×10 -15) and RPS6KA2 (6.43×10 -13); with consistency seen across Scandinavia and UK. Dysregulated loci demonstrate strong genetic influence, notably VMP1 (p=1.53×10 -15). Age acceleration is seen in IBD (coefficient 0.94, p<2.2x10 -16). Several immuno-active genes demonstrated highly significant correlations between methylation and gene expression in IBD, in particular OSM: IBD r -0.32, p 3.64×10 -7 vs. non-IBD r -0.14, p=0.77). Multi-omic integration of methylome, genome and transcriptome also implicate specific pathways that associate with immune activation, response and regulation at disease inception. At follow up, a signature of 3 DMPs (TAP1, TESPA1, RPTOR) associated with treatment escalation to biological agents or surgery (hazard ratio of 5.19 (CI:2.14-12.56, logrank p=9.70×10 -4).CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate consistent epigenetic alterations at diagnosis in European patients with IBD, providing insights into the pathogenetic importance and translational potential of epigenetic mapping in complex disease.
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- Kalla, R., et al.
(author)
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Serum proteomic profiling at diagnosis predicts clinical course, and need for intensification of treatment in inflammatory bowel disease
- 2021
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In: Journal of Crohn's & Colitis. - : Elsevier. - 1873-9946 .- 1876-4479. ; 15:5, s. 699-708
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Success in personalised medicine in complex disease is critically dependent on biomarker discovery. We profiled serum proteins using a novel proximity extension assay (PEA) to identify diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).METHODS: We conducted a prospective case-control study in an inception cohort of 552 patients (328 IBD, 224 non-IBD), profiling proteins recruited across 6 centres. Treatment escalation was characterised by the need for biological agents or surgery after initial disease remission. Nested leave-one-out cross validation was used to examine the performance of diagnostic and prognostic proteins.RESULTS: A total of 66 serum proteins differentiated IBD from symptomatic non-IBD controls including MMP-12 (Holm adjusted p=4.1×10 -23 ) and OSM (p=3.7×10 -16). Nine of these proteins associate with cis- germline variation (59 independent SNPs). Fifteen proteins, all members of TNF independent pathways including IL-1 and OSM predicted escalation, over a median follow-up of 518 (IQR 224-756) days. Nested cross-validation of the entire data set allows characterisation of 5-protein-models (96% comprising five core proteins ITGAV, EpCAM, IL18, SLAMF7, and IL8) which define a high-risk subgroup in IBD (HR 3.90, CI: 2.43-6.26), or allows distinct 2, and 3 protein models for UC and CD respectively.CONCLUSION: We have characterised a simple oligo-protein panel that has the potential to identify IBD from symptomatic controls and to predict future disease course. Further prospective work is required to validate our findings.
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- Kalla, R., et al.
(author)
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Whole blood profiling of T-cell derived miRNA allows the development of prognostic models in inflammatory bowel disease
- 2020
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In: Journal of Crohn's & Colitis. - : Elsevier. - 1873-9946 .- 1876-4479. ; 14:12, s. 1724-1733
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are cell-specific small non-coding RNAs that can regulate gene expression and have been implicated in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) pathogenesis. In our study, we define the cell-specific miRNA profiles and investigate its biomarker potential in IBD.METHODS: In a 2-stage prospective multi-centre case control study, Next Generation sequencing was performed on a discovery cohort of immunomagnetically separated leucocytes from 32 patients (9 CD, 14 UC, 8 healthy controls) and differentially expressed signals were validated in whole blood in 294 patients (97 UC, 98 CD, 98 non-IBD) using quantitative PCR. Correlations were analysed with phenotype, including need for early treatment escalation as a marker of progressive disease using Cox proportional hazards.RESULTS: In stage 1, each leucocyte subset (CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells and CD14+ monocytes) was analysed in IBD and controls. Three specific miRNAs differentiated IBD from controls in CD4+ T-cells, including miR-1307-3p (p=0.01), miR-3615 (p=0.02) and miR-4792 (p=0.01). In the extension cohort, in stage 2, miR-1307-3p was able to predict disease progression in IBD (HR 1.98, IQR:1.20-3.27;logrank p=1.80×10-3), in particular CD (HR 2.81; IQR: 1.11-3.53, p=6.50×10-4). Using blood-based multimarker miRNA models, the estimated chance of escalation in CD was 83% if 2 or more criteria were met and 90% for UC if 3 or more criteria are met.INTERPRETATION: We have identified and validated unique CD4+ T-cell miRNAs that are differentially regulated in IBD. These miRNAs may be able to predict treatment escalation and have the potential for clinical translation; further prospective evaluation is now indicated.
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- Olbjern, Christine, et al.
(author)
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Fecal microbiota profiles in treatment-naive pediatric inflammatory bowel disease : associations with disease phenotype, treatment, and outcome
- 2019
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In: Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology. - Macclesfield, United Kingdom : DOVE MEDICAL PRESS LTD. - 1178-7023. ; 12, s. 37-49
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Imbalance in the microbiota, dysbiosis, has been identified in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We explored the fecal microbiota in pediatric patients with treatment-naive IBD, non-IBD patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and healthy children, its relation to IBD subgroups, and treatment outcomes. Patients and methods: Fecal samples were collected from 235 children below 18 years of age. Eighty children had Crohns disease (CD), 27 ulcerative colitis (UC), 3 IBD unclassified, 50 were non-IBD symptomatic patients, and 75 were healthy. The bacterial abundance of 54 predefined DNA markers was measured with a 16S rRNA DNA-based test using GA-Map (TM) technology at diagnosis and after therapy in IBD patients. Results: Bacterial abundance was similarly reduced in IBD and non-IBD patients in 51 of 54 markers compared to healthy patients (Pamp;lt;0.001). Only Prevotella was more abundant in patients (Pamp;lt;0.01). IBD patients with ileocolitis or total colitis had more Ruminococcus gnavus (P=0.02) than patients with colonic CD or left-sided UC. CD patients with upper gastrointestinal manifestations had higher Veillonella abundance (Pamp;lt;0.01). IBD patients (58%) who received biologic therapy had lower baseline Firmicutes and Mycoplasma hominis abundance (Pamp;lt;0.01) than conventionally treated. High Proteobacteria abundance was associated with stricturing/penetrating CD, surgery (Pamp;lt;0.01), and nonmucosal healing (Pamp;lt;0.03). Low Faecalibacterium prausnitzii abundance was associated with prior antibiotic therapy (P=0.001), surgery (P=0.02), and nonmucosal healing (Pamp;lt;0.03). After therapy, IBD patients had unchanged dysbiosis. Conclusion: Fecal microbiota profiles differentiated IBD and non-IBD symptomatic children from healthy children, but displayed similar dysbiosis in IBD and non-IBD symptomatic patients. Pretreatment fecal microbiota profiles may be of prognostic value and aid in treatment individualization in pediatric IBD as severe dysbiosis was associated with an extensive, complicated phenotype, biologic therapy, and nonmucosal healing. The dysbiosis persisted after therapy, regardless of treatments and mucosal healing.
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