Decreased serum ACE2 levels in patients with connective tissue diseases

Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojun Tang ◽  
Linyu Geng ◽  
Xuebing Feng ◽  
Lingyun Sun
Keyword(s):  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Connective Tissue Diseases ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Activity Index Score

Abstract Objective To evaluate serum concentration and activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs). Methods Serum samples from healthy subjects and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were collected. The concentration and activity of ACE2 were measured by ELISA and fluorometric method respectively, and analyzed for associations with clinical features and concurrent medications. Results Totally 66 SLE, 55 SSc, 31 SS and 31 RA patients were involved. ACE2 concentration was significantly decreased in patients with either of the four CTDs compared with healthy subjects. The concentration was not linked to special clinical features expect that it was slightly lower in patients with lupus nephritis than those without. In SLE patients, ACE2 concentration elevated with the increase of glucocorticoids, and was not associated with other treatments. Different from the concentration, ACE2 activity was increased in CTD patients. A weak correlation of ACE2 activity with SLE disease activity index score was also observed. Conclusion The clinical significance of ACE2 concentration and activity looks quite different among CTD patients. Preliminary data suggests ACE2 levels are not affected by most of the treatments.

Serum Levels of Soluble CD40 Ligand at Flare and at Remission in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 953-960 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARIA URQUIZU-PADILLA ◽  
EVA BALADA ◽  
FINA CORTÉS ◽  
EDUARDO HERMOSILLA PÉREZ ◽  
MIQUEL VILARDELL-TARRÉS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Cd40 Ligand ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Soluble Cd40 Ligand ◽  
Group 4

Objective.To perform a prospective evaluation of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) levels according to the activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods.Two serum samples were taken from 53 patients with SLE: at flare and at remission. Clinical and biological measures (sCD40L levels were measured by a commercial ELISA) were evaluated in both situations.Results.Patients with SLE had significantly lower median levels of sCD40L during flare than during remission [3365 (6157) vs 7125 (4122) pg/ml; p < 0.001]. The multivariate analysis to explain those patients with lower values of sCD40L during flare than during remission included 3 variables: 2 related to flare (prednisone dose received ≤ 15 mg/day and platelet counts > 192,000 × 106/l) and one related to lower changes in SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score. We regrouped patients with the 2 characteristics related to flare as Group 4, and the others were Group 123. All patients with low SLEDAI scores at flare had statistically significant lower sCD40L levels during flare than during remission. When flare SLEDAI scores were higher than the 50th percentile, patients of Group 123 showed the same behavior and even more diminished levels of sCD40L during flare than patients of Group 123 with low SLEDAI scores (p = 0.023); and patients of Group 4 showed no differences in the values of sCD40L between flare and remission (p = 0.241).Conclusion.sCD40L plays a biologically active role, with decreased levels at flare at low SLEDAI scores. At high SLEDAI scores there are mechanisms that involve platelets and that are inhibited by high doses of prednisone that lead to increased serum values of sCD40L at flare.

scholarly journals Reduced sB7-H3 Expression in the Peripheral Blood of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Sun ◽  
Huijun Lai ◽  
Dong Shen ◽  
Pingping Wu ◽  
Jie Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Aberrant Expression ◽  
Activity Index Score

Both membrane-bound and soluble forms of costimulatory molecules play important roles in immune-regulatory networks. B7-H3, a member of the B7 family, has been found with aberrant expression in tumors and infectious disease. However, the significance of sB7-H3 expression in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has not been investigated. Using the peripheral blood of 78 SLE patients, we established a comprehensive database containing clinical data and relevant laboratory tests. We found that sB7-H3 expression in SLE patients was significantly lower compared with the healthy individuals. In addition, sB7-H3 levels in the patients were positively correlated with the disease activity as indicated by SLE disease activity index score, rashes, fever, and inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, sB7-H3 was associated with the counts of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Our findings suggest that sB7-H3 might counteract the aberrant immune response and potentially serve as a monitoring indicator of disease progression and therapeutic target in SLE treatment.

Fatigue in SLE: diagnostic and pathogenic impact of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) autoantibodies

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (9) ◽  
pp. 1226-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Schwarting ◽  
Tamara Möckel ◽  
Freya Lütgendorf ◽  
Konstantinos Triantafyllias ◽  
Sophia Grella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Aspartate Receptor ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesWe explored the impact of circulating anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies on the severity of fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodsSerum samples of 426 patients with SLE were analysed for the presence of antibodies to the NR2 subunit of the NMDAR. In parallel, the severity of fatigue was determined according to the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive functions questionnaire. In a subgroup of patients with SLE, the hippocampal volume was correlated with the levels of anti-NR2 antibodies. Isolated immunoglobulin G from patients with anti-NR2 antibodies were used for murine immunohistochemical experiments and functional assays on neuronal cell lines. Treatment effects were studied in 86 patients with lupus under belimumab therapy.ResultsWe found a close correlation between the titre of anti-NR2 antibodies, the severity of fatigue, the clinical disease activity index (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000) and anti-double stranded DNA antibodies—independently of the presence of neuropsychiatric lupus manifestations. Pathogenic effects could be demonstrated by (1) detection of anti-NR2 antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid, (2) in situ binding of anti-NR2 antibodies to NMDAR of the hippocampus area and (3) distinct functional effects in vitro: downregulating the energy metabolism of neuronal cells without enhanced cytotoxicity. Treatment with belimumab for at least 6 months affected both the severity of fatigue and the levels of anti-NR2 antibodies.ConclusionThe presence of anti-NR2 antibodies in patients with SLE with fatigue is a helpful diagnostic tool and may offer a major approach in the therapeutic management of this important disabling symptom in patients with SLE.

scholarly journals POS0755 PREVALENCE AND RELEVANCE OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST CITRULLINATED ALPHA ENOLASE (ANTI-CEP1) IN CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASES

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 630.1-630
Author(s):  
A. Alunno ◽  
O. Bistoni ◽  
F. Carubbi ◽  
M. Antonucci ◽  
S. Calvacchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Bone Erosion ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Connective Tissue Diseases ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Healthy Donors

Background:Anti-citrullinated alpha enolase antibodies have been investigated in rheumatoid arthritis and associated with bone erosion and interstitial lung disease but little is known about their prevalence and role in connective tissue diseases (CTDs).Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and relevance of anti-CEP1 antibodies in CTDs.Methods:Serum samples from five independent patient cohorts were assessed: 1) established (est) primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS) N=78, 2) est-systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) N=52, 3) est-systemic sclerosis (SSc) N=71, 4) pSS at disease onset N=30, 5) SLE at disease onset N=46 (cohorts 4 and 5 had at least 3 years of follow-up). Samples from ninety sex and age matched healthy donors (HD) and 200 patients with est-RA (disease controls) were also tested. Anti-CEP1 IgG antibodies were measured with a commercially available ELISA kit (Euroimmun, Luebeck, Germany).Results:Anti-CEP1 titer was significantly higher in est-pSS, est-SLE and est-SSc compared to HD, significantly lower in est-pSS and est-SSc compared to est-RA and comparable in est-SLE versus est-RA. We divided patients in every CTD group based on whether their anti-CEP1 titer was below or above the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile. In est-SLE anti-CEP1 values over the 25th percentile were associated with articular involvement (odds ratio, OR (95% confidence interval, CI)=11.5; 1.9-70.6, p=0.008). In est-pSS, no relationship between anti-CEP1>25th percentile and articular involvement was found but rather an association with rheumatoid factor positivity (OR (95% CI)=4.8, 1.6-14.1, p=0.004) and salivary gland swelling (OR (95% CI)=6.2, 1.3-29.1, p=0.021). In est-SSc no difference could be detected across the 3 groups. Anti-CEP-1 titers in pSS and SLE at onset did not differ from each other, were comparable also to those of HD and significantly lower than those of est-pSS, est-SLE and est-RA patients (all p<0.0001).). Of interest, we could retrieve a serum sample collected at the time of diagnosis for 5 patients from the cohort of established pSS and we observed that anti-CEP1 titers were significantly lower at pSS onset than during follow up (at least 12 months after the diagnosis, p=0.0024). No difference was observed in the clinical presentation at disease onset according to different anti-CEP1 titer and they did not predict the development of new clinical manifestations during follow-up.Conclusion:Anti-CEP-1 antibodies can be detected in CTDs at different title during the disease course and may increase overtime, at least in pSS. Although anti-CEP1 antibodies are associated with specific clinical manifestation in est-CTDs, such as articular involvement in est-SLE, they seem to lack a predictive value for future manifestations when measured at disease onset.References:[1]Alunno A, Bistoni O, Pratesi F et al Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018.[2]Manca ML, Alunno A, D’Amato C et al. Joint Bone Spine 2018.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals FRI0565 PREVALENCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST CITRULLINATED ALPHA-ENOLASE (ANTI-CEP1) IN CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASES.

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 885.2-885
Author(s):  
A. Alunno ◽  
F. Carubbi ◽  
O. Bistoni ◽  
M. Antonucci ◽  
E. Bartoloni Bocci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Interstitial Lung Disease ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Bone Erosion ◽  
Connective Tissue Diseases ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Erosive Disease ◽  
Normal Controls

Background:Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) auto-antibodies represent the current gold standard for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, growing evidence suggests that a variety of other citrullinated self-proteins may act as autoantigens and lead to the production of autoantibodies (1). Furthermore, autoantibodies believed to be RA-specific have been detected also in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs). We recently demonstrated that antibodies against citrullinated alpha-enolase (anti-CEP1) are a biomarker of erosive disease and RA-associated interstitial lung disease (2).Objectives:The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and possible prognostic value of anti-CEP-1 in patients with CTDs.Methods:Two hundred and twelve consecutive patients with CTDs (51 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 85 primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS) and 76 systemic sclerosis (SSc)) were studied and compared to 97 sex and age matched normal controls (NC) and 267 patients with RA. Anti-CEP1 IgG were detected in serum samples with a commercial ELISA kit (Euroimmun).Results:The overall prevalence of anti-CEP1 in CTDs was 7% (15/212 patients). In detail, these antibodies were detectable in 4 out of 85 pSS (5%), 5 out of 51 SLE (10%) and 6/76 SSc (8%). The prevalence and the titer of anti-CEP1 in CTDs was significantly higher compared to NC and significantly lower compared to RA. Anti-CEP1 positive patients did not display a specific clinical and serological picture. Unlike in RA, anti-CEP1 did not correlate with CTD-associated ILD.Conclusion:This is the first study assessing anti-CEP1 in a large cohort of patients with CTDs. We demonstrated that the association of these autoantibodies with ILD is specific for RA since it is not observed in SLE, pSS and SSc. Furthermore, although being significantly more prevalent and at higher titer compared to NC, anti-CEP1 do not allow to discriminate different patient subsets displaying peculiar clinical or serological phenotypes. Based on our results, the application of anti-CEP1 in CTDs is not advisable, however larger studies may possibly identify correlations not evident in our cohort.References:[1] Bonifacio AF, Alunno A, La Paglia GMC, Valentini E, Leone MC, Bartoloni E, Gerli R. Novel autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis. Reumatismo 2019;71(1):1-12[2] Alunno A, Bistoni O, Pratesi F, La Paglia GMC, Puxeddu I, Migliorini P, Gerli R. Anti-citrullinated alpha enolase antibodies, interstitial lung disease and bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2018;57(5):850-855Disclosure of Interests:Alessia Alunno: None declared, Francesco Carubbi Speakers bureau: Francesco Carubbi received speaker honoraria from Abbvie and Celgene outside this work., Onelia Bistoni: None declared, Matteo Antonucci: None declared, Elena Bartoloni Bocci: None declared, Roberto Giacomelli Grant/research support from: Actelion, Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Roche, Actelion, BMS, MSD, Ely Lilly, SOBI, Pfizer, Roberto Gerli: None declared

Utility of Interferon-α as a Biomarker in Central Neuropsychiatric Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 504-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
HILDA FRAGOSO-LOYO ◽  
YEMIL ATISHA-FREGOSO ◽  
CARLOS A. NÚÑEZ-ALVAREZ ◽  
LUIS LLORENTE ◽  
JORGE SÁNCHEZ-GUERRERO
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Interferon Α ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Luminex Technology

Objective.To assess the utility of interferon-α (IFN-α) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a biomarker of disease activity in central neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (cNPSLE).Methods.Serum and CSF samples were drawn at hospitalization in 34 patients with cNPSLE, 16 surgical SLE, 4 primary neuropsychiatric conditions, and 25 with nonautoimmune conditions, except in 44 non-NPSLE patients in whom only serum was studied. Six months later, serum/CSF and serum samples were taken in 20 cNPSLE and 35 non-NPSLE patients, respectively. SLE activity was assessed at hospitalization, and 6 months later in cNPSLE and non-NPSLE patients. IFN-α was detected by Luminex technology.Results.The mean ± SD age of patients with cNPSLE was 31.4 ± 12.2 years, which was similar across the study groups (p = 0.46). Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) scores among cNPSLE, non-NPSLE, and SLE-surgical patients were 15.3 ± 8.2, 12.4 ± 8.2, and 3.8 ± 1.5, respectively. IFN-α levels in serum were higher in cNPSLE than in nonautoimmune patients (p = 0.02), but were similar to non-NPSLE and SLE-surgical groups. In CSF samples, IFN-α levels were higher in cNPSLE than in nonautoimmune patients (p = 0.03), and were nonsignificantly higher than in SLE-surgical and primary neuropsychiatric patients. Six months later, serum levels of IFN-α did not vary from baseline values despite a significant decrease in SLEDAI-2K score in cNPSLE and non-NPSLE patients. IFN-α levels in the CSF of patients with cNPSLE also remained stable. Among specific cNPSLE syndromes, CSF IFN-α levels were significantly higher among patients with acute confusional syndrome.Conclusion.IFN-α does not seem to represent a useful biomarker of cNPSLE syndromes; its utility in specific cNPSLE manifestations merits further investigation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document