scholarly journals Targeting the B-Cell Pathway in Lupus Nephritis: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Pateinakis ◽  
Athina Pyrpasopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Lupus Nephritis ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Immunosuppressive Treatment ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Trial Duration

Nephritis represents a frequent, severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. Autoantibodies appear to be fundamental in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis. Several hypotheses are currently experimentally tested to further elucidate the direct induction of inflammation through interaction of the pathological autoantibodies with intrinsic glomerular components and the triggering of a complement-driven autoinflammatory cascade. B-cells have, in the last decade, emerged as a promising new therapeutic target, as biological treatments successfully attempting B-cell depletion, inhibition of B-cell proliferation and differentiation, or modulation of B-cell function have become bioengineered. Clinical trials have so far proved controversial regarding the efficacy of these new agents. Thus, despite the short and long-term side effects associated with immunosuppressive treatment alternative emerging treatments are still regarded “rescue” regimens in refractory patients. In an effort to accurately evaluate the potential of these therapies in lupus nephritis, several issues have been raised mainly in terms of patient selection criteria and trial duration. This review aims to expand on the proposed pathophysiologic mechanisms implicating the B-cell pathway in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis and summarize current knowledge obtained from clinical trials introducing these biologics in its treatment. Finally, it will elaborate on potential applications of currently available biologic agents and forthcoming treatment options.

Expression of XBP1s in B lymphocytes is critical for pristane-induced lupus nephritis in mice

2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (5) ◽  
pp. F1258-F1270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Xiang ◽  
An Liu ◽  
Guoshuang Xu
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
Lupus Nephritis ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
B Lymphocyte ◽  
B Cell Activation ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Almost All

B lymphocyte hyperactivity plays a pathogenic role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and spliced X box-binding protein 1 (XBP1s) has been implicated in B cell maturation and differentiation. We hypothesized that blockade of the XBP1s pathway inhibits the B cell hyperactivity underlying SLE and lupus nephritis (LN) development. In the present study, we systematically evaluated the changes in B cell activation induced by the Xbp1 splicing inhibitor STF083010 in a pristane-induced lupus mouse model. The lupus mouse model was successfully established, as indicated by the presence of LN with markedly increased urine protein levels, renal deposition of Ig, and mesangial cell proliferation. In lupus mice, B cell hyperactivity was confirmed by increased CD40 and B cell-activating factor levels. B cell activation and plasma cell overproduction were determined by increases in CD40-positive and CD138-positive cells in the spleens of lupus mice by flow cytometry and further confirmed by CD45R and Ig light chain staining in the splenic tissues of lupus mice. mRNA and protein expression of XBP1s in B cells was assessed by real-time PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence analysis and was increased in lupus mice. In addition, almost all changes were reversed by STF083010 treatment. However, the expression of XBP1s in the kidneys did not change when mice were exposed to pristane and STF083010. Taken together, these findings suggest that expression of XBP1s in B cells plays key roles in SLE and LN development. Blockade of the XBP1s pathway may be a potential strategy for SLE and LN treatment.

scholarly journals Renal transplantation for lupus nephritis: non-adherence and graft survival

Lupus ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 651-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Ntatsaki ◽  
V S Vassiliou ◽  
A Velo-Garcia ◽  
A D Salama ◽  
D A Isenberg
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Renal Transplantation ◽  
Lupus Nephritis ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Graft Rejection ◽  
Graft Failure ◽  
Immunosuppressive Treatment ◽  
Poor Adherence ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Group 2

Objectives Poor adherence to immunosuppressive treatment is common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and may identify those with lupus nephritis (LN) who have a poorer prognosis. Non-adherence has also been reported to be a potential adverse outcome predictor in renal transplantation (rTp). We investigated whether non-adherence is associated with increased rTp graft rejection and/or failure in patients with LN. Methods Patients with LN undergoing rTp in two major London hospitals were retrospectively included. Medical and electronic records were reviewed for documented concerns of non-adherence as well as laboratory biochemical drug levels. The role of non-adherence and other potential predictors of graft rejection/failure including demographics, comorbidities, age at systemic lupus erythematosus and LN diagnosis, type of LN, time on dialysis prior to rTp and medication use were investigated using logistic regression. Results Out of 361 patients with LN, 40 had rTp. During a median follow-up of 8.7 years, 17/40 (42.5%) of these patients had evidence of non-adherence. A total of 12 (30.0%) patients experienced graft rejection or failure or both. In the adherent group 2/23 (8.7%) had graft rejection, whilst in the non-adherent this rose to 5/17 (29.4%, p = 0.11). Graft failure was seen in 5/23 (21.7%) patients from the adherent group and 4/17 (23.5%) in the non-adherent group ( p = 0.89). Non-adherent patients had a trend towards increased graft rejection, hazard ratio 4.38, 95% confidence interval = 0.73–26.12, p = 0.11. Patients who spent more time on dialysis prior to rTp were more likely to be adherent to medication, p = 0.01. Conclusion Poor adherence to immunosuppressive therapy is common and has been shown to associate with a trend towards increased graft failure in patients with LN requiring rTp. This is the first paper to report that shorter periods on dialysis prior to transplantation might lead to increased non-adherence in lupus patients.

Gastrointestinal defects and immunodeficiency syndrome with normal in vitro IgG production

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 91-99
Author(s):  
Alexandra Langlois ◽  
Bahar Torabi ◽  
Marieme Dembele ◽  
Marylin Desjardins ◽  
Reza Alizadehfar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Genetic Defect ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽  
Cardiac Malformations ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Background: Gastrointestinal defects and immunodeficiency syndrome (GIDID) is a severe neonatal disorder usually fatal within the first months of life. We report a case presenting with intestinal atresia, combined immunodeficiency, and a novel association with hypothyroidism and cardiac malformations. The immune phenotype was remarkable for agammaglobulinemia, lymphopenia, and mildly decreased lymphocyte proliferation. We present here the unique phenotype as well as studies to determine if the agammaglobulinemia was due to an intrinsic B lymphocyte defect. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the patient and a healthy control were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation and stimulated with anti-CD40, IL-4 and IL-21 for 7 days. Total IgG production was measured by ELISA in the supernatant of the stimulated sample on day 7. Cells were stained for CD19, CD27, IgM, CD11b, CD11c, and CD14. Results: At day 7, supernatant from the patient stimulated cells contained levels of total IgG comparable to the control (755 ng/mL vs. 658 ng/mL, respectively). B cell maturation appeared impaired, as morphologically the patient sample demonstrated fewer B cell clones and cells with dendritic projections. Conclusions: Despite this typical severe clinical picture of GIDID with agammaglobulinemia, IgG production was detected under optimal stimulation for induction of plasma cells. This suggests that there may not be an inherent defect in class switching and antibody production in B cells in this disorder. It is possible that the in vivo physical or cytokine milieu may be defective for optimal B cell function. Further studies assessing the function of the immune cells as well as possible gastrointestinal loss of immunoglobulins are needed in this disease. Statement of novelty: Despite much improvement in understanding the effects of TTC7A mutations in GIDID, the root cause of hypogammaglobulinemia in these patients is still unclear. The work portrayed in this study furthers the current knowledge. It suggests that when appropriately stimulated in vitro, this patient’s B cells were capable of adequate immunoglobulin production. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, this patient is the first with this genetic defect to be reported with hypothyroidism and cardiac malformations.

scholarly journals Clinical And Morphological Improvement Of Lupus Nephritis Treated With Rituximab

Folia Medica ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 245-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria E. Tsanyan ◽  
Sergey K. Soloviev ◽  
Stefka G. Radenska-Lopovok ◽  
Anna V. Torgashina ◽  
Ekaterina V. Nikolaeva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Lupus Nephritis ◽  
Cell Therapy ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Renal Biopsy ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Renal Biopsies

Abstract Aim: TO assess the effects of rituximab (RTM) therapy on clinical and morphologic activity of lupus nephritis (LN). Material and methods: The study included 45 patients with confirmed diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), unaffected by previously received standard therapy with glucocorticoids (GCs) and cytostatics. The disease activity was assessed using Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI 2K); to assess the LN activity we used the SLICC RA/RE index. Forty-five patients with LN were given puncture renal biopsy prior to prescribing RTM; 16 patients had repeated renal biopsy 1 year and more after beginning the anti-B-cell therapy. LN was graded histologically in accordance with the WHO classification (2003) with indices of activity (AI) and chronicity (CI). Results: The predominant number of patients had class III - IV of LN. The repeated renal biopsies demonstrated that LN had undergone a transition into a more favourable morphologic class, which was associated, in most of these cases, with a positive therapeutic effect. The follow-up dynamics showed a statistically significant reduction of AI (p=0.006), and no statistically significant changes in the CI (p = 0.14). Conclusion: The long-term follow-up in the study has showed that repeated courses of anti-B-cell therapy with RTM have a positive effect both on SLE activity and generally on the renal process. The reduction of the morphologic class of LN as assessed in the repeated renal biopsies is a convincing proof for this. Eleven out of 16 patients experienced transition of the morphologic class into a more favourable type, which in most cases was combined with lower AI (p = 0.006). We found no evidence of increase in the CI (p = 0.14).

scholarly journals Mycophenolate Mofetil Therapy in Lupus Nephritis

1999 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 833-839
Author(s):  
MARY ANNE DOOLEY ◽  
FERNANDO G. COSIO ◽  
PATRICK H. NACHMAN ◽  
MICHAEL E. FALKENHAIN ◽  
SUSAN L. HOGAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Mycophenolate Mofetil ◽  
Lupus Nephritis ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Serum Creatinine ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Transplant Rejection ◽  
Initial Therapy ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
The Mean

Abstract. Controlled clinical trials in renal transplantation have demonstrated that mycophenolate mofetil is well tolerated and has lower renal transplant rejection rates than azathioprine regimens. This study reports on the clinical experiences at two institutions with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for severe lupus nephritis. Twelve patients with relapsing or resistant nephritis previously treated with cyclophosphamide therapy and one patient who refused cyclophosphamide as initial therapy for diffuse proliferative nephritis but accepted MMF were included. During combined MMF/prednisone therapy, serum creatinine values remained normal or declined from elevated values: mean change in serum creatinine was -0.26 ± 0.46 μM/L, P = 0.039. Proteinuria significantly decreased: mean change in urine protein-to-creatinine ratios was -2.53 ± 3.76, P = 0.039. Decreased serum complement component C3 and elevated anti-double-stranded DNA antibody levels at baseline improved in some, but not all, patients. The mean initial dose of MMF was 0.92 g/d (range, 0.5 to 2 g/d). The mean duration of therapy was 12.9 mo (range, 3 to 24 mo). Adverse events included herpes simplex stomatitis associated with severe leukopenia (n = 1), asymptomatic leukopenia (n = 2), nausea/diarrhea (n = 2), thinning of scalp hair (n = 1), pancreatitis (n = 1), and pneumonia without leukopenia (n = 1). Recurrence of the pancreatitis led to discontinuation of MMF in this patient; all other adverse events resolved with dose reduction. It is concluded that MMF is well tolerated and has possible efficacy in controlling major renal manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus. Controlled clinical trials are needed to define the role of MMF in the management of lupus nephritis.

scholarly journals T-cell agonists in cancer immunotherapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e000966
Author(s):  
Yeonjoo Choi ◽  
Yaoyao Shi ◽  
Cara L Haymaker ◽  
Aung Naing ◽  
Gennaro Ciliberto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Costimulatory Molecules ◽  
The Body

Cancer cells can evade immune surveillance in the body. However, immune checkpoint inhibitors can interrupt this evasion and enhance the antitumor activity of T cells. Other mechanisms for promoting antitumor T-cell function are the targeting of costimulatory molecules expressed on the surface of T cells, such as 4-1BB, OX40, inducible T-cell costimulator and glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor. In addition, CD40 targets the modulation of the activation of antigen-presenting cells, which ultimately leads to T-cell activation. Agonists of these costimulatory molecules have demonstrated promising results in preclinical and early-phase trials and are now being tested in ongoing clinical trials. In addition, researchers are conducting trials of combinations of such immune modulators with checkpoint blockade, radiotherapy and cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs in patients with advanced tumors. This review gives a comprehensive picture of the current knowledge of T-cell agonists based on their use in recent and ongoing clinical trials.

Gastrointestinal vasculitis due to systemic lupus erythematosus treated with rituximab: a case report

Lupus ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 640-643
Author(s):  
Gökçe Kenar ◽  
Kadri Atay ◽  
Gül Emek Yüksek ◽  
Burak Öz ◽  
Süleyman Serdar Koca
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Lupus Nephritis ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Immunosuppressive Treatment ◽  
Rapid Progression ◽  
Antiphospholipid Antibody ◽  
Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome ◽  
Systemic Lupus

Background Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus may present with variable gastrointestinal manifestations including peritonitis, pancreatitis, enteritis, and vasculitis. Gastrointestinal vasculitis is one of the most devastating complications of systemic lupus erythematosus, with a mortality rate of 50% when it progresses to bowel ischemia and is complicated by hemorrhage or perforation. Case report A young female patient known to have systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus nephritis, and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, on immunosuppressive treatment presented to the emergency department with acute abdominal pain and nausea. The clinical findings were first associated with an acute flare of lupus nephritis according to the assessments with active laboratory parameters. However, over a short time the abdominal pain worsened and was accompanied by peritonitis and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The computed tomography scans demonstrated a dilated bowel and thickening of the bowel compatible with gastrointestinal vasculitis. The upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy supported the diagnosis of vasculitis by showing multiple ulcerative lesions along the gastrointestinal tract. The patient was successfully treated with pulse corticosteroids urgently, with a fast response to subsequent rituximab therapy without any relapses. Treatment with cyclophosphamide was not preferred because the patient had a high cumulative dose. Conclusion Gastrointestinal vasculitis should be a primary differential diagnosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with abdominal pain because of its rapid progression and high mortality. The treatment choice has been suggested as cyclophosphamide for severe cases in the literature. In this case report, a patient successfully treated with rituximab without any relapses was documented.

Next stop in the treatment of refractory systemic lupus erythematosus: B-cell targeted combined therapy

Lupus ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-140
Author(s):  
Margarida Matos Bela ◽  
Gerard Espinosa ◽  
Ricard Cervera
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Combined Therapy ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Drug Regimen ◽  
Systemic Lupus

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune condition with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations encompassing most organs and systems. Its treatment approach includes different immunomodulatory treatments, of which B-cell targeted therapies are part of. Rituximab (an anti-CD20 antibody) had encouraging results in observational studies but failed when tested in clinical trials. It is theorized that this could have been partially due to BAFF upregulation, leading to rituximab failure. Therefore, targeting BAFF with belimumab after rituximab therapy, may have a synergic effect in SLE. Objective: We review the available observational data regarding sequential rituximab/belimumab therapy in SLE patients. Results: Twenty-four patients from 6 studies were included. The results suggest a benefit with this combined therapy, with reduction of the mean SLEDAI. However, there was significant drug regimen and patient selection heterogeneity. Conclusion: Further randomized clinical trials are needed to examine this drug sequencing protocol in SLE patients.

scholarly journals Medications for the treatment of obesity in adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 204201882091878 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaylee Woodard ◽  
Logan Louque ◽  
Daniel S. Hsia
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Future Treatment ◽  
Treatment Of Obesity

While there are eight medications/combinations approved for the treatment of obesity in adults, the options for the treatment of obesity in adolescents remain limited. Evidence for obesity medication use in adolescents is limited due to the relatively small number of clinical trials that have been completed and the few adolescents that have been included in many of the trials. The goal of this review will be to present the current evidence for the medications approved for adolescents, medications not approved for adolescents but have adolescent data, and medications approved for adults with the prospect for use in adolescents. We will also discuss current limitations and next steps in the exploration of future treatment options.

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