scholarly journals Exploration of the Shared Gene Signatures and Molecular Mechanisms Between Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Evidence From Transcriptome Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Menghui Yao ◽  
Chunyi Zhang ◽  
Congcong Gao ◽  
Qianqian Wang ◽  
Mengmeng Dai ◽  
...  

BackgroundSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple systems. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has a close linkage with SLE. However, the inter-relational mechanisms between them are still unclear. This article aimed to explore the shared gene signatures and potential molecular mechanisms in SLE and PAH.MethodsThe microarray data of SLE and PAH in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were downloaded. The Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify the co-expression modules related to SLE and PAH. The shared genes existing in the SLE and PAH were performed an enrichment analysis by ClueGO software, and their unique genes were also performed with biological processes analyses using the DAVID website. The results were validated in another cohort by differential gene analysis. Moreover, the common microRNAs (miRNAs) in SLE and PAH were obtained from the Human microRNA Disease Database (HMDD) and the target genes of whom were predicted through the miRTarbase. Finally, we constructed the common miRNAs–mRNAs network with the overlapped genes in target and shared genes. ResultsUsing WGCNA, four modules and one module were identified as the significant modules with SLE and PAH, respectively. A ClueGO enrichment analysis of shared genes reported that highly activated type I IFN response was a common feature in the pathophysiology of SLE and PAH. The results of differential analysis in another cohort were extremely similar to them. We also proposed a disease road model for the possible mechanism of PAH secondary to SLE according to the shared and unique gene signatures in SLE and PAH. The miRNA–mRNA network showed that hsa-miR-146a might regulate the shared IFN-induced genes, which might play an important role in PAH secondary to SLE.ConclusionOur work firstly revealed the high IFN response in SLE patients might be a crucial susceptible factor for PAH and identified novel gene candidates that could be used as biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets.

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1063.2-1063
Author(s):  
J. Wang ◽  
Y. Feng ◽  
Y. Lei ◽  
X. Zhang

Background:Based on the characteristics of systemic lupus erythematosus-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SLE-PAH), Sunet alhas put forward a scoring system to distinguish two clinical phenotypes as vasculitic and vasculopathic subtypes[1]. A weighted score ≥2 suggested a vasculitic subtype by combining two factors: The time interval between SLE and PAH diagnosis <2 years and ≥2 years were 1 and 0 point; SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) >9, 5-9 and <5 were 2, 1, 0 point, respectively. While the vasculitic subtype seemed to have poorer prognosis in Sun’s research, other study has shown controversial result[2].Objectives:To find out the prognosis of two distinct clinical phenotypes of SLE-PAH.Methods:Between 2008 and 2019, a SLE-PAH cohort confirmed by right heart catheterization (RHC) from Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital was included. Other groups of pulmonary hypertension were excluded. Based on the scoring system, patients were divided into vasculitic (weighted score≥2) and vasculopathic subtypes (weighted score<2). The endpoint was PAH-related mortality. Survival status were confirmed by clinic follow-up data or phone call.Results:A total of 53 SLE-PAH patients were enrolled. The cases of vasculitic and vasculopathic subtype were 14 and 39, respectively. Ten endpoint events occurred. Eight attributed to PAH and the cause could not be traced in two which were still included in study. The pooled 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates were 85.7%, 78.6%, 65.5% in vasculitic subtype, and 93.9%, 87.5%, 87.5% in vasculopathic subtype, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed vasculitic subtype tended to have a poorer prognosis than vasculopathic subtype (p=0.16, HR 2.4, 95%CI 0.5-13.8, figure 1).Figure 1.Survival curves for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus-pulmonary arterial hypertension (SLE-PAH) in two distinct subtypes. RHC, Right Heart Catheterization.Conclusion:The prognosis of the two phenotypes of SLE-PAH was statistically indifferent while the vasculitic subtype showed a trend of worse prognosis. Further studies are needed.References:[1]F. Sun, Y. Lei, W. Wu, L. Guo, K. Wang, Z. Chen, W. Xu, X. Wang, T. Li, X. Zhang, S. Ye, Two distinct clinical phenotypes of pulmonary arterial hypertension secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus, Ann Rheum Dis 78(1) (2019) 148-150.[2]J. Qian, M. Li, J. Zhao, Q. Wang, Z. Tian, X. Zeng, Inflammation in SLE-PAH: good news or not?, Ann Rheum Dis (2018).0:1–2. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-214605Disclosure of Interests:None declared


Lupus ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 367-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Morelli ◽  
Marcello Giordano ◽  
Paolo De Marzio ◽  
Roberta Priori ◽  
Alessandro Sgreccia ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atiya Dhala

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is commonly associated with connective tissue diseases (CTDs) including systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The prevalence of PAH in SLE is estimated to be 0.5% to 17.5%. The pathophysiology of PAH involves multiple mechanisms from vasculitis andin-situthrombosis to interstitial pulmonary fibrosis which increases pulmonary vascular resistance, potentially leading to right heart failure. Immune and inflammatory mechanisms may play a significant role in the pathogenesis or progression of PAH in patients with CTDs, establishing a role for anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapies. The leading predictors of PAH in SLE are Raynaud phenomenon, anti-U1RNP antibody, and anticardiolipin antibody positivity. The first-line of diagnostic testing for patients with suspected SLE-associated PAH (SLE-aPAH) involves obtaining a Doppler echocardiogram. Once the diagnosis is confirmed by right heart catheterization, SLE-aPAH patients are generally treated with oxygen, anticoagulants, and vasodilators. Although the prognosis and therapeutic responsiveness of these patients have improved with the addition of intensive immunosuppressive therapies, these treatments are still largely unproven. Recent data put the one-year survival rate for SLE-aPAH patients at 94%. Pregnant women are most at risk of dying due to undiagnosed SLE-aPAH, and screening should be considered essential in this population.


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