Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by B cell hyperactivation and hypergrammaglobulinemia. Currently, the role of metabolic pathways in the B cells of pSS patients is poorly defined. Here, we showed that upon cytosine phosphate-guanine (CpG)/sCD40L/IL-4 stimulation, B cells proportionally increased glycolysis and oxygen consumption, and compared with B cells from healthy controls (HCs), B cells from pSS patients exhibited higher glycolysis capacity and maximal oxidative respiration (OXPHOS). We also found that glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) expression in B cells from pSS patients was significantly higher than that in B cells from HCs. Treatment with 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) inhibited the activation of B cells in pSS patients. Both 2-DG and Metformin inhibited the proliferation, formation of plasma/plasmablasts and decreased the IgG and IgM levels in the supernatants of B cells from pSS patients. Furthermore, inhibition of mTORC1 by rapamycin had an effect similar to that of 2-DG, suppressing B cell activation, proliferation and antibody production. Taken together, we demonstrated that B cells from pSS patients are more metabolically active than those from HCs and suggested that the mTORC1-GLUT1 glycolysis pathways were the major drivers of B cell hyperactivation and autoantibody production in pSS patients.
The need for reliable biomarkers for distinguishing Crohn disease (CD) from ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing. This study aimed at evaluating the diagnostic potential of anti-GP2 antibodies as a biomarker in Chinese patients with CD. In addition, a variety of autoantibodies, including anti-saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA), perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (PANCA), anti-intestinal goblet cell autoantibodies (GAB), and anti-pancreatic autoantibodies (PAB), were evaluated. A total of 91 subjects were prospectively enrolled in this study, including 35 patients with CD, 35 patients with UC, 13 patients with non-IBD gastrointestinal diseases as disease controls (non-IBD DC), and 8 healthy controls (HC). The diagnosis of IBD was determined based on the Lennard-Jones criteria, and the clinical phenotypes of the IBD patients were determined based on the Montreal Classification. Anti-GP2 IgG antibodies were significantly elevated in patients with CD, compared with patients with UC (P = 0.0038), HC (P = 0.0055), and non-IBD DC (P = 0.0063). The prevalence of anti-GP2 IgG, anti-GP2 IgA and anti-GP2 IgA, or IgG antibodies in patients with CD was 40.0%, 37.1%, and 54.3%, respectively, which were higher than those in non-IBD DC (anti-GP2 IgG, 15.4%; anti-GP2 IgA, 7.7%; and anti-GP2 IgA or IgG, 23.1%) and those in patients with UC (anti-GP2 IgG, 11.4%; anti-GP2 IgA, 2.9%; and anti-GP2 IgA or IgG, 14.3%). For distinguishing CD from UC, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and positive likelihood ratios (LR+) were 40%, 88.6%, 77.8%, and 3.51 for anti-GP2 IgG, 37.1%, 97.1%, 92.9%, and 13.0 for anti-GP2 IgA, and 54.3%, 85.3%, 79.2%, and 3.69 for anti-GP2 IgA or IgG. For CD diagnosis, the combination of anti-GP2 antibodies with ASCA IgA increased the sensitivity to 68.6% with moderate loss of specificity to 74.3%. Spearman's rank of order revealed a significantly positive correlation of anti-GP2 IgG with ileocolonic location of disease (L3) (P = 0.043) and a negative correlation of anti-GP2 IgA with biologic therapy (P = 0.012). Our findings suggest that anti-GP2 antibodies could serve as a biomarker for distinguishing patients with CD from patients with UC, and the combination of anti-GP2 antibodies with ASCA IgA may improve the predictive power.
Objective
This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin (MCV) antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its correlation with disease progression, extra-articular manifestations and overlap syndrome.
Methods
Retrospective Studies. Clinical data of 837 patients in PekingUnionMedicalCollegeHospitalfrom June to August 2017 were collected, including the result of anti-MCV, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies, rheumatoid factor (RF), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and High-sensitivity-C-reactive protein (CRP). According to the 1987 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis, there were 323 patients diagnosed with RA, including 59 males and 264 females with the average age of 51 years. According to whether the RA patients have overlap syndrome with other autoimmune disease (AID) or have extra-articular manifestations, 258 cases were categorized into RA group, including 47 males and 211 females with the average age of 50 years; 14 cases were categorized into the group of overlap syndrome, including 1 male and 13 females with the average age of 36 years; 51 cases were categorized into the group of extra-articular manifestations, including 11 males and 40 females with the average age of 59 years.According to 2010 rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria for destruction in joints, the radiographic changes were divided into 4 stages.There were 203 casesenrolled in our study, 88 caseswere fitted into early stage group (stage I)including 21 males and 67 females with the average age of 48 years; 115 caseswere fitted into progressive stage group, which compromisedstageⅡ (interim stage), stage Ⅲ (severe stage) and stage Ⅳ (final stage) cases, including 19 males and 96 females with the average age of 53 years. Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test,Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Spearmancorrelation coefficientwere used in Statistical analysis.
Results
Ⅰ Amongdiagnosed RA patients, 199 (61.6%) cases were positive for anti-MCV, anti-CCP and RFsimultaneously, 42 (13%) cases were positive for anti-MCV, which was higher than anti-CCP positive (1 cases, 0.3%) or RF positive (7cases, 2.2%). The difference was statistically significant(P<0.001, P<0.001). Ⅱ ROC was calculated and MCV=35.95 U/ml was used as best-fit cut-off value. The AUC for anti-MCV was 0.867, while the sensitivity was 80.5% and specificity was 80.9%. Ⅲ The detection levels of anti-MCV (682.8 (106.4-1000.0)), anti-CCP (407 (4.0-1536.0)) and RF (82.8 (21.1-244.9)) in the group of progressive stage were higher than those in the group of early stage (114.5 (28.5-1000.0), 62.5 (5.0-1020.7), 50.1 (6.7-127.1)), which showed a significant difference (P<0.05, P<0.05, P<0.05). The anti-MCV, anti-CCP and RF were positively related to the degree of joint destruction (r=0.229, P<0.05; r=0.187, P<0.05; r=0.167, P<0.05); anti-MCV and anti-CCP were positively related to extra-articular manifestation (r=0.152, P<0.05; r=0.136, P<0.05).
Conclusion
Anti-MCV antibodies are more sensitive in patients with RA, and have complementary diagnostic value for anti-CCP and RF-negative patients; high levels of anti-MCV and anti-CCP in RA patients are associated with RA progression and extra-articular involvement.
Key words:
Arthritis, rheumatoid; Autoantibodies; Peptides, cyclic; Vimentin
Objective In recent years, many studies have reported that air pollution is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize the evidence about the association between exposure to air pollution and T2DM in developing countries. Methods The databases, including PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science, were systematically searched for studies published up to 31 March 2022. Studies about the association between air pollution and T2DM prevalence or incidence in developing countries were included. The odds ratio (OR) was used as effect estimate. We synthesized the included studies in the meta-analysis. Results We included 8 cross-sectional studies and 8 cohort studies, all conducted in developing countries. Meta-analysis of 8 studies on PM2.5 (particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm in diameter) showed that T2DM prevalence was significantly associated with PM2.5 exposure (OR=1.12; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.17; P<0.001). The association between air pollutants and T2DM incidence was not estimated due to the limited relevant studies. Conclusions The exposure to PM2.5 would be positively associated with an increased prevalence of T2DM in developing countries. Some effective measures should be taken to reduce air pollutant exposure in people who are vulnerable to diabetes.
Objective: To explore the effect of cathepsin (Cat) S in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Methods: The serum of PBC patients and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients were collected in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 2016 to July 2017 and the liver tissue of PBC were collected from March 2010 to July 2013. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum concentrations of total-and pro-Cat S respectively in 24 PBC patients, 24 Hepatitis B patients and 24 healthy controls. The relation between the serum levels of Cat S and cholestasis biochemical indexes and the serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) M, G were analyzed. Immunofluorescence analysis of liver tissue was performed to detect macrophage infiltration and Cat S expression. The data was analyzed by student's t-test, spearman correlation analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to obtain an optimal cutoff value. Results: The serum levels of total-Cat S, pro-Cat S and active-Cat S in PBC group were significantly higher than those in healthy controls and HBV controls (P<0.05). There was a correlation between serum total-Cat S and ALP and GGT in patients with PBC (P<0.05). There was a moderate correlation between pro-Cat S and ALP and GGT (P<0.05) and total Cat S was associated with IgG (P<0.05). The area under ROC curve (AUC) of total-Cat S, pro-Cat S and active-Cat S was 0.85(P<0.01), 0.65(P<0.05) and 0.77(P<0.01), respectively. The optimal cut-off value was 11.30、7.81 and 5.93 pg/L, respectively, with the sensitivity of 0.81, 0.53 and 0.53 and specificity of 0.82, 0.81 and 0.96. Liver tissue immunofluorescence revealed macrophage infiltration in the liver of PBC patients. The average percentage of macrophages and Cat S co-expressed cells in mononuclear cells was 23.77%. Conclusion: The expression of Cat S in serum of patients with PBC is significantly higher than that of healthy controls and HBV patients, and is related to IgG and serum ALP, r-GT levels. Liver tissue macrophages were co-expressed with Cat S. Cat S may participate in the process of antigen presentation in the pathogenesis of PBC.目的: 探讨组织蛋白酶(Cat)S在原发性胆汁性胆管炎(PBC)中的作用。 方法: 收集2016年8月至2017年7月于北京协和医院就诊的PBC及乙型肝炎(HBV)患者血清,2010年3月至2013年7月在北京协和医院住院的PBC患者肝脏穿刺标本。通过酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测PBC患者、HBV患者及健康对照血清总Cat S和pro-Cat S水平,计算活性形式active-Cat S,并分析PBC患者血清Cat S与胆汁淤积生化指标、IgM、IgG之的相关性;通过免疫荧光检测肝脏组织巨噬细胞浸润及Cat S表达。采用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)、t检验、Spearman相关性分析进行统计学分析。 结果: PBC组患者血清总Cat S、pro-Cat S、active-Cat S表达水平均高于健康对照组和HBV组患者,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。PBC患者血清总-Cat S与碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)、IgG之间具有相关性(P<0.05);pro-Cat S与ALP、GGT相关(P<0.05)。采用受试者工作特征曲线分析发现,血清总Cat S、pro-Cat S和active-Cat S的曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.85(P<0.01)、0.65(P<0.05)和0.77(P<0.01);最佳阈值分别为11.30、7.81及5.93 pg/L;敏感性和特异性分别为0.81和0.82、0.53和0.81、0.53和0.96。肝脏组织免疫荧光显示,PBC患者肝脏中存在巨噬细胞浸润,巨噬细胞和Cat S共表达占单个核细胞的平均百分比为23.77%。 结论: PBC患者血清Cat S表达较健康对照和HBV患者明显增加,与血清IgG和ALP/GGT水平相关。肝脏组织巨噬细胞与Cat S共表达。Cat S可能参与PBC发病中抗原提呈过程。.
Objective: The aim of our present study is to investigate the role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in the pathogenesis and type I interferon (IFN) signatures in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome (pSS) patients. Methods: In the present study, we compared the percentage, activation markers, and representative cytokines secretion of pDCs derived from treatment-naive pSS and matched healthy controls (HCs) by flow cytometry. We performed pDC/B co-culture system to explore the contribution of pDC to B cell functions in pSS. Results: The percentage of pDC was significantly reduced in the peripheral blood of pSS. The activation markers (CD80, CD83, and CD86) expressions, chemokine receptors, and representative cytokines production (IFN-α, IL-6, and TNF-α) of pDC were similar between pSS and HCs. Only a few pDCs infiltration were detected in the labial gland. The percentage of pDCs was negatively correlated with serum IgG, IgA, and anti-SSA autoantibody levels and resting pDCs were able to efficiently promote B cells proliferation, activation, differentiation, and antibody production in vitro . However, there was no difference between HC and pSS-derived pDCs. Finally, we found that incubation of plasma from pSS patients could significantly induce pDCs apoptosis than that from HCs and both IgG and IgA dramatically increased the apoptotic rates of pDCs. Conclusion: Our data have deciphered the redundant role of pDC in the type I signature and disease development in pSS. Also, we demonstrated the decreased percentage of pDC in pSS patients might result from apoptosis induced by the excess of immunoglobulin (IgG and IgA).