Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chaoheng Yu, Shuang Chen, Bailing Zhou, Hailong Zhang, Xiaoqing Su, Yi Luo, Li Yang
Summary: The novel fusion protein BAFF-Trap effectively reduced autoantibody levels, BAFF concentrations, and B cell numbers in MRL/lpr mice. It also suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines in the kidney, decreased T cell subsets and dendritic cell frequencies, reduced proteinuria, IgG deposition, alleviated glomerular damage, and significantly improved the survival rate of mice. These results suggest that BAFF-Trap may be a potential drug for SLE treatment.
MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Sophie Stephenson, Matthew A. Care, Gina M. Doody, Reuben M. Tooze
Summary: This study explores the role of APRIL in human plasmablasts and finds that APRIL can promote plasma cell maturation and longevity. APRIL achieves this through the regulation of multiple signaling pathways and transcriptional responses, sharing some similarities with CD4OL but also showing distinct differences.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Lawrence S. Evans, Katherine E. Lewis, Daniel DeMonte, Janhavi G. Bhandari, Logan B. Garrett, Joseph L. Kuijper, Daniel Ardourel, Martin F. Wolfson, Susan Debrot, Sherri Mudri, Kayla Kleist, Luana L. Griffin, LuAnne Hebb, Russell J. Sanderson, NingXin Wang, Michelle Seaberg, Allison G. Chunyk, Jing Yang, Youji Hong, Zahra Maria, David J. Messenheimer, Pamela M. Holland, Stanford L. Peng, Mark W. Rixon, Stacey R. Dillon
Summary: This study developed a high-affinity APRIL/BAFF antagonist called povetacicept, which effectively inhibited the proliferation, differentiation, and immunoglobulin secretion of B cells, leading to the potential improvement of clinical outcomes in autoimmune diseases. Povetacicept showed promising results in mouse and non-human primate models, indicating its potential as a therapeutic option for autoimmune diseases.
ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Tamara Moeckel, Fabio Basta, Julia Weinmann-Menke, Andreas Schwarting
Summary: BAFF, a crucial B cell survival factor, is closely linked to autoimmunity and involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases. In SLE patients, BAFF overexpression is associated with disease activity and renal involvement. Belimumab is the first biologic agent licensed for SLE therapy.
AUTOIMMUNITY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Shan Zeng, Qian Qiu, Yi Zhou, Youjun Xiao, Ruiru Li, Siqi Xu, Maohua Shi, Yu Kuang, Minxi Lao, Xiaoyan Cai, Liuqin Liang, Hanshi Xu, Jingnan Wang, Cuicui Wang
Summary: The role of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (Brd4) in regulating B cell differentiation and its potential as a therapeutic target for B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), were investigated. Brd4 inhibitor was found to suppress plasma cell differentiation in human B cells and reduce the secretion of IgG and IgM. The study also found that Brd4 regulates the expression of B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (BLIMP1), an important transcription factor involved in plasma cell differentiation. Inhibition of Brd4 showed potential in reducing plasma cells and attenuating nephritis in animal models and SLE patients.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Luka de Vos, Tugce Guel, Dennis Niebel, Sandra Bald, Adrian ter Steege, Thomas Bieber, Joerg Wenzel
Summary: Cutaneous lesions in lupus erythematosus (LE) subtypes show heterogenous inflammatory patterns with different immune cell infiltrates, including B cells, pDCs, and IFN. Certain subtypes display a preference for specific infiltration groups. Lesional B cells play an important role in the pathophysiology, showing antigen-presenting and T cell-activating properties. Histological assessment based on B-cell or pDC preponderance is recommended for tailored treatment decisions.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pilar Ortiz-Aljaro, Marco Antonio Montes-Cano, Jose-Raul Garcia-Lozano, Virginia Aquino, Rosario Carmona, Javier Perez-Florido, Francisco Jose Garcia-Hernandez, Joaquin Dopazo, Maria Francisca Gonzalez-Escribano
Summary: This study investigates the role of cytokine levels and genetic variants in the autoimmune disease SLE. The study finds differences in the BAFF/APRIL pathway among SLE patient subgroups with diverse clinical features, and suggests the involvement of genetic variants in the susceptibility to the disease.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Paul Curtiss, Amanda M. Walker, Benjamin F. Chong
Summary: This study reviewed patient cohorts and populations to investigate the progression of cutaneous lupus to systemic lupus. The study found variations in the progression rates between adult and pediatric groups, which were attributed to differences in patient populations, study design, diagnostic criteria, and follow-up time. Risk factors associated with the development of systemic lupus included positive anti-nuclear antibodies, hematologic abnormalities, and a higher number of lupus classification criteria at baseline.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Aifen Li, Fengbiao Guo, Quanren Pan, Shuxian Chen, Jiaxuan Chen, Hua-feng Liu, Qingjun Pan
Summary: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with unclear pathogenesis and lack of effective treatments. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has shown promise in treating refractory SLE by modulating immune cells, but its effectiveness and safety in SLE patients require further validation through experimental and clinical evidence.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Natalie M. Bath, Bret M. Verhoven, Nancy A. Wilson, Weifeng Zeng, Weixiong Zhong, Lauren Coons, Arjang Djamali, Robert R. Redfield
Summary: APRIL and BLyS play a greater role in donor specific antibody generation rather than antibody mediated rejection in kidney transplantation.
Article
Immunology
Daniele Mauro, Sotiria Manou-Stathopoulou, Felice Rivellese, Elisabetta Sciacca, Katriona Goldmann, Victoria Tsang, Isabelle Lucey-Clayton, Sara Pagani, Farah Alam, Debasish Pyne, Ravindra Rajakariar, Patrick A. Gordon, James Whiteford, Michele Bombardieri, Costantino Pitzalis, Myles J. Lewis
Summary: Study finds that UBE2L3 plays a critical role in TLR7-mediated NF-??B activation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Inhibition of UBE2L3 by Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF) can effectively suppress TLR7-induced NF-??B activation, B cell differentiation, and autoantibody production in SLE. This suggests that UBE2L3 inhibition could be a potential therapeutic strategy for SLE by repurposing DMF.
JOURNAL OF AUTOIMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Alicia Garcia-Dorta, Juan Carlos Quevedo-Abeledo, Inigo Rua-Figueroa, Antonia M. de Vera-Gonzalez, Alejandra Gonzalez-Delgado, Lilian Medina-Vega, Agustin F. Gonzalez-Rivero, Felix Francisco-Hernandez, Miguel A. Gonzalez-Gay, Ivan Ferraz-Amaro
Summary: The study found that markers of beta-cell secretion were higher in SLE patients compared to controls, especially in patients undergoing glucocorticoid therapy. This disproportionate hyperproinsulinemia may be associated with damage caused by the disease.
Review
Oncology
Kaichi Kaneko, Hao Chen, Matthew Kaufman, Isaak Sverdlov, Emily M. Stein, Kyung-Hyun Park-Min
Summary: Osteonecrosis is a complex and devastating complication of systemic lupus erythematosus, with variable prevalence in SLE patients. The use of high-dose glucocorticoid therapy is strongly associated with the development of osteonecrosis in SLE patients, although the exact pathophysiology and risk factors for osteonecrosis in this population are not fully understood.
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valeria Rella, Cinzia Rotondo, Alberto Altomare, Francesco Paolo Cantatore, Addolorata Corrado
Summary: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations. Dysregulation of the immune system due to genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors can lead to various complications, including bone involvement such as osteoporosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shunxiang Li, Huihua Ding, Ziheng Qi, Jing Yang, Jingyi Huang, Lin Huang, Mengji Zhang, Yuanjia Tang, Nan Shen, Kun Qian, Qiang Guo, Jingjing Wan
Summary: Serum metabolic fingerprints can be used for disease diagnosis and biomarker discovery. By analyzing the serum metabolic fingerprints of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and healthy controls, early diagnosis and precision medicine for SLE can be achieved. This study identified the unique metabolic pattern of SLE patients and screened out a panel of metabolic biomarkers.