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Trends in Pharmacological Sciences Jul 2023Artificial intelligence (AI)-based predictive models are being used to foster a precision medicine approach to treat complex chronic diseases such as autoimmune and... (Review)
Review
Artificial intelligence (AI)-based predictive models are being used to foster a precision medicine approach to treat complex chronic diseases such as autoimmune and autoinflammatory disorders (AIIDs). In the past few years the first models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been produced by molecular profiling of patients using omic technologies and integrating the data with AI. These advances have confirmed a complex pathophysiology involving multiple proinflammatory pathways and also provide evidence for shared molecular dysregulation across different AIIDs. I discuss how models are used to stratify patients, assess causality in pathophysiology, design drug candidates in silico, and predict drug efficacy in virtual patients. By relating individual patient characteristics to the predicted properties of millions of drug candidates, these models can improve the management of AIIDs through more personalized treatments.
Topics: Humans; Sjogren's Syndrome; Artificial Intelligence; Autoimmune Diseases; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Drug Development
PubMed: 37268540
DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.04.005 -
Clinical and Experimental Medicine Nov 2023Many studies have shown an association between COVID-19 and autoimmune diseases (ADs). Studies on COVID-19 and ADs have also increased significantly, but there is no...
BACKGROUND
Many studies have shown an association between COVID-19 and autoimmune diseases (ADs). Studies on COVID-19 and ADs have also increased significantly, but there is no bibliometric analysis to summarize the association between COVID-19 and ADs. The purpose of this study was to perform a bibliometric and visual analysis of published studies related to COVID-19 and ADs.
METHODS
Based on the Web of Science Core Collection SCI-Expanded database, we utilize Excel 2019 and visualization analysis tools Co-Occurrence13.2 (COOC13.2), VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and HistCite for analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 1736 related kinds of papers were included, and the number of papers presented an overall increasing trend. The country/region with the most publications is the USA, the institution is the Harvard Medical School, the author is Yehuda Shoenfeld from Israel, and the journal is Frontiers in Immunology. Research hotspots include immune responses (such as cytokines storm), multisystem ADs (such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis), treatment modalities (such as hydroxychloroquine, rituximab), vaccination and autoimmune mechanisms (such as autoantibodies, molecular mimicry). The future research direction may be the mechanisms and treatment ideas of the association between ADs and COVID-19 (such as NF-κB, hyperinflammation, antiphospholipid antibodies, neutrophil extracellular traps, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor), other cross-diseases of COVID-19 and ADs (such as inflammatory bowel disease, chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, acute respiratory distress syndrome).
CONCLUSION
The growth rate of publications regarding ADs and COVID-19 has risen sharply. Our research results can help researchers grasp the current status of ADs and COVID-19 research and find new research directions in the future.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Autoimmune Diseases; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Bibliometrics
PubMed: 37395896
DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01089-y -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Feb 2024Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) is an autoimmune disorder associated with the presence of autoantibodies, characterized by severe clinical presentation with...
Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) is an autoimmune disorder associated with the presence of autoantibodies, characterized by severe clinical presentation with rapidly progressive muscular weakness and elevated levels of creatine kinase, while traditional pharmacological approaches possess varying and often limited effects. Considering the pathogenic role of autoantibodies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. We reported here a patient with anti-signal recognition particle IMNM refractory to multiple available therapies, who was treated with BCMA-targeting CAR-T cells, exhibited favorable safety profiles, sustained reduction in pathogenic autoantibodies, and persistent clinical improvements over 18 mo. Longitudinal single-cell RNA, B cell receptor, T cell receptor sequencing analysis presented the normalization of immune microenvironment after CAR-T cell infusion, including reconstitution of B cell lineages, replacement of T cell subclusters, and suppression of overactivated immune cells. Analysis on characteristics of CAR-T cells in IMNM demonstrated a more active expansion of CD8 CAR-T cells, with a dynamic phenotype shifting pattern similar in CD4 and CD8 CAR-T cells. A comparison of CD8 CAR-T cells in patients with IMNM and those with malignancies collected at different timepoints revealed a more NK-like phenotype with enhanced tendency of cell death and neuroinflammation and inhibited proliferating ability of CD8 CAR-T cells in IMNM while neuroinflammation might be the distinct characteristics. Further studies are warranted to define the molecular features of CAR-T cells in autoimmunity and to seek higher efficiency and longer persistence of CAR-T cells in treating autoimmune disorders.
Topics: Humans; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; Multiple Myeloma; B-Cell Maturation Antigen; Neuroinflammatory Diseases; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Autoimmune Diseases; Autoantibodies; Muscular Diseases; Single-Cell Analysis; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 38289960
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2315990121 -
Cells Jul 2023Inflammasome complexes and their integral receptor proteins have essential roles in regulating the innate immune response and inflammation at the post-translational... (Review)
Review
Inflammasome complexes and their integral receptor proteins have essential roles in regulating the innate immune response and inflammation at the post-translational level. Yet despite their protective role, aberrant activation of inflammasome proteins and gain of function mutations in inflammasome component genes seem to contribute to the development and progression of human autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. In the past decade, our understanding of inflammasome biology and activation mechanisms has greatly progressed. We therefore provide an up-to-date overview of the various inflammasomes and their known mechanisms of action. In addition, we highlight the involvement of various inflammasomes and their pathogenic mechanisms in common autoinflammatory, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, including atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. We conclude by speculating on the future avenues of research needed to better understand the roles of inflammasomes in health and disease.
Topics: Humans; Inflammasomes; Autoimmune Diseases; Immunity, Innate; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Inflammation
PubMed: 37443800
DOI: 10.3390/cells12131766 -
Kidney International Jul 2023Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by autoreactive B cells and dysregulation of many other types of immune cells including...
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by autoreactive B cells and dysregulation of many other types of immune cells including myeloid cells. Lupus nephritis (LN) is a common target organ manifestations of SLE. Tonicity-responsive enhancer-binding protein (TonEBP, also known as nuclear factor of activated T-cells 5 (NFAT5)), was initially identified as a central regulator of cellular responses to hypertonic stress and is a pleiotropic stress protein involved in a variety of immunometabolic diseases. To explore the role of TonEBP, we examined kidney biopsy samples from patients with LN. Kidney TonEBP expression was found to be elevated in these patients compared to control patients - in both kidney cells and infiltrating immune cells. Kidney TonEBP mRNA was elevated in LN and correlated with mRNAs encoding inflammatory cytokines and the degree of proteinuria. In a pristane-induced SLE model in mice, myeloid TonEBP deficiency blocked the development of SLE and LN. In macrophages, engagement of various toll-like receptors (TLRs) that respond to damage-associated molecular patterns induced TonEBP expression via stimulation of its promoter. Intracellular signaling downstream of the TLRs was dependent on TonEBP. Therefore, TonEBP can act as a transcriptional cofactor for NF-κB, and activated mTOR-IRF3/7 via protein-protein interactions. Additionally, TonEBP-deficient macrophages displayed elevated efferocytosis and animals with myeloid deficiency of TonEBP showed reduced Th1 and Th17 differentiation, consistent with macrophages defective in TLR signaling. Thus, our data show that myeloid TonEBP may be an attractive therapeutic target for SLE and LN.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Kidney; Lupus Nephritis; Signal Transduction; Macrophages; NFATC Transcription Factors
PubMed: 37088425
DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2023.03.030 -
Clinical and Experimental Medicine Oct 2023Many studies have shown that gut microbiota is closely related to autoimmune diseases (ADs). Studies on gut microbiota and ADs have also increased significantly, but no...
Many studies have shown that gut microbiota is closely related to autoimmune diseases (ADs). Studies on gut microbiota and ADs have also increased significantly, but no bibliometric analysis has summarized the association between gut microbiota and ADs. This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric and visual analysis of published studies on gut microbiota and ADs. Based on the Web of Science Core Collection SCI-expanded database, we utilize Excel 2019 and visualization analysis tools VOSviewer and co-occurrence13.2 (COOC13.2) for analysis. A total of 2516 related kinds of literature were included, and the number of papers presented an overall increasing trend. The country/region with the most publications is the USA, the institution is the Harvard Medical School, and the author is Mikael Knip from the USA. Hot research areas include intestinal regulation (such as dysbiosis, short chain fatty acids, and probiotics), multisystem ADs (such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease), and immune-related cells (such as T cells, and dendritic cells). Psoriasis, dysbiosis, autoimmune liver disease, and fecal microbiota transplantation may be the future research direction. Our research results can help researchers grasp the current status of ADs and gut microbiota research and find new research directions in the future.
Topics: Humans; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Dysbiosis; Autoimmune Diseases; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Bibliometrics
PubMed: 36859447
DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01028-x -
Clinical and Experimental Medicine Nov 2023Clinical observations suggest that the prevalence of autoimmune diseases is changing over time. Both autoimmune liver diseases and multiple sclerosis have shown a... (Review)
Review
Clinical observations suggest that the prevalence of autoimmune diseases is changing over time. Both autoimmune liver diseases and multiple sclerosis have shown a significant increase in the last decades. Although the coexistence of autoimmune diseases within individuals and families is a common phenomenon, the extent to which liver disease and multiple sclerosis co-occur is not clear. Case reports and few studies have reported the possible coexistence of multiple sclerosis with thyroid diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis. It is unknown whether there is a definite association between multiple sclerosis and autoimmune liver diseases. We reviewed the literature to summarize the available studies on the association between different autoimmune liver diseases (autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis) and treated or untreated multiple sclerosis.
Topics: Humans; Multiple Sclerosis; Autoimmune Diseases; Liver Diseases; Hepatitis, Autoimmune; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Psoriasis; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary
PubMed: 37421590
DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01128-8 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023Autoimmunity is defined by the presence of antibodies and/or T cells directed against self-components. Although of unknown etiology, autoimmunity commonly is associated... (Review)
Review
Autoimmunity is defined by the presence of antibodies and/or T cells directed against self-components. Although of unknown etiology, autoimmunity commonly is associated with environmental factors such as infections, which have been reported to increase the risk of developing autoimmune diseases. Occasionally, similarities between infectious non-self and self-tissue antigens may contribute to immunological cross-reactivity in autoimmune diseases. These reactions may be interpreted as molecular mimicry, which describes cross-reactivity between foreign pathogens and self-antigens that have been reported to cause tissue damage and to contribute to the development of autoimmunity. By focusing on the nature of antibodies, cross-reactivity in general, and antibody-antigen interactions, this review aims to characterize the nature of potential cross-reactive immune reactions between infectious non-self and self-tissue antigens which may be associated with autoimmunity but may not actually be the cause of disease onset.
Topics: Humans; Antibodies; Immune System Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Autoimmunity; Autoantigens
PubMed: 37686415
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713609 -
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity Mar 2024Autoantibodies against the potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 2 (KCNA2) have been described in a few cases of neuropsychiatric disorders, but their...
BACKGROUND
Autoantibodies against the potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 2 (KCNA2) have been described in a few cases of neuropsychiatric disorders, but their diagnostic and pathophysiological role is currently unknown, imposing challenges to medical practice.
DESIGN / METHODS
We retrospectively collected comprehensive clinical and paraclinical data of 35 patients with KCNA2 IgG autoantibodies detected in cell-based and tissue-based assays. Patients' sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were used for characterization of the antigen, clinical-serological correlations, and determination of IgG subclasses.
RESULTS
KCNA2 autoantibody-positive patients (n = 35, median age at disease onset of 65 years, range of 16-83 years, 74 % male) mostly presented with cognitive impairment and/or epileptic seizures but also ataxia, gait disorder and personality changes. Serum autoantibodies belonged to IgG3 and IgG1 subclasses and titers ranged from 1:32 to 1:10,000. KCNA2 IgG was found in the CSF of 8/21 (38 %) patients and in the serum of 4/96 (4.2 %) healthy blood donors. KCNA2 autoantibodies bound to characteristic anatomical areas in the cerebellum and hippocampus of mammalian brain and juxtaparanodal regions of peripheral nerves but reacted exclusively with intracellular epitopes. A subset of four KCNA2 autoantibody-positive patients responded markedly to immunotherapy alongside with conversion to seronegativity, in particular those presenting an autoimmune encephalitis phenotype and receiving early immunotherapy. An available brain biopsy showed strong immune cell invasion. KCNA2 autoantibodies occurred in less than 10 % in association with an underlying tumor.
CONCLUSION
Our data suggest that KCNA2 autoimmunity is clinically heterogeneous. Future studies should determine whether KCNA2 autoantibodies are directly pathogenic or develop secondarily. Early immunotherapy should be considered, in particular if autoantibodies occur in CSF or if clinical or diagnostic findings suggest ongoing inflammation. Suspicious clinical phenotypes include autoimmune encephalitis, atypical dementia, new-onset epilepsy and unexplained epileptic seizures.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Male; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Autoimmunity; Retrospective Studies; Autoantibodies; Seizures; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Mammals; Kv1.2 Potassium Channel; Encephalitis; Hashimoto Disease
PubMed: 38309639
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.01.220 -
Gastroenterology Jun 2024Celiac disease (CeD) is a chronic immune-mediated condition triggered by gluten consumption in genetically predisposed individuals. Approximately 1% of the general... (Review)
Review
Celiac disease (CeD) is a chronic immune-mediated condition triggered by gluten consumption in genetically predisposed individuals. Approximately 1% of the general population is affected by the disorder. Disease presentation is heterogeneous and, despite growing awareness among physicians and the public, it continues to be underestimated. The most effective strategy for identifying undiagnosed CeD is proactive case finding through serologic testing in high-risk groups. We reviewed the most recent evidence on the association between CeD and more than 20 conditions. In light of this review, CeD screening is recommended in individuals with (1) autoimmune disease and accompanying symptoms suggestive of CeD; (2) diseases that may mimic CeD (eg, irritable bowel syndrome [IBS], inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], and microscopic colitis); and (3) among patients with conditions with a high CeD prevalence: first-degree relatives, idiopathic pancreatitis, unexplained liver enzyme abnormalities, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, hyposplenism or functional asplenia with severe bacterial infection, type 1 diabetes mellitus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease, Sjögren's syndrome, dermatitis herpetiformis, recurrent aphthous syndrome and enamel defects, unexplained ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, delayed menarche or premature menopause, Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, Williams syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, IgA nephropathy, and IgA deficiency. CeD serology should be the initial step in the screening process. However, for patients with any of the aforementioned disorders who are undergoing upper endoscopy, biopsies should be performed to rule out CeD.
Topics: Humans; Celiac Disease; Autoimmune Diseases; Diagnosis, Differential; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Serologic Tests; Risk Factors; Prevalence; Genetic Predisposition to Disease
PubMed: 38460606
DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.02.044