Multiple articles found

Synovium as a source of increased amino-terminal parathyroid hormone-related protein expression in rheumatoid arthritis. A possible role for locally produced parathyroid hormone-related protein in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

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Abstract

Proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1 (IL-1), mediate the joint destruction that characterizes rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previous studies have shown that parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is a member of the cascade of proinflammatory cytokines induced in parenchymal organs during lethal endotoxemia. To test the hypothesis that NH2-terminal PTHrP, a potent bone resorbing agent, could also be a member of the synovial cascade of tissue-destructive cytokines whose expression is induced in RA, PTHrP expression was examined in synovium and synoviocytes obtained from patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA). PTHrP production, as determined by measurement of immunoreactive PTHrP(1-86) in tissue explant supernatants, was increased 10-fold in RA versus OA synovial tissue. Synovial lining cells and fibroblast-like cells within the pannus expressed both PTHrP and the PTH/PTHrP receptor, findings that were confirmed by in vitro studies of cultured synoviocytes. TNF-alpha and IL-1beta stimulated PTHrP expression in synoviocytes, while dexamethasone and interferon-gamma, agents with some therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of RA, inhibited PTHrP release. Treatment of synoviocytes with PTHrP(1-34) stimulated IL-6 secretion. These results suggest that proinflammatory cytokine-stimulated production of NH2-terminal PTHrP by synovial tissue directly invading cartilage and bone in RA may mediate joint destruction through direct effects on cartilage or bone, or, indirectly, via the induction of mediators of bone resorption in the tumor-like synovium.

Authors

J L Funk, L A Cordaro, H Wei, J B Benjamin, D E Yocum

Genetic dissection of SLE pathogenesis. Sle1 on murine chromosome 1 leads to a selective loss of tolerance to H2A/H2B/DNA subnucleosomes.

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Abstract

One of the hallmarks of SLE is the loss of tolerance to chromatin. The genes and mechanisms that trigger this loss of tolerance remain unknown. Our genetic studies in the NZM2410 lupus strain have implicated genomic intervals on chromosomes 1 (Sle1), 4 (Sle2), and 7 (Sle3) as conferring strong lupus susceptibility. Interestingly, B6 mice that are congenic for Sle1 (B6.NZMc1) have elevated IgG antichromatin Abs. This study explores the antinuclear antibody fine specificities and underlying cellular defects in these mice. On the B6 background, Sle1 by itself is sufficient to generate a robust, spontaneous antichromatin Ab response, staining Hep-2 nuclei homogeneously, and reacting primarily with H2A/H2B/DNA subnucleosomes. This targeted immune response peaks at 7-9 mo of age, affects both sexes with equally high penetrance (> 75%), and interestingly, does not "spread" to other subnucleosomal chromatin components. Sle1 also leads to an expanded pool of histone-reactive T cells, which may have a role in driving the anti-H2A/H2B/DNA B cells. However, these mice do not exhibit any generalized immunological defects or quantitative aberrations in lymphocyte apoptosis. We hypothesize that Sle1 may lead to the presentation of chromatin in an immunogenic fashion, or directly impact tolerance of chromatin-specific B cells.

Authors

C Mohan, E Alas, L Morel, P Yang, E K Wakeland