CEMIP (KIAA1199) regulates inflammation, hyperplasia and fibrosis in osteoarthritis synovial membrane.

Osteoarthritis (OA) synovial membrane is mainly characterized by low-grade inflammation, hyperplasia with increased cell proliferation and fibrosis. We previously underscored a critical role for CEMIP in fibrosis of OA cartilage. However, its role in OA synovial membrane remains unknown. An in vitro model with fibroblast-like synoviocytes from OA patients and an in vivo model with collagenase-induced OA mice were used to evaluate CEMIP-silencing effects on inflammation, hyperplasia and fibrosis. Our results showed that i. CEMIP expression was increased in human and mouse inflamed synovial membrane; ii. CEMIP regulated the inflammatory response pathway and inflammatory cytokines production in vitro and in vivo; iii. CEMIP induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition pathway and fibrotic markers in vitro and in vivo; iv. CEMIP increased cell proliferation and synovial hyperplasia; v. CEMIP expression was increased by inflammatory cytokines and by TGF-ß signaling; vi. anti-fibrotic drugs decreased CEMIP expression. All these findings highlighted the central role of CEMIP in OA synovial membrane development and underscored that targeting CEMIP could be a new therapeutic approach.

TFEB phosphorylation on Serine 211 is induced by autophagy in human synovial fibroblasts and by p62/SQSTM1 overexpression in HEK293 cells.

Autophagy receptor p62/SQSTM1 signals a complex network that links autophagy-lysosomal system to proteasome. Phosphorylation of p62 on Serine 349 (P-Ser349 p62) is involved in a cell protective, antioxidant pathway. We have shown previously that P-Ser349 p62 occurs and is rapidly degraded during human synovial fibroblasts autophagy. In this work we observed that fingolimod (FTY720), used as a medication for multiple sclerosis, induced coordinated expression of p62, P-Ser349 p62 and inhibitory TFEB form, phosphorylated on Serine 211 (P-Ser211 TFEB), in human synovial fibroblasts. These effects were mimicked and potentiated by proteasome inhibitor MG132. In addition, FTY720 induced autophagic flux, LC3B-II up-regulation, Akt phosphorylation inhibition on Serine 473 but down-regulated TFEB, suggesting stalled autophagy. FTY720 decreased cytoplasmic fraction contained TFEB but induced TFEB in nuclear fraction. FTY720-induced P-Ser211 TFEB was mainly found in membrane fraction. Autophagy and VPS34 kinase inhibitor, autophinib, further increased FTY720-induced P-Ser349 p62 but inhibited concomitant expression of P-Ser211 TFEB. These results suggested that P-Ser211 TFEB expression depends on autophagy. Overexpression of GFP tagged TFEB in HEK293 cells showed concomitant expression of its phosphorylated form on Serine 211, that was down-regulated by autophinib. These results suggested that autophagy might be autoregulated through P-Ser211 TFEB as a negative feedback loop. Of interest, overexpression of p62, p62 phosphorylation mimetic (S349E) mutant and phosphorylation deficient mutant (S349A) in HEK293 cells markedly induced P-Ser211 TFEB. These results showed that p62 is involved in regulation of TFEB phosphorylation on Serine 211 but that this involvement does not depend on p62 phosphorylation on Serine 349.

Glycosylation deficiency of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and corticosteroid-binding globulin associated with activity and response to treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Serum protein glycosylation is an area of investigation in inflammatory arthritic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Indeed, some studies highlighted abnormalities of protein glycosylation in RA. Considering the numerous types of enzymes, monosaccharides and glycosidic linkages, glycosylation is one of the most complex post translational modifications. By this work, we started with a preliminary screening of glycoproteins in serum from RA patients and controls. METHODS: In order to isolate glycoproteins from serum, lectin wheat germ agglutinin was used and quantitative differences between patients and controls were investigated by LC-MS/MS. Consequently, we focused our attention on two glycoproteins found in this explorative phase: corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP). The subsequent validation with immunoassays was widened to a larger number of early RA (ERA) patients (n = 90) and well-matched healthy controls (n = 90). RESULTS: We observed a significant reduction of CBG and LBP glycosylation in ERA patients compared with healthy controls. Further, after 12 months of treatment, glycosylated CBG and LBP levels increased both to values comparable to those of controls. In addition, these changes were correlated with clinical parameters. CONCLUSIONS: This study enables to observe that glycosylation changes of CBG and LBP are related to RA disease activity and its response to treatment.

High detection rate of osteoporosis with screening of a general hospitalized population: a 6-year study in 6406 patients in a university hospital setting.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent disease identified by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) that can be performed in an ambulatory (out-patient) or hospitalized population. We evaluated the use of baseline in-hospital DEXA screening to identify osteoporosis in ambulatory care and hospitalized patients; we also assessed specific risk factors for osteoporosis among these populations. METHODS: We included a baseline initial DEXA from 6406 consecutive patients at our tertiary referral University Hospital. RESULTS: Osteoporosis was diagnosed in 22.3% of the study population. In univariate analysis, osteoporosis risk factors were age, fracture history and low BMI (for all 3 sites), but also corticotherapy (lumbar spine and femoral neck) and male (lumbar spine). In multivariate analysis, age, fracture history, low BMI, and male increased osteoporosis risk. In-hospital screening yielded a higher percentage of osteoporosis positive scans than ambulatory care screening (31.8% vs 18.5%, p < 0.001). In-hospital screening targeted an older and more predominantly male population with a higher fracture history. Z-scores revealed that this difference was not only due to an older age of the population and mainly concerned cortical bone. CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital osteoporosis screening revealed more osteoporosis than screening in ambulatory practice and could be an additional tool to improve the identification and management of osteoporosis. In addition to typical risk factors, we identified male gender as associated with osteoporosis detection in our cohort.

Biomarkers of inflammation and innate immunity in atrophic nonunion fracture.

BACKGROUND: Nonunion is a failure of healing following a bone fracture. Its physiopathology remains partially unclear and the discovery of new mediators could promote the understanding of bone healing. METHODS: Thirty-three atrophic nonunion (NU) patients that failed to demonstrate any radiographic improvement for 6 consecutive months were recruited for providing serum samples. Thirty-five healthy volunteers (HV) served as the control group. Proteomics studies were performed using SELDI-TOF-MS and 2D-DIGE approaches, associated or not with Proteominer® preprocessing, to highlight biomarkers specific to atrophic nonunion pathology. Peak intensities were analyzed by two statistical approaches, a nonparametric Mann-Whitney U tests (univariate approach) and a machine-learning algorithm called extra-trees (multivariate approach). Validation of highlighted biomarkers was performed by alternative approaches such as microfluidic LC-MS/MS, nephelometry, western blotting or ELISA assays. RESULTS: From the 35 HV and 33 NU crude serum samples and Proteominer® eluates, 136 spectra were collected by SELDI-TOF-MS using CM10 and IMAC-Cu(2+) ProteinChip arrays, and 665 peaks were integrated for extra-trees multivariate analysis. Accordingly, seven biomarkers and several variants were identified as potential NU biomarkers. Their levels of expression were found to be down- or up-regulated in serum of HV vs NU. These biomarkers are inter-α-trypsin inhibitor H4, hepcidin, S100A8, S100A9, glycated hemoglobin ß subunit, PACAP related peptide, complement C3 α-chain. 2D-DIGE experiment allowed to detect 14 biomarkers as being down- or up-regulated in serum of HV vs NU including a cleaved fragment of apolipoprotein A-IV, apolipoprotein E, complement C3 and C6. Several biomarkers such as hepcidin, complement C6, S100A9, apolipoprotein E, complement C3 and C4 were confirmed by an alternative approach as being up-regulated in serum of NU patients compared to HV controls. CONCLUSION: Two proteomics approaches were used to identify new biomarkers up- or down-regulated in the nonunion pathology, which are involved in bone turn-over, inflammation, innate immunity, glycation and lipid metabolisms. High expression of hepcidin or S100A8/S100A9 by myeloid cells and the presence of advanced glycation end products and complement factors could be the result of a longstanding inflammatory process. Blocking macrophage activation and/or TLR4 receptor could accelerate healing of fractured bone in at-risk patients.

Insights on Molecular Mechanisms of Chondrocytes Death in Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint pathology characterized by progressive cartilage degradation. Medical care is mainly based on alleviating pain symptoms. Compelling studies report the presence of empty lacunae and hypocellularity in cartilage with aging and OA progression, suggesting that chondrocyte cell death occurs and participates to OA development. However, the relative contribution of apoptosis per se in OA pathogenesis appears complex to evaluate. Indeed, depending on technical approaches, OA stages, cartilage layers, animal models, as well as in vivo or in vitro experiments, the percentage of apoptosis and cell death types can vary. Apoptosis, chondroptosis, necrosis, and autophagic cell death are described in this review. The question of cell death causality in OA progression is also addressed, as well as the molecular pathways leading to cell death in response to the following inducers: Fas, Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), Tumor Necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), leptin, nitric oxide (NO) donors, and mechanical stresses. Furthermore, the protective role of autophagy in chondrocytes is highlighted, as well as its decline during OA progression, enhancing chondrocyte cell death; the transition being mainly controlled by HIF-1α/HIF-2α imbalance. Finally, we have considered whether interfering in chondrocyte apoptosis or promoting autophagy could constitute therapeutic strategies to impede OA progression.

Selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator compound A, in contrast to prednisolone, does not induce leptin or the leptin receptor in human osteoarthritis synovial fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE: Glucocorticoids are powerful anti-inflammatory compounds that also induce the expression of leptin and leptin receptor (Ob-R) in synovial fibroblasts through TGF-ßsignalling and Smad1/5 phosphorylation. Compound A (CpdA), a selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist, reduces inflammation in murine arthritis models and does not induce diabetes or osteoporosis, thus offering an improved risk:benefit ratio in comparison with glucocorticoids. Due to the detrimental role of leptin in OA pathogenesis, we sought to determine whether CpdA also induced leptin and Ob-R protein expression as observed with prednisolone. METHODS: Human synovial fibroblasts and chondrocytes were isolated from the synovium and cartilage of OA patients after joint surgery. The cells were treated with prednisolone, TGF-ß1, TNF-α and/or CpdA. Levels of leptin, IL-6, IL-8, MMP-1 and MMP-3 were measured by ELISA and expression levels of Ob-R phospho-Smad1/5, phospho-Smad2, α-tubulin and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase were analysed by western blotting. RESULTS: CpdA, unlike prednisolone, did not induce leptin secretion or Ob-R protein expression in OA synovial fibroblasts. Moreover, CpdA decreased endogenous Ob-R expression and down-regulated prednisolone-induced leptin secretion and Ob-R expression. Mechanistically, CpdA, unlike prednisolone, did not induce Smad1/5 phosphorylation. CpdA, similarly to prednisolone, down-regulated endogenous and TNF-α-induced IL-6, IL-8, MMP-1 and MMP-3 protein secretion. The dissociative effect of CpdA was confirmed using chondrocytes with no induction of leptin secretion, but with a significant decrease in IL-6, IL-8, MMP-1 and MMP-3 protein secretion. CONCLUSION: CpdA, unlike prednisolone, did not induce leptin or Ob-R in human OA synovial fibroblasts, thereby demonstrating an improved risk:benefit ratio.

Serum IGFBP-2 in systemic sclerosis as a prognostic factor of lung dysfunction.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease associated with rapid evolving interstitial lung disease (ILD), driving its mortality. Specific biomarkers associated with the progression of this lung disease are highly needed. We aimed to identify specific biomarkers of SSc-ILD to predict the evolution of the disease. For this, we compared prospectively serum levels of several biomarkers associated with lung fibrosis in SSc patients (n = 102), among which SSc-no ILD (n = 63) and SSc-ILD (n = 39), compared to healthy subjects (HS) (n = 39). We also performed a longitudinal study in a subgroup of 28 patients analyzing biomarkers variations and pulmonary function tests over a period of 2 years. Serum level of IGFBP-2 was significantly increased in SSc patients compared to HS, and negatively correlated with pulmonary function (assessed by carbon monoxide transfer coefficient (KCO)) (r = - 0.29, p < 0.01). Two-year longitudinal analysis in a subgroup of 28 SSc patients determined that IGFBP-2 variation was positively correlated with KCO at 2-year follow-up (r = 0.6, p < 0.001). SSc patients with a lower variation of IGFBP-2 (less than 22%) presented significant deterioration of pulmonary function at 2-year follow-up (p < 0.01). ROC curve analysis enabled us to identify that baseline IGFBP-2 > 105 ng/ml was associated with a poor outcome (KCO < 70% predicted) at 2-year follow-up (AUC = 0.75, p < 0.05). We showed for the first time that serum levels of IGFBP-2 might be a prognostic factor of the development of SSc-ILD.

Dissociation between 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission computed tomography, ultrasound and clinical assessments in patients with non-severe rheumatoid arthritis, including remission.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation of patients joints with severe disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has already been visualized and quantified by 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission computed tomography ([18F] FDG PET/CT), but little is known about the metabolic status and its relationship with clinical and ultrasonography (US) metrology in patients with low/moderate activity or in remission. METHODS: Clinical assessments [based on 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28-CRP) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI)], [18F] FDG PET/CT, US and X-ray were performed on 63 RA patients classified into remission or low/moderate or severe disease activity groups. PET/CT was visually and then semi-quantitatively analysed by determining the standardized uptake value (SUV) of positive joints. RESULTS: Of the 1764 joints, 21.1% were tender only, 13.7% swollen only, 27.6% tender or swollen, 7.3% tender and swollen, 20.5% PET/CT-positive and 8.6% US-positive. PET and US measurements were correlated, albeit with poor concordance. The positive predictive value of PET/CT for clinical evaluation (tender and/or swollen) was low, whereas its negative predictive value was high. Highly significant differences were found with the number of PET/CT-positive joints and with cumulative SUV between "severe" and "non-severe" patients (including those in remission and those with low/moderate activity) and not between those classified as "remission" and "non-remission" or "remission" and "low/moderate activity". Moreover, the correlation between PET/CT measurements and clinical activity was positive only in the CDAI severe disease group. In patients in remission or with low/moderate activity, only 20-30% of joints were PET/CT-negative. In remission, PET/CT and US were positive in different joints, and PET/CT-positive but US-negative joints mainly exhibited RA (38.1%) or normal (49.2%) and not osteoarthritic (12.7%) X-ray patterns. CONCLUSIONS: [18F] FDG PET/CT was effective at distinguishing patients with severely active disease from other patients. In non-severe RA patients, including those in remission, PET/CT results are discordant from US and clinical observations. A longitudinal analysis is needed to explore the clinical relevance of such infra-clinical disease.

Modulation of αVß6 integrin in osteoarthritis-related synovitis and the interaction with VTN(381-397 a.a.) competing for TGF-ß1 activation.

Osteoarthritis is characterized by structural alteration of joints. Fibrosis of the synovial tissue is often detected and considered one of the main causes of joint stiffness and pain. In our earlier proteomic study, increased levels of vitronectin (VTN) fragment (amino acids 381-397) were observed in the serum of osteoarthritis patients. In this work, the affinity of this fragment for integrins and its putative role in TGF-ß1 activation were investigated. A competition study determined the interaction of VTN(381-397 a.a.) with αVß6 integrin. Subsequently, the presence of αVß6 integrin was substantiated on primary human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) by western blot and flow cytometry. By immunohistochemistry, ß6 was detected in synovial membranes, and its expression showed a correlation with tissue fibrosis. Moreover, ß6 expression was increased under TGF-ß1 stimulation; hence, a TGF-ß bioassay was applied. We observed that αVß6 could mediate TGF-ß1 bioavailability and that VTN(381-397 a.a.) could prevent TGF-ß1 activation by interacting with αVß6 in human FLSs and increased α-SMA. Finally, we analyzed serum samples from healthy controls and patients with osteoarthritis and other rheumatic diseases by nano-LC/Chip MS-MS, confirming the increased expression of VTN(381-397 a.a.) in osteoarthritis as well as in lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis. These findings corroborate our previous observations concerning the overexpression of VTN(381-397 a.a.) in osteoarthritis but also in other rheumatic diseases. This fragment interacts with αVß6 integrin, a receptor whose expression is increased in FLSs from the osteoarthritic synovial membrane and that can mediate the activation of the TGF-ß1 precursor in human FLSs.

A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study to Define Alarmins and A-SAA Variants as Companion Markers in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Nowadays, in the study of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), more and more interest is directed towards an earlier effective therapeutic intervention and the determination of companion markers for predicting response to therapy with the goal to prevent progressive joint damage, deformities, and functional disability. With the present work, we aimed at quantifying in a cohort of early RA (ERA) patients naïve to DMARD therapy, proteins whose increase was previously found associated with RA: serum amyloid A (A-SAA) and alarmins. Five A-SAA variants (SAA1α, SAA1ß, SAA1γ, SAA2α, and SAA2ß) but also S100A8 and S100A9 proteins were simultaneously quantified in plasma applying a method based on single targeted bottom-up proteomics LC-MS/MS. First, we compared their expression between ERA (n = 100) and healthy subjects (n = 100), then we focused on their trend by monitoring ERA patients naïve to DMARD treatment, 1 year after starting therapy. Only SAA1α and SAA2α levels were increased in ERA patients, and SAA2α appears to mostly mediate the pathological role of A-SAA. Levels of these variants, together with SAA1ß, only decreased under biologic DMARD treatment but not under methotrexate monotherapy. This study highlights the importance to better understand the modulation of expression of these variants in ERA in order to subsequently better characterize their biological function. On the other hand, alarmin expression increased in ERA compared to controls but remained elevated after 12 months of methotrexate or biologic treatment. The work overcomes the concept of considering these proteins as biomarkers for diagnosis, demonstrating that SAA1α, SAA1ß, and SAA2α variants but also S100A8 and S100A9 do not respond to all early treatment in ERA and should be rather considered as companion markers useful to improve the follow-up of treatment response and remission state. Moreover, it suggests that earlier use of biologics in addition to methotrexate may be worth considering.

The umbilical cord matrix is a better source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) than the umbilical cord blood.

Many studies have drawn attention to the emerging role of MSC (mesenchymal stem cells) as a promising population supporting new clinical concepts in cellular therapy. However, the sources from which these cells can be isolated are still under discussion. Whereas BM (bone marrow) is presented as the main source of MSC, despite the invasive procedure related to this source, the possibility of isolating sufficient numbers of these cells from UCB (umbilical cord blood) remains controversial. Here, we present the results of experiments aimed at isolating MSC from UCB, BM and UCM (umbilical cord matrix) using different methods of isolation and various culture media that summarize the main procedures and criteria reported in the literature. Whereas isolation of MSC were successful from BM (10:10) and (UCM) (8:8), only one cord blood sample (1:15) gave rise to MSC using various culture media [DMEM (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium) +5% platelet lysate, DMEM+10% FBS (fetal bovine serum), DMEM+10% human UCB serum, MSCGM] and different isolation methods [plastic adherence of total MNC (mononuclear cells), CD3+/CD19+/CD14+/CD38+-depleted MNC and CD133+- or LNGFR+-enriched MNC]. MSC from UCM and BM were able to differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes and hepatocytes. The expansion potential was highest for MSC from UCM. The two cell populations had CD90+/CD73+/CD105+ phenotype with the additional expression of SSEA4 and LNGFR for BM MSC. These results clearly exclude UCB from the list of MSC sources for clinical use and propose instead UCM as a rich, non-invasive and abundant source of MSC.

Toward diagnostic relevance of the αVß5, αVß3, and αVß6 integrins in OA: expression within human cartilage and spinal osteophytes.

We previously reported 18FPRGD2 uptake by the coxofemoral lining, intervertebral discs and facet joint osteophytes in OA using PET/SCAN imaging. However, the molecular mechanism by which the PRGD2 tracer interacts with joint tissues and osteophytes in OA remains unclear. As PRGD2 ligands are expected to belong to the RGD-specific integrin family, the purpose of this study was (i) to determine which integrin complexes display the highest affinity for PRGD2-based ligands, (ii) to analyze integrin expression in relevant tissues, and (iii) to test integrin regulation in chondrocytes using OA-related stimuli to increase the levels of fibrosis and ossification markers. To this end, the affinity of PRGD2-based ligands for five heterodimeric integrins was measured by competition with 125I-echistatin. In situ analyses were performed in human normal vs. OA cartilage and spinal osteophytes. Osteophytes were characterized by (immuno-)histological staining. Integrin subunit expression was tested in chondrocytes undergoing dedifferentiation, osteogenic differentiation, and inflammatory stimulation. The integrins αVß5, αVß3, and αVß6 presented the highest affinity for PRGD2-based ligands. In situ, the expression of these integrins was significantly increased in OA compared to normal cartilage. Within osteophytes, the mean integrin expression score was significantly higher in blood vessels, fibrous areas, and cells from the bone lining than in osteocytes and cartilaginous zones. In vitro, the levels of integrin subunits were significantly increased during chondrocyte dedifferentiation (except for ß6), fibrosis, and osteogenic differentiation as well as under inflammatory stimuli. In conclusion, anatomical zones (such as OA cartilage, intervertebral discs, and facet joint osteophytes) previously reported to show PRGD2 ligand uptake in vivo expressed increased levels of αVß5, αVß3, and ß6 integrins, whose subunits are modulated in vitro by OA-associated conditions that increase fibrosis, inflammation, and osteogenic differentiation. These results suggest that the increased levels of integrins in OA compared to normal tissues favor PRGD2 uptake and might explain the molecular mechanism of OA imaging using the PRGD2-based ligand PET/CT.

Proteins involved in the endoplasmic reticulum stress are modulated in synovitis of osteoarthritis, chronic pyrophosphate arthropathy and rheumatoid arthritis, and correlate with the histological inflammatory score.

It is now well recognized that osteoarthritis (OA) synovial membrane presents inflammatory components. The aim of this work is to provide evidence that similar inflammatory mechanisms exist in synovial membrane (n = 24) obtained from three pathologies presenting altogether an inflammatory gradient: OA, chronic pyrophosphate arthropathy (CPPA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Synovial biopsies were first characterized by a histological score based on synovial hyperplasia and infiltration of lymphocytes, plasma cells, polymorphonuclear and macrophages. All biopsies were also analyzed by 2D-nano-UPLC-ESI-Q-Orbitrap for protein identification and quantification. Protein levels were correlated with the histological score. Histological score was in the range of 3 to 8 for OA, 5 to 13 for CPPA and 12 to 17 for RA. Of the 4,336 proteins identified by mass spectrometry, 51 proteins were selected for their strong correlation (p < 0.001) with the histological score of which 11 proteins (DNAJB11, CALR, ERP29, GANAB, HSP90B1, HSPA1A, HSPA5, HYOU1, LMAN1, PDIA4, and TXNDC5) were involved in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Protein levels of S100A8 and S100A9 were significantly higher in RA compared to OA (for both) or to CPPA (for S100A8 only) and also significantly correlated with the histological score. Eighteen complement component proteins were identified, but only C1QB and C1QBP were weakly correlated with the histological score. This study highlights the inflammatory gradient existing between OA, CPPA and RA synovitis either at the protein level or at the histological level. Inflamed synovitis was characterized by the overexpression of ER stress proteins.

Genistein induces adipogenesis but inhibits leptin induction in human synovial fibroblasts.

It was shown recently that synovial fibroblast transformation into adipocytes reduced the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8. However, the synovial fibroblast adipogenesis was inhibited in inflammatory conditions induced by the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Furthermore, adipogenesis is often accompanied by leptin production, a proinflammatory adipokine in rheumatic diseases. In this study, we tested the phytohormone genistein for adipogenic and anti-inflammatory properties on human synovial fibroblasts. Results showed that genistein was able to transform synovial fibroblasts into adipocytes that expressed perilipin-A and produced adiponectin, but not leptin. Furthermore, genistein enhanced glucocorticoid-mediated synovial fibroblast adipogenesis and, in parallel, downregulated glucocorticoid-induced leptin and leptin receptor. Endogenous and TNF-alpha-induced expressions of IL-6, IL-8, p38, p65 and C/EBP-beta were also downregulated by genistein, showing its anti-inflammatory properties. Peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonist, rosiglitazone, had a synergic effect on genistein-induced adipogenesis, whereas the non-active tyrosine kinase inhibitor, daidzein, had a significantly inferior adipogenic activity than genistein. The Janus kinase-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, AG 490, mimicked the anti-leptin effect of genistein. These results showed that genistein-induced adipogenesis involves PPAR-gamma induction and tyrosine kinase inhibition. In conclusion, genistein, alone or coupled with glucocorticoids, have both adipogenic and anti-inflammatory effects on synovial fibroblasts.

Targeted proteomics reveals serum amyloid A variants and alarmins S100A8-S100A9 as key plasma biomarkers of rheumatoid arthritis.

Serum amyloid A (SAA) and S100 (S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12) proteins were previously identified as biomarkers of interest for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Among SAA family, two closely related isoforms (SAA-1 and SAA-2) are linked to the acute-phase of inflammation. They respectively exist under the form of three (α, ß, and γ) and two (α and ß) allelic variants. We developed a single run quantitative method for these protein variants and investigated their clinical relevance in the context of RA. The method was developed and validated according to regulations before being applied on plasma coming from RA patients (n = 46), other related inflammatory pathologies (n = 116) and controls (n = 62). Depending on the activity score of RA, SAA1 isoforms (mainly of SAA1α and SAA1ß subtypes) were found to be differentially present in plasma revealing their dual role during the development of RA. In addition, the weight of SAA1α in the total SAA response varied from 32 to 80% depending on the pathology studied. A negative correlation between SAA1α and SAA1ß was also highlighted for RA early-onset (r = -0.41). SAA2 and S100A8/S100A9 proteins were significantly overexpressed compared to control samples regardless of RA stage. The pathophysiological relevance of these quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the SAA response remains unknown. However, the significant negative correlation observed between SAA1α and SAA1ß levels in RA early-onset suggests the existence of still unknown regulatory mechanisms in these diseases.

15-Deoxy-Δ-12, 14-prostaglandin J2 acts cooperatively with prednisolone to reduce TGF-ß-induced pro-fibrotic pathways in human osteoarthritis fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Synovial fibrosis is a pathological process that is observed in several musculoskeletal disorders and characterized by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, as well as cell migration and proliferation. Despite the fact that glucocorticoids are widely employed in the treatment of rheumatic pathologies such as osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis, the mechanisms by which glucocorticoids act in the joint and their impacts on pro-fibrotic pathways are still unclear. MATERIALS: Human OA synovial fibroblasts were obtained from knee and hip joints. Cells were treated with prednisolone (1 mM) or transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1) (10 ng/ml) for 1 and 7 days for quantification of RNA and protein expression (by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and western blot, respectively), 72 h for immunocytochemistry analysis, and 48 h for proliferation (by BrdU assay) and migration (by wound assay) studies. In addition, cells were preincubated with prednisolone and/or the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) agonist 15-deoxy-Δ-12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) for 6 h before adding TGF-ß1. pSmad1/5, pSmad2 and ß-catenin levels were analyzed by Western blot. The activin receptor-like kinase-5 (ALK-5) inhibitor (SB-431542) was employed for the mechanistic assays. RESULTS: Prednisolone showed a predominant anti-fibrotic impact on fibroblast-like synoviocytes as it attenuated the spontaneous and TGF-ß-induced gene expression of pro-fibrotic markers. Prednisolone also reduced α-sma protein and type III collagen levels, as well as cell proliferation and migration after TGF-ß stimulation. However, prednisolone did not downregulate the gene expression of all the pro-fibrotic markers tested and did not restore the reduced PPAR-γ levels after TGF-ß stimulation. Interestingly, anti-fibrotic actions of the glucocorticoid were reinforced in the presence of the PPAR-γ agonist 15d-PGJ2. Combined pretreatment modulated Smad2/3 levels and, similar to the ALK-5 inhibitor, blocked ß-catenin accumulation elicited by TGF-ß. CONCLUSIONS: Prednisolone, along with 15d-PGJ2, modulates pro-fibrotic pathways activated by TGF-ß in synovial fibroblasts at least partially through the inhibition of ALK5/Smad2 signaling and subsequent ß-catenin accumulation. These findings shed light on the potential therapeutic effects of glucocorticoids treatment combined with a PPAR-γ agonist against synovial fibrosis, although future studies are warranted to further evaluate this concern.

18F- FDG PET/CT joint assessment of early therapeutic response in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with rituximab.

BACKGROUND: 18F-FDG PET/CT has been proposed in the evaluation of the disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The goals of this study were to evaluate the reproducibility of the technique, to compare metabolic parameters to clinical, biological and ultrasonographic parameters before and after treatment and to evaluate whether the early metabolic response was related to the outcome. 18F- FDG PET/CT of the hands, wrists and knees was obtained in 15 patients with anti-TNFα refractory RA, at baseline and 16 weeks after treatment with rituximab. The number of PET-positive joints (PET+ joints), the cumulative standard uptake value (cSUV) and the composite index (CI) were defined. The composite clinical index DAS28, CRP serum levels and the number of joints positive at ultrasonography (US+ joints) and the cumulative synovial thickness (CST) were also assessed at baseline and week 24. RESULTS: High interobserver agreement was observed, both at baseline and after treatment. The number of PET+ joints was not correlated with the number of joints tender or swollen. The 3 metabolic parameters were strongly correlated with US, CRP and DAS28 at baseline and with US and CRP (CSUV, CI) at week 16, but no longer with the DAS28 index. The metabolic response based on the change in the visual PET/CT joint analysis predicted the outcome with a high negative predictive value of 91%, with a 91% specificity, and an 86% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data suggest that 18F- FDG PET/CT is a reproducible and accurate tool for evaluating disease activity in refractory rheumatoid arthritis and its non-response to rituximab. The correlation obtained with US joint assessment gives relevance to objective diseased joints through imaging techniques.

Serum starvation raises turnover of phosphorylated p62/SQSTM1 (Serine 349), reveals expression of proteasome and N-glycanase1 interactive protein RAD23B and sensitizes human synovial fibroblasts to BAY 11-7085-induced cell death.

Phosphorylation of p62/SQSTM1 (p62) on Serine 349 (P-Ser349 p62) as well as proteasome dysfunction have been shown to activate the cell protective Keap1/Nrf2 pathway. We showed previously that BAY 11-7085-induced human synovial fibroblast cell death includes autophagy and p62 downregulation. In this work, we have studied expression of P-Ser349 p62 in human synovial fibroblasts. Results showed that P-Ser349 p62 was not detected in synovial cell extracts unless cells were cultured in the presence of proteasome inhibitor (MG132). MG132 revealed P-Ser349 p62 turnover, that was further increased by concomitant autophagy inhibition and markedly enhanced in serum starved cells. Starvation sensitized synovial fibroblasts to BAY 11-7085 while MG132 protected both non-starved and starved cells from BAY 11-7085-induced cell death. Lentivirus mediated overexpression of phosphorylation-mimetic p62 mutant S349E markedly protected synovial fibroblasts from BAY 11-7085. Inhibitor of Keap1-P-S349 p62 interaction, K67, had synergistic effect with MG132. Starvation increased p62 molecular weight, that was reversed by serum and bovine serum albumin re-feeding. Furthermore, starvation markedly induced RAD23B. Increased endo-ß-N-acetylglucosaminidase (ENGase) turnover was detected in starved synovial fibroblasts. PNGase F treatment produced faster migration p62 form in human synovial tissue extracts but starvation-like p62 form of higher molecular weight in synovial cell extracts. Co-transfection of NGLY1, with p62 or p62 mutants S349A and S349E markedly stabilized p62 expressions in HEK293 cells. Tunicamycin upregulated p62 and protected synovial fibroblasts from BAY 11-7085-induced cell death. These results showed that P-Ser349 p62 has pro-survival role in human synovial fibroblasts and that de-glycosylation events are involved in p62 turnover.