TGFB1 (rs1800470 and rs1800469) variants are independently associated with disease activity and autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

To evaluate the association between TGFB1 + 869 T > C (rs1800470) and TGFB1-509 C > T (rs1800469) variants with susceptibility for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), disease activity, presence of rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and TGF-ß1 plasma levels. A total of 262 patients with RA and 168 control individuals were tested for the TGFB1 variants using a TaqMan genotyping assay. Disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) classified RA patients into two groups of disease activity: remission/mild (DAS28 < 3.2) and moderate/severe (DAS28 ≥ 3.2). TGFB1 + 869 T > C and -509 C > T variants, independently or in haplotype combination, were not associated with RA's susceptibility. Patients with the TGFB1-509 TT genotype had a higher frequency of DAS28 ≥ 3.2 (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.04-6.42, p = 0.041). The TGFB1 + 869 CC genotype in seropositive patients for RF or anti-CCP was associated with decreased TGF-ß1 levels (p = 0.032 and p = 0.039, respectively). Patients with the TGFB1 + 869 C allele and elevated RF titles demonstrated a higher frequency of DAS28 ≥ 3.2 (p = 0.037). The TGFB1 + 869 T > C variant was associated with diminished TGF-ß1 plasma levels and moderate/severe activity disease only in seropositive RF patients. This is the first study showing that TGF-ß1 plasma levels can be modulated by the interaction between the TGFB1 + 869 T > C variant and autoantibodies. However, the TGFB1-509 C > T variant was associated with moderate/severe activity disease, independently of autoantibodies positivity. Thus, our findings suggest that TGFB1 + 869 T > C and -509 C > T variants can predict activity disease in different RA patient subgroups.

TGFB1 +869 T > C (rs1800470) variant is independently associated with susceptibility, laboratory activity, and TGF-ß1 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the +869 T > C (rs1800470) and -509 C > T (rs1800469) TGFB1 variants, individually or in haplotypes structure, with susceptibility, autoantibodies, disease activity, and TGF-ß1 plasma levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The study included 203 patients with SLE and 165 healthy controls. TGFB1 variants were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Plasma levels of TGF-ß1 were determined using immunofluorimetric assay. The TGFB1 + 869 CC genotype was associated with SLE susceptibility (OR: 1.710, 95%CI: 1.020-2.866, p = 0.042) and with reduction of C4 (p = 0.040) and TGF-ß1 levels (p = 0.044). In addition, patients with TGFB1 + 869 TC and CC genotypes and positive anti-dsDNA had lower TGF-ß1 levels than those with TT (p = 0.004). TGFB1 -509 TT genotype was associated with reduced levels of C4 (p = 0.032). There was no association between haplotypes and clinical and laboratory parameters. Our data demonstrated that the TGFB1 + 869 T > C variant could be used as a genetic marker for SLE susceptibility and both variants as predictors of laboratory activity. This is the first study to demonstrate that TGF-ß1 levels could be modulated by the interaction between TGFB1 + 869 C allele, in homozygosity, or heterozygosity, and the presence of anti-dsDNA.

Haplotypes of FOXP3 genetic variants are associated with susceptibility, autoantibodies, and TGF-ß1 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of rs2232365 (-924 G > A) and rs3761548 (-3279 C > A) FOXP3 variants with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility, TGF-ß1 plasma levels, autoantibodies, and LN nephritis, and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI). The study included 196 SLE female patients and 157 female controls. FOXP3 variants were determined with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Plasma levels of TGF-ß1 were determined using immunofluorimetric assay. The AA genotype [OR: 2.650, CI 95%(1.070-6.564), p = 0.035] and A allele [OR: 2.644, CI 95%(1.104-6.333), p = 0.029] were associated with SLE diagnosis in the -3279 C > A. The A/A haplotype was associated with SLE [OR: 3.729, CI 95%(1.006-13.820), p = 0.049]. GCGC haplotype patients had higher TGF-ß1 levels (p = 0.012) than other haplotypes. Patients with -924 AA genotype showed higher frequency of anti-dsDNA (p = 0.012) and anti-U1RNP (p = 0.036). The A/C haplotype had higher SLEDAI score [OR: 1.119, CI 95%(1.015-1.234), p = 0.024] and ACAC haplotype higher frequency of anti-dsDNA [OR: 3.026, CI 95%(1.062-8.624), p = 0.038], anti-U1RNP [OR: 5.649, CI 95%(1.199-26.610), p = 0.029] and nephritis [OR: 2.501, CI 95%(1.004-6.229), p = 0.049]. Our data demonstrate that the G/C haplotype provides protection for SLE. While the presence of allele A of both variants could favor autoimmunity, disease activity, and LN.

TNF-ß +252 A>G (rs909253) polymorphism is independently associated with presence of autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

The TNF-ß +252 A>G (rs909253) polymorphism has been associated with a risk of development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and could influence plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between the TNF-ß +252 A>G polymorphism with plasma TNF-α levels, the presence of autoantibodies, and the susceptibility for RA. This cross-sectional study included 261 patients with RA and 292 controls. The polymorphism was studied using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Soluble TNF-α and receptors swere measured by multiplex assay. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) were measured using immunoassay. No differences were observed in allele frequency and genotype distribution among patients and controls. The presence of RF (p = 0.020) and anti-CCP (p = 0.001) increased 4.23-fold and 8.13-fold, respectively, in patients with B1 allele (B1/B2 + B1/B1 genotypes) independently of demographic, clinical, and inflammatory markers. Among patients with B1/B2 + B1/B1 genotypes, higher TNF-α levels were associated with positive RF (p = 0.040), anti-CCP (p = 0.011), or both (p = 0.038). In patients carrying B1 allele, the increased sTNFR1 together with RF or anti-CCP or both explained about 39.0% the variations in TNF-α level. However, in B2/B2 genotype, the presence of those autoantibodies was not associated with TNF-α level. Our findings indicate that the TNF-ß +252 A>G polymorphism was not associated with RA susceptibility and TNF-α plasma levels. However, B1 allele was associated with the presence of autoantibodies. In addition, interaction between the presence of B1 allele and autoantibodies was associated with the increase of plasma TNF-α level in RA patients.

Trace Elements Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Insulin Resistance.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of multifactorial origin. Studies have shown that trace elements such as zinc and copper may help maintain optimum function of the immune system and metabolism, while toxic metals such as lead may increase systemic autoimmunity. The current study aimed to assess the relationship between serum concentration of lithium (Li), vanadium (V), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) and SLE diagnosis, disease activity measured by SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and insulin resistance (IR). This case-control, cross-sectional study included 225 patients, 120 healthy controls, and 105 SLE patients. Serum concentration of Li, V, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, and Pb was measured. Serum concentrations of V (p < 0.001), Zn (p < 0.001), and Pb (p < 0.001) were lower and Mo (p < 0.001) and Li (p < 0.001) were higher in patients with SLE compared to healthy controls. SLE diagnosis was associated with higher serum Li (p < 0.001) concentration and lower V (p < 0.001), Zn (p = 0.003), and Pb (p = 0.020). Toxic metals and trace elements were not associated with disease activity. Levels of Cd were higher in patients with IR (p = 0.042). There was no significant association between IR and the other metals. The results indicate that SLE patients have different profiles of trace elements and toxic metals compared to healthy controls. While some toxic metals and trace elements were found to be associated with SLE diagnosis, they had no effect on disease activity and IR.

Influence of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs on oxidative and nitrosative stress in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Nitro-oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and several articles show correlation with disease activity. However, the influence and mechanisms by which disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may interfere with nitro-oxidative stress are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To show the available data on the effect of the DMARDs on the nitro-oxidative stress in RA patients. METHODS: A bibliographic search was carried out in the electronic databases PUBMED, Lilacs, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO), and Science Direct and the research was limited to human studies, independently of the publication date. RESULTS: Most studies were performed with infliximab (IFX, 4 articles), tocilizumab (TCZ, 3 articles) and methotrexate (MTX, 2 articles). MTX and leflunomide showed similar results with reduction of nitric oxide. The studies with TCZ verified a marked decrease of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Most studies with IFX found a reduction of protein oxidation, evaluated by protein carbonyl measurement. In the present review, the most remarkable results were observed with the increase of the antioxidant defenses through several markers and antioxidant systems. The only study with etanercept showed very similar results to those obtained with MTX, with decreased pentosidine and oxidative DNA damage. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the studies reported in this work showed an improvement in the redox state, which could be related to success of the therapy. Thus, oxidative and nitrosative stress markers may be useful to early evaluate the response of DMARDs in patients with RA.

Cell adhesion molecules and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: influence of metabolic syndrome.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory and systemic disease characterized by endothelial activation. The main objective of this study was to verify the profile of cell adhesion molecules (CAM) in RA patients, and the influence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and drugs used in the treatment of RA in this profile. A second objective was to propose models of prediction of activity in RA using these biomarkers. A total of 115 healthy individuals and 144 RA patients were enrolled. Disease activity was determined by DAS28 (disease activity score 28) based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) or C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP). Serum CAM and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), anthropometric and immunological parameters were measured. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) was significantly decreased, and PAI-1 was significantly higher in RA patients as compared to controls. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that VCAM-1, CRP, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) predicted RA with a sensitivity of 95.9% and a specificity of 89.5%. 42.9% of the variance in DAS28-ESR and 49.2% of the variance in DAS28-CRP are explained by increased PAI-1, TNF-α, body mass index (BMI) and decreased platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1). Our data show that lower levels of VCAM-1 are associated with RA independently of MetS, while increased PAI-1 levels were associated with both RA and MetS and increased selectins (E-selectin and P-selectin) were exclusively associated with MetS and not with RA. A model to predict disease activity based on PECAM-1, PAI-1, TNF-α, age and BMI is proposed.

Metabolic syndrome and the decreased levels of uric acid by leflunomide favor redox imbalance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Oxidative stress plays a role in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the present study was to verify the influence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs on nitrosative and oxidative biomarkers in patients with RA. A total of 177 patients with RA and 150 healthy volunteers participated in this study, which measured lipid hydroperoxides, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), carbonyl protein, total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), uric acid (UA), and C-reactive protein (CRP). NOx and the NOx/TRAP ratio were significantly increased in RA, while no significant differences in lipid hydroperoxides, AOPP, UA, and TRAP levels were found between both groups. Treatment with leflunomide was associated with increased levels of carbonyl protein, and lowered levels in TRAP and UA, while the NOx/TRAP ratio further increased. NOx and the NOx/TRAP ratio were significantly higher in women than in men, while TRAP and UA were significantly lower in women. MetS was accompanied by increased AOPP and UA levels. RA was best predicted by increased NOx/TRAP ratio, CRP, and BMI. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that NOx and NOx/TRAP are strongly associated with RA physiopathology. Our findings suggest that inhibition of iNOS may become an interesting therapeutic approach for the treatment of RA. In addition, the presence of MetS and a decrease in levels of UA by leflunomide favor redox imbalance in RA patients. More studies are needed to evaluate the impact of antioxidant capacity reduction on RA progression.

Increased lipid and protein oxidation and lowered anti-oxidant defenses in systemic lupus erythematosus are associated with severity of illness, autoimmunity, increased adhesion molecules, and Th1 and Th17 immune shift.

This study investigated nitro-oxidative stress in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in association with disease activity, immune-inflammatory biomarkers, and adhesion molecules. Two-hundred-four patients with SLE and 256 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this case-control study, which measured nitro-oxidative stress biomarkers, including lipid peroxides (LOOH), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), sulfhydryl (-SH) groups, products of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)/ribonucleic acid (RNA) oxidative degradation, and total radical-trapping anti-oxidant parameter (TRAP). Also measured were anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs), antibodies against double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), plasma levels of diverse cytokines, C-reactive protein, and adhesion molecules. LOOH (p < 0.001) and AOPP (p < 0.001) were significantly higher, while TRAP was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in SLE patients than in controls. AOPP and LOOH were significantly and positively associated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores, anti-nuclear antibodies, and antibodies against double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) levels, while TRAP was significantly and inversely correlated with SLEDAI, ANA, and dsDNA antibody levels. There were significant positive associations between AOPP and LOOH and immune-inflammatory markers, indicating T helper (Th)-17 and Th1 bias and Th1 + Th17/Th2 ratio (p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively). AOPP and LOOH (positively) and TRAP (inversely) were associated with adhesion molecule expression. A model predicting SLE was computed showing that, using LOOH, AOPP, NOx, adhesion molecules, and body mass index, 94.2% of the patients were correctly classified with a specificity of 91.5%. Increased nitro-oxidative stress takes part in the (auto)immune pathophysiology of SLE and modulates severity of illness and adhesion molecule expression.

Cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus: far beyond Th1/Th2 dualism lupus: cytokine profiles.

The aims of this study were to delineate cytokine profiles of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), construct prediction models for diagnosis and disease activity using those profiles, and to examine the associations between TNFB Ncol polymorphism, body mass index (BMI) and vitamin D levels with cytokine levels. Two hundred SLE patients and 196 healthy controls participated in this case-control study. Plasma cytokines levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL- 4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and IL-17 were measured and cytokines profiles were computed. IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, IFN-γ and IL-10 levels were significantly higher in SLE, while IL-4 was lower in SLE. The Th1/Th2 and Th1+Th17/Th2 profiles were significantly higher in SLE than in healthy controls, whereas there were no significant differences in the proinflammatory cytokine profile (TNFα+IL-6+IL-1ß). In total, 90.4% of all subjects were correctly classified using Th1+Th17 profile and IL-10 (positively associated) and IL-4 (negatively associated) as predictor variables (sensitivity=66.7% and specificity=96.9%). In all, 20.9% of the variance in the SLE Disease Activity Index was predicted by the Th1+Th17/Th2 ratio, IL-10 and BMI (all positively) and proinflammatory profile (inversely associated). B1/B1 genotype is accompanied by increased IL-17 and Th17/Th2 ratio, while B1/B2 genotype is accompanied by higher IL-4 and IFNγ values. 25-OH vitamin D was inversely associated with IFN-γ levels. SLE is accompanied by Th1, Th17 and Treg profile and lowered IL-4 production. Lowered vitamin D levels and B1/B1 genotype, but not BMI, contribute to changes in cytokines profiles. Future treatments should target Th1, Th2 and Th17 profiles rather than inflammatory cytokines.