Dataset Information

Lower peripheral helper T cell levels in the synovium are associated with a better response to anti-TNF therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The mechanisms by which only some rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients respond favorably to TNF blockade are still poorly characterized. The goal of this study was to identify biological features that explain this differential response using a multilevel transcriptome analysis of the synovial membrane.

Methods

Synovial samples from 11 patients on anti-TNF therapy were obtained by arthroscopy at baseline and week 20. Analysis of the synovial transcriptome was performed at the gene, pathway, and cell-type levels. Newly characterized pathogenic cell types in RA, peripheral helper T cells (T_PH), and CD34-THY1+ fibroblasts were estimated using a cell-type deconvolution approach. T_PH association was validated using immunofluorescence. External validation was performed on an independent dataset.

Results

After multiple-test correction, 16 and 4 genes were differentially expressed at baseline and week 20, respectively. At the pathway level, 86 and 17 biological processes were significantly enriched at baseline and week 20, respectively. Longitudinal expression changes were associated with a drastic decrease of innate immune activity (P < 5e-30), and an activation of the bone and cartilage regeneration processes (P < 5e-10). Cell-type deconvolution revealed a significant association between low T_PH cells at baseline and a better response (P = 0.026). Lower T_PH cells were maintained in good responders up to week 20 (P = 0.032). Immunofluorescent analyses confirmed the accuracy of the cell-type estimation (r² = 0.58, P = 0.005) and an association with response. T_PH association with anti-TNF response was validated in an independent sample of RA patients (P = 0.0040).

Conclusions

A lower abundance in the synovial membrane of the pathogenic T cell type newly associated with RA, peripheral helper T lymphocyte, is associated with a good response to anti-TNF therapy. Major changes in the myeloid cell compartment were also observed in response to therapy. The results of this study could help develop more effective therapies aimed at treating the pathogenic mechanisms in RA that are currently not well targeted by anti-TNF agents.

SUBMITTER: Julia A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7446220 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:In 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis the baseline expression (t=0) of type I IFN-regulated genes was determined in peripheral blood cells (PAXgene) using cDNA-microarrays and compared to levels one month after (t=1) anti-TNF treatment (infliximab). Therefore, we used 43K cDNA microarrays from the Stanford Functional Genomics Facility (http://microarray.org/sfgf/) printed on aminosilane-coated slides containing ~20.000 unique genes. Only one batch of arrays was used for all experiments. First DNA spots were UV-cross linked to the slide using 150-300 mJoules. Sample preparation and microarray hybridization were performed as described previously (1,2). Data storage and filtering was performed using the Stanford Microarray Database (http://genome-www5.stanford.edu//) as described previously. 1. van der Pouw Kraan TC, Wijbrandts CA, van Baarsen LG, Voskuyl AE, Rustenburg F, Baggen JM et al.: Rheumatoid arthritis subtypes identified by genomic profiling of peripheral blood cells: assignment of a type I interferon signature in a subpopulation of patients. Ann Rheum Dis 2007, 66: 1008-1014. 2. van der Pouw Kraan TC, van Baarsen LG, Rustenburg F, Baltus B, Fero M, Verweij CL: Gene expression profiling in rheumatology. Methods Mol Med 2007, 136: 305-327. Abbreviations: - Bnrs are the different patients analyzed - PAX or Paxgene indicates the total RNA was isolated from peripheral blood obtained in PAXgene tubes - CRS: common reference sample: We made a common reference that consisted of a mixture of mRNAs isolated from 11 different cell lines (Perou CM, Jeffrey SS, van de RM et al. Distinctive gene expression patterns in human mammary epithelial cells and breast cancers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999; 96:9212-9217) supplemented with RNA from rheumatoid synovial tissue, fibroblasts, and activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). - PMT: photomultiplier tube: the sensitivity/intensity of the scanner can be adjusted to prevent spot saturation. Compound Based Treatment: anti-TNF (infliximab) reference_design