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Project description:Fibroblasts regulate tissue homeostasis, coordinate inflammatory responses, and mediate tissue damage. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), synovial fibroblasts maintain chronic inflammation which leads to joint destruction. Little is known about fibroblast heterogeneity or if aberrations in fibroblast subsets relate to pathology. Here, we show functional and transcriptional differences between fibroblast subsets from human synovial tissues using bulk transcriptomics of targeted subpopulations and single-cell transcriptomics. We identify seven fibroblast subsets with distinct surface protein phenotypes, and collapse them into three subsets by integrating transcriptomic data. One fibroblast subset, characterized by the expression of proteins podoplanin, THY1 membrane glycoprotein and cadherin-11, but lacking CD34, is threefold expanded in patients with RA relative to patients with osteoarthritis. These fibroblasts localize to the perivascular zone in inflamed synovium, secrete proinflammatory cytokines, are proliferative, and have an in vitro phenotype characteristic of invasive cells. Our strategy may be used as a template to identify pathogenic stromal cellular subsets in other complex diseases.
| S-EPMC5824882 | biostudies-other
Project description:Functionally distinct disease-associated fibroblast subsets in rheumatoid arthritis
| PRJNA430903 | ENA
Project description:The identification of lymphocyte subsets with non-overlapping effector functions has been pivotal to the development of targeted therapies in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs)1,2. However, it remains unclear whether fibroblast subclasses with non-overlapping functions also exist and are responsible for the wide variety of tissue-driven processes observed in IMIDs, such as inflammation and damage3-5. Here we identify and describe the biology of distinct subsets of fibroblasts responsible for mediating either inflammation or tissue damage in arthritis. We show that deletion of fibroblast activation protein-? (FAP?)+ fibroblasts suppressed both inflammation and bone erosions in mouse models of resolving and persistent arthritis. Single-cell transcriptional analysis identified two distinct fibroblast subsets within the FAP?+ population: FAP?+THY1+ immune effector fibroblasts located in the synovial sub-lining, and FAP?+THY1- destructive fibroblasts restricted to the synovial lining layer. When adoptively transferred into the joint, FAP?+THY1- fibroblasts selectively mediate bone and cartilage damage with little effect on inflammation, whereas transfer of FAP?+ THY1+ fibroblasts resulted in a more severe and persistent inflammatory arthritis, with minimal effect on bone and cartilage. Our findings describing anatomically discrete, functionally distinct fibroblast subsets with non-overlapping functions have important implications for cell-based therapies aimed at modulating inflammation and tissue damage.
| S-EPMC6690841 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
2018-04-30 | GSE112658 | GEO
Project description:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common immune-mediated arthritis. Anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) are highly specific to RA and assayed with the commercial CCP2 assay. Genetic drivers of RA within the MHC are different for CCP2-positive and -negative subsets of RA, particularly at HLA-DRB1. However, aspartic acid at amino acid position 9 in HLA-B (Bpos-9) increases risk to both RA subsets. Here we explore how individual serologies associated with RA drive associations within the MHC. To define MHC differences for specific ACPA serologies, we quantified a total of 19 separate ACPAs in RA-affected case subjects from four cohorts (n = 6,805). We found a cluster of tightly co-occurring antibodies (canonical serologies, containing CCP2), along with several independently expressed antibodies (non-canonical serologies). After imputing HLA variants into 6,805 case subjects and 13,467 control subjects, we tested associations between the HLA region and RA subgroups based on the presence of canonical and/or non-canonical serologies. We examined CCP2(+) and CCP2(-) RA-affected case subjects separately. In CCP2(-) RA, we observed that the association between CCP2(-) RA and Bpos-9 was derived from individuals who were positive for non-canonical serologies (omnibus_p = 9.2 × 10-17). Similarly, we observed in CCP2(+) RA that associations between subsets of CCP2(+) RA and Bpos-9 were negatively correlated with the number of positive canonical serologies (p = 0.0096). These findings suggest unique genetic characteristics underlying fine-specific ACPAs, suggesting that RA may be further subdivided beyond simply seropositive and seronegative.
| S-EPMC6731376 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesTo integrate published single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data and assess the contribution of synovial fibroblast (SF) subsets to synovial pathotypes and respective clinical characteristics in treatment-naïve early arthritis.MethodsIn this in silico study, we integrated scRNA-seq data from published studies with additional unpublished in-house data. Standard Seurat, Harmony and Liger workflow was performed for integration and differential gene expression analysis. We estimated single cell type proportions in bulk RNA-seq data (deconvolution) from synovial tissue from 87 treatment-naïve early arthritis patients in the Pathobiology of Early Arthritis Cohort using MuSiC. SF proportions across synovial pathotypes (fibroid, lymphoid and myeloid) and relationship of disease activity measurements across different synovial pathotypes were assessed.ResultsWe identified four SF clusters with respective marker genes: PRG4+ SF (CD55, MMP3, PRG4, THY1neg ); CXCL12 + SF (CXCL12, CCL2, ADAMTS1, THY1low ); POSTN+ SF (POSTN, collagen genes, THY1); CXCL14+ SF (CXCL14, C3, CD34, ASPN, THY1) that correspond to lining (PRG4+ SF) and sublining (CXCL12+ SF, POSTN+ + and CXCL14+ SF) SF subsets. CXCL12+ SF and POSTN+ + were most prominent in the fibroid while PRG4+ SF appeared highest in the myeloid pathotype. Corresponding, lining assessed by histology (assessed by Krenn-Score) was thicker in the myeloid, but also in the lymphoid pathotype + the fibroid pathotype. PRG4+ SF correlated positively with disease severity parameters in the fibroid, POSTN+ SF in the lymphoid pathotype whereas CXCL14+ SF showed negative association with disease severity in all pathotypes.ConclusionThis study shows a so far unexplored association between distinct synovial pathologies and SF subtypes defined by scRNA-seq. The knowledge of the diverse interplay of SF with immune cells will advance opportunities for tailored targeted treatments.
| S-EPMC8734041 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Dendritic cells (DCs) comprise heterogeneous subsets of professional antigen-presenting cells, linking innate and adaptive immunity. Analysis of DC subsets has been hampered by a lack of specific DC markers and reliable quantitation assays. We characterised the immunophenotype and functional characteristics of psoriatic arthritis (PsA)-derived and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-derived myeloid DCs (mDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) to evaluate their potential role in arthritis. Circulating peripheral blood (PB) pDC numbers were significantly reduced in PsA patients (P = 0.0098) and RA patients (P = 0.0194), and mDCs were significantly reduced in RA patients (P = 0.0086) compared with healthy controls. The number of circulating mDCs in RA PB was significantly inversely correlated to C-reactive protein (P = 0.021). The phenotype of both DC subsets in PsA PB and RA PB was immature as compared with healthy controls. Moreover, CD62L expression was significantly decreased on both mDCs (PsA, P = 0.0122; RA, P = 0.0371) and pDCs (PsA, P = 0.0373; RA, P = 0.0367) in PB. Both mDCs and pDCs were present in PsA synovial fluid (SF) and RA SF, with the mDC:pDC ratio significantly exceeding that in matched PB (PsA SF, P = 0.0453; RA SF, P = 0.0082). pDCs isolated from RA SF and PsA SF displayed an immature phenotype comparable with PB pDCs. RA and PsA SF mDCs, however, displayed a more mature phenotype (increased expression of CD80, CD83 and CD86) compared with PB mDCs. Functional analysis revealed that both SF DC subsets matured following toll-like receptor stimulation. pDCs from PB and SF produced interferon alpha and tumour necrosis factor alpha on TLR9 stimulation, but only SF pDCs produced IL-10. Similarly, mDCs from PB and SF produced similar tumour necrosis factor alpha levels to TLR2 agonism, whereas SF mDCs produced more IL-10 than PB controls. Circulating DC subset numbers are reduced in RA PB and PsA PB with reduced CD62L expression. Maturation is incomplete in the inflamed synovial compartment. Immature DCs in SF may contribute to the perpetuation of inflammation via sampling of the inflamed synovial environment, and in situ presentation of arthritogenic antigen.
| S-EPMC1526567 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
2020-12-05 | GSE162687 | GEO
Project description:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management lean toward achieving remission or low-disease activity. In this study, we conducted single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 36 individuals (18 RA patients and 18 matched controls, accounting for age, sex, race, and ethnicity), to identify disease-relevant cell subsets and cell type-specific signatures associated with disease activity. Our analysis revealed 18 distinct PBMC subsets, including an IFITM3 overexpressing Interferon-activated (IFN-activated) monocyte subset. We observed an increase in CD4+ T effector memory cells in patients with moderate to high disease activity (DAS28-CRP ≥ 3.2), and a decrease in non-classical monocytes in patients with low disease activity or remission (DAS28-CRP < 3.2). Pseudobulk analysis by cell type identified 168 differentially expressed genes between RA and matched controls, with a downregulation of pro-inflammatory genes in the gamma-delta T cells subset, alteration of genes associated with RA predisposition in the IFN-activated subset, and non-classical monocytes. Additionally, we identified a gene signature associated with moderate-high disease activity, characterized by upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes such as TNF, JUN, EGR1, IFIT2, MAFB, G0S2, and downregulation of genes including HLA-DQB1, HLA-DRB5, TNFSF13B. Notably, cell-cell communication analysis revealed an upregulation of signaling pathways, including VISTA, in both moderate-high and remission-low disease activity contexts. Our findings provide valuable insights into the systemic cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying RA disease activity.
| S-EPMC11343607 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Objectives: This study, developed within the Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking project PRECISESADS framework, aimed at functionally characterize the monocyte subsets in RA patients, and analyze their involvement in the increased CV risk associated with RA. Methods: The frequencies of monocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of 140 RA patients and 145 healthy donors (HDs) included in the PRECISESADS study were determined by flow cytometry. A second cohort of 50 RA patients and 30 HDs was included, of which CD14+ and CD16+ monocyte subpopulations were isolated using immuno-magnetic selection. Their transcriptomic profiles (mRNA and microRNA), proinflammatory patterns and activated pathways were evaluated and related to clinical features and CV risk. Mechanistic in vitro analyses were further performed. Results: CD14++CD16+ intermediate monocytes were extended in both cohorts of RA patients. Their increased frequency was associated with the positivity for autoantibodies, disease duration, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and the presence of atheroma plaques, as well as with the CV risk score. CD14+ and CD16+ monocyte subsets showed distinctive and specific mRNA and microRNA profiles, along with specific intracellular signaling activation, indicating different functionalities. Moreover, that specific molecular profiles were interrelated and associated to atherosclerosis development and increased CV risk in RA patients. In vitro, RA serum promoted differentiation of CD14+CD16- to CD14++CD16+ monocytes. Co-culture with RA-isolated monocyte subsets induced differential activation of endothelial cells. Conclusions: Our overall data suggest that the generation of inflammatory monocytes is associated to the autoimmune/inflammatory response that mediates RA. These monocyte subsets, -which display specific and distinctive molecular signatures- might promote endothelial dysfunction and in turn, the progression of atherosclerosis through a finely regulated process driving CVD development in RA.
| S-EPMC6536567 | biostudies-literature