Decreased plasma levels of soluble CD18 link leukocyte infiltration with disease activity in spondyloarthritis

INTRODUCTION: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) comprises a group of diseases often associated with HLA-B27 and characterized by inflammation of the entheses and joints of the axial skeleton. The inflammatory process in SpA is presumably driven by innate immune cells but is still poorly understood. Thus, new tools for monitoring and treating inflammation are needed. The family of CD18 integrins is pivotal in guiding leukocytes to sites of inflammation, and CD18 hypomorphic mice develop a disease resembling SpA. Previously, we demonstrated that altered soluble CD18 (sCD18) complexes in the blood and synovial fluid of patients with arthritis have anti-inflammatory functions. Here, we study the mechanisms for these alterations and their association with SpA disease activity. METHODS: Plasma levels of sCD18 in a study population with 84 patients with SpA and matched healthy controls were analyzed with a time-resolved immunoflourometric assay (TRIFMA). Binding of sCD18 to endothelial cells and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) was studied with confocal microscopy. Shedding of CD18 from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was studied with flow cytometry and TRIFMA. RESULTS: Plasma levels of sCD18 were decreased in patients with SpA compared with healthy volunteers (P <0.001), and the lowest levels were in the HLA-B27-positive subgroup (P <0.05). In a multiple regression model, the sCD18 levels exhibited an inverse correlation with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) (P <0.05), the level of morning stiffness (P <0.05), the Bath Ankylosing Spondilitis Metrology Index (P <0.05), the physician global assessment score (P <0.01), and the sacroiliac magnetic resonance imaging activity score (P <0.05). The mechanisms for these changes could be simulated in vitro. First, sCD18 in plasma adhered to inflammation-induced intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) on endothelial cells and FLS, indicating increased consumption. Second, CD18 shedding from SpA PBMCs correlated inversely with the BASDAI (P <0.05), suggesting insufficient generation. CD18 was shed primarily from intermediate CD14(++) CD16(+) monocytes, supporting the view that alterations in innate immunity can regulate the inflammatory processes in SpA. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the failure of patients with SpA to maintain adequate sCD18 levels may reflect insufficient CD18 shedding from monocytes to counterbalance the capture of sCD18 complexes to inflammation-induced ICAM-1. This could increase the availability of ICAM-1 molecules on the endothelium and in the synovium, facilitating leukocyte migration to the entheses and joints and aggregating disease activity

Characterization of In Vitro Chlamydial Cultures in Low-Oxygen Atmospheres▿ †

To mimic in vivo conditions during chlamydial infections, Chlamydia trachomatis serovar D and Chlamydia pneumoniae CWL029 were cultured in low-oxygen atmospheres containing 4% O2, with parallel controls cultured in atmospheric air. Both were enriched with 5% CO2. The results showed a dramatic increase in the growth of C. pneumoniae but not of C. trachomatis

Oligoarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Does Not Show Signs Of T-Cell Exhaustion, In Spite Of Increased Expression Of Co-Inhibitory Receptors

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The IL-20 Cytokine Family in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondyloarthritis

This review describes the IL-20 family of cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloartrhitits (SpA) including psoriatic arthritis. The IL-20 receptor (R) cytokines IL-19, IL-20 and IL-24 are produced both in the peripheral blood and in the synovial joint and are induced by Toll-like receptor ligands and autoantibody associated immune complexes in monocytes. IL-19 seems to have anti-inflammatory functions in arthritis. In contrast, IL-20 and IL-24 increase the production of proinflammatory molecules such as monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and are associated with bone degradation and radiographic progression. IL-22 is also associated with progression of bone erosions. This suggests that the IL-22RA1 subunit shared by IL-20, IL-22 and IL-24 is important for bone homeostasis. In line with this, the IL-22RA1 has been found on preosteoclasts in early RA. IL-26 is produced in high amounts by myofibroblasts and IL-26 stimulation of monocytes has been shown to be an important inducer of Th17 cells in RA. This indicates a role for IL-26 as an important factor in the interactions between resident synovial cells and infiltrating leukocytes. The strategy for modulating the IL-20 cytokine family should take into account the overlap in cellular sources and effector mechanisms. The redundancy encourages inhibition of more than one cytokine or one of the shared receptors. All IL-20 family members utilize the Janus kinase signaling pathway and are therefore potentially inhibited by drugs targeting these enzymes