Value of ultrasonography as a marker of early response to abatacept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and an inadequate response to methotrexate: results from the APPRAISE study

Objectives: To study the responsiveness of a combined power Doppler and greyscale ultrasound (PDUS) score for assessing synovitis in biologic-naïve patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) starting abatacept plus methotrexate (MTX). Methods: In this open-label, multicentre, single-arm study, patients with RA (MTX inadequate responders) received intravenous abatacept (∼10 mg/kg) plus MTX for 24 weeks. A composite PDUS synovitis score, developed by the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology–European League Against Rheumatism (OMERACT–EULAR)-Ultrasound Task Force, was used to evaluate individual joints. The maximal score of each joint was added into a Global OMERACT–EULAR Synovitis Score (GLOESS) for bilateral metacarpophalangeal joints (MCPs) 2–5 (primary objective). The value of GLOESS containing other joint sets was explored, along with clinical efficacy. Results: Eighty-nine patients completed the 24-week treatment period. The earliest PDUS sign of improvement in synovitis was at week 1 (mean change in GLOESS (MCPs 2–5): −0.7 (95% CIs −1.2 to −0.1)), with continuous improvement to week 24. Early improvement was observed in the component scores (power Doppler signal at week 1, synovial hyperplasia at week 2, joint effusion at week 4). Comparable changes were observed for 22 paired joints and minimal joint subsets. Mean Disease Activity Score 28 (C reactive protein) was significantly reduced from weeks 1 to 24, reaching clinical meaningful improvement (change ≥1.2) at week 8. Conclusions: In this first international prospective study, the composite PDUS score is responsive to abatacept. GLOESS demonstrated the rapid onset of action of abatacept, regardless of the number of joints examined. Ultrasound is an objective tool to monitor patients with RA under treatment. Trial registration number: NCT00767325

NADPH oxydase Nox4 native et recombinante : Composés quinoniques, éléments de régulation

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered as intracellular messengers; they are produced mainly by the NADPH oxidases (Nox) family of which Nox4 is one of the representatives. The dysfunction of Nox4 is associated to diseases of aging as tumour development, atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension or osteoarthritis. Regulation of Nox4 activity is still poorly understood. The objective of this thesis work is to study Nox4 NADPH oxidase and diaphorase activities (initiation of electron transfer). Two variants (Nox4A, full length isoform and Nox4B, isoform lacking an NADPH binding domain) of Nox4 were identified by cloning the specific gene. Establishment of two cellular (HEK293E cells) and acellular (recombinant truncated Nox4 proteins) models led to the following results:1) The NADPH oxidase activity of Nox4A overexpressed in HEK293E cells is constitutive and the cytosolic part of Nox4 has a diaphorase activity (cell free system). On the contrary, Nox4B is inactive.2) The NADPH oxidase activity of Nox4 is inhibited by a series of quinone compounds slightly substituted (benzoquinone, hydroquinone, tMetBQ) and is stimulated by other quinones (tBuBQ, tBuBHQ, duroquinone, AA-861). Involvement of calcium and 5-lipoxygenase in the stimulation process of AA-861 and tBuBHQ was excluded. Our data converge on the hypothesis of a direct action of quinones on the N terminal membrane part of Nox4.We therefore showed that the NADPH oxidase activity of Nox4 is not only constitutive but also modulated by different quinones. The molecular mechanism is under work.Les dérivés réactifs de l'oxygène (ROS) sont considérés comme des messagers intracellulaires et sont produits principalement par les NADPH oxydases (Nox) dont Nox4 est l'un des représentants. Le dysfonctionnement de Nox4 est relié à de nombreuses pathologies (cancer, athérosclérose, hypertension pulmonaire ou arthrose). La régulation de l'activité NADPH oxydase de Nox4 est encore peu connue. L'objectif de ce travail est d'étudier l'activité NADPH oxydase et diaphorase (initiation du transfert d'électron) de Nox4.Le clonage du gène de Nox4 a mis en évidence deux isoformes protéiques (Nox4A, forme entière et Nox4B, forme délétée d'un domaine de fixation du NADPH). La mise en place de deux modèles d'étude cellulaire (cellules HEK293E) et acellulaire (protéines recombinantes Nox4 tronquées) a permis d'obtenir les résultats suivants:1) L'activité NADPH oxydase de Nox4A surexprimée dans les cellules HEK293E est constitutive et la partie C terminale cytosolique en milieu acellulaire possède une activité diaphorase. Par contre, Nox4B est inactive. 2) L'activité NADPH oxydase de Nox4 est inhibée par une série de composés quinones faiblement substitués (benzoquinone, hydroquinone, tMetBQ) et stimulée par d'autres quinones (tBuBQ, tBuBHQ, duroquinone, AA-861). L'implication du calcium et de la 5-lipoxygénase dans le mécanisme d'action des composés AA-861 et tBuBHQ a été écartée. Nos données convergent vers l'hypothèse d'une action directe des quinones sur la partie N terminale membranaire de Nox4.Nous avons donc démontré que l'activité NADPH oxydase de Nox4 n'est pas seulement constitutive mais modulable par différentes quinones. Le mécanisme moléculaire précis reste à définir

Concerted activities of nitric oxide synthases and NADPH oxidases in PLB-985 cells.

International audienceOxidative stress is a metabolic situation used by immune cells to provide protection against infection. Under activation by threatening elements, phagocytes produce chemically toxic molecules, namely the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). This mechanism involves two types of enzymes: NAPDH oxidases (NOX) and NO synthases (NOS), which activities are versatile and not fully understood yet. In this regard, we studied in real-time the release of bursts of ROS and RNS by single PLB-985 cells, originating from a myeloid cell line prone to differentiate into neutrophil or monocyte-like phagocytes. A selective electrochemical detection of each ROS or RNS was conducted at platinized carbon fiber microelectrodes positioned at micrometric distances from single cells. Our results show (1) the existence of a NO synthase activity in PLB-985 cells and (2) the ability of NO synthases to provide a NOX activity in cells where NADPH oxidase (NOX2) is knocked out

A Novel Nuclear Export Signal and a REF Interaction Domain Both Promote mRNA Export by the Epstein-Barr Virus EB2 Protein

International audienceA striking characteristic of mRNA export factors is that they shuttle continuously between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. This shuttling is mediated by specific factors interacting with peptide motifs called nuclear export signals (NES) and nuclear localization signals. We have identified a novel CRM-1-independent transfer-able NES and two nuclear localization signals in the Epstein-Barr virus mRNA export factor EB2 (also called BMLF1, Mta, or SM) localized at the N terminus of the protein between amino acids 61 and 146. We have also found that a previously described double NES (amino acids 213-236) does not mediate the nuclear shuttling of EB2, but is an interaction domain with the cellular export factor REF in vitro. This newly characterized REF interaction domain is essential for EB2-mediated mRNA export. Accordingly, in vivo, EB2 is found in complexes containing REF as well as the cellular factor TAP. However , these interactions are RNase-sensitive, suggesting that the RNA is an essential component of these complexes

Identification of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein as biomarker predicting abatacept response in rheumatoid arthritis patients with insufficient response to a first anti-TNFα treatment

International audienc

Heme Oxygenase-1 Regulates Matrix Metalloproteinase MMP-1 Secretion and Chondrocyte Cell Death via Nox4 NADPH Oxidase Activity in Chondrocytes

<div><p>Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) activates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and secretion of MMPs as well as chondrocyte apoptosis. Those events lead to matrix breakdown and are key features of osteoarthritis (OA). We confirmed that in human C-20/A4 chondrocytes the NADPH oxidase Nox4 is the main source of ROS upon IL-1β stimulation. Since heme molecules are essential for the NADPH oxidase maturation and activity, we therefore investigated the consequences of the modulation of Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the limiting enzyme in heme catabolism, on the IL-1β signaling pathway and more specifically on Nox4 activity. Induction of HO-1 expression decreased dramatically Nox4 activity in C-20/A4 and HEK293 T-REx™ Nox4 cell lines. Unexpectedly, this decrease was not accompanied by any change in the expression, the subcellular localization or the maturation of Nox4. In fact, the inhibition of the heme synthesis by succinylacetone rather than heme catabolism by HO-1, led to a confinement of the Nox4/p22^phox heterodimer in the endoplasmic reticulum with an absence of redox differential spectrum highlighting an incomplete maturation. Therefore, the downregulation of Nox4 activity by HO-1 induction appeared to be mediated by carbon monoxide (CO) generated from the heme degradation process. Interestingly, either HO-1 or CO caused a significant decrease in the expression of MMP-1 and DNA fragmentation of chondrocytes stimulated by IL-1β. These results all together suggest that a modulation of Nox4 activity via heme oxygenase-1 may represent a promising therapeutic tool in osteoarthritis.</p></div

Improvement of corrosion resistance of components of apparatus and plants by the method of plastic deformation of near-surface layer

The study deals with austenitic steels 10X17H13M2T and 12X18H10T. The work is aimed at studying the relationship between corrosion-electrochemical, structural-phase and mechanical characteristics of a near-surface layer and an increase of corrosion resistance of parts based thereon by the method of surface plastaic deformation. Experimental data is presented on the relationship between corrosion-electrochemical, structural-phase and mechanical characteristics of a near-surface layer upon treatment by surface plastic deformation. Pitting resistance is increased, a tendency to intercrystalline corrosion of parts of apparatus and plants is reduced. Techniques of optimization of treatment conditions of parts by surface plastic deformation and normalization of the quality of near-surface layer are developed. Guiding technical materials, technological processes, design documentation on rigging are implemented at Kirishsky Plant of Biological Machine-BuildingAvailable from VNTIC / VNTIC - Scientific & Technical Information Centre of RussiaSIGLERURussian Federatio