Frequency of circulating topoisomerase-I-specific CD4 T cells predicts presence and progression of interstitial lung disease in scleroderma

Andrea Fava, Raffaello Cimbro, Fredrick M. Wigley, Qing Rong Liu, Antony Rosen, Francesco Boin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Scleroderma is an antigen-driven T cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Presence of anti-topoisomerase-I antibodies is associated with pulmonary fibrosis and predicts increased mortality. Characterization of autoreactive T lymphocytes may shed light on disease pathogenesis and serve as a biomarker for disease activity. Here, we aimed to quantify and functionally characterize circulating topoisomerase I (topo-I)-specific CD4+ T cells and to define their association with presence and progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with scleroderma. Methods: Using flow cytometry, circulating topo-I-reactive CD4+ T cells were identified by the expression of specific activation markers (CD154 and CD69) upon stimulation with purified topo-I and quantified in 27 SSc patients and 4 healthy donors (HD). Polarization of autoreactive T cells (Th1, Th2, Th17, Th1-17) was defined using surface expression of specific chemokine receptors. Presence and progression of ILD were determined using high-resolution chest CT and pulmonary function tests. Results: Topo-I-reactive CD4+ T cells were found in all topo-I-positive patients compared to one topo-I-negative subject and no HD. Topo-I-specific CD4+ T cells exhibited a distinct Th17 polarized phenotype. Autoreactive T cells were significantly increased in subjects with evidence of ILD and were quantitatively associated with the decline of lung volumes. Conclusions: Topo-I-specific T cells can be reliably quantified in the peripheral blood of patients with scleroderma, exhibit a pro-inflammatory Th17 phenotype, and predict progression of ILD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number99
JournalArthritis Research and Therapy
Volume18
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 4 2016

Keywords

  • Autoantigen
  • Interstitial lung disease
  • Systemic sclerosis
  • T lymphocytes
  • Th17

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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