Back to Search Start Over

Ankylosing spondylitis patients display altered dendritic cell and T cell populations that implicate pathogenic roles for the IL-23 cytokine axis and intestinal inflammation.

Authors :
Wright PB
McEntegart A
McCarey D
McInnes IB
Siebert S
Milling SW
Source :
Rheumatology (Oxford, England) [Rheumatology (Oxford)] 2016 Jan; Vol. 55 (1), pp. 120-32. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Aug 28.
Publication Year :
2016

Abstract

Objective: AS is a systemic inflammatory disease of the SpA family. Polymorphisms at loci including HLA-B27, IL-23R and ERAP-1 directly implicate immune mechanisms in AS pathogenesis. Previously, in an SpA model, we identified HLA-B27-mediated effects on dendritic cells that promoted disease-associated Th17 cells. Here we extend these studies to AS patients using deep immunophenotyping of candidate pathogenic cell populations. The aim of our study was to functionally characterize the immune populations mediating AS pathology.<br />Methods: Using 11-parameter flow cytometry, we characterized the phenotype and functions of lymphocyte and myeloid cells from peripheral blood, and the synovial phenotype of AS patients and age-matched healthy controls.<br />Results: Significantly fewer circulating CD1c-expressing dendritic cells were observed in AS patients, offset by an increase in CD14(-) CD16(+) mononuclear cells. Ex vivo functional analysis revealed that this latter population induced CCR6 expression and promoted secretion of IL-1β and IL-6 when co-cultured with naive CD4(+) T cells. Additionally, systemic inflammation in AS patients significantly correlated with increased proportions of activated CCR9(+) CD4(+) T cells.<br />Conclusion: CD14(-) CD16(+) mononuclear cells may contribute to AS by promoting Th17 responses, and antigen-presenting cells of mucosal origin are likely to contribute to systemic inflammation in AS.<br /> (© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1462-0332
Volume :
55
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
26320138
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/kev245