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Systemic sclerosis: vascular, pulmonary and immunological aspects
Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Reumatology.
2008 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

In systemic sclerosis (SSc), interstitial lung disease (ILD) and engagement of the vascular system lead to increased morbidity and mortality.

The aim of this thesis was to elucidate, in a consecutively included cohort of SSc (limited and diffuse) patients (n = 33), the T cell cytokine profile driving the disease in ILD and to explore the role of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and its inhibitor: tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) in the extracellular matrix (ECM) degrading process leading to fibrous scarring and honey combing. Moreover, to characterize the role of nitric oxide (NO) in vascular engagement.

Peripheral arterial changes cause Raynaud’s phenomenon and digital ulcers. Nitric oxide (NO) a main inducer of vasodilation is produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in response to changes in blood flow or by inflammatory cytokine inducible (i) NOS. In the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) NO activates guanylate cyclase to produce cGMP, causing relaxation. We showed elevated plasma nitrate, a degradation product of NO, and increased urinary excretion of nitrate and cGMP. Plasma nitrate correlated with elevated levels of endothelial adhesion molecules: endothelial (E) selectin and vascular adhesion molecule 1, indicating that the activated endothelium is the site of NO synthesis by iNOS. Endothelial staining for E-selectin and the finding of iNOS and eNOS in SSc skin biopsies supported this notion.

In SSc increased vascular stiffness may limit the NO vasodilatory effects. We found normal endothelium-dependent (i.e. flow mediated (FMD%)) and endothelium-independent (i.e. nitroglycerin-induced (NTG%)) vasodilation in the brachial artery. Radial arterial wall stiffness measured as maximum increase in pulse pressure (dP/dtmax) was increased. FMD% and especially NTG% correlated negatively and dP/dtmax positively to measures of endothelial inflammation: plasma- nitrate and adhesion molecule levels. Thus inflammatory vascular wall changes may interfere with dilation as may the presence of nitrate tolerance.

We found elevated alveolar MMP-9 in both its pro- and active form in ILD. The levels correlated to decline in lung capacity, pointing at a causal relation. We suggest that neutrophils secrete MMP-9, which may degrade collagen IV, (the main constituent of basal membranes), collagen V, gelatins, proteoglycans and elastin. MMP-9 activity is partly regulated by the binding of pro- and active form to TIMP-1. Alveolar TIMP-1, which even stimulates fibroblast ECM synthesis, was increased independent of ILD.

The inflammatory process in ILD is orchestrated by activated T helper (h) lymphocytes. We found a mixed Th1/Th2 reaction in SSc alveolar T cells expressing messenger for interferon gamma (Th1), IL-6 and IL-10 (both Th2). No particular cytokine mRNA profile distinguished alveolar T cells in ILD.

Neutrophils invaded the bronchial epithelium, which seemed otherwise inert as levels of inflammatory cytokine sensitive transcription factors and their nuclear translocation tended to be low. The neutrophil recruitment pathway is uncertain as chemoattractants and endothelial adhesion molecules were normally expressed.

In conclusion, MMP-9 probably causes degradation of lung tissue in ILD and may represent a future therapeutic target. Alveolar T cells show a mixed Th1/Th2 cytokine profile independent of ILD. Neutrophils invade the bronchial epithelium. Activated endothelium produces increased amounts of NO and adhesion molecules and the level of activation influences brachial arterial FMD% and NTG% and radial arterial compliance. Nitrate tolerance may be present.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Umeå: Reumatologi , 2008. , p. 67
Series
Umeå University medical dissertations, ISSN 0346-6612 ; 1205
Keywords [en]
Systemic sclerosis, interstitial lung disease, MMP-9, Th1/Th2, transcription factors, NO, iNOS, E-selectin, endothelium-dependent dilation, endothelium-independent dilation.
National Category
Rheumatology and Autoimmunity
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-1806ISBN: 978-91-7264-625-4 (print)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-1806DiVA, id: diva2:142044
Public defence
2008-09-26, Sal D, 9tr, Tandläkarhögskolan, NUS, Umeå, 12:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2008-09-03 Created: 2008-09-03 Last updated: 2010-01-18Bibliographically approved
List of papers
1. Correlation between increased nitric oxide production and markers of endothelial activation in systemic sclerosis: findings with the soluble adhesion molecules E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and vascular adhesion molecule 1
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Correlation between increased nitric oxide production and markers of endothelial activation in systemic sclerosis: findings with the soluble adhesion molecules E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and vascular adhesion molecule 1
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2000 (English)In: Arthritis and Rheumatism, ISSN 0004-3591, E-ISSN 1529-0131, Vol. 43, no 5, p. 1085-1093Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Objective To determine the relationship between vascular function and the inflammatory response in systemic sclerosis (SSc), and to investigate whether production of endothelial-derived nitric oxide (NO) is disturbed in this disease.

Methods We measured plasma nitrate, urinary excretion of both nitrate and cGMP, and soluble adhesion molecules of endothelial origin in patients with SSc and in age- and sex-matched controls and compared these levels between groups. Additionally, we performed correlation analysis to determine how these variables were related to one another. Plasma nitrate and 24-hour-urinary excretion of nitrate in patients and controls were measured after a 72-hour nitrate-free-diet, using a gas chromatography/mass spectrometric method. Soluble adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1), and E-selectin and cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of E-selectin was further investigated in skin biopsy specimens by immunoperoxidase staining, and the presence of inducible NO synthase by immunoblotting.

Results Plasma nitrate and 24-hour-urinary-excretion of cGMP were significantly elevated in patients compared with controls, while 24-hour-urinary-excretion of nitrate tended to be elevated in SSc patients. Levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sE-selectin were significantly elevated in the patients. Levels of plasma nitrate in the patients correlated significantly with levels of sVCAM-1 (P = 0.020) and sE-selectin (P = 0.018) and approached a significant correlation with sICAM-1 (P = 0.055), suggesting that activated endothelial cells may produce plasma nitrate.

Conclusion NO synthesis is elevated in SSc patients, and the activated endothelial cell is a likely site of its production.

National Category
Rheumatology and Autoimmunity
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-3370 (URN)10.1002/1529-0131(200005) (DOI)10817563 (PubMedID)
Available from: 2008-09-03 Created: 2008-09-03 Last updated: 2018-06-09Bibliographically approved
2. Assessment of vascular function in systemic sclerosis: indications of the development of nitrate tolerance as a result of enhanced endothelial nitric oxide production
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Assessment of vascular function in systemic sclerosis: indications of the development of nitrate tolerance as a result of enhanced endothelial nitric oxide production
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2002 (English)In: Arthritis and Rheumatism, ISSN 0004-3591, E-ISSN 1529-0131, Vol. 46, no 5, p. 1324-1332Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent functions and the stiffness of conduit arteries as well as levels of endothelial activation markers in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODS: Endothelium-dependent (i.e., flow-mediated) and endothelium-independent (i.e., nitroglycerin-induced) dilation of the brachial artery was measured as the percentage of change from baseline (FMD% and NTG%, respectively) in 24 SSc patients and 24 age- and sex-matched healthy controls by high-resolution ultrasound imaging. The maximum increase in systolic pressure per unit of time (dP/dt(max)), as a measure of arterial wall stiffness, was assessed in the radial artery by pulse applanation tonometry. Plasma nitrate, the most important metabolite of nitric oxide, and 24-hour urinary excretion of nitrate were measured by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Soluble E-selectin and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS: Brachial artery FMD% and NTG% did not differ between SSc patients and controls. Radial artery dP/dt(max) was significantly increased in the patients and correlated significantly with elevated levels of plasma nitrate and sVCAM-1. Twenty-four-hour urinary nitrate excretion tended to be elevated. Brachial artery NTG% was significantly inversely correlated with levels of plasma nitrate and soluble endothelial adhesion molecules.

CONCLUSION: The ability of the brachial arteries to dilate in response to hyperemia and nitroglycerin challenge is preserved in SSc. Stiffness of the radial artery is increased, however. Endothelial activation seems to determine the extent of the brachial artery NTG% and the radial artery dP/dt(max). The data are compatible with the hypothesis that nitrate tolerance is present in the vascular smooth muscle cells of the brachial artery wall in SSc.

National Category
Rheumatology and Autoimmunity
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-21511 (URN)10.1002/art.10191 (DOI)12115240 (PubMedID)
Available from: 2009-04-14 Created: 2009-04-14 Last updated: 2018-06-09Bibliographically approved
3. Bronchoalveolar matrix metalloproteinase 9 relates to restrictive lung function impairment in systemic sclerosis.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Bronchoalveolar matrix metalloproteinase 9 relates to restrictive lung function impairment in systemic sclerosis.
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2007 (English)In: Respiratory Medicine, ISSN 0954-6111, E-ISSN 1532-3064, Vol. 101, no 10, p. 2199-2206Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is frequently associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) often leading to lung fibrosis. In this study we investigated whether matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and its natural inhibitor; the tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), would be associated with remodelling in ILD in SSc. Levels of total MMP-9, pro-MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from nine SSc patients with ILD, seven SSc patients without ILD and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Total MMP-9 and pro-MMP-9 levels were significantly elevated in SSc patients with ILD, compared to levels in SSc patients without ILD and healthy controls. In SSc patients with ILD calculated active MMP-9 levels were significantly higher than in SSc patients without ILD and tended to be higher than in healthy controls. TIMP-1 levels were elevated in both patient groups compared to healthy controls. Total-, pro- and active MMP-9 levels as well as pro-MMP-TIMP-1 and active MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios were inversely associated with total lung capacity. The present study suggests that MMP-9 plays a pathophysiological role in the remodelling in ILD and lung fibrosis associated with SSc, and may represent a new therapeutic target in this condition.

Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-16971 (URN)doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2007.04.019 (DOI)17643278 (PubMedID)
Available from: 2007-10-25 Created: 2007-10-25 Last updated: 2023-05-09Bibliographically approved
4. Suppressed signal transduction in the bronchial epithelium of patients with systemic sclerosis
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Suppressed signal transduction in the bronchial epithelium of patients with systemic sclerosis
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2009 (English)In: Respiratory Medicine, ISSN 0954-6111, E-ISSN 1532-3064, Vol. 103, no 2, p. 301-308Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

INTRODUCTION: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disorder, which frequently affects the lungs, with manifestations of interstitial lung disease (ILD) with lung fibrosis and of pulmonary hypertension. The pathogenesis remains largely unrecognised.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to elucidate the inflammation in the bronchial mucosa in patients with SSc.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three subjects diagnosed with SSc participated. Twelve of the SSc patients showed signs of ILD, four were smokers and seven were treated with oral corticosteroids. Seventeen non-smoking, age- and sex-matched healthy subjects served as controls. Bronchoscopy was performed to sample endobronchial mucosal biopsies, which were immunohistochemically stained using a panel of antibodies against inflammatory markers.

RESULTS: The number of neutrophils was significantly elevated in the submucosa of SSc patients, regardless of ILD, or whether the subject was smoking or using oral corticosteroids. No up-regulation of neutrophil chemoattractants or cytokines was seen in the bronchial epithelium. The signal transduction pathways and adhesion molecule expression tended to be suppressed or unchanged in SSc patients compared with controls.

CONCLUSION: It is concluded that SSc is associated with a chronic neutrophilic inflammation in the bronchial mucosal, with signs of suppressed signal transduction, regardless of the presence of interstitial lung disease.

National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-21507 (URN)10.1016/j.rmed.2008.08.011 (DOI)18819788 (PubMedID)
Available from: 2009-04-14 Created: 2009-04-14 Last updated: 2023-05-09Bibliographically approved
5. Cytokine mRNA profile of alveolar T lymphocytes and macrophages in systemic sclerosis patients suggests Th1 and Th2 response
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Cytokine mRNA profile of alveolar T lymphocytes and macrophages in systemic sclerosis patients suggests Th1 and Th2 response
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(English)Manuscript (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-3374 (URN)
Available from: 2008-09-03 Created: 2008-09-03 Last updated: 2018-06-09Bibliographically approved

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