UNLABELLED: Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS-1) is caused by mutations of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. Mouse studies have shown that this results in defective negative selection of T cells and defective early seeding of peripheral organs with regulatory T cells (Tregs). Aire deficiency in humans and mice manifests as spontaneous autoimmunity against multiple organs, and 20% of patients develop an autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). To study AIH in APS-1, we generated a murine model of human AIH on a BALB/c mouse background, in which Aire is truncated at exon 2. A subgroup of 24% of mice is affected by AIH, characterized by lymphoplasmacytic and periportal hepatic infiltrates, autoantibodies, elevated aminotransferases, and a chronic and progressive course of disease. Disease manifestation was dependent on specific Aire mutations and the genetic background of the mice. Though intrahepatic Treg numbers were increased and hyperproliferative, the intrahepatic CD4/CD8 ratio was decreased. The targets of the adaptive autoimmune response were polyspecific and not focussed on essential autoantigens, as described for other APS-1-related autoimmune diseases. The AIH could be treated with prednisolone or adoptive transfer of polyspecific Tregs. CONCLUSION: Development of AIH in APS-1 is dependent on specific Aire mutations and genetic background genes. Autoimmune response is polyspecific and can be controlled by steroids or transfer with Tregs. This might enable new treatment options for patients with AIH.
UNLABELLED: Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS-1) is caused by mutations of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. Mouse studies have shown that this results in defective negative selection of T cells and defective early seeding of peripheral organs with regulatory T cells (Tregs). Aire deficiency in humans and mice manifests as spontaneous autoimmunity against multiple organs, and 20% of patients develop an autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). To study AIH in APS-1, we generated a murine model of human AIH on a BALB/c mouse background, in which Aire is truncated at exon 2. A subgroup of 24% of mice is affected by AIH, characterized by lymphoplasmacytic and periportal hepatic infiltrates, autoantibodies, elevated aminotransferases, and a chronic and progressive course of disease. Disease manifestation was dependent on specific Aire mutations and the genetic background of the mice. Though intrahepatic Treg numbers were increased and hyperproliferative, the intrahepatic CD4/CD8 ratio was decreased. The targets of the adaptive autoimmune response were polyspecific and not focussed on essential autoantigens, as described for other APS-1-related autoimmune diseases. The AIH could be treated with prednisolone or adoptive transfer of polyspecific Tregs. CONCLUSION: Development of AIH in APS-1 is dependent on specific Aire mutations and genetic background genes. Autoimmune response is polyspecific and can be controlled by steroids or transfer with Tregs. This might enable new treatment options for patients with AIH.
Authors: Richard Taubert; Matthias Hardtke-Wolenski; Fatih Noyan; Claudine Lalanne; Danny Jonigk; Jerome Schlue; Till Krech; Ralf Lichtinghagen; Christine S Falk; Verena Schlaphoff; Heike Bantel; Luigi Muratori; Michael P Manns; Elmar Jaeckel Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-06-08 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Laura Elisa Buitrago-Molina; Janine Dywicki; Fatih Noyan; Martin Trippler; Julia Pietrek; Jerome Schlue; Michael P Manns; Heiner Wedemeyer; Elmar Jaeckel; Matthias Hardtke-Wolenski Journal: Biomedicines Date: 2021-01-09
Authors: Janine Dywicki; Laura Elisa Buitrago-Molina; Matthias Hardtke-Wolenski; Elmar Jaeckel; Fatih Noyan; Ana C Davalos-Misslitz; Katharina L Hupa-Breier; Maren Lieber; Martin Hapke; Jerome Schlue; Christine S Falk; Solaiman Raha; Immo Prinz; Christian Koenecke; Michael P Manns; Heiner Wedemeyer Journal: Hepatol Commun Date: 2021-08-25