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Volume 34, Issue 3, September 2023



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Mediterr J Rheumatol 2023;34(2):271-4
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Investigating the role of "Immature Myeloid Cells" as Drivers of Inflammation and Disease Persistence in Psoriatic Arthritis
Alexandros Grivas1,2, Maria Grigoriou1,3, Charalampos Papagoras3, Ioannis Mitroulis3, Panayotis Verginis4, Pelagia Katsimbri2, Dimitrios T. Boumpa1,2
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1Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Greece

2Joint Rheumatology Program, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine-Clinical Immunology-Rheumatology Unit, 4th Department of Medicine, Athens, Greece

3First Department of Internal Medicine and Laboratory of Molecular Hematology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece

4Laboratory of Immune Regulation and Tolerance, Division of Basic Sciences, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
A Grivas , M Grigoriou,  C Papagoras, I Mitroulis,  P Verginis, DT Boumpas 

Abstract

Background: Despite the development of treatments targeting T cell co-stimulation and cytokines TNF, IL-12/23, and IL-17, less than half of patients within clinical trials achieve high levels of clinical response. This fact, as well as the absence of prognostic biomarkers represents major unmet clinical needs that necessitate further investigation of the disease pathophysiology. Myeloid cells are critical components of PsA inflammatory mechanisms, being a highly prevalent immune population in biopsies of PsA target tissues, such as the skin and the synovium. Through their antigen-presenting capacity and their pro-angiogenic and pro-inflammatory properties myeloid cells could contribute to persistent inflammation in PsA leading to treatment-resistant disease. To this end, we have recently shown the expansion of monocytes in the blood of PsA patients compared to healthy subjects. Importantly, we have also identified an immature myeloid cell population in patients with highly active refractory disease, indicating the presence of an "emergency myelopoiesis" process in PsA. Aim of the study: In this research protocol, we aim to decipher the pro-inflammatory "myeloid signature" in patients with active PsA and explore the role of immature myeloid cells in disease pathophysiology and their potential as prognostic biomarkers. Methods: To address this, we will isolate and analyse monocytes and immature myeloid cells from PsA patients -before and after a 6-month treatment course- focusing on differences between responders and non-responders. In this context, we will perform a thorough phenotypic and functional analysis of these cells, identify their expression signature in an already established whole blood RNA-seq dataset and investigate their presence in target tissues, such as the skin and synovial fluid. Anticipated benefits: This study will elucidate the role of myeloid cells in disease propagation by further defining the involvement of immature myeloidcells in PsA.



Cite this article as: Grivas A, Grigoriou M, Papagoras C, Mitroulis I, Verginis P, Katsimbri P, Boumpas DT. Investigating the role of "Immature Myeloid Cells" as Drivers of Inflammation and Disease Persistence in Psoriatic Arthritis. Mediterr J Rheumatol 2023;34(2):271-4.

Article Submitted: 14 Jan 2022; Revised Form: 4 Sep 2022; Article Accepted: 15 Sep 2022; Available Online: 13 Feb 2023

 

https://doi.org/10.31138/mjr.34.2.271

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

©2023 The Author(s).

Keywords: immature myeloid cells, psoriatic arthritis, response to treatment, blood, skin, synovial fluid