TGF-β signalling defect is linked to low CD39 expression on regulatory T cells and methotrexate resistance in rheumatoid arthritis

Peres, R. S. et al. (2018) TGF-β signalling defect is linked to low CD39 expression on regulatory T cells and methotrexate resistance in rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Autoimmunity, (doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.01.004) (PMID:29426578)

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Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune arthropathy characterized by chronic articular inflammation. Methotrexate (MTX) remains the first-line therapy for RA and its anti-inflammatory effect is associated with the maintenance of high levels of extracellular adenosine (ADO). Nonetheless, up to 40% of RA patients are resistant to MTX treatment and this is linked to a reduction of CD39 expression, an ectoenzyme involved in the generation of extracellular ADO by ATP metabolism, on circulating regulatory T cells (Tregs). However, the mechanism mediating the reduction of CD39 expression on Tregs is unknown. Here we demonstrated that the impairment in TGF-β signalling lead to the reduction of CD39 expression on Tregs that accounts for MTX resistance. TGF-β increases CD39 expression on Tregs via the activation of TGFBRII/TGFBRI, SMAD2 and the transcription factor CREB, which is activated in a p38-dependent manner and induces CD39 expression by promoting ENTPD1 gene transcription. Importantly, unresponsive patients to MTX (UR-MTX) show reduced expression of TGFBR2 and CREB1 and decreased levels of p-SMAD2 and p-CREB in Tregs compared to MTX-responsive patients (R-MTX). Furthermore, RA patients carrying at least one mutant allele for rs1431131 (AT or AA) of the TGFBR2 gene are significantly (p = 0.0006) associated with UR-MTX. Therefore, we have uncovered a molecular mechanism for the reduced CD39 expression on Tregs, and revealed potential targets for therapeutic intervention for MTX resistance.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:CD39, methotrexate, regulatory T cells, rheumatoid arthritis, TGF-β signalling.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Liew, Prof Foo
Authors: Peres, R. S., Donate, P. B., Talbot, J., Cecilio, N. T., Lobo, P. R., Machado, C. C., Lima, K. W.A., Oliveira, R. D., Carregaro, V., Nakaya, H. I., Cunha, T. M., Alves-Filho, J. C., Liew, F. Y., Louzada-Junior, P., and Cunha, F. Q.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Journal of Autoimmunity
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0896-8411
ISSN (Online):1095-9157
Published Online:14 February 2018

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