MALT1 positively relates to Th17 cells, inflammation/activity degree, and its decrement along with treatment reflects TNF inhibitor response in ankylosing spondylitis patients

Abstract

Background: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1) facilitates CD4 + T-cell differentiation, immune response, inflammation, and osteoclastogenesis. This study aimed to explore the relation between MALT1 and treatment efficacy to tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Methods: This study recruited 73 AS patients underwent adalimumab treatment.Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) was obtained at Week (W) 0, W4, W8, and W12 after treatment initiation; then, MALT1 was measured using RT-qPCR. Furthermore, PBMC and serum at W0 were proposed to flow cytometry and ELISA for Th1 cells, Th17 cells, IFNγ, and IL-17A levels measurement. Besides, 20 osteoarthritis patients and 20 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled to detect MALT1.Results: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 expression was higher in AS patients compared with HCs (p < 0.001) and osteoarthritis patients (p < 0.001). Besides, MALT1 expression was positively linked with CRP (p = 0.002), BASDAI (p = 0.026), PGADA (p = 0.040), ASDAS CRP (p = 0.028), Th17 cells (p = 0.020), and IL-17A (p = 0.017) in AS patients, but did not relate to other clinical features, Th1 cells or IFNγ (all p>0.050). MALT1 was decreased along with treatment only in AS patients with ASAS40 response (p < 0.001), but not in those without ASAS40 response (p = 0.064). Notably, MALT1 expression was of no difference at W0 (p = 0.328), W4 (p = 0.280), and W8 (p = 0.080), but lower at W12 (p = 0.028) in AS patients with ASAS40 response compared with those without ASAS40 response. Conclusion:Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 positively correlates with Th17 cells, inflammatory, and activity degree; meanwhile, its decrement along with treatment reflects the response to TNF inhibitor in AS patients.

Blood MALT1 expression could help predict treatment outcomes in psoriasis patients, especially in those receiving biologics

“…The relationship of MALT1 with clinical features in several autoimmune diseases has been revealed by previous studies 17,18,20 . According to a study, MALT1 is positively related to C‐reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and clinical disease activity index (CDAI) in CD patients 17 .…”

“…The relationship of MALT1 with clinical features in several autoimmune diseases has been revealed by previous studies. 17,18,20 According to a study, MALT1 is positively related to C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and clinical disease activity index (CDAI) in CD patients. 17 In addition, another study discovers that MALT1 reflects increased disease activity of RA with a positive correlation with CRP, ESR, and Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) in RA patients.…”

“…Moreover, MALT1 regulates the caspase recruitment domain protein (CARD)4‐induced production of cytokines and chemokines in keratinocytes, which further causes psoriasis 16 . Clinically, several studies have reported the role of MALT1 in reflecting treatment response to conventional synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in several autoimmune disease patients, including Crohn's disease (CD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) 17–20 . However, relevant evidence regarding psoriasis patients is scarce.…”

RNA editing landscape of adipose tissue in polycystic ovary syndrome provides insight into the obesity-related immune responses

“…In addition, ATM-mediated DNA double-strand break repair mechanisms, in general, are also related to ovarian aging (53,54). A previous study found that MALT1 was positively correlated with Th17 cells, and inflammation and its decrement, along with treatment, reflects the response to TNF inhibitor in ankylosing spondylitis patients (55). Therefore, it could be a potential biomarker for the treatment of chronic inflammation in PCOS patients.…”