Type 2 innate lymphoid cell counts are increased in patients with systemic sclerosis and correlate with the extent of fibrosis

Wohlfahrt T, Usherenko S, Englbrecht M, Dees C, Weber S, Beyer C, Gelse K, Distler O, Schett G, Distler J, Ramming A (2016)

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2016

Journal

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases BMJ Publishing Group

Book Volume: 75

Pages Range: 623-6

Journal Issue: 3

DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-207388

Abstract

Objective Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), a recently identified population of lymphoid cells lacking lineage-specific receptors, promote type 2 immunity and tissue remodelling. However, the contributive role of ILC2s in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the levels and correlations with fibrotic manifestations in SSc. Methods 69 patients with SSc and 47 healthy controls were included. Blood samples and skin sections were analysed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemically by staining two complementary panels of markers. Results Dermal and circulating ILC2s were significantly elevated in patients with SSc compared with controls. Dermal, but not circulating ILC2s were activated. Stratification of the SSc population in patients with limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) and diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) demonstrated increased levels of ILC2s in both subgroups with significantly higher frequencies in dcSSc compared with lcSSc. Moreover, dermal and circulating ILC2 counts correlated closely with the modified Rodnan skin score and with the presence of pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusions ILC2 counts are elevated in patients with SSc and correlate with the extent of skin fibrosis and the presence of interstitial lung disease providing compelling evidence for profibrotic effect of ILC2s in SSc.

Authors with CRIS profile

Matthias Englbrecht Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin III Clara Dees Department of Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology Stefanie Weber Department of Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology Christian Beyer Department of Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology Georg Schett Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin III Jörg Distler Professur für Molekulare Mechanismen der Organfibrose Andreas Ramming Department of Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology

Involved external institutions

Universitätsspital Zürich (USZ) CH Switzerland (CH)

How to cite

APA:

Wohlfahrt, T., Usherenko, S., Englbrecht, M., Dees, C., Weber, S., Beyer, C.,... Ramming, A. (2016). Type 2 innate lymphoid cell counts are increased in patients with systemic sclerosis and correlate with the extent of fibrosis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 75(3), 623-6. https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-207388

MLA:

Wohlfahrt, Thomas, et al. "Type 2 innate lymphoid cell counts are increased in patients with systemic sclerosis and correlate with the extent of fibrosis." Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 75.3 (2016): 623-6.

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