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Journal of Central South University Medical Sciences logoLink to Journal of Central South University Medical Sciences
. 2021 Nov 28;46(11):1267–1275. [Article in Chinese] doi: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2021.200056

系统性红斑狼疮治疗靶点相关研究进展

Advances in therapeutic targets-related study on systemic lupus erythematosus

WANG Xin 1,2, ZHANG Qing 1, LUO Shuaihantian 1, ZHANG Huilin 2, LU Qianjin 1,3, LONG Hai 1,
Editor: 陈 丽文
PMCID: PMC10929849  PMID: 34911862

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic and autoimmunity-mediated diffuse connective tissue disease. The mainstay of treatments for SLE mainly relies on corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, which have a series of unavoidable side effects. Therefore, it is of fundamental importance to search novel therapeutic targets for better treatment with favorable efficacy and minor side effects. Recent studies shed light on potential therapeutic targets for SLE, mainly covering the followings: B-cell/plasmocyte-related targets [B cell activating factor (BAFF), a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), CD20, CD22, CD19/FcγRIIb, Bruton tyrosine kinase (Btk), and proteasome], T cell-related targets [calcineurin, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), regulatory factor X1 (RFX1), and Rho kinase], macrophage-related targets (macrophage migration inhibitory factor), intracellular signaling molecules, cytokines (cereblon, histone deacetylase 6, Janus activated kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription), co-stimulating factors (CD28/B7, CD40/CD154), IgE autoantibody, and gut microbiome. Among them, belimumab (a humanized monoclonal antibody against B-lymphocyte stimulator) and telitacicept (a recombinant human B-lymphocyte stimulator receptor-antibody fusion protein) have been sequentially approved for the clinical treatment of SLE in China. A variety of new targeted-therapy drugs are in the Phase 2 or Phase 3 clinical trials,among which anifrolumab (a human monoclonal antibody against type I interferon receptor subunit 1) has completed a Phase 3 clinical trial with good responses achieved, although its incidence of herpes zoster is higher than that in the control group. The research progress in both molecular mechanisms and new drug development for different therapeutic targets have greatly promoted our better and in-depth understanding of the pathogenesis of SLE, and have also reflected the complexity and heterogeneity of the disease. Successful development and clinical application of more novel therapies would no doubt usher in a new era of individualized treatment for SLE in the future.

Keywords: systemic lupus erythematosus, therapeutic targets, cytokines, IgE autoantibody, gut microbiota


系统性红斑狼疮(systemic lupus erythematosus,SLE)的病因及发病机制复杂,其治疗主要依赖糖皮质激素及免疫抑制剂,长期使用存在诸多的毒副作用,而近年来进入临床应用的新药贝利尤单抗和泰它西普(telitacicept)仅适用于一部分SLE患者,且费用高昂。深入阐明SLE的发病机制,寻找新的治疗靶点对于探索特异性更强、毒副作用更低的新疗法具有重要意义。近年来对SLE发病机制的研究取得了较多进展,其中部分研究结果为今后治疗新靶点、新策略的开发提供了有利的理论和实验基础,或具有较好的提示意义。笔者就SLE潜在治疗靶点、作用机制及其向临床转化应用的研究进展进行综述。

1. B细胞/浆细胞相关靶点

SLE患者体内B细胞过度活化和增殖导致浆细胞产生大量自身抗体,是SLE发病的关键环节之一,因此B细胞/浆细胞相关靶点是SLE治疗靶点的研究热点之一。

1.1. B淋巴细胞刺激因子和增殖诱导配体

B淋巴细胞刺激因子(B cell activating factor,BAFF)和增殖诱导配体(a proliferation-inducing ligand,APRIL)是肿瘤坏死因子超家族成员,主要由树突状细胞、中性粒细胞、巨噬细胞分泌,也可由激活的B细胞分泌,通过与B细胞上相应的受体结合,对抑制细胞凋亡,促进细胞增生,促使B细胞分化为浆细胞及产生抗体起关键作用[1]。SLE患者浆细胞BAFF和APRIL表达增加,并且体内BAFF和APRIL表达水平与疾病的活动性和抗双链DNA抗体滴度相关[2]

贝利尤单抗是一种已获批用于SLE临床治疗的人源化单克隆抗体,可选择性与血清中可溶性BAFF高亲和力结合,阻止其与受体结合,降低SLE患者的疾病活动性,改善病情且安全性良好[3]。现有临床证据[3]显示:该药物主要适用于抗dsDNA抗体阳性和/或合并低补体血症的部分SLE患者,长期维持治疗可使患者获益。类似药物blisibimod在一项随机双盲、安慰剂对照的III期临床试验[4]中显示出有助于减少糖皮质激素用量和减轻蛋白尿,但该试验未能达到预期的主要临床终点——SLE应答者指数(SLE responder index,SRI)-6。泰它西普是一种注射用重组人B淋巴细胞刺激因子(B lymphocyte stimulator,BLyS)受体-抗体融合蛋白,通过竞争性抑制BLyS和APRIL的活性,从而抑制浆细胞和成熟B淋巴细胞的分化和存活,阻断自身抗体的产生,该药已于2021年3月在我国获批应用于活动性SLE的治疗[5]

1.2. CD20

CD20是成熟B细胞表面的跨膜蛋白,可影响B细胞的活化、增殖、分化及信号转导。CD20单克隆抗体靶向成熟B细胞和记忆B细胞,不影响产生抗体的长寿命浆细胞,因此使用CD20单克隆抗体时抗体水平无明显下降。

利妥昔单抗是一种经典的CD20单克隆抗体。小样本的临床研究[6]显示:在糖皮质激素和/或免疫抑制剂常规治疗方案基础上加用利妥昔单抗对于部分狼疮性肾炎或无肾脏损害的SLE患者有较好疗效,部分患者疾病活动性降低、疾病完全或部分缓解、激素用量减少。遗憾的是,在一项纳入257例SLE患者的II/III期临床试验[7]中,利妥昔单抗治疗组与安慰剂组相比,疗效的主要临床终点无显著差异,因而该药物目前主要用于对免疫抑制药物和贝利尤单抗疗效不佳或不适用的SLE患者[6]。新一代CD20单抗奥滨尤妥珠单抗(obinutuzumab)已在127例增生性狼疮性肾炎患者中进行Ⅱ期临床试验(注册号:NCT02550652),研究结果尚未公布。具有类似作用的药物还有ocrelizumab、ofatumumab和veltuzumab[8]

1.3. CD22

CD22是免疫球蛋白超家族中唾液酸黏附素家族的成员,同时也是B细胞表面抑制性辅助受体之一,包含CD22-α和CD22-β两种类型。其限制性表达于成熟B细胞表面,与B细胞的分化、成熟、迁移关系密切。CD22与B细胞受体(B cell receptor,BCR)交联后,CD22的免疫受体酪氨酸抑制基序(immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif,ITIM)在Lyn(酪氨酸激酶)的作用下发生酪氨酸磷酸化,磷酸化的酪氨酸能募集含SH2域的酪氨酸磷酸酶1和含SH2域的肌醇5-磷酸酶。这些磷酸酶使得BCR诱导的各种磷酸化信号转导分子发生去磷酸化,从而阻断细胞内活化信号的转导,对B细胞的活化起负调控作用。

实验[9-10]表明:针对CD22的单克隆抗体epratuzumab可显著下调SLE患者外周血B细胞的数量以及B细胞表面CD22的表达;且epratuzumab可抑制SLE患者B细胞的增殖,而对健康人B细胞的增殖无影响,其具体机制尚不明确。一项纳入203例SLE患者的随机对照临床试验[11]证实epratuzumab可改善SLE患者的病情活动度,减少激素用量。

1.4. CD19/FcγRIIb

CD19是B细胞表面的跨膜蛋白。作为一种功能性受体,其与B细胞的活化、信号转导及生长密切相关,并参与B细胞内Ca2+的转运。CD19被广泛运用于白血病、淋巴瘤及免疫系统疾病的诊断和预后的预测,亦被作为免疫治疗的重要靶点。FcγRIIb是表达于B细胞表面的低亲和力IgG受体,当其与IgG的Fc段相结合时,可与BCR发生交联,升高B细胞活化的阈值,减少抗体的产生,从而在体液免疫中发挥负反馈调节功能。

作为一种靶向CD19和FcγRIIb的单克隆抗体,XmAb5871(也称作obexelimab)可在SLE患者和健康志愿者中抑制B细胞的钙转运、增殖和共刺激分子表达,从而抑制体液免疫[12]。一项研究XmAb5871治疗SLE的随机双盲、安慰剂对照II期临床试验(注册号:NCT02725515)已于近期完成,目前尚未公布结果,值得关注。

1.5. Bruton酪氨酸激酶

Bruton酪氨酸激酶(Bruton tyrosine kinase,Btk)是非受体酪氨酸激酶Tec家族的成员,连接细胞表面BCR和刺激下游的信号通路,对B细胞发育、激活、信号转导和存活起关键作用[13]

在NZB/W F1狼疮性肾炎小鼠模型中,Btk抑制剂PF-06250112能减轻狼疮性肾炎的严重程度[12]。Fenebrutinib是口服的Btk抑制剂,目前在中重度SLE患者中进行Ⅱ期临床试验(注册号:NCT03407482),结果尚未公布。

1.6. 蛋白酶体

抑制浆细胞的蛋白酶体可抑制自身抗体的产生[14]。硼替佐米是一种蛋白酶体抑制剂,被批准用于治疗多发性骨髓瘤。

硼替佐米联合抗CD20抗体能明显清除NZB/W F1狼疮性肾炎小鼠的长寿命浆细胞并延长其生存期[15];硼替佐米可改善免疫抑制治疗效果不佳或者不能耐受常规治疗的难治性SLE患者的临床症状[14, 16],但静脉运用硼替佐米的不良反应发生率高[16]。因此新型的口服蛋白酶体抑制剂可能更具前景。

2. T细胞相关靶点

2.1. 钙调磷酸酶

SLE病情活跃时,钙反应过激导致钙调磷酸酶及其底物——活化T细胞核因子(nuclear factor of activated T lymphocytes,NFAT)早期持续活化,NFAT可上调一系列基因,包括CD154,它是T、B细胞相互作用的关键性分子。钙调磷酸酶抑制剂能有效地阻断这条重要的通路。作为钙调磷酸酶抑制剂的经典代表,环孢霉素和他克莫司早已成为临床上治疗狼疮性肾炎的重要药物。Voclosporin是一种新型的钙调磷酸酶抑制剂,在狼疮性肾炎患者体内进行的Ⅱ期临床试验[17]已证实其疗效优于安慰剂组,但严重不良反应发生率明显增高。

2.2. 哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白

哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mammalian target of rapamycin,mTOR)是一种高度保守的丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶,属于磷酸肌醇3-激酶相关激酶蛋白家族,参与细胞的基因转录、蛋白质翻译以及细胞生长、增殖、自噬和凋亡等多种生物学功能,对细胞生长起核心调控作用。mTOR信号通路介导SLE患者体内的免疫性炎症因子失衡,上调IL-4表达,增强Th17细胞并抑制调节性T细胞(Treg)的功能[18]

作为mTOR的抑制剂,雷帕霉素可抑制哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白复合物Ⅰ(mTOR complex 1,mTORC1)的信号。在一项9例样本的临床试验[19]中,雷帕霉素降低SLE患者的疾病活动度并改善关节炎的症状。N-乙酰半胱氨酸作为另一种mTOR抑制剂,可扩增SLE患者Treg数量,抑制疾病活动性[20]

2.3. 调节因子X1IL-6/STAT3信号通路

调节因子X1(regulatory factor X1,RFX1)在Th17细胞分化及SLE发病机制中具有重要作用。IL-6诱导的磷酸化STAT3通过调节RFX1基因内含子7的组蛋白乙酰化和DNA甲基化抑制RFX1表达,下调的RXF1使IL-17A启动子区域的表达调控抑制因素被弱化,导致SLE患者体内IL-17的过表达和Th17细胞的分化增强。这可能为SLE治疗提供新的潜在靶点。

动物实验[21]显示实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis,EAE)小鼠模型在T细胞RFX1条件性敲除的状态下病情恶化,提示RFX1基因功能异常在自身免疫发病机制中具有重要作用。体外实验[22]发现:RFX1敲除小鼠的幼稚CD4+T细胞向Th17细胞分化增加,但这种作用可通过强化RFX1的表达而逆转;RFX1的下调可导致IL17A基因转录位点发生组蛋白乙酰化、组蛋白H3第9位赖氨酸(H3K9)三甲基化和DNA去甲基化,使得IL-17A过表达,Th17细胞分化增强,从而加剧自身免疫炎症反应和损伤。

2.4. Rho激酶

Rho激酶(Rho kinase,ROCK)普遍表达于各种组织,是一种与小分子GTP酶RhoA相结合并介导其下游免疫反应的丝氨酸/苏氨酸激酶。ROCK有2种主要的亚型——ROCK1和ROCK2,在T淋巴细胞的活化、增殖、迁移中发挥重要作用[22-23]

ROCK抑制剂Fasudil可降低NZB/W F1狼疮小鼠IL-17和IL-21的表达,减少自身抗体的产生,诱导疾病缓解,而激活的ROCK2调节干扰素调节因子4的表达、增加IL-17和IL-21的产生、促使自身免疫疾病的发生[22-23]。选择性ROCK2抑制剂KD025已在原发性肺纤维化(注册号:NCT02688647)和寻常型银屑病(注册号:NCT02317627)患者中开展Ⅱ期临床试验,但尚未用于SLE患者。

3. 巨噬细胞相关靶点

巨噬细胞游走抑制因子(macrophage migration inhibitory factor,MIF)是主要由T细胞产生的炎性细胞因子。在炎症反应中,MIF的重要作用是抑制巨噬细胞的移动,促进巨噬细胞在炎症局部浸润、增殖、活化,提高巨噬细胞对胞内物的清除能力,并诱导巨噬细胞分泌IL-1、IL-6、IL-8和TNF-α等促炎细胞因子[24]

动物实验[24]发现:miRNA-654可抑制降植烷诱导的BALB/c狼疮小鼠MIF及其下游炎性细胞因子的产生,下调MIF、IgG和补体成分3(C3)在肾中的表达,从而改善小鼠狼疮性肾炎的症状和体征。MIF可促进肾炎症反应,参与SLE和狼疮性肾炎的发病,其在SLE患者血清中升高并与系统性红斑狼疮疾病活动度(systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index,SLEDAI)评分正相关。然而在2012年底,一项旨在评价抗MIF抗体治疗SLE的安全性及药代动力学的I期临床试验在开展后1年即宣布终止,且试验结果一直未被公布。

4. 细胞内信号分子

4.1. Cereblon

SLE患者外周血单个核细胞过表达Cereblon(CRBN)、IKZF1(编码转录因子Ikaros)和IKZF3(编码转录因子Aiolos)。其中,CRBN蛋白在组织中广泛表达,主要表达于脑组织。Iberdomide(CC-220)是一种靶向Cereblon的新型口服免疫调节化合物,可导致转录因子Ikaros和Aiolos特异性泛素化和降解,而这两种转录因子对抗体的产生至关重要。一项iberdomide的Ⅰ期临床试验[25]显示:该药物可降低SLE患者和健康志愿者体内T细胞、B细胞和单核细胞Aiolos蛋白和Ikaros蛋白的表达水平,抑制抗双链DNA抗体和抗磷脂抗体的产生。目前,CC-220治疗SLE已处于Ⅱ期临床试验(注册号:NCT02185040)阶段,研究结果尚未公布。

4.2. 组蛋白去乙酰化酶6

组蛋白去乙酰化酶6(histone deacetylase 6,HDAC6)是细胞质内IIb型组蛋白去乙酰化酶,广泛表达于多种细胞,能使非组蛋白去乙酰化、调节BCL6的功能和B细胞的成熟[26]。CKD-506是HDAC6的特异性抑制剂,其在NZB/W F1狼疮小鼠中能显著降低IFN-γ、IL-1β、IL-4、IL-6、干扰素-γ诱导蛋白-10(IFN-γ-inducible protein-10,IP-10)等细胞因子在肾组织中的水平,延长小鼠的生存期,明显降低严重蛋白尿的发生率[27]。此外,HDAC6选择性抑制剂ACY-738可减少NZB/W F1狼疮小鼠B细胞的活化并预防狼疮性肾炎的发生[26]

4.3. JAK/STAT信号通路

Janus激酶/信号转导与转录激活因子(Janus activated kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription,JAK/STAT)信号通路的激活与细胞因子(如IFN)密切相关,参与免疫细胞的激活和分化[27]。SLE患者外周血单个核细胞的JAK/STAT信号通路相关分子如JAK1、TYK2、STAT1和STAT3等基因表达水平发生改变,这些基因涉及信号转导、转录调控、免疫应答和细胞凋亡等多个方面;另外,过表达的STAT5与SLE患者T细胞亚群的变化相关,提示JAK/STAT信号通路可能是SLE发病的重要信号通路之一。首个JAK抑制剂托法替尼在治疗类风湿性关节炎的临床试验中获得成功后,已进入临床应用。最近,一项纳入10例SLE患者的单中心临床研究[28]的试验结果显示:托法替尼可快速改善SLE关节炎的症状和体征,并改善部分患者的红斑,但自身抗体和补体水平与治疗前相比无明显变化。一项Ⅱ期临床试验[29]显示:另一JAK抑制剂巴瑞替尼可改善SLE患者的关节炎症状和体征,但对皮疹无明显疗效。

5. 共刺激因子

T细胞和B细胞的特异性激活除了必须具有特异性抗原识别信号还需有共刺激信号。只有在这两种信号同时存在时,T细胞和B细胞才能有效增殖、活化并产生免疫应答。

5.1. CD28/B7

CD28/B7是重要的共刺激因子,可促进T细胞的增殖、Th1和Th2细胞的分化、抗体产生及抗体类型转换等。阻断该信号途径可抑制T细胞或者B细胞的反应,甚至诱导免疫耐受。Lulizumab Pegol是一种靶向CD28的单克隆抗体,为论证该药物治疗SLE的疗效及安全性,美国开展了一项历时4年多的多中心Ⅱ期临床试验(注册号:NCT02265744)。遗憾的是,研究结果的主要临床终点在试验组和对照组之间并无显著差异。

5.2. CD40/CD154

CD40/CD40L(CD154)在B细胞、树突状细胞和内皮细胞中发挥至关重要的作用。T细胞被激活后,上述细胞表面的CD154可通过CD40与B细胞结合,进而导致IgG类型的转化,参与SLE的发病[30]。Dapirolizumab是抗CD40L Fab段的单克隆抗体,在SLE患者中进行的I期临床试验[30]提示该药物耐受性良好,患者的病情活动度改善。

6. 细胞因子

6.1. IL-2

IL-2由活化的CD4+ Th1细胞产生,作为一种免疫增强因子参与机体的免疫调节。可溶性的IL-2受体能与细胞膜IL-2受体竞争结合IL-2,使活化T细胞周围游离的IL-2减少,有助于活化的T细胞恢复为静止期细胞,导致细胞免疫功能低下。

SLE具有血清IL-2水平下降、Treg功能缺陷、效应性T细胞过度激活的特点,额外补给IL-2可有效改善该失衡状态。SLE患者体内IL-2水平的降低与Treg数量减少有关[31]。IL-2用于NZW/B F1狼疮性肾炎小鼠可延长小鼠生存期,抑制自身抗体的产生和靶器官的免疫损害[32]。北京大学人民医院开展的一项单中心、单臂临床研究[33],在常规治疗方案基础上加用低剂量IL-2治疗38例活动性SLE患者取得较满意疗效,治疗4周后,SRI-4达到70%,治疗6~12周时SRI-4维持在80%~90%,疾病活动性较基线时明显降低。该试验结果还显示:治疗12周后患者外周血中Treg数量较基线时显著增加,Th17细胞和滤泡辅助性T细胞数量较基线时减少。

6.2. IL-12/IL-23

IL-23是一种炎性细胞因子,它与IL-12及IL-27共同组成IL-12分子家族。IL-23和IL-12均可作用于活化的人CD45RA+初始T细胞和CD45RO+记忆T细胞,并使其产生IFN-γ,后者可促进Th1细胞增殖并使T细胞迁徙至炎症区域发挥作用。IL-23还可促使Th17应答产生IL-17或IL-17相关的细胞因子,如IL-17A及IL-17F,形成IL-23/IL-17免疫应答途径。激活的IL-23/IL-17轴诱导Th17的扩增,最终通过增加免疫球蛋白和补体的沉积导致狼疮性肾炎的发生[34]

作为一种抗IL-12和IL-23的单克隆抗体,优特克单抗在一项针对SLE患者的II期临床试验[35-36]中显示出良好的安全性和耐受性,其SRI-4和相关的实验室指标与对照组相比明显改善。目前该药物已进入III期临床试验阶段。

6.3. IL-10

IL-10由巨噬细胞、树突状细胞、辅助性T细胞受到刺激后产生,是一种同时具有免疫增强和免疫抑制作用的细胞因子。IL-10既可抑制巨噬细胞和T细胞的活化及炎性细胞因子的产生,又可促进B细胞的增殖、分化和生成抗体。在NZB/W F1狼疮小鼠模型中,IL-10加速自身免疫疾病的发生,抗IL-10抗体能有效延缓疾病的发生[37]。IL-10在SLE患者的血清中升高,并且这种改变与疾病的活动性相关[38]。在一项抗IL-10单克隆抗体治疗SLE的小样本单臂临床试验[39]中,全部6例SLE患者在接受该单抗治疗后皮损及关节症状均改善,SLE疾病活动度亦显著降低;不过,6例患者在数月内均检测到针对该单抗的抗抗体产生。

6.4. IL-6

IL-6由T细胞、B细胞、单核细胞、成纤维细胞等产生,是一种炎性细胞因子,在SLE发病中有重要的作用。它能促进B细胞的分化,协同T淋巴细胞产生IL-2和IL-2受体,影响T、B细胞的活性和增殖,并与自身抗体的产生相关。

病情活跃的SLE患者体内IL-6水平升高。使用靶向IL-6的单克隆抗体阻断NZB/W F1狼疮小鼠的IL-6信号转导,能改善小鼠的预后,降低蛋白尿和ds-DNA的水平[40]。然而,在SLE患者中进行的2项临床试验显示:靶向IL-6的2种单克隆抗体PE-04236921[41]和sirukumab[42]均未见显著疗效。

6.5. IFN

IFN由I、II和III型IFN组成,I型IFN是多基因家族的产物,包括14~20种IFN-α,1种IFN-β等;II型IFN即IFN-γ;III型IFN是一种新发现的细胞因子,与I型IFN关系密切,被称为INF-λ。I型IFN系统通过诱导IFN-α的生成促进自身免疫性T细胞和B细胞的产生。针对核酸及其相关蛋白的自身抗体与抗原结合形成的免疫复合物可作为内源性IFN-α的诱导物,促进IFN-α生成,维持并延长自身免疫炎症反应。

近年研究[43]显示:SLE患者外周血单个核细胞中I型IFN诱导基因的表达较健康对照者明显上调。故靶向I型IFN的生物制剂为治疗SLE带来新的可能。Sifalimumab是一种抗IFN-α的单克隆抗体,在治疗中重度的SLE患者中,发现患者感染的风险明显增加,且疗效不显著,因此未再对该药进一步展开研究[43]。抗IFN-α单克隆抗体rontalizumab在治疗中重度SLE患者的临床试验中未能达到主要临床终点[44]。Anifrolumab是一种特异性结合I型IFN受体亚基1的全人单克隆抗体。在一项最新报道的III期临床试验[45]中,362例SLE患者被随机分配到anifrolumab治疗组和安慰剂组,经过52周的干预,anifrolumab组达到治疗应答标准的患者比例为47.8%,显著高于安慰剂组的31.5%,但anifrolumab组发生带状疱疹的比例较安慰剂组升高。BIIB059是一种人源化IgG1单克隆抗体,可特异性识别浆细胞样树突状细胞(plasmacytoid dendritic cells,pDCs)表面抗原血液树突状细胞抗原2(blood dendritic cell antigen 2,BDCA2),该抗原在人pDCs表面特异表达。BIIB059与BDCA2结合导致其从pDCs表面迅速内化,随后pDCs抑制I型IFN的产生。一项纳入12例SLE患者和54例健康志愿者的随机对照临床试验[46]显示:BIIB059可改善狼疮患者的皮损并具有良好的安全性。

IFN-γ是主要由抗原、有丝分裂素等刺激活化的CD4+Th1、CD8+T细胞及NK细胞分泌的一类可溶性糖蛋白。IFN-γ调节B细胞、T细胞和巨噬细胞等免疫细胞。IFN-γ对SLE的致病作用在狼疮小鼠中已被证实,其水平升高与疾病的活动度相关,额外给予狼疮小鼠IFN-γ,能加重狼疮的病情,使用抗IFN-γ抗体可使病情缓解;但在盘状红斑狼疮药物临床试验[47]中抗IFN-γ抗体只降低了IFN-γ相关基因的表达,无明显的治疗效果。

7. IgE自身抗体

研究[48]发现:Lyn和FcγRII缺陷小鼠体内存在抗双链DNA的IgE自身抗体,并经IgE依赖的嗜碱性粒细胞和Th2细胞途径形成狼疮样肾炎。超过70%的SLE患者血清中存在自身反应性IgE,淋巴结和脾中活化嗜碱性粒细胞增加的数量与疾病活动性上升和狼疮性肾炎活跃状态相关。IgE免疫复合物激活pDCs的同时诱导I型IFN的产生。与IgG免疫复合物相比,少量的IgE免疫复合物就能促发炎症反应,因此IgE免疫复合物可能参与SLE自身免疫反应的维持和扩大[49]。奥马珠单抗是人IgE的单克隆抗体,其在SLE的Ⅰ期临床试验[50]中安全性良好并能改善疾病活动性,但有待进一步扩大样本研究。

8. 肠道菌群

哺乳类动物肠道中存在大量微生物,其中菌群主要包含4大类细菌菌门:厚壁菌门、拟杆菌门、放线菌门、变形菌门。肠道微生物对宿主免疫系统的稳态发挥重要作用,肠道微生物失衡可能导致多种自身免疫疾病的发生。

SLE患者和多种狼疮小鼠均存在肠道菌群的异常。SLE患者肠道微生物的菌群多样性较健康人明显下降,革兰氏阴性菌占比升高,且部分菌种含量异常,包括嗜臭杆菌属(Odoribacter)、Blautia菌属以及Rikenellaceae科中的某一未命名的菌属[51]。NZB/W F1小鼠的肠道菌群在狼疮表型出现前后存在较显著的差异,包括肠道菌群多样性和某些特定菌属丰度的改变;其中,多种乳杆菌(Lactobacilli)的异常增多与狼疮表型的严重程度相关[51]。与之相反的是,在MRL/lpr狼疮小鼠的肠道菌群中,乳杆菌的丰度显著下降;而人工补充5种乳杆菌使雌性MRL/lpr小鼠肠道菌群中的乳杆菌含量升高可以逆转肾内Treg/Th17细胞的免疫失衡,减轻炎症反应,从而改善肾功能、延长小鼠生存时间[52]。另一种自发性狼疮小鼠 模型——B6.NZM2410.Sle1.Sle2.Sle3(也称Triple-congenic,TC)小鼠,与正常C57BL/6小鼠(B6小鼠)相比亦存在肠道菌群多样性下降情况。有趣的是,采用粪便溶液灌胃的方法将TC狼疮小鼠的肠道菌群“移植”到C57BL/6无菌小鼠后,可成功诱导出部分狼疮易感基因的表达、免疫细胞分布的改变以及抗dsDNA抗体的产生[53]。这些证据均提示,肠道菌群的异常与SLE发病机制密切相关,找出其关键的“致病性”改变并尝试恢复肠道菌群稳态,有望为治疗SLE提供新的思路。

9. 结 语

SLE发病机制的复杂性给相关研究以及新药的探索带来挑战。毋庸置疑的是,随着对其发病机制认识和研究的不断深入,针对B细胞/浆细胞、T细胞、巨噬细胞、细胞内信号、共刺激因子、细胞因子和IgE自身抗体等潜在治疗靶点的单克隆抗体和小分子抑制剂将为该病治疗领域的新探索带来诸多可能,肠道微生态与发病机制等方面的研究也将为预防和治疗SLE带来新思路。

基金资助

国家自然科学基金(81773334,81703133,81872533);湖南省自然科学基金(2019JJ40427,2019JJ50855);湖南省科技计划项目“湖湘青年英才”支持计划(2018RS3031);长沙市杰出创新青年培养计划(kq1802002);中南大学中央高校基本科研业务费专项资金(502211904)。

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation (81773334, 81703133, 81872533), the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (2019JJ40427, 2019JJ50855), Young Talents Program of Hunan Provincial Science and Technology Department (2018RS3031), the Innovation Young Talents Program of Changsha Science and Technology Bureau (kq1802002), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of Central South University (502211904), China.

利益冲突声明

作者声称无任何利益冲突。

原文网址

http://xbyxb.csu.edu.cn/xbwk/fileup/PDF/2021111267.pdf

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