2020
High-throughput quantitative histology in systemic sclerosis skin disease using computer vision
Correia C, Mawe S, Lofgren S, Marangoni RG, Lee J, Saber R, Aren K, Cheng M, Teaw S, Hoffmann A, Goldberg I, Cowper SE, Khatri P, Hinchcliff M, Mahoney JM. High-throughput quantitative histology in systemic sclerosis skin disease using computer vision. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2020, 22: 48. PMID: 32171325, PMCID: PMC7071594, DOI: 10.1186/s13075-020-2127-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSystemic sclerosisFibrosis scoreQuantitative image featuresBiopsy scorePrimary cohortOutcome measuresSecondary cohortDiagnostic scoreSkin severity scoreSSc clinical trialsRodnan skin scoreLogistic regression modelsControl biopsiesRegression modelsSkin scoreSeverity scoreClinical hallmarkClinical trialsForearm biopsiesSSc skinBiopsy sectionsIndependent cohortPatient basisSSc biopsiesCollagen deposition
2019
Global skin gene expression analysis of early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis shows a prominent innate and adaptive inflammatory profile
Skaug B, Khanna D, Swindell WR, Hinchcliff ME, Frech TM, Steen VD, Hant FN, Gordon JK, Shah AA, Zhu L, Zheng WJ, Browning JL, Barron AMS, Wu M, Visvanathan S, Baum P, Franks JM, Whitfield ML, Shanmugam VK, Domsic RT, Castelino FV, Bernstein EJ, Wareing N, Lyons MA, Ying J, Charles J, Mayes MD, Assassi S. Global skin gene expression analysis of early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis shows a prominent innate and adaptive inflammatory profile. Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases 2019, 79: annrheumdis-2019-215894. PMID: 31767698, PMCID: PMC7386329, DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-215894.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImmune cell signaturesEarly diffuse systemic sclerosisDiffuse systemic sclerosisLonger disease durationSystemic sclerosisDisease durationCell signatureSSc patientsT cellsEarly diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosisScleroderma Outcome Study cohortDiffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosisShorter disease durationCutaneous systemic sclerosisRodnan skin scoreCD8 T cellsB cell signaturesCD4 T cellsSystemic sclerosis cohortImmune cell markersClinical trial designDiffuse SSc patientsBiopsy RNAProspective registryClinical course
2018
Mycophenolate Mofetil Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis Reduces Myeloid Cell Numbers and Attenuates the Inflammatory Gene Signature in Skin
Hinchcliff M, Toledo DM, Taroni JN, Wood TA, Franks JM, Ball MS, Hoffmann A, Amin SM, Tan AU, Tom K, Nesbeth Y, Lee J, Ma M, Aren K, Carns MA, Pioli PA, Whitfield ML. Mycophenolate Mofetil Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis Reduces Myeloid Cell Numbers and Attenuates the Inflammatory Gene Signature in Skin. Journal Of Investigative Dermatology 2018, 138: 1301-1310. PMID: 29391252, PMCID: PMC6590516, DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.01.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMycophenolate mofetil treatmentMyeloid cell numbersMMF therapyMofetil treatmentSystemic sclerosisInflammatory scoreSkin biopsiesCell numberSkin myeloid cellsMyeloid dendritic cellsHalf of patientsRodnan skin scoreImmune cell numbersInflammatory gene signatureExpression of chemokinesProtein levelsCCL2 protein levelsCCL2 mRNA expressionInflammatory signatureDendritic cellsSkin scoreCCL2 mRNAEleven subjectsMonocyte migrationMyeloid cells
2017
A novel multi-network approach reveals tissue-specific cellular modulators of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis
Taroni JN, Greene CS, Martyanov V, Wood TA, Christmann RB, Farber HW, Lafyatis RA, Denton CP, Hinchcliff ME, Pioli PA, Mahoney JM, Whitfield ML. A novel multi-network approach reveals tissue-specific cellular modulators of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Genome Medicine 2017, 9: 27. PMID: 28330499, PMCID: PMC5363043, DOI: 10.1186/s13073-017-0417-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDisease-associated signaturesFunctional genomic networksGene expression signaturesPulmonary fibrosisAutoimmune diseasesDisease processMulti-organ autoimmune diseaseDistinct underlying pathologyPro-fibrotic macrophagesInternal organ involvementPulmonary arterial hypertensionExpression signaturesSkin of patientsInnate immune systemWilcoxon rank sum testGenomic networksRank sum testBackgroundSystemic sclerosisArterial hypertensionOrgan involvementSystemic sclerosisUnderlying pathologyLung microenvironmentSkin fibrosisFibrotic genes
2016
Fulminant capillary leak syndrome in a patient with systemic sclerosis treated with imatinib mesylate
Hinchcliff ME, Lomasney J, Johnson JA, Varga J. Fulminant capillary leak syndrome in a patient with systemic sclerosis treated with imatinib mesylate. Rheumatology 2016, 55: 1916-1918. PMID: 27338086, PMCID: PMC5854093, DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kew245.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe relationship between skin symptoms and the scleroderma modification of the health assessment questionnaire, the modified Rodnan skin score, and skin pathology in patients with systemic sclerosis
Ziemek J, Man A, Hinchcliff M, Varga J, Simms RW, Lafyatis R. The relationship between skin symptoms and the scleroderma modification of the health assessment questionnaire, the modified Rodnan skin score, and skin pathology in patients with systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology 2016, 55: 911-917. PMID: 26880832, PMCID: PMC5854039, DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kew003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRodnan skin scoreHealth Assessment QuestionnaireSkin symptomsSkindex-29Skin scoreAssessment QuestionnaireSkin diseasesSkin pathologySSc skin diseaseSymptom assessment questionnairePatient's skin symptomsSSc patientsSystemic sclerosisAtopic dermatitisPathological featuresSymptom assessmentPhysical examMyofibroblast infiltrationPathological changesPathological measuresPatientsSymptom instrumentsSymptomsDiseaseSHAQ
2014
FibronectinEDA Promotes Chronic Cutaneous Fibrosis Through Toll-Like Receptor Signaling
Bhattacharyya S, Tamaki Z, Wang W, Hinchcliff M, Hoover P, Getsios S, White ES, Varga J. FibronectinEDA Promotes Chronic Cutaneous Fibrosis Through Toll-Like Receptor Signaling. Science Translational Medicine 2014, 6: 232ra50. PMID: 24739758, PMCID: PMC4414050, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3008264.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsToll-like receptor 4Endogenous TLR4 ligandsCutaneous fibrosisTLR4 ligandToll-like receptor signalingProgressive autoimmune diseaseLesional skin biopsiesFibronectin extra domain ATreatment of fibrosisTissue repair responseHallmark of sclerodermaPersistent fibroblast activationExtra domain ATLR4 blockadeAutoimmune diseasesChronic conditionsChronic fibrosisReceptor 4Skin biopsiesFibrotic responseOrganotypic skin equivalentsMultiple organsPotent stimulusSclerodermaFibroblast activation
2013
A synthetic PPAR-γ agonist triterpenoid ameliorates experimental fibrosis: PPAR-γ-independent suppression of fibrotic responses
Wei J, Zhu H, Komura K, Lord G, Tomcik M, Wang W, Doniparthi S, Tamaki Z, Hinchcliff M, Distler JH, Varga J. A synthetic PPAR-γ agonist triterpenoid ameliorates experimental fibrosis: PPAR-γ-independent suppression of fibrotic responses. Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases 2013, 73: 446. PMID: 23515440, PMCID: PMC4028127, DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-202716.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdipogenesisAdultAnimalsBiopsyCells, CulturedCollagenDisease Models, AnimalDrug Evaluation, PreclinicalFemaleFibroblastsFibrosisHumansInfant, NewbornMiceMice, Inbred C57BLOleanolic AcidOrgan Culture TechniquesPPAR gammaProto-Oncogene Proteins c-aktScleroderma, SystemicSignal TransductionSkinTransforming Growth Factor betaConceptsSkin organ cultureHuman skin organ cultureAntifibrotic effectsDermal fibrosisExperimental fibrosisOrgan culturePeroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γModulation of fibrogenesisProliferator-activated receptor γHuman skin equivalentsPotential new therapiesPotential therapeutic strategyFibrotic gene expressionSynthetic oleanane triterpenoidComplementary mouse modelsControl of fibrosisPersistent fibroblast activationGrowth factor βTGF-β signalingEffects of CDDOSystemic sclerosisBleomycin injectionFibrogenic responseFibrotic activityMurine modelMolecular Signatures in Skin Associated with Clinical Improvement during Mycophenolate Treatment in Systemic Sclerosis
Hinchcliff M, Huang CC, Wood TA, Mahoney J, Martyanov V, Bhattacharyya S, Tamaki Z, Lee J, Carns M, Podlusky S, Sirajuddin A, Shah SJ, Chang RW, Lafyatis R, Varga J, Whitfield ML. Molecular Signatures in Skin Associated with Clinical Improvement during Mycophenolate Treatment in Systemic Sclerosis. Journal Of Investigative Dermatology 2013, 133: 1979-1989. PMID: 23677167, PMCID: PMC3714324, DOI: 10.1038/jid.2013.130.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedBiopsyCluster AnalysisFemaleGene Expression RegulationGenetic HeterogeneityGenetic MarkersHumansImmunosuppressive AgentsMaleMiddle AgedMycophenolic AcidPredictive Value of TestsReverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionScleroderma, SystemicSkin Physiological PhenomenaTranscriptomeYoung AdultConceptsMRSS improvementSystemic sclerosisIntrinsic subsetMycophenolate mofetil treatmentCyclophosphamide-treated patientsGene expression changesGene expression subsetsMycophenolate treatmentTreatment biopsiesClinical improvementMMF treatmentMofetil treatmentGene expression signaturesSSc patientsSerial biopsiesClinical trialsExpression changesBaseline gene expressionGene expressionSSc skinSkin AssociatedPatientsTargeted treatmentPatient biopsiesBiopsy
2012
Wnt/β‐catenin signaling is hyperactivated in systemic sclerosis and induces Smad‐dependent fibrotic responses in mesenchymal cells
Wei J, Fang F, Lam AP, Sargent JL, Hamburg E, Hinchcliff ME, Gottardi CJ, Atit R, Whitfield ML, Varga J. Wnt/β‐catenin signaling is hyperactivated in systemic sclerosis and induces Smad‐dependent fibrotic responses in mesenchymal cells. Arthritis & Rheumatism 2012, 64: 2734-2745. PMID: 22328118, PMCID: PMC3553791, DOI: 10.1002/art.34424.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdaptor Proteins, Signal TransducingAdultBeta CateninBiopsyCase-Control StudiesCell MovementCell ProliferationCells, CulturedFibroblastsFibrosisFrizzled ReceptorsHumansIntercellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsLymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1MesodermRepressor ProteinsScleroderma, SystemicSignal TransductionSkinSmad ProteinsWnt ProteinsWnt3A ProteinConceptsWnt/β-cateninCanonical WntWnt-3aMesenchymal cellsGenome-wide expression dataAberrant Wnt/β-catenin pathway activationCell fate specificationΒ-cateninSkin biopsy specimensMyofibroblast differentiationCanonical Wnt/β-cateninWnt/β-catenin signalingWnt receptor Fzd2Subcutaneous preadipocytesSystemic sclerosisΒ-catenin signalingFate specificationBiopsy specimensΒ-catenin activationExpression of WntHuman mesenchymal cellsGrowth factor βPathway componentsGene expressionProfibrotic responsesImatinib mesylate causes genome-wide transcriptional changes in systemic sclerosis fibroblasts in vitro.
Hinchcliff M, Huang CC, Ishida W, Fang F, Lee J, Jafari N, Wilkes M, Bhattacharyya S, Leof E, Varga J. Imatinib mesylate causes genome-wide transcriptional changes in systemic sclerosis fibroblasts in vitro. Clinical And Experimental Rheumatology 2012, 30: s86-96. PMID: 22691216, PMCID: PMC3860597.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBenzamidesBiopsyCase-Control StudiesCells, CulturedFibroblastsFibrosisGene Expression ProfilingGene Expression RegulationHumansImatinib MesylateMiceMice, KnockoutOligonucleotide Array Sequence AnalysisPhosphorylationPiperazinesProtein Kinase InhibitorsProto-Oncogene Proteins c-ablPyrimidinesScleroderma, SystemicSignal TransductionSkinTime FactorsTranscription, GeneticTransforming Growth Factor beta1ConceptsSystemic sclerosisSSc fibroblastsSkin biopsiesInternal organ fibrosisHeterogeneous multifactorial diseaseControl fibroblastsControl skin biopsiesFibrotic gene expressionSystemic sclerosis fibroblastsC-AblProgressive skinAntifibrotic effectsImatinib mesylateHealthy controlsCardiovascular diseaseGene expressionHealthy subjectsFibrotic responseCholesterol metabolismOrgan fibrosisC-Abl activationMultifactorial diseaseTreatment resultsTissue levelsFibrosis