Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 263-321) Also available in print.

A farmacocinética dos enantiômeros da ciclofosfamida (CPA) foi avaliada em pacientes portadores de nefrite lúpica distribuídos em dois grupos de acordo com o clearance da creatinina: Grupo 1 90,6-144,6mL/min/1,73m2 e Grupo 2 42,8-76,4mL/min/1,73m2. Os pacientes foram tratados com doses de 0,75 a 1,3g de ciclofosfamida racêmica sob forma de infusão com duração de 2h e com 1mg de midazolam (MDZ) administrado via endovenosa para a avaliação da atividade in vivo do CYP3A. As concentrações plasmáticas dos enantiômeros da CPA e do MDZ foram avaliadas por LC-MS/MS. Os enantiômeros da CPA foram resolvidos na coluna Chiralcel OD-R, com fase móvel constituída por mistura de acetonitrila e água (75:25, v/v) adicionada de 0,2% de ácido fórmico. Os enantiômeros da CPA foram extraídos do plasma com recuperações maiores que 95% e o limite de quantificação obtido foi de 2,5ng de cada enantiômero da CPA/mL plasma. As seguintes diferenças (teste de Wilcoxon, p<0,05) foram observadas nos parâmetros farmacocinéticos entre os enantiômeros (S)-(-)-CPA e (R)-(+)-CPA para os pacientes do Grupo 1: AUC do tempo 0 ao infinito 152,41 vs 129,25g.h/mL; Cl 3,28 vs 3,89L/h; Vd 31,38 vs 29,74L e t1/2 6,79 vs 5,56h e para os pacientes do Grupo 2: AUC do tempo 0 ao infinito 167,20 vs 139,08g.h/mL; Cl 2,99 vs 3,59L/h e t1/2 6,15 vs 4,99h. Não foi observada diferença (teste de Mann-Whitney, p<0,05) nos parâmetros farmacocinéticos de ambos os enantiômeros entre os grupos 1 e 2. Não foi observada corrrelação entre o clearance do MDZ (2,92-16,40ml/min.kg) e o clearance de cada enantiômero da CPA. Concluindo, a farmacocinética da CPA é enantiosseletiva em pacientes portadores de nefrite lúpica com acúmulo plasmático do enantiômero (S)-(-)-CPA e a farmacocinética de ambos os enantiômeros da CPA não é alterada pela agravamento da função renal. / The pharmacokinetics of cyclophosphamide (CYC) enantiomers was evaluated in patients with lupus nephritis distributed in two groups according to creatinine clearance; Group 1 - 90.6-144.6mL/min/1.73m2 and Group 2 - 42.8- 76.4mL/min/1.73m2. All patients were treated with 0.75 to 1.3g of racemic CYC as a 2-hour infusion and with 1mg intravenous midazolam as a drug marker. CYC enantiomers and midazolam concentrations in plasma were measured by LC-MS/MS. CYC enantiomers were separated on a Chiralcel OD-R column, with the mobile phase consisting of a mixture of acetonitrile and water (75:25, v/v) plus 0.2% formic acid. Recovery rates were higher than 95% and the quantification limit was 2.5ng/ml plasma for both enantiomers. The coefficients of variation and the relative errors obtained for the validation of intra- and interassay precision and accuracy were less than 10%. The following differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters (Wilcoxon test, p<0.05) were observed between the (S)-(-) and (R)-(+) enantiomers for Group 1 AUC from time 0 to infinity 152.41 vs 129.25g.h/mL, Cl 3.28 vs 3.89L/h, Vd 31.38 vs 29.74L and t1/2 6.79 vs 5.56h and for Group 2 AUC from time 0 to infinity 167.20 vs 139.08g.h/mL, Cl 2.99 vs 3.59 L/h and t1/2 6.15 vs 4.99 h. No differences (Mann-Whitney test, p<0.05) were observed between Groups 1 and 2 in the pharmacokinetics parameters of both enantiomers. No significant relationship was observed between midazolam clearance (2.92-16.40 ml/min.kg) and clearance of each CYC enantiomer. In conclusion, CYC kinetic disposition is enantioselective resulting in higher exposure of (S)-(-)-CYC in lupus nephritis patients and the pharmacokinetic parameters of both enantiomers are not altered by the worsening of renal condition.

Background. Lupus nephritis (LN) can be complicated with requirement for kidney replacement therapy and death. Efficacy of induction therapies using mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVCYC) has been reported from studies, but there is limited data in Africans comparing both treatments in patients with proliferative LN. Methods. This was a retrospective study of patients with biopsy-proven proliferative LN diagnosed and treated with either MMF or IVCYC in a single centre in Cape Town, South Africa, over a 5-year period. *e primary outcome was attaining complete remission after completion of induction therapy. Results. Of the 84 patients included, mean age was 29.6 ± 10.4 years and there was a female preponderance (88.1%). At baseline, there were significant differences in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and presence of glomerular crescents between both groups (p ≤ 0.05). After completion of induction therapy, there was no significant difference in remission status (76.0% versus 87.5%; p = 0.33) or relapse status (8.1% versus 10.3%; p = 0.22) for the IVCYC and MMF groups, respectively. Mortality rate for the IVCYC group was 5.5 per 10,000 person-days of follow-up compared to 1.5 per 10,000 person-days of follow-up for the MMF group (p = 0.11), and there was no significant difference in infection-related adverse events between both groups. Estimated GFR at baseline was the only predictor of death (OR: 1.0 [0.9–1.0]; p = 0.001). Conclusion. This study shows similar outcomes following induction treatment with MMF or IVCYC in patients with biopsy-proven proliferative LN in South Africa. However, a prospective and randomized study is needed to adequately assess these outcomes.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第20270号 / 医博第4229号 / 新制||医||1021(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 山田 亮, 教授 福原 俊一, 教授 小川 修 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

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No description available.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic autoimmune disease characterized by abnormalities in multiple components of the immune system resulting in progressive damage to multiple organs. Current treatments for SLE are often intensive and result in side effects and the potential for continued flares and progression of disease. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes control multiple cellular functions by removing acetyl groups from lysine residues in various proteins. HDAC inhibitors have been investigated as a potential treatment for SLE with promising results, however selective HDAC6 inhibition (HDAC6i) has become a leading candidate for pharmacologic inhibition to reduce the potential for side effects. We hypothesize that HDAC6i will decrease SLE disease by targeting substrates of HDAC6 in multiple components of immunity and organ systems. NZB/W mice were treated with ACY-738 or ACY-1083, followed by evaluation of multiple disease parameters and mechanisms involved in disease pathogenesis within the kidney, bone marrow, and spleen. Within the kidney, HDAC6i decreased glomerular pathology scores, proteinuria, and IgG and C3 deposition. Within glomerular cells, HDAC6i increased alpha-tubulin acetylation and decreased nuclear NF-κB. Within the spleen, there was a dose-dependent decrease in the frequency of Th17 cells and a mild decrease in the frequency of Treg cells. Concurrently, there were decreased levels of IL-12/IL-23 and minimal decreases in TGF-β in the serum. Within the bone marrow, B cell development through Hardy fractions exhibited accelerated progression through later stages as NZB/W mice aged. This accelerated progression may allow B cells to bypass important regulatory checkpoints in maintaining immune tolerance and contribute to autoimmunity. Treatment with an HDAC6i corrected the aberrant B cell development in the bone marrow and RNAseq analysis unveiled six genes (Cebpb, Ccr9, Spib, Nfil3, Lgals1, and Pou2af1) that may play a role in the aforementioned abnormalities. Overall, these findings show that HDAC6i decreased disease in NZB/W mice by targeting multiple components of the immune response, including glomerular cells, T cell subsets in the spleen, and bone marrow B cells. In conclusion, selective HDAC6i is an excellent candidate for pharmacologic therapy for SLE because it targets multiple immune abnormalities involved in SLE pathogenesis while remaining selective and safe. / Ph. D. / Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by multiple abnormalities in the immune system resulting in progressive immune-mediated damage to multiple organs. Current treatment regimens are often intensive, result in side effects, and may only provide temporary relief of disease. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition is currently being investigated as a new treatment modality for SLE with aims for improved efficacy and decreased potential for unwanted side effects. HDAC enzymes remove acetyl groups from multiple proteins (substrates) and subsequently regulate their function. HDAC6 is a specific HDAC enzyme that is of particular interest and are the subject of the following studies. These studies hypothesize that HDAC6 inhibition will decrease SLE by targeting multiple protein targets involved in the immune-mediated pathway of disease initiation and progression. NZB/W mice were utilized as a model of the human disease, and were treated by HDAC6 inhibitors during various stages of disease progression. Long-term treatment initiated early in disease decreases disease as evidenced by decreased renal pathology scores, immune complex deposition in the kidneys, decreased T cell subtypes in the spleen, and decreased inflammatory cytokines. HDAC6 inhibition corrects abnormal B cell development within the bone marrow of NZB/W mice, which is otherwise altered during disease progression. Furthermore, HDAC6 inhibition altered gene expression within the bone marrow, and deep sequencing analysis revealed multiple genes that may be involved in the pathway of disease progression. Overall, HDAC6 inhibition targets multiple pathways involved in SLE disease initiation and progression in various organs including the bone marrow, spleen, and kidneys. Because SLE is a disease that is multi-factorial and effects multiple organs, it would be ideal that a potential drug therapy also targets multiple targets and organ systems while remaining safe to use. Based on these studies, HDAC6 inhibitors are excellent candidates for the treatment of SLE.

published_or_final_version / Medicine / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Proteinúria é a principal manifestação da nefrite lúpica (NL) e reflete lesão no podócito. Análise dos biomarcadores do podócito foi realizada com o objetivo de identificar se o fenótipo podocitário é distinto na NL membranosa pura e proliferativa. Expressão de sinaptopodina, proteína 1 do tumor de Wilms (Wilms tumor protein 1 - WT1), proteína epitelial glomerular 1 (glomerular epitelial protein 1 - GLEPP1) e nefrina foi avaliada em 52 biópsias de NL por imunohistoquímica. Expressão preservada de sinaptopodina foi observada em apenas 10 (19,2%) de todas as biópsias enquanto que 42 (80,8%) apresentavam expressão reduzida. Ambos os grupos tinham proteinúria semelhante no momento da biópsia (p = 0,22), porém, no seguimento médio de quatro anos houve uma tendência para menores níveis médios de proteinúria nos pacientes com marcação preservada de sinaptopodina (0,26 ± 0,23 vs 0,84 ± 0,90 g/24 h, p = 0,05) do que naqueles com expressão reduzida. Trinta e nove (75%) biópsias foram classificadas como proliferativa e treze (25%) como membranosa pura. Comparação dos biomarcadores do podócito demonstrou predomíno de marcação preservada de sinaptopodina (69,2%), WT1 (69,2%), GLEPP1 (53,9%) e nefrina (60%) no grupo membranosa pura enquanto apenas < 10% das proliferativas apresentaram expressão preservada. Nossos dados sugerem que nas classes proliferativas parece haver lesão estrutural do podócito, enquanto que na membranosa pura o padrão predominantemente preservado sugere uma lesão funcional do podócito que pode ser responsável pelo melhor prognóstico a longo prazo do desfecho da proteinúria / Proteinuria is a major feature of lupus nephritis (LN) and reflects podocyte injury. Analysis of podocyte biomarkers was performed attempting to identify if podocyte phenotype is distinct in pure membranous and proliferative LN. Expression of synaptopodin, Wilms tumor protein 1 (WT1), glomerular epithelial protein 1 (GLEPP1) and nephrin was evaluated in 52 LN biopsies by immunohistochemistry. Preserved synaptopodin expression was observed in only 10 (19,2%) of all biopsies while 42 (80,8%) had a reduced expression. Both groups had comparable proteinuria at the time of biopsy (p=0,22), however, in the mean follow-up of four years there was a tendency to lower mean levels of proteinuria in patients with preserved synaptopodin staining (0,26 ± 0,23 vs. 0,84 ± 0,90 g/24 h, p=0,05) than those with diminished expression. Thirty-nine (75%) biopsies were classified as proliferative and thirteen (25%) as pure membranous. Comparison of podocyte biomarkers demonstrated a predominance of preserved staining of synaptopodin (69,2%), WT1 (69,2%), GLEPP1 (53,9%) and nephrin (60%) in the pure membranous group whereas only < 10% of the proliferative showed preserved expression. Our data suggest that in proliferative forms there seems to occur structural podocyte damage, whereas in the pure membranous the predominant preserved pattern suggests a dysfunctional podocyte lesion that may account for the better long-term prognosis of proteinuria outcome

Proteinúria é a principal manifestação da nefrite lúpica (NL) e reflete lesão no podócito. Análise dos biomarcadores do podócito foi realizada com o objetivo de identificar se o fenótipo podocitário é distinto na NL membranosa pura e proliferativa. Expressão de sinaptopodina, proteína 1 do tumor de Wilms (Wilms tumor protein 1 - WT1), proteína epitelial glomerular 1 (glomerular epitelial protein 1 - GLEPP1) e nefrina foi avaliada em 52 biópsias de NL por imunohistoquímica. Expressão preservada de sinaptopodina foi observada em apenas 10 (19,2%) de todas as biópsias enquanto que 42 (80,8%) apresentavam expressão reduzida. Ambos os grupos tinham proteinúria semelhante no momento da biópsia (p = 0,22), porém, no seguimento médio de quatro anos houve uma tendência para menores níveis médios de proteinúria nos pacientes com marcação preservada de sinaptopodina (0,26 ± 0,23 vs 0,84 ± 0,90 g/24 h, p = 0,05) do que naqueles com expressão reduzida. Trinta e nove (75%) biópsias foram classificadas como proliferativa e treze (25%) como membranosa pura. Comparação dos biomarcadores do podócito demonstrou predomíno de marcação preservada de sinaptopodina (69,2%), WT1 (69,2%), GLEPP1 (53,9%) e nefrina (60%) no grupo membranosa pura enquanto apenas < 10% das proliferativas apresentaram expressão preservada. Nossos dados sugerem que nas classes proliferativas parece haver lesão estrutural do podócito, enquanto que na membranosa pura o padrão predominantemente preservado sugere uma lesão funcional do podócito que pode ser responsável pelo melhor prognóstico a longo prazo do desfecho da proteinúria / Proteinuria is a major feature of lupus nephritis (LN) and reflects podocyte injury. Analysis of podocyte biomarkers was performed attempting to identify if podocyte phenotype is distinct in pure membranous and proliferative LN. Expression of synaptopodin, Wilms tumor protein 1 (WT1), glomerular epithelial protein 1 (GLEPP1) and nephrin was evaluated in 52 LN biopsies by immunohistochemistry. Preserved synaptopodin expression was observed in only 10 (19,2%) of all biopsies while 42 (80,8%) had a reduced expression. Both groups had comparable proteinuria at the time of biopsy (p=0,22), however, in the mean follow-up of four years there was a tendency to lower mean levels of proteinuria in patients with preserved synaptopodin staining (0,26 ± 0,23 vs. 0,84 ± 0,90 g/24 h, p=0,05) than those with diminished expression. Thirty-nine (75%) biopsies were classified as proliferative and thirteen (25%) as pure membranous. Comparison of podocyte biomarkers demonstrated a predominance of preserved staining of synaptopodin (69,2%), WT1 (69,2%), GLEPP1 (53,9%) and nephrin (60%) in the pure membranous group whereas only < 10% of the proliferative showed preserved expression. Our data suggest that in proliferative forms there seems to occur structural podocyte damage, whereas in the pure membranous the predominant preserved pattern suggests a dysfunctional podocyte lesion that may account for the better long-term prognosis of proteinuria outcome