Près de la moitié des patients atteints de sclérodermie systémique (ScS) présentent des troubles de la pigmentation cutanée. La mélanogenèse est sous la dépendance, outre les facteurs épidermiques, de facteurs dermiques produits par les fibroblastes et les cellules endothéliales. Parmi ces facteurs se trouve NOV (CCN3) (protéine appartenant à la même famille que CTGF (CCN2), protéine pro-fibrotique augmentée dans la ScS) qui aurait un rôle anti-fibrotique. Nous souhaitons ainsi disséquer le lien entre la composante fibrotique dermique et la pigmentation épidermique. Pour cela, des biopsies cutanées ont été réalisées chez 21 patients ScS, en zone lésionnelle (scléreuse avec ou sans trouble de pigmentation) et non lésionnelle pour 12 d’entre eux. Ces biopsies ont été séparées en 3 fragments qui ont été soit fixés pour analyses histologiques et immunohistochimiques, soit congelés à -80°C pour analyse protéomique ou transcriptomique, soit dissociés pour isoler les cellules cutanées afin de les analyser en protéomique ou transcriptomique. Des témoins de peau et des cellules saines sont utilisées en contrôle. Nous avons dégagé deux types de troubles pigmentaires : une hyperpigmentation s’apparentant à un photo-vieillissement, et une dépigmentation péri-folliculaire apparaissant de manière précoce. Les niveaux d’expression de CCN2 et CCN3 varient chez les patients en fonction des données cliniques, aussi bien au niveau protéique qu’au niveau immunohistochimique. S’il existe des différences en fonction de l’atteinte pigmentaire, il semble que dans les fibroblastes sclérodermiques, la balance CCN2/CCN3 soit déséquilibrée tant au niveau de la zone lésionnelle que cliniquement non lésionnelle, suggérant que CCN2 et 3 pourraient être dérégulés intrinsèquement ou à des stades précoces. Ce travail pourrait aboutir à l’identification d’un phénotype précoce basé sur l’atteinte pigmentaire, et au développement d’une thérapie basée sur la rééquilibration du ratio CCN2/CCN3. / Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a rare but potentially deadly connective tissue disease. Its pathophysiology remains partly unknown but combines auto-immunity, small and large vessels involvement and fibrosis of the connective tissue, affecting all organs. Skin features are considered as diagnostic and prognosis markers and include for some patients the presence of pigmentary disorders. In this work, we looked into pigmentary disorders in SSc and their relationship with the pathophysiology of the disease. First, we analyzed the presence of pigmentary disorders among a local cohort of 239 patients as well as their association with systemic involvement in the disease. We have found that diffuse hyperpigmentation was associated with an increased risk of vascular involvement in SSc, particularly digital ulcers. Then, we investigated the molecular basis behind this association. Proteins of the CCN (CYR61 / CTGF / NOV) family are multimodular proteins secreted in the extra-cellular matrix, where they take part in numerous biological processes, such as cell proliferation, adhesion, collagen secretion. Within this family, CCN3 (also called NOV) is a promising candidate, being implicated both in angiogenesis and epidermal homeostasis. We studied CCN3 expression in the skin of SSc patients presenting or not pigmentary disorders, as compared to healthy controls. We found that CCN3 expression was particularly decreased in the dermal vessels in situ, as well as in endothelial cells in vitro. CCN3 inhibition in endothelial cells resulted in altered angiogenesis in vitro, through a decrease in cell migration. We also studied CCN3 expression in SSc epidermis. SSc patients presenting hyperpigmentation exhibited decreased CCN3 in their melanocytes as well as increased CCN3 in their keratinocytes, compared to patients without pigmentary disorders. Overall, CCN3 represents a promising therapeutic lead for SSc patients with vascular involvement, which could bespotted early thanks to the presence of hyperpigmentation.

La sclérodermie (SSc) est une pathologie grave caractérisée par une atteinte microvasculaire combinée à une fibrose cutanée. Au niveau des extrémités, ce phénomène provoque des ulcères digitaux (UD) particulièrement douloureux et qui contribuent à diminuer la qualité de vie des patients atteints. La cicatrisation des UD est difficile et souvent de mauvais pronostic avec d’importants risques d’infection voire d’amputation. A ce jour, les injections intraveineuses d’iloprost, un analogue de la prostacycline, sont le seul traitement reconnu mais leur utilisation entraîne des effets secondaires et requiert une hospitalisation. Le treprostinil, un autre analogue de la prostacycline, est susceptible d’induire une importante vasorelaxation ce qui en fait une molécule d’intérêt majeur dans la prise en charge des UD. La sclérodermie est une pathologie complexe et aucun modèle animal ne présente l’ensemble de ses caractéristiques physiopathologiques. Parmi les modèles existants nous avons sélectionnés deux modèles murins (HOCL et uPAR-/-) récemment décrits comme étant prometteurs pour développer de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques dans la prise en charge des symptômes de la SSc.L’objectif de cette étude est d’évaluer l’iontophorèse de treprostinil comme stratégie locale pour induire une accélération de la cicatrisation d’ulcères provoqués sur modèles de SSc. Brièvement, une lésion a été réalisée par excision de peau au niveau du dos de souris. Les animaux ont été répartis aléatoirement dans trois groupes : « témoin », « contrôle » et « treprostinil » et les plaies ont été suivies jusqu’à cicatrisation complète.Les animaux traités par iontophorèse de treprostinil présentent une cicatrisation accélérée. Ces résultats ont été observés pour les deux modèles de SSc. L’effet le plus important a été mesuré au cours de la phase précoce de la cicatrisation.Cette étude est la première a démontré que la iontophorèse de treprostinil s’avère être une piste prometteuse dans la prise en charge thérapeutique des UD chez les patients atteints de SSc. D’autres études précliniques devront être menées pour mieux comprendre les mécanismes et une étude clinique devra confirmer ce résultat sur des patients. / Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a serious disease affecting the skin microcirculation and characterized by fibrosis. Digital ulcers (DU) are the principal manifestation of this microvascular dysfunction in the extremities. DUs are frequent, painful, can cause functional impairment and have a major negative impact on the quality of life. Wound healing of DU is delayed and this can result in gangrene and amputation. To date, intravenous prostacyclin analogues (iloprost) are the only approved treatment for active SSc-related DU but their use is limited by serious vasodilation-induced side effects and usually requires hospitalization. Treprostinil is a prostacyclin receptor agonist that induces vascular relaxation and is used to treat advanced digital ischemia. Treprostinil is a very interesting candidate to enhance wound healing of ulcers in fibrotic skin. Scleroderma is a complex pathology and there is none existing animal model that can encompass all aspects of the disease related to fibrosis and vasculopathy. Among existing models, we selected two murin models (HOCL and uPAR-/-) that were recently described as promising tool to study SSc-related vasculopathy and fibrosis such as digital ulcers.The main objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of topical administration of treprostinil on wound healing in two different preclinical models of SSc. Briefly, cutaneous excisional wounds were induced on mice. Animals were randomized into 3 sub-groups according the treatment to be administered: “sham”, “control” and “treprostinil” and wound process was followed until full recovery.Treprostinil iontophoretically-administered induced a significant acceleration in wound healing process in both models of SSc. The most significant effect was observed during the early phase of the healing process.This study demonstrated that iontophoresis of treprostinil could be proposed as a local therapeutic strategy to SSc patients with digital ulcers. Further pre-clinical studies should be realized to explore the underlying pharmacological and electrical mechanisms involved and clinical study should be started soon to assess the potential effect on SSc-related ulcers.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease affecting skin and internal organs. The pathogenesis of SSc is multifactorial and includes autoimmunity, inflammation and vasculopathy. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is among the most serious of SSc complications and is characterized by augmented vasoconstriction, neointimal remodeling and occlusion of small arteries in lung. Elevated pulmonary arterial blood pressure and volume overload in the right heart eventually lead to death from heart failure. Pre-existing elevated pro-fibrotic signaling, systemic vasculopathy and chronic inflammation are additional factors that likely contribute to the more severe PAH manifestation in SSc patients, whose response to existing therapies is suboptimal. The aim of my thesis research was to investigate the pathological role of altered transcriptional regulation of endothelium in pulmonary vasculature, as well as testing potential novel therapies for SSc-PAH in vivo. I found that endothelial downregulation of GATA6 promotes increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by suppressing enzymatic machinery responsible for ROS clearance. Increased ROS production triggered ER stress and inflammation, exacerbating endothelial dysfunction and vascular injury both in vitro and in vivo. Another discovery is that simultaneous depletion of two ETS-family factors, ERG and FLI1 synergistically activates interferon signaling in pulmonary endothelial cells and promotes inflammation in lung in vivo. Based on observed pathological contribution of oxidative stress and inflammation to vasculopathy and fibrosis I tested an anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory agent- dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in mouse models of PAH, as well as lung and skin fibrosis. DMF efficiently ameliorated increased pulmonary artery pressure and vascular remodeling, as well as fibrotic changes in lung and skin. Mechanistically, I found that DMF promotes a proteasomal, βTRCP-dependent degradation of pro-fibrotic mediators TAZ/YAP, β-catenin and Sp1. In conclusion, I characterized new elements of pathological mechanism that promote vasculopathy and fibrosis, as well as provided an insight into anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic DMF therapy. Importantly, elucidating the novel mechanism of DMF action and recognizing the pathological role of Hippo and Wnt signaling in fibrosis might help to design more specific and effective pharmacological intervention in SSc-PAH patients.

La sclérodermie systémique (ScS) est une connectivite associant atteinte vasculaire, auto-immunité et fibrose. Cette pathologie est associée à une morbi-mortalité importante, et les ressources thérapeutiques sont limitées. La physiopathologie de la ScS n’est que partiellement connue, mais il apparait que les liens entre le système immunitaire et la fibrose sont étroits. Ainsi, la ScS peut être considérée comme un modèle prototypique d’étude des liens immunité-fibrose. Il s’agit d’une maladie hétérogène, c’est-à-dire que les phénotypes cliniques présentés par les patients sont variables, rendant complexe l’établissement d’une classification des patients en groupes homogènes. Mieux comprendre cette hétérogénéité est un préalable indispensable à la constitution d’endotypes, permettant l’étude des mécanismes physiopathologiques propres à chacun d’entre eux.L’objectif de cette Thèse a été de mieux appréhender cette hétérogénéité clinique et d’étudier la place des marqueurs immunologiques, en particulier les auto-anticorps, en tant que biomarqueurs de cette hétérogénéité.Le premier travail a été une classification sans a priori des patients de la cohorte européenne EUSTAR (European Scleroderma Trials and Research Group) par une analyse en cluster sur 24 variables sélectionnées (atteintes cliniques, auto-anticorps). Deux puis 6 groupes de patients homogènes ont été obtenus, dont la survie était significativement différente. Ce travail a suggéré qu’il existait des groupes homogènes de patients au-delà de la dichotomie historique forme cutanée diffuse vs. limitée. La présence d’atteintes viscérales et le statut des auto-anticorps apparaissent comme des éléments importants dans la constitution des groupes.Le deuxième travail s’est intéressé au dosage des chaines légères libres sériques (serum free light chain : SFLC) dans la ScS. Le taux de SFLC est plus élevé chez les patients ScS que chez les contrôles et est associé à des paramètres de gravité de la maladie tels que le score de Rodnan, les scores d’activité, les pressions pulmonaires et la DLCO. Cette étude apporte des arguments supplémentaires pour évoquer la participation active des lymphocytes B à la physiopathologie de la ScS.Nous avons ensuite réalisé une estimation de la prévalence des anticorps anti-ARN polymérase de type III dans notre cohorte de patients avec ScS avant d’inclure ces données dans une revue systématique avec méta-analyse. Ce travail a montré que la prévalence de ces anticorps était hétérogène entre les centres. Les facteurs potentiels pouvant expliquer une partie de cette hétérogénéité sont des facteurs géographiques, suggérant l’implication de facteurs génétiques et/ou environnementaux.Le dernier travail a été dédié à l’hypertension artérielle pulmonaire (HTAP) des connectivites, en particulier de la ScS. A partir d’une cohorte de patients provenant du centre de référence de l’HTAP du Royaume-Uni, les anticorps anti-U1RNP ont été analysés en tant que marqueur pronostique. Ces anticorps sont associés de façon significative à une meilleure survie des patients avec connectivite et HTAP. Dans la ScS, on observe une tendance vers une meilleure survie également chez les patients porteurs de ces anticorps.Les auto-anticorps constituent donc des biomarqueurs diagnostiques et pronostiques puissants dans la ScS. Ils permettent de mieux cerner l’hétérogénéité de cette pathologie, et devraient probablement être intégrés dans les futures classifications. Leur rôle pathogénique reste encore à démontrer. Les perspectives de notre travail sont d’identifier de nouveaux auto-anticorps et d’étudier leurs effets sur le fibroblaste, cellule effectrice centrale de la fibrose. / Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease (CTD) characterized by vasculopathy, auto-immunity and fibrosis. This condition is associated with a significant morbi-mortality, and the therapeutic armamentarium is limited. The pathological mechanisms of SSc are partially known, but the links between the immune system and fibrosis appear tight. ScS can be considered as a prototypical model for the study of the links between immunity and fibrosis. There is a high heterogeneity in SSc. The clinical phenotypes of patients are highly variable, making the classification of patients into homogeneous groups complex. A better understanding of this heterogeneity could lead to the identification of endotypes, which are needed to study the pathophysiological processes of each group.This PhD Thesis aimed to better decipher this clinical heterogeneity and to assess the immunological components, in particular auto-antibodies, as biomarkers of heterogeneity.The first work was a without any a priori cluster analysis in the EUSTAR (European Scleroderma Trials and Research Group) cohort using 24 selected variables (encompassing clinical involvement and auto-antibodies). Two then 6 homogeneous clusters were obtained, with significantly different survival curves. We suggested that there could be homogeneous groups of patients beyond the classical dichotomy diffuse cutaneous form vs. limited. Organ involvement as well as antibody status were suggested to play a major role in defining homogeneous groups of patients with different prognosis.Our second work assessed the value of serum free light chain (SFLC) in SSc. The SFLC level was higher in SSc patients than in controls and was associated with severity parameters, such as Rodnan skin score, disease activity score, pulmonary pressures and DLCO. This study suggested that B cells could play an active role in the mechanisms of SSc.Then we estimated the prevalence of anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies in SSc in our cohort of patients followed by a systematic review with meta-analysis. We showed that the prevalence was highly heterogeneous between centers. Potential factors explaining partly the observed heterogeneity were geographical factors, which underscore the probable implication that genetic background and environmental factors play a role.Finally we focused on CTD-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in a large cohort of patients from the United Kingdom national reference center for PAH. We assessed whether anti-U1 RNP antibodies could be a prognostic factor in CTD-associated PAH with a focus on SSc- associated PAH. Anti-U1RNP antibodies were significantly associated with a decreased mortality in CTD-PAH patients. There was a trend towards a decreased mortality in SSc-PAH patients with anti-U1RNP antibodies.Auto-antibodies are strong biomarkers of diagnosis and prognosis in SSc. They allow to partly capture the clinical heterogeneity of this condition, and should be integrated in the future classifications of patients. Their pathogenic role remains to be shown. We plan to identify new auto-antibodies in SSc and to study their direct effects on the fibroblast, which is the key effector cell of fibrosis.

Introdução: A capilaroscopia periungueal (CPU) tem sido relacionada ao dano a órgãos-alvo na esclerose sistêmica (ES). No entanto, estudos relativos à gravidade das alterações da CPU com a mortalidade evidenciam resultados discrepantes. Este estudo tem como objetivo verificar associação da gravidade da microangiopatia periférica na CPU com o risco de morte na ES. Pacientes e métodos: Cento e setenta pacientes com ES foram prospectivamente avaliados e acompanhados em média de 9,3 anos. Além da avaliação clínica, os pacientes foram submetidos à sorologia, testes de função pulmonar, ecocardiograma e tomografia computadorizada pulmonar de alta resolução (TCAR). A perda capilar na CPU foi avaliada pelo escore avascular (EA), que varia de 0 a 3. O número médio de ectasias, megacapillaries e hemorragias por dedo também foi registrado. O modelo de Cox proporcional Uni e Multivariado foi utilizado para analisar a associação do escore avascular com o risco de morte através da associação Hazard ratio (HR). Resultados: Por análise de Cox univariada, o escore avascular associado à mortalidade foi estatisticamente significativo (HR = IC 1.54, 95%: 1.13-2.09, p = 0.006), mas outras variáveis capilaroscópicas (número de ectasias, megacapillaries e hemorragias por dedo) não foram (p> 0,40 para todos os testes). Após o ajuste para escore de pele, idade, sexo, origem étnica, e sinais de isquemia digital, a associação entre o escore avascular perdeu significância estatística (HR = 1.23, IC: 0.84-1.81, p = 0.276). Também não houve associação significativa do escore avascular quando ajustado para uma combinação de resultados de exames complementares. Conclusões: A gravidade da desvascularização na CPU está relacionada a um maior risco de mortalidade na ES; No entanto, a associação não é estatisticamente significativa após ajuste para outras variáveis clínicas e laboratoriais. Apesar do fato de não mostrar uma associação independente do EA com a mortalidade, consideramos que é útil na avaliação de pacientes com diagnóstico de esclerose sistêmica, uma vez que pode dar uma visão geral e confiável da gravidade da doença. / Introduction: The nailfold capillaroscopy (NCF) has been related to end-organ damage in Systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, studies relating the severity of NCF alterations with mortality have rendered mixed results. This study aims to verify the association of the severity of peripheral microangiopathy in the NFC with the risk of death in SSc. Patients and methods: One hundred and seventy SSc patients were prospectively evaluated and followed a mean of 9.3 years. Besides clinical evaluation, patients underwent serology, pulmonary function tests, Doppler echocardiography, and pulmonary high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Capillary loss on NCF was evaluated using the avascular score (AS), ranging from 0 to 3. The mean number of ectasias, megacapillaries and hemorrhages per finger was also recorded; univariate and multivariate Cox proportional models were used to analyze the association of the AS with the risk of death using hazard ratios (HR). Results: By univariate Cox analysis, the AS was statistically significantly associated with mortality (HR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.09, p = 0.006), but other capillaroscopic variables (number of ectasias, megacapillaries and hemorrhages per finger) were not (p> 0.40 for all tests). After adjustment for skin score, age, gender, ethnic background, and signs of digital ischemia, the association between the AS weakened and lost statistical significance (HR = 1.23, CI: 0.84 to 1.81, p=0.276). There was also no significant association of the avascular score when adjusted for a combination of results of complementary tests. Conclusions: The severity of devascularization on NCF is related to a higher risk of mortality in SSc; however, the association disappeared after adjustment for other clinical and laboratory variables. Despite the fact that we were not able to show an independent association of the AS with mortality, we consider it useful in the evaluation in patients diagnosed with systemic sclerosis, since it can give a general view and reliable view of the severity of the disease.

A esclerose sistêmica (ES) é uma doença difusa do tecido conjuntivo caracterizada por anormalidades fibróticas, imunológicas e vasculares. O fator nuclear-kB (NF-kB), como um fator de transcrição essencial envolvido na regulação de respostas imunitárias, parece ser um bom candidato para estudos sobre a patogênese de doenças autoimunes, bem como a interleucina-10 (IL-10) e as quimiocinas, CXCL8 e CXCR2. Vários estudos demonstram o envolvimento dos genes CXCR2 e IL-10 na patogênese das doenças autoimunes. Acredita-se que combinações desses genes possam ser favoráveis para o desenvolvimento da ES, podendo seu conhecimento ser benéfico para o entendimento da patogênese da ES. O objetivo deste estudo é investigar o polimorfismo dos genes IL-10, CXCR2, CXCL8 e NFKB1 em um grupo de pacientes com ES, incluindo a forma difusa e limitada da doença. Nossos resultados confirmam a associação do fenótipo de alta produção (GCC + / GCC +) com risco aumentado para ES, mas não encontrou nenhuma correlação com polimorfismos do NF-KB. Nossos achados também sugerem um papel protetor da CXCL8 (- 251) A nos genótipos TT e TC do gene CXCR2 (+1208) e um risco aumentado do CXCL8 (-251) A em associação com o genótipo CC do CXCR2 (+1208) em pacientes com ES. Nenhuma diferença estatística no polimorfismo dos genes IL-10, CXCR2, CXCL8 e NFKB1 foram encontradas entre a forma difusa e a forma limitada. Estes resultados indicam um potencial papel do gene IL-10 e da combinação CXCR2/CXCL8 na patogênese da ES. / Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by fibrotic, immunological and vascular abnormalities. Nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), as a key transcription factor involved in the regulation of immune responses, appears to be a good candidate for studies on the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, as well as the interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphism, and CXCL8 and CXCR2 chemokines. Several studies have demonstrated the involvement of genes CXCR2 and IL-10 in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. It is believed that combinations of these genes may be favorable for the development of SSc, and this knowledge can contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of SSc. The objective of this study is to investigate the polymorphism of IL-10, CXCR2, CXCL8 and NFKB1 in a group of patients with SSc, including diffuse and limited subtypes of the disease. Our results confirm the association of high-producing phenotype (GCC/GCC) with increased risk for SSc, but found no correlation with NFKB1 polymorphisms. Our findings also suggest a protective role of CXCL8 (-251) A in the CXCR2 (+1208) TT and TC genotypes and an increased risk of CXCL8 (-251) A in association with the CXCR2 (+1208) CC genotype in SSc patients. No statistical difference in the polymorphism of IL-10, NFKB1, CXCR2 and CXCL8 were found between the diffuse and limited SSc. These results indicate a potential role of the IL-10 gene and the combination CXCR2/CXCL8 in the pathogenesis of SSc.

Introdução: A capilaroscopia periungueal (CPU) tem sido relacionada ao dano a órgãos-alvo na esclerose sistêmica (ES). No entanto, estudos relativos à gravidade das alterações da CPU com a mortalidade evidenciam resultados discrepantes. Este estudo tem como objetivo verificar associação da gravidade da microangiopatia periférica na CPU com o risco de morte na ES. Pacientes e métodos: Cento e setenta pacientes com ES foram prospectivamente avaliados e acompanhados em média de 9,3 anos. Além da avaliação clínica, os pacientes foram submetidos à sorologia, testes de função pulmonar, ecocardiograma e tomografia computadorizada pulmonar de alta resolução (TCAR). A perda capilar na CPU foi avaliada pelo escore avascular (EA), que varia de 0 a 3. O número médio de ectasias, megacapillaries e hemorragias por dedo também foi registrado. O modelo de Cox proporcional Uni e Multivariado foi utilizado para analisar a associação do escore avascular com o risco de morte através da associação Hazard ratio (HR). Resultados: Por análise de Cox univariada, o escore avascular associado à mortalidade foi estatisticamente significativo (HR = IC 1.54, 95%: 1.13-2.09, p = 0.006), mas outras variáveis capilaroscópicas (número de ectasias, megacapillaries e hemorragias por dedo) não foram (p> 0,40 para todos os testes). Após o ajuste para escore de pele, idade, sexo, origem étnica, e sinais de isquemia digital, a associação entre o escore avascular perdeu significância estatística (HR = 1.23, IC: 0.84-1.81, p = 0.276). Também não houve associação significativa do escore avascular quando ajustado para uma combinação de resultados de exames complementares. Conclusões: A gravidade da desvascularização na CPU está relacionada a um maior risco de mortalidade na ES; No entanto, a associação não é estatisticamente significativa após ajuste para outras variáveis clínicas e laboratoriais. Apesar do fato de não mostrar uma associação independente do EA com a mortalidade, consideramos que é útil na avaliação de pacientes com diagnóstico de esclerose sistêmica, uma vez que pode dar uma visão geral e confiável da gravidade da doença. / Introduction: The nailfold capillaroscopy (NCF) has been related to end-organ damage in Systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, studies relating the severity of NCF alterations with mortality have rendered mixed results. This study aims to verify the association of the severity of peripheral microangiopathy in the NFC with the risk of death in SSc. Patients and methods: One hundred and seventy SSc patients were prospectively evaluated and followed a mean of 9.3 years. Besides clinical evaluation, patients underwent serology, pulmonary function tests, Doppler echocardiography, and pulmonary high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Capillary loss on NCF was evaluated using the avascular score (AS), ranging from 0 to 3. The mean number of ectasias, megacapillaries and hemorrhages per finger was also recorded; univariate and multivariate Cox proportional models were used to analyze the association of the AS with the risk of death using hazard ratios (HR). Results: By univariate Cox analysis, the AS was statistically significantly associated with mortality (HR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.09, p = 0.006), but other capillaroscopic variables (number of ectasias, megacapillaries and hemorrhages per finger) were not (p> 0.40 for all tests). After adjustment for skin score, age, gender, ethnic background, and signs of digital ischemia, the association between the AS weakened and lost statistical significance (HR = 1.23, CI: 0.84 to 1.81, p=0.276). There was also no significant association of the avascular score when adjusted for a combination of results of complementary tests. Conclusions: The severity of devascularization on NCF is related to a higher risk of mortality in SSc; however, the association disappeared after adjustment for other clinical and laboratory variables. Despite the fact that we were not able to show an independent association of the AS with mortality, we consider it useful in the evaluation in patients diagnosed with systemic sclerosis, since it can give a general view and reliable view of the severity of the disease.

A esclerose sistêmica (ES) é uma doença difusa do tecido conjuntivo caracterizada por anormalidades fibróticas, imunológicas e vasculares. O fator nuclear-kB (NF-kB), como um fator de transcrição essencial envolvido na regulação de respostas imunitárias, parece ser um bom candidato para estudos sobre a patogênese de doenças autoimunes, bem como a interleucina-10 (IL-10) e as quimiocinas, CXCL8 e CXCR2. Vários estudos demonstram o envolvimento dos genes CXCR2 e IL-10 na patogênese das doenças autoimunes. Acredita-se que combinações desses genes possam ser favoráveis para o desenvolvimento da ES, podendo seu conhecimento ser benéfico para o entendimento da patogênese da ES. O objetivo deste estudo é investigar o polimorfismo dos genes IL-10, CXCR2, CXCL8 e NFKB1 em um grupo de pacientes com ES, incluindo a forma difusa e limitada da doença. Nossos resultados confirmam a associação do fenótipo de alta produção (GCC + / GCC +) com risco aumentado para ES, mas não encontrou nenhuma correlação com polimorfismos do NF-KB. Nossos achados também sugerem um papel protetor da CXCL8 (- 251) A nos genótipos TT e TC do gene CXCR2 (+1208) e um risco aumentado do CXCL8 (-251) A em associação com o genótipo CC do CXCR2 (+1208) em pacientes com ES. Nenhuma diferença estatística no polimorfismo dos genes IL-10, CXCR2, CXCL8 e NFKB1 foram encontradas entre a forma difusa e a forma limitada. Estes resultados indicam um potencial papel do gene IL-10 e da combinação CXCR2/CXCL8 na patogênese da ES. / Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by fibrotic, immunological and vascular abnormalities. Nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), as a key transcription factor involved in the regulation of immune responses, appears to be a good candidate for studies on the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, as well as the interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphism, and CXCL8 and CXCR2 chemokines. Several studies have demonstrated the involvement of genes CXCR2 and IL-10 in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. It is believed that combinations of these genes may be favorable for the development of SSc, and this knowledge can contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of SSc. The objective of this study is to investigate the polymorphism of IL-10, CXCR2, CXCL8 and NFKB1 in a group of patients with SSc, including diffuse and limited subtypes of the disease. Our results confirm the association of high-producing phenotype (GCC/GCC) with increased risk for SSc, but found no correlation with NFKB1 polymorphisms. Our findings also suggest a protective role of CXCL8 (-251) A in the CXCR2 (+1208) TT and TC genotypes and an increased risk of CXCL8 (-251) A in association with the CXCR2 (+1208) CC genotype in SSc patients. No statistical difference in the polymorphism of IL-10, NFKB1, CXCR2 and CXCL8 were found between the diffuse and limited SSc. These results indicate a potential role of the IL-10 gene and the combination CXCR2/CXCL8 in the pathogenesis of SSc.

A esclerose sistêmica (ES) é uma doença difusa do tecido conjuntivo caracterizada por anormalidades fibróticas, imunológicas e vasculares. O fator nuclear-kB (NF-kB), como um fator de transcrição essencial envolvido na regulação de respostas imunitárias, parece ser um bom candidato para estudos sobre a patogênese de doenças autoimunes, bem como a interleucina-10 (IL-10) e as quimiocinas, CXCL8 e CXCR2. Vários estudos demonstram o envolvimento dos genes CXCR2 e IL-10 na patogênese das doenças autoimunes. Acredita-se que combinações desses genes possam ser favoráveis para o desenvolvimento da ES, podendo seu conhecimento ser benéfico para o entendimento da patogênese da ES. O objetivo deste estudo é investigar o polimorfismo dos genes IL-10, CXCR2, CXCL8 e NFKB1 em um grupo de pacientes com ES, incluindo a forma difusa e limitada da doença. Nossos resultados confirmam a associação do fenótipo de alta produção (GCC + / GCC +) com risco aumentado para ES, mas não encontrou nenhuma correlação com polimorfismos do NF-KB. Nossos achados também sugerem um papel protetor da CXCL8 (- 251) A nos genótipos TT e TC do gene CXCR2 (+1208) e um risco aumentado do CXCL8 (-251) A em associação com o genótipo CC do CXCR2 (+1208) em pacientes com ES. Nenhuma diferença estatística no polimorfismo dos genes IL-10, CXCR2, CXCL8 e NFKB1 foram encontradas entre a forma difusa e a forma limitada. Estes resultados indicam um potencial papel do gene IL-10 e da combinação CXCR2/CXCL8 na patogênese da ES. / Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by fibrotic, immunological and vascular abnormalities. Nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), as a key transcription factor involved in the regulation of immune responses, appears to be a good candidate for studies on the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, as well as the interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphism, and CXCL8 and CXCR2 chemokines. Several studies have demonstrated the involvement of genes CXCR2 and IL-10 in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. It is believed that combinations of these genes may be favorable for the development of SSc, and this knowledge can contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of SSc. The objective of this study is to investigate the polymorphism of IL-10, CXCR2, CXCL8 and NFKB1 in a group of patients with SSc, including diffuse and limited subtypes of the disease. Our results confirm the association of high-producing phenotype (GCC/GCC) with increased risk for SSc, but found no correlation with NFKB1 polymorphisms. Our findings also suggest a protective role of CXCL8 (-251) A in the CXCR2 (+1208) TT and TC genotypes and an increased risk of CXCL8 (-251) A in association with the CXCR2 (+1208) CC genotype in SSc patients. No statistical difference in the polymorphism of IL-10, NFKB1, CXCR2 and CXCL8 were found between the diffuse and limited SSc. These results indicate a potential role of the IL-10 gene and the combination CXCR2/CXCL8 in the pathogenesis of SSc.

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No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Rodrigo Oliveira Ximenes - 2015.pdf: 2805464 bytes, checksum: 3db0830c6be45f0a18bce9e51c4f9a7c (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Introduction: Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune connective tissue disease of unknown etiology characterized by fibrosis and inflammation. The gastrointestinal tract is affected in 90% of patients and the esophagus is the most affected organ. Objectives: Analyze the esophagus-gastroduodenal changes, through endoscopy in patients with systemic sclerosis. Describe the esophagus-gastroduodenal endoscopic alterations found. To verify the association between esophagus-gastroduodenal endoscopic changes, clinical forms of systemic sclerosis and autoantibodies. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study that studied 20 patients older than 18 years with systemic sclerosis diagnosis. Patients underwent endoscopy and epidemiological data were collected from medical records. Endoscopic findings were described and associated with data. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS program for Windows, version 16.0. The Fisher Exact test was used to compare variables. A significance level value of 5% (p<0.05) was used. Results: The mean age of the patients was 45.65 years (29-67 years). Eighteen patients were female and the mean disease duration was 6.94 years. Sixteen patients (80%) had one or more esophageal abnormalities, one being stricken with esophageal stenosis. Of the nineteen patients who had gastric and duodenal evaluation performed, all had one or more gastric involvement and five patients had duodenal abnormality. The salivary stasis and esophageal hiatal hernia were the most frequent esophageal abnormalities, followed by esophagitis. The mild enanthematous gastritis in antrum was the most common gastric change followed by moderate enanthematous pangastritis and enlarged cardia. The most common duodenal change was the mild enanthematous bulboduodenite. Half of the patients had diffuse systemic sclerosis and half had limited systemic sclerosis. Fifteen patients were antinuclear factor positive. The association between the data collected and endoscopic changes did not show statistical significance, except for the association between salivary stasis and the limited clinical form of systemic sclerosis. Conclusions: Patients with systemic sclerosis have esophageal, gastric and duodenal endoscopic Abstract xx A changes. Associations are not found between gastric and duodenal endoscopic manifestations and clinical forms of the disease. Esophageal salivary stasis is associated with limited clinical form of systemic sclerosis. There is no association between the esophagus-gastroduodenal endoscopic manifestations and the presence of autoantibodies / A esclerose sistêmica (ES) é uma doença auto-imune do tecido conjuntivo, de etiologia desconhecida, caracterizada por fibrose e inflamação. O trato gastrointestinal esta acometido em até 90% dos pacientes, sendo o esôfago o órgão mais atingido. Objetivos: Analisar as alterações esôfago-gastroduodenais, por meio de endoscopia digestiva alta, nos pacientes com esclerose sistêmica. Descrever as alterações endoscópicas esôfago-gastroduodenais encontradas. Verificar a associação entre as alterações endoscópicas esôfago-gastroduodenais, as formas clínicas da esclerose sistêmica e os auto-anticorpos, nos pacientes estudados. Métodos: Estudo transversal descritivo de 20 pacientes, maiores do que 18 anos, com diagnóstico de esclerose sistêmica. Os pacientes foram submetidos à endoscopia digestiva alta e os dados epidemiológicos foram coletados nos prontuários. Os achados endoscópicos foram descritos e associados com os dados coletados. A análise estatística foi realizada pelo programa SPSS® for Windows®, versão 16.0. O teste Exato de Fisher foi utilizados para comparação das variáveis. Foi utilizado como nível de significância o valor 5% (p<0,05). Resultados: A média de idade dos pacientes era de 45,65 anos (29-67 anos). Dezoito pacientes eram do sexo feminino e a duração média da doença era de 6,94 anos. Dezesseis pacientes (80%) apresentaram uma ou mais alterações esofágicas, sendo um deles acometido de estenose esofágica. Dos 19 pacientes que tiveram a avaliação gástrica e duodenal realizadas, todos apresentaram um ou mais acometimento gástrico e cinco pacientes apresentaram alteração duodenal. A estase salivar esofágica e a hérnia de hiato por deslizamento foram as alterações esofágicas mais encontradas, seguidas da esofagite. A gastrite enantematosa leve de antro foi a alteração gástrica mais frequente, seguida da pangastrite enantematosa moderada e do cárdia alargado. A alteração duodenal mais frequente foi a bulboduodenite enantematosa leve. Metade dos pacientes eram portadores da forma difusa e metade eram portadores da forma limitada. Quinze pacientes apresentavam FAN positivos. As associações entre os dados coletados e as alterações endoscópicas não mostraram significado estatístico, com exceção da associação entre a estase salivar e a forma limitada. Conclusões: Pacientes com esclerose sistêmica apresentam alterações endoscópicas esofágicas, gástricas e duodenais. Não são observadas associações entre as manifestações endoscópicas gástricas e duodenais e as formas clínicas da doença. A estase salivar esofágica está associada à forma clínica limitada da esclerose sistêmica. Não há associação entre as manifestações endoscópicas esôfago-gastroduodenais e a presença de auto-anticorpos.