@article{AnelliOrdasKneitzetal.2018, author = {Anelli, Viviana and Ordas, Anita and Kneitz, Susanne and Sagredo, Leonel Munoz and Gourain, Victor and Schartl, Manfred and Meijer, Annemarie H. and Mione, Marina}, title = {Ras-Induced miR-146a and 193a Target Jmjd6 to Regulate Melanoma Progression}, series = {Frontiers in Genetics}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in Genetics}, number = {675}, issn = {1664-8021}, doi = {10.3389/fgene.2018.00675}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-196963}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Ras genes are among the most commonly mutated genes in human cancer; yet our understanding of their oncogenic activity at the molecular mechanistic level is incomplete. To identify downstream events that mediate ras-induced cellular transformation in vivo, we analyzed global microRNA expression in three different models of Ras-induction and tumor formation in zebrafish. Six microRNAs were found increased in Ras-induced melanoma, glioma and in an inducible model of ubiquitous Ras expression. The upregulation of the microRNAs depended on the activation of the ERK and AKT pathways and to a lesser extent, on mTOR signaling. Two Ras-induced microRNAs (miR-146a and 193a) target Jmjd6, inducing downregulation of its mRNA and protein levels at the onset of Ras expression during melanoma development. However, at later stages of melanoma progression, jmjd6 levels were found elevated. The dynamic of Jmjd6 levels during progression of melanoma in the zebrafish model suggests that upregulation of the microRNAs targeting Jmjd6 may be part of an anti-cancer response. Indeed, triple transgenic fish engineered to express a microRNA-resistant Jmjd6 from the onset of melanoma have increased tumor burden, higher infiltration of leukocytes and shorter melanoma-free survival. Increased JMJD6 expression is found in several human cancers, including melanoma, suggesting that the up-regulation of Jmjd6 is a critical event in tumor progression. The following link has been created to allow review of record GSE37015: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?token=jjcrbiuicyyqgpc\&acc=GSE37015.}, language = {en} } @article{PattschullWalzGruendletal.2019, author = {Pattschull, Grit and Walz, Susanne and Gr{\"u}ndl, Marco and Schwab, Melissa and R{\"u}hl, Eva and Baluapuri, Apoorva and Cindric-Vranesic, Anita and Kneitz, Susanne and Wolf, Elmar and Ade, Carsten P. and Rosenwald, Andreas and von Eyss, Bj{\"o}rn and Gaubatz, Stefan}, title = {The Myb-MuvB complex is required for YAP-dependent transcription of mitotic genes}, series = {Cell Reports}, volume = {27}, journal = {Cell Reports}, number = {12}, doi = {10.1016/j.celrep.2019.05.071}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-202039}, pages = {3533-3546}, year = {2019}, abstract = {YAP and TAZ, downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway, are important regulators of proliferation. Here, we show that the ability of YAP to activate mitotic gene expression is dependent on the Myb-MuvB (MMB) complex, a master regulator of genes expressed in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. By carrying out genome-wide expression and binding analyses, we found that YAP promotes binding of the MMB subunit B-MYB to the promoters of mitotic target genes. YAP binds to B-MYB and stimulates B-MYB chromatin association through distal enhancer elements that interact with MMB-regulated promoters through chromatin looping. The cooperation between YAP and B-MYB is critical for YAP-mediated entry into mitosis. Furthermore, the expression of genes coactivated by YAP and B-MYB is associated with poor survival of cancer patients. Our findings provide a molecular mechanism by which YAP and MMB regulate mitotic gene expression and suggest a link between two cancer-relevant signaling pathways.}, language = {en} } @article{FetivaLissGertzmannetal.2023, author = {Fetiva, Maria Camila and Liss, Franziska and Gertzmann, D{\"o}rthe and Thomas, Julius and Gantert, Benedikt and Vogl, Magdalena and Sira, Nataliia and Weinstock, Grit and Kneitz, Susanne and Ade, Carsten P. and Gaubatz, Stefan}, title = {Oncogenic YAP mediates changes in chromatin accessibility and activity that drive cell cycle gene expression and cell migration}, series = {Nucleic Acids Research}, volume = {51}, journal = {Nucleic Acids Research}, number = {9}, doi = {10.1093/nar/gkad107}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-350218}, pages = {4266-4283}, year = {2023}, abstract = {YAP, the key protein effector of the Hippo pathway, is a transcriptional co-activator that controls the expression of cell cycle genes, promotes cell growth and proliferation and regulates organ size. YAP modulates gene transcription by binding to distal enhancers, but the mechanisms of gene regulation by YAP-bound enhancers remain poorly understood. Here we show that constitutive active YAP5SA leads to widespread changes in chromatin accessibility in untransformed MCF10A cells. Newly accessible regions include YAP-bound enhancers that mediate activation of cycle genes regulated by the Myb-MuvB (MMB) complex. By CRISPR-interference we identify a role for YAP-bound enhancers in phosphorylation of Pol II at Ser5 at MMB-regulated promoters, extending previously published studies that suggested YAP primarily regulates the pause-release step and transcriptional elongation. YAP5SA also leads to less accessible 'closed' chromatin regions, which are not directly YAP-bound but which contain binding motifs for the p53 family of transcription factors. Diminished accessibility at these regions is, at least in part, a consequence of reduced expression and chromatin-binding of the p53 family member ΔNp63 resulting in downregulation of ΔNp63-target genes and promoting YAP-mediated cell migration. In summary, our studies uncover changes in chromatin accessibility and activity that contribute to the oncogenic activities of YAP.}, language = {en} } @article{MeinertJessenHufnageletal.2024, author = {Meinert, Madlen and Jessen, Christina and Hufnagel, Anita and Kreß, Julia Katharina Charlotte and Burnworth, Mychal and D{\"a}ubler, Theo and Gallasch, Till and Da Xavier Silva, Thamara Nishida and Dos Santos, Anc{\´e}ly Ferreira and Ade, Carsten Patrick and Schmitz, Werner and Kneitz, Susanne and Friedmann Angeli, Jos{\´e} Pedro and Meierjohann, Svenja}, title = {Thiol starvation triggers melanoma state switching in an ATF4 and NRF2-dependent manner}, series = {Redox Biology}, volume = {70}, journal = {Redox Biology}, doi = {10.1016/j.redox.2023.103011}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-350328}, year = {2024}, abstract = {The cystine/glutamate antiporter xCT is an important source of cysteine for cancer cells. Once taken up, cystine is reduced to cysteine and serves as a building block for the synthesis of glutathione, which efficiently protects cells from oxidative damage and prevents ferroptosis. As melanomas are particularly exposed to several sources of oxidative stress, we investigated the biological role of cysteine and glutathione supply by xCT in melanoma. xCT activity was abolished by genetic depletion in the Tyr::CreER; Braf\(^{CA}\); Pten\(^{lox/+}\) melanoma model and by acute cystine withdrawal in melanoma cell lines. Both interventions profoundly impacted melanoma glutathione levels, but they were surprisingly well tolerated by murine melanomas in vivo and by most human melanoma cell lines in vitro. RNA sequencing of human melanoma cells revealed a strong adaptive upregulation of NRF2 and ATF4 pathways, which orchestrated the compensatory upregulation of genes involved in antioxidant defence and de novo cysteine biosynthesis. In addition, the joint activation of ATF4 and NRF2 triggered a phenotypic switch characterized by a reduction of differentiation genes and induction of pro-invasive features, which was also observed after erastin treatment or the inhibition of glutathione synthesis. NRF2 alone was capable of inducing the phenotypic switch in a transient manner. Together, our data show that cystine or glutathione levels regulate the phenotypic plasticity of melanoma cells by elevating ATF4 and NRF2.}, language = {en} } @article{TamihardjaZehnerHartrampfetal.2022, author = {Tamihardja, J{\"o}rg and Zehner, Leonie and Hartrampf, Philipp and Lisowski, Dominik and Kneitz, Susanne and Cirsi, Sinan and Razinskas, Gary and Flentje, Michael and Polat, B{\"u}lent}, title = {Salvage nodal radiotherapy as metastasis-directed therapy for oligorecurrent prostate cancer detected by positron emission tomography shows favorable outcome in long-term follow-up}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {14}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {15}, issn = {2072-6694}, doi = {10.3390/cancers14153766}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-286064}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Simple Summary Patients, who suffer from oligorecurrent prostate cancer with limited nodal involvement, may be offered positron emission tomography (PET)-directed salvage nodal radiotherapy to delay disease progression. This current analysis aimed to access salvage radiotherapy for nodal oligorecurrent prostate cancer with simultaneous integrated boost to PET-involved lymph nodes as metastasis-directed therapy. A long-term oncological outcome was favorable after salvage nodal radiotherapy and severe toxicity rates were low. Androgen deprivation therapy plays a major role in recurrent prostate cancer management and demonstrates a positive influence on the rate of biochemical progression in patients receiving salvage nodal radiotherapy. The present long-term analysis may help clinicians identify patients who would benefit from salvage nodal radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy, as a multimodal treatment strategy for oligorecurrent prostate cancer. Abstract Background: The study aimed to access the long-term outcome of salvage nodal radiotherapy (SNRT) in oligorecurrent prostate cancer. Methods: A total of 95 consecutive patients received SNRT for pelvic and/or extrapelvic nodal recurrence after prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) or choline PET from 2010 to 2021. SNRT was applied as external beam radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost up to a median total dose of 62.9 Gy (EQD2\(_{1.5Gy}\)) to the recurrent lymph node metastases. The outcome was analyzed by cumulative incidence functions with death as the competing risk. Fine-Gray regression analyses were performed to estimate the relative hazards of the outcome parameters. Genitourinary (GU)/gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity evaluation utilized Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (v5.0). The results are as follows: the median follow-up was 47.1 months. The five-year biochemical progression rate (95\% CI) was 50.1\% (35.7-62.9\%). Concomitant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) was adminstered in 60.0\% of the patients. The five-year biochemical progression rate was 75.0\% (42.0-90.9\%) without ADT versus 35.3\% (19.6-51.4\%) with ADT (p = 0.003). The cumulative five-year late grade 3 GU toxicity rate was 2.1\%. No late grade 3 GI toxicity occured. Conclusions: Metastasis-directed therapy through SNRT for PET-staged oligorecurrent prostate cancer demonstrated a favorable long-term oncologic outcome. Omittance of ADT led to an increased biochemical progression.}, language = {en} } @article{KotlyarKrebsSolimandoetal.2023, author = {Kotlyar, Mischa J. and Krebs, Markus and Solimando, Antonio Giovanni and Marquardt, Andr{\´e} and Burger, Maximilian and K{\"u}bler, Hubert and Bargou, Ralf and Kneitz, Susanne and Otto, Wolfgang and Breyer, Johannes and Vergho, Daniel C. and Kneitz, Burkhard and Kalogirou, Charis}, title = {Critical evaluation of a microRNA-based risk classifier predicting cancer-specific survival in renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus of the inferior vena cava}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {15}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {7}, issn = {2072-6694}, doi = {10.3390/cancers15071981}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-311040}, year = {2023}, abstract = {(1) Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava (ccRCC\(^{IVC}\)) represents a clinical high-risk setting. However, there is substantial heterogeneity within this patient subgroup regarding survival outcomes. Previously, members of our group developed a microRNA(miR)-based risk classifier — containing miR-21-5p, miR-126-3p and miR-221-3p expression — which significantly predicted the cancer-specific survival (CSS) of ccRCC\(^{IVC}\) patients. (2) Methods: Examining a single-center cohort of tumor tissue from n = 56 patients with ccRCC\(^{IVC}\), we measured the expression levels of miR-21, miR-126, and miR-221 using qRT-PCR. The prognostic impact of clinicopathological parameters and miR expression were investigated via single-variable and multivariable Cox regression. Referring to the previously established risk classifier, we performed Kaplan-Meier analyses for single miR expression levels and the combined risk classifier. Cut-off values and weights within the risk classifier were taken from the previous study. (3) Results: miR-21 and miR-126 expression were significantly associated with lymphonodal status at the time of surgery, the development of metastasis during follow-up, and cancer-related death. In Kaplan-Meier analyses, miR-21 and miR-126 significantly impacted CSS in our cohort. Moreover, applying the miR-based risk classifier significantly stratified ccRCC\(^{IVC}\) according to CSS. (4) Conclusions: In our retrospective analysis, we successfully validated the miR-based risk classifier within an independent ccRCC\(^{IVC}\) cohort.}, language = {en} } @article{SchartlKneitzVolkoffetal.2019, author = {Schartl, Manfred and Kneitz, Susanne and Volkoff, Helene and Adolfi, Mateus and Schmidt, Cornelia and Fischer, Petra and Minx, Patrick and Tomlinson, Chad and Meyer, Axel and Warren, Wesley C.}, title = {The piranha genome provides molecular insight associated to its unique feeding behavior}, series = {Genome Biology and Evolution}, volume = {11}, journal = {Genome Biology and Evolution}, number = {8}, doi = {10.1093/gbe/evz139}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-202218}, pages = {2099-2106}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The piranha enjoys notoriety due to its infamous predatory behavior but much is still not understood about its evolutionary origins and the underlying molecular mechanisms for its unusual feeding biology. We sequenced and assembled the red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) genome to aid future phenotypic and genetic investigations. The assembled draft genome is similar to other related fishes in repeat composition and gene count. Our evaluation of genes under positive selection suggests candidates for adaptations of piranhas' feeding behavior in neural functions, behavior, and regulation of energy metabolism. In the fasted brain, we find genes differentially expressed that are involved in lipid metabolism and appetite regulation as well as genes that may control the aggression/boldness behavior of hungry piranhas. Our first analysis of the piranha genome offers new insight and resources for the study of piranha biology and for feeding motivation and starvation in other organisms.}, language = {en} } @article{AdolfiDuKneitzetal.2021, author = {Adolfi, Mateus C. and Du, Kang and Kneitz, Susanne and Cabau, C{\´e}dric and Zahm, Margot and Klopp, Christophe and Feron, Romain and Paix{\~a}o, R{\^o}mulo V. and Varela, Eduardo S. and de Almeida, Fernanda L. and de Oliveira, Marcos A. and N{\´o}brega, Rafael H. and Lopez-Roques, C{\´e}line and Iampietro, Carole and Lluch, J{\´e}r{\^o}me and Kloas, Werner and Wuertz, Sven and Schaefer, Fabian and St{\"o}ck, Matthias and Guiguen, Yann and Schartl, Manfred}, title = {A duplicated copy of id2b is an unusual sex-determining candidate gene on the Y chromosome of arapaima (Arapaima gigas)}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {11}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-021-01066-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-265672}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Arapaima gigas is one of the largest freshwater fish species of high ecological and economic importance. Overfishing and habitat destruction are severe threats to the remaining wild populations. By incorporating a chromosomal Hi-C contact map, we improved the arapaima genome assembly to chromosome-level, revealing an unexpected high degree of chromosome rearrangements during evolution of the bonytongues (Osteoglossiformes). Combining this new assembly with pool-sequencing of male and female genomes, we identified id2bbY, a duplicated copy of the inhibitor of DNA binding 2b (id2b) gene on the Y chromosome as candidate male sex-determining gene. A PCR-test for id2bbY was developed, demonstrating that this gene is a reliable male-specific marker for genotyping. Expression analyses showed that this gene is expressed in juvenile male gonads. Its paralog, id2ba, exhibits a male-biased expression in immature gonads. Transcriptome analyses and protein structure predictions confirm id2bbY as a prime candidate for the master sex-determiner. Acting through the TGF beta signaling pathway, id2bbY from arapaima would provide the first evidence for a link of this family of transcriptional regulators to sex determination. Our study broadens our current understanding about the evolution of sex determination genetic networks and provide a tool for improving arapaima aquaculture for commercial and conservation purposes.}, language = {en} } @article{KrebsBehrmannKalogirouetal.2019, author = {Krebs, Markus and Behrmann, Christoph and Kalogirou, Charis and Sokolakis, Ioannis and Kneitz, Susanne and Kruithof-de Julio, Marianna and Zoni, Eugenio and Rech, Anne and Schilling, Bastian and K{\"u}bler, Hubert and Spahn, Martin and Kneitz, Burkhard}, title = {miR-221 Augments TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in prostate cancer cells by inducing endogenous TRAIL expression and targeting the functional repressors SOCS3 and PIK3R1}, series = {BioMed Research International}, volume = {2019}, journal = {BioMed Research International}, doi = {10.1155/2019/6392748}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-202480}, pages = {6392748}, year = {2019}, abstract = {miR-221 is regarded as an oncogene in many malignancies, and miR-221-mediated resistance towards TRAIL was one of the first oncogenic roles shown for this small noncoding RNA. In contrast, miR-221 is downregulated in prostate cancer (PCa), thereby implying a tumour suppressive function. By using proliferation and apoptosis assays, we show a novel feature of miR-221 in PCa cells: instead of inducing TRAIL resistance, miR-221 sensitized cells towards TRAIL-induced proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction. Partially responsible for this effect was the interferon-mediated gene signature, which among other things contained an endogenous overexpression of the TRAIL encoding gene TNFSF10. This TRAIL-friendly environment was provoked by downregulation of the established miR-221 target gene SOCS3. Moreover, we introduced PIK3R1 as a target gene of miR-221 in PCa cells. Proliferation assays showed that siRNA-mediated downregulation of SOCS3 and PIK3R1 mimicked the effect of miR-221 on TRAIL sensitivity. Finally, Western blotting experiments confirmed lower amounts of phospho-Akt after siRNA-mediated downregulation of PIK3R1 in PC3 cells. Our results further support the tumour suppressing role of miR-221 in PCa, since it sensitises PCa cells towards TRAIL by regulating the expression of the oncogenes SOCS3 and PIK3R1. Given the TRAIL-inhibiting effect of miR-221 in various cancer entities, our results suggest that the influence of miR-221 on TRAIL-mediated apoptosis is highly context- and entity-dependent.}, language = {en} } @article{HelmprobstKneitzKlotzetal.2021, author = {Helmprobst, Frederik and Kneitz, Susanne and Klotz, Barbara and Naville, Magali and Dechaud, Corentin and Volff, Jean-Nicolas and Schartl, Manfred}, title = {Differential expression of transposable elements in the medaka melanoma model}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {16}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {10}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0251713}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-260615}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Malignant melanoma incidence is rising worldwide. Its treatment in an advanced state is difficult, and the prognosis of this severe disease is still very poor. One major source of these difficulties is the high rate of metastasis and increased genomic instability leading to a high mutation rate and the development of resistance against therapeutic approaches. Here we investigate as one source of genomic instability the contribution of activation of transposable elements (TEs) within the tumor. We used the well-established medaka melanoma model and RNA-sequencing to investigate the differential expression of TEs in wildtype and transgenic fish carrying melanoma. We constructed a medaka-specific TE sequence library and identified TE sequences that were specifically upregulated in tumors. Validation by qRT- PCR confirmed a specific upregulation of a LINE and an LTR element in malignant melanomas of transgenic fish.}, language = {en} } @article{FranchiniJonesXiongetal.2018, author = {Franchini, Paolo and Jones, Julia C. and Xiong, Peiwen and Kneitz, Susanne and Gompert, Zachariah and Warren, Wesley C. and Walter, Ronald B. and Meyer, Axel and Schartl, Manfred}, title = {Long-term experimental hybridisation results in the evolution of a new sex chromosome in swordtail fish}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {9}, journal = {Nature Communications}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-018-07648-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-228396}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The remarkable diversity of sex determination mechanisms known in fish may be fuelled by exceptionally high rates of sex chromosome turnovers or transitions. However, the evolutionary causes and genomic mechanisms underlying this variation and instability are yet to be understood. Here we report on an over 30-year evolutionary experiment in which we tested the genomic consequences of hybridisation and selection between two Xiphophorus fish species with different sex chromosome systems. We find that introgression and imposing selection for pigmentation phenotypes results in the retention of an unexpectedly large maternally derived genomic region. During the hybridisation process, the sex-determining region of the X chromosome from one parental species was translocated to an autosome in the hybrids leading to the evolution of a new sex chromosome. Our results highlight the complexity of factors contributing to patterns observed in hybrid genomes, and we experimentally demonstrate that hybridisation can catalyze rapid evolution of a new sex chromosome.}, language = {en} } @article{LuBoswellBoswelletal.2019, author = {Lu, Yuan and Boswell, Wiliam and Boswell, Mikki and Klotz, Barbara and Kneitz, Susanne and Regneri, Janine and Savage, Markita and Mendoza, Cristina and Postlethwait, John and Warren, Wesley C. and Schartl, Manfred and Walter, Ronald B.}, title = {Application of the Transcriptional Disease Signature (TDSs) to Screen Melanoma-Effective Compounds in a Small Fish Model}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {9}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-36656-x}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-237322}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Cell culture and protein target-based compound screening strategies, though broadly utilized in selecting candidate compounds, often fail to eliminate candidate compounds with non-target effects and/or safety concerns until late in the drug developmental process. Phenotype screening using intact research animals is attractive because it can help identify small molecule candidate compounds that have a high probability of proceeding to clinical use. Most FDA approved, first-in-class small molecules were identified from phenotypic screening. However, phenotypic screening using rodent models is labor intensive, low-throughput, and very expensive. As a novel alternative for small molecule screening, we have been developing gene expression disease profiles, termed the Transcriptional Disease Signature (TDS), as readout of small molecule screens for therapeutic molecules. In this concept, compounds that can reverse, or otherwise affect known disease-associated gene expression patterns in whole animals may be rapidly identified for more detailed downstream direct testing of their efficacy and mode of action. To establish proof of concept for this screening strategy, we employed a transgenic strain of a small aquarium fish, medaka (Oryzias latipes), that overexpresses the malignant melanoma driver gene xmrk, a mutant egfr gene, that is driven by a pigment cell-specific mitf promoter. In this model, melanoma develops with 100\% penetrance. Using the transgenic medaka malignant melanoma model, we established a screening system that employs the NanoString nCounter platform to quantify gene expression within custom sets of TDS gene targets that we had previously shown to exhibit differential transcription among xmrk-transgenic and wild-type medaka. Compound-modulated gene expression was identified using an internet-accessible custom-built data processing pipeline. The effect of a given drug on the entire TDS profile was estimated by comparing compound-modulated genes in the TDS using an activation Z-score and Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistics. TDS gene probes were designed that target common signaling pathways that include proliferation, development, toxicity, immune function, metabolism and detoxification. These pathways may be utilized to evaluate candidate compounds for potential favorable, or unfavorable, effects on melanoma-associated gene expression. Here we present the logistics of using medaka to screen compounds, as well as, the development of a user-friendly NanoString data analysis pipeline to support feasibility of this novel TDS drug-screening strategy.}, language = {en} } @article{LuebckeEbbersVolzkeetal.2019, author = {L{\"u}bcke, Paul M. and Ebbers, Meinolf N. B. and Volzke, Johann and Bull, Jana and Kneitz, Susanne and Engelmann, Robby and Lang, Hermann and Kreikemeyer, Bernd and M{\"u}ller-Hilke, Brigitte}, title = {Periodontal treatment prevents arthritis in mice and methotrexate ameliorates periodontal bone loss}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {9}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-019-44512-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-237355}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Recent studies indicate a causal relationship between the periodontal pathogen P. gingivalis and rheumatoid arthritis involving the production of autoantibodies against citrullinated peptides. We therefore postulated that therapeutic eradication P. gingivalis may ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis development and here turned to a mouse model in order to challenge our hypothesis. F1 (DBA/1 x B10.Q) mice were orally inoculated with P. gingivalis before collagen-induced arthritis was provoked. Chlorhexidine or metronidazole were orally administered either before or during the induction phase of arthritis and their effects on arthritis progression and alveolar bone loss were compared to intraperitoneally injected methotrexate. Arthritis incidence and severity were macroscopically scored and alveolar bone loss was evaluated via microcomputed tomography. Serum antibody titres against P. gingivalis were quantified by ELISA and microbial dysbiosis following oral inoculation was monitored in stool samples via microbiome analyses. Both, oral chlorhexidine and metronidazole reduced the incidence and ameliorated the severity of collagen-induced arthritis comparable to methotrexate. Likewise, all three therapies attenuated alveolar bone loss. Relative abundance of Porphyromonadaceae was increased after oral inoculation with P. gingivalis and decreased after treatment. This is the first study to describe beneficial effects of non-surgical periodontal treatment on collagen-induced arthritis in mice and suggests that mouthwash with chlorhexidine or metronidazole may also be beneficial for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and a coexisting periodontitis. Methotrexate ameliorated periodontitis in mice, further raising the possibility that methotrexate may also positively impact on the tooth supporting tissues of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.}, language = {en} }