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Gene expression changes in baseline SLE patients vs. healthy controls from two phase III trials (ILLUMINATE-1 and ILLUMINATE-2) of B cell activating factor blockade with tabalumab

ABSTRACT: Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has substantial unmet medical need and its pathogenesis is incompletely understood. This study characterized baseline gene expression and pharmacodynamic (PD)-induced changes in whole blood gene expression from two phase III, 52-week (W), randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies of 1,760 SLE patients treated with the B cell activating factor (BAFF)-blocking IgG4 monoclonal antibody, tabalumab. Methods: Patient samples were obtained from ILLUMINATE-1 and -2 while control samples were from healthy donors. Blood was collected in TempusTM tubes at baseline, W16 and W52. RNA was analyzed using the Affymetrix Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 and NanoStringTM. Results: At baseline there was elevation of interferon responsive genes (IRG) in patients compared to controls, with 75% positive for this IRG signature. There was, however, substantial heterogeneity of IRG expression and complex relationships among gene networks. The interferon signature was a predictor of future time to flare, independent of anti-double stranded DNA antibody (dsDNA), C3 and C4 levels, and overall disease activity. PD changes in gene expression following tabalumab treatment were extensive, occurring predominantly in B cell-related and immunoglobulin (Ig) genes, and were consistent with other PD-induced changes including dsDNA, C3, and Ig levels. Conclusions: SLE patients demonstrated elevated expression of an IRG signature, detected in 75% of the patients at baseline in ILLUMINATE-1 and -2. There was substantial heterogeneity of gene expression detected among individual patients and in gene networks. The interferon signature was an independent risk factor for future flares. PD changes in gene expression were consistent with the mechanism of BAFF blockade by tabalumab.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE88884 | GEO | 2016/10/25

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA350547

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Introduction: Pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE) patients often initially present with more active and severe disease than adults, including a higher frequency of lupus nephritis. Specific autoantibodies, including anti-C1q, anti-DNA and anti-alpha-actinin, have been associated with kidney involvement in SLE, and DNA antibodies are capable of initiating early stage lupus nephritis in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. Over 100 different autoantibodies have been described in SLE patients, highlighting the need for comprehensive autoantibody profiling. Knowledge of the antibodies associated with pSLE and proliferative nephritis will increase the understanding of SLE pathogenesis, and may aid in monitoring patients for renal flare. Methods: We used autoantigen microarrays composed of 140 recombinant or purified antigens to compare the serum autoantibody profiles of new-onset pSLE patients (n=45) to healthy controls (n=17). We also compared pSLE patients with biopsy-confirmed class III or IV proliferative nephritis (n=23) and without significant renal involvement (n=18). We performed ELISA with selected autoantigens to validate the microarray findings. We created a multiple logistic regression model, based on the ELISA and clinical information, to predict whether a patient had proliferative nephritis, and used a validation cohort (n=23) and longitudinal samples (88 patient visits) to test its accuracy. Results: Fifty autoantibodies were at significantly higher levels in the sera of pSLE patients compared to healthy controls, including anti-B-cell activating factor (BAFF). High levels of anti-BAFF were associated with active disease. Thirteen serum autoantibodies were present at significantly higher levels in pSLE patients with proliferative nephritis than those without, and we confirmed five autoantigens (dsDNA, C1q, collagens IV & X and aggrecan) by ELISA. Our model, based on ELISA measurements and clinical variables, correctly identified patients with proliferative nephritis with 91% accuracy. Conclusions: Autoantigen microarrays are an ideal platform for identifying autoantibodies associated with both pSLE and specific clinical manifestations of pSLE. Using multiple regression analysis to integrate autoantibody and clinical data permits accurate prediction of clinical manifestations with complex etiologies in pSLE.

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Gene expression changes in baseline SLE patients vs. healthy controls from two phase III trials (ILLUMINATE-1 and ILLUMINATE-2) of B cell activating factor blockade with tabalumab

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