We have discovered that a novel protein, follistatin-like-1 (FSTL-1), is highly expressed in the joints of mice and humans with arthritis, especially at the interface of synovial pannus and eroding bone. A key role for FSTL- 1 in arthritis progression was confirmed by suppression of disease by FSTL-1 neutralization. Our studies indicate that FSTL-1 is a co-stimulator of T cells. We will characterize FSTL-1 and its contribution to inflammatory arthritis in mouse models of disease, with detailed study of T cell activation.
The first Aim i s to determine the role of FSTL-1 in the normal joint. Our studies demonstrate that FSTL-1 is produced at low levels in the adult mouse joint. FSTL-1 is induced in osteoblasts by TGF-2, a key bone regulatory factor, and FSTL-1 is an arthritis progression factor, but the role of FSTL-1 in normal bone and joint physiology is not characterized. We will determine the cells responsible for FSTL-1 production within the joint during embryogenesis and post-natal development. We will characterize the role of FSTL-1 using a new FSTL-1 hypomorphic (knockdown) mouse by assessing the effect of FSTL-1 under-expression on joint structure at birth and during development to adulthood, bone formation and architecture, bone density and strength, and cartilage integrity.
The second Aim i s to determine the contribution of FSTL-1 to arthritis. FSTL-1 is induced by IL-12 and FSTL-1 is increased in arthritic joints, where it plays a pro-inflammatory role. These findings suggest that bone is not solely a target of arthritis, but plays an active role in joint destruction. We will characterize the contribution of bone to arthritis progression, focusing on FSTL-1 as a mediator. FSTL-1 will be over-expressed by gene transfer, under-expressed using the FSTL-1 hypomorphic mouse, and neutralized at various times during arthritis using anti-FSTL-1 monoclonal antibody. We will compare the effects of varying FSTL-1 expression on the inflammatory pannus, cartilage and bone formation and erosion, bone formation rate by dynamic histomorphometry, changes in mineralization by micro computer tomography, changes in osteoclastic activity and matrix cells, and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced in response to FSTL-1.
The third Aim i s to determine how FSTL-1 activates T cells and induces IFN-3 secretion. FSTL-1 promotes inflammation by enhancing IFN-3 signaling. The inflammatory response is dependent on T cells, as T cell depletion abolishes FSTL-1-induced paw inflammation. Furthermore, FSTL-1 prolongs expression of the T cell activation molecule, CD25. To characterize the T cell activating properties of FSTL-1, we will determine the T cell activation phenotype induced by FSTL-1, whether FSTL-1 stabilizes TCR mediated signaling by inducing anti-apoptotic molecules, whether FSTL-1 stimulates T cells directly or indirectly, the receptor for FSTL-1, the protein structure necessary for FSTL-1 activity, and whether FSTL-1 has additional actions on inflammation. Characterization of FSTL- advance understanding of arthritis and may provide new treatment options.

Public Health Relevance

studies will characterize the role in arthritis and joint development of a novel mediator of arthritis progression, FSTL-1. Characterization of FSTL-1 will advance understanding of arthritis and may provide new treatment options.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AR056959-06
Application #
8435422
Study Section
Hypersensitivity, Autoimmune, and Immune-mediated Diseases Study Section (HAI)
Program Officer
Mao, Su-Yau
Project Start
2009-04-01
Project End
2014-01-31
Budget Start
2013-02-01
Budget End
2014-01-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$299,937
Indirect Cost
$101,303
Name
University of Iowa
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
062761671
City
Iowa City
State
IA
Country
United States
Zip Code
52242
Blair, Harry C; Soboloff, Jonathan; Robinson, Lisa J et al. (2016) Suppression of arthritis-induced bone erosion by a CRAC channel antagonist. RMD Open 2:e000093
Chaly, Yury; Blair, Harry C; Smith, Sonja M et al. (2015) Follistatin-like protein 1 regulates chondrocyte proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Ann Rheum Dis 74:1467-73
Campfield, Brian T; Nolder, Christi L; Marinov, Anthony et al. (2014) Follistatin-like protein 1 is a critical mediator of experimental Lyme arthritis and the humoral response to Borrelia burgdorferi infection. Microb Pathog 73:70-9
Chaly, Yury; Hostager, Bruce; Smith, Sonja et al. (2014) Follistatin-like protein 1 and its role in inflammation and inflammatory diseases. Immunol Res 59:266-72
Chaly, Yury; Fu, Yu; Marinov, Anthony et al. (2014) Follistatin-like protein 1 enhances NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated IL-1? secretion from monocytes and macrophages. Eur J Immunol 44:1467-79
Gorelik, Mark; Fall, Ndate; Altaye, Mekibib et al. (2013) Follistatin-like protein 1 and the ferritin/erythrocyte sedimentation rate ratio are potential biomarkers for dysregulated gene expression and macrophage activation syndrome in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. J Rheumatol 40:1191-9
Campfield, Brian T; Nolder, Christi L; Davis, Amy et al. (2012) The DBA/1 strain is a novel mouse model for experimental Borrelia burgdorferi infection. Clin Vaccine Immunol 19:1567-73
Gorelik, Mark; Wilson, David C; Cloonan, Yona K et al. (2012) Plasma follistatin-like protein 1 is elevated in Kawasaki disease and may predict coronary artery aneurysm formation. J Pediatr 161:116-9
Chaly, Yury; Marinov, Anthony D; Oxburgh, Leif et al. (2012) FSTL1 promotes arthritis in mice by enhancing inflammatory cytokine/chemokine expression. Arthritis Rheum 64:1082-8
Wilson, David C; Marinov, Anthony D; Blair, Harry C et al. (2010) Follistatin-like protein 1 is a mesenchyme-derived inflammatory protein and may represent a biomarker for systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 62:2510-6

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