Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Systemic Sclerosis

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus; Systemic Sclerosis
• Interventions: Other: Blood sample

• Registration Number: NCT03374618
• Lead Sponsor: CHU de Reims

Brief Summary

Systemic sclerosis (SSC) is a systemic disease characterized by limited or diffuse cutaneous sclerosis, microangiopathy, overproduction of autoantibodies and variable organ damage due to vasculopathy and/or fibrosis. The loss of self-tolerance is believed to be caused by the dysregulation of both innate and adaptive immune systems and may involve reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Neutrophils are potent producers of ROS and may play a role in endothelial cells and fibrobasts dysfunction, as in autoantibodies generation. However, their role in SSC pathogenesis remains to be determined. Recent studies discovered abnormal regulation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in other auto-immune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). NETs are web-like structures composed of chromatin backbones and granular molecules. They are released by activated neutrophils through a process called "NETosis". Nets were first described in 2004 as a novel host defense mechanism to trap and kill foreign pathogens. Recent evidence shows that NETs also participate in the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including SLE.

We hypothesis that this phenomenon could be dysregulated in SSC as in SLE and could play a prominent role in the induction of autoimmunity, as well as in the induction and perpetuation of organ damages.

Detailed Description

This study is designed to assess the role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in systemic sclerosis as well as to evaluate the correlation between NETs production and NETs composition and the different complications and phenotypes observed in SSC.

30 SSC patients, 30 SLE patients and 60 healthy subjects will be recruited. Blood samples will be collected to obtain plasma, serum and polynuclear neutrophils by negative selection.

1. The main aim of the study is to evaluate the quantity of NETs induced by serum from SSc patients on neutrophils from either healthy or SSC patients in vitro. The quantity of NETs produced by different populations of neutrophils in contact with sera from SSC will be compared with those produced by the same different populations of neutrophils in contact with sera from SLE, and healthy subjects (two control populations).

2. Other objectives:

* To assess the composition of the NETs produced by different populations of neutrophils exposed to serum from SSC, SLE and healthy subjects.

* To correlate the quantity and the composition of NETS with clinical phenotype in SSc

* To assess the role of serum cytokines in Nets production in SSC.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2017-10-06
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-12-14
• Study First Posted: 2017-12-15
• Study Start: 2018-02-23
• Primary Completion: 2021-04-29
• Study Completion: 2021-04-29
• Status Verified: 2024-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-06-12
• Last Update Posted: 2024-06-13

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 81

Inclusion Criteria

for patients of arm 1:

• patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
• patients consenting to participate to the study
• patients enrolled in the national healthcare insurance program

for patients of arm 2:

• patients with systemic sclerosis
• patients consenting to participate to the study
• patients enrolled in the national healthcare insurance program

For patients of arm 3 (healthy volunteers)

• Patients without Chronic inflammatory systemic disease
• Patients without Current or past neoplasy,
• patients without chronic metabolic pathology
• patients without treatment by anti inflammatory or corticotherapy for the last 15 days,
• patients without infectious pathology or inflammatory acute for the last 15 days

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
systemic sclerosis	Blood sample	adult with systemic sclerosis
systemic lupus erythematosus	Blood sample	adult with systemic lupus erythematosus
healthy volunteers	Blood sample	healthy volunteer (adult)

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Quantification of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) generated after stimulation of neutrophils in vitro by serum from SSC, SLE and healthy controls.	Day 0	Comparative analysis of the quantity of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) generated after stimulation of neutrophils in vitro by serum from SSC, SLE and healthy controls. Neutrophils from SSC, SLE and healthy subjects will be used.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Analysis of the cytokines influencing NETs production in vitro	Day 0	Comparative analysis of the quantity of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) generated after stimulation of neutrophils from SSC patients in vitro by differents cytokines
Analysis of the composition of neutrophil extracellular traps	Day 0	Comparative analysis of the composition of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) generated after stimulation of neutrophils in vitro by serum from SSC, SLE and healthy controls. Neutrophils from SSC, SLE and healthy subjects will be used.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Damien JOLLY; 🇫🇷 Reims, France