Effects of smoking on synovial fibroblasts and arthritis development

Smoking is a major risk factor for the development of RA. The mechanisms by which smoking influences the development of RA is however still unclear. To better understand how smoking confers the risk to develop RA, we use an in vitro model of smoke exposure together with an in vivo mouse model and human data. In all three systems, we found profound changes in gene expression of synovial fibroblasts induced by cigarette smoke. Therefore, we further analyse the specific factors and mechanisms that are involved in the response of synovial fibroblasts to cigarette smoke and how these are connected to disease development.  

Collaborators

• Prof Giovanni Camici, Center of Molecular Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich

Relevant publications

• Ospelt C, Bang H, Feist E, Camici G, Keller S, Detert J, Krämer A, Gay S, Ghannam K, Burmester GR. Carbamylation of vimentin is inducible by smoking and represents an independent autoantigen in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017 Jul;76(7):1176-1183. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-210059.
• Engler A, Tange C, Frank-Bertoncelj M, Gay RE, Gay S, Ospelt C. Regulation and function of SIRT1 in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts. J Mol Med (Berl). 2016 Feb;94(2):173-82
• Engler A, Niederer F, Klein K, Gay RE, Kyburz D, Camici GG, Gay S, Ospelt C. SIRT6 regulates the cigarette smoke-induced signalling in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts. J Mol Med (Berl). 2014 Jul;92(7):757-67.
• Ospelt C, Camici GG, Engler A, Kolling C, Vogetseder A, Gay RE, Michel BA, Gay S. Smoking induces transcription of the heat shock protein system in the joints. Ann Rheum Dis. 2014 Jul;73(7):1423-6.