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Myositis in mixed connective tissue disease: a unique syndrome characterized by immunohistopathologic elements of both polymyositis and dermatomyositis

Miosite na doença mista do tecido conectivo: achados imunopatológicos de polimiosite e dermatomiosite

Abstracts

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the inflammatory cells, the expression pattern of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1), membrane attack complex (C5b-9), and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens in muscle biopsy of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). METHOD: We studied 14 patients with MCTD, and compared to 8 polimyositis (PM) patients, 5 dermatomyositis (DM) and 4 dystrophies. Inflammatory cells were examined for CD4+, CD8+, memory and naïve T cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages. Expression of MHC-I and -II, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and C5b -9 were characterized on muscle fibers and vessels. RESULTS: Morphological analysis displayed a pattern of PM. Immunohistochemical study revealed a decreased number of capillaries, predominance of CD4+ and B cells in perivascular regions and predominance of CD8+ and CD45RO+ in endomysial regions. The expression of MHC-I on vessels and on degenerated muscle fibers, MHC-II expression on vessels and perifascicular muscle fibers, and the expression of ICAM-1 / VCAM-1 on endothelial cells indicated both vascular and cellular-immune mediated processes causing the muscular lesion. CONCLUSION:Our findings revealed a mixed mechanism in MCTD, both vascular involvement as DM, and cell-mediated like PM.

mixed connective tissue disease; myositis; major histocompatibility complex; adhesion molecules; membrane attack complex; lymphocyte phenotyping


OBJETIVO: Caracterizar as células do infiltrado inflamatório, o padrão de expressão das moléculas de adesão (ICAM-1 e VCAM-1), complexo de ataque à membrana (C5b-9) e antígenos de histocompatibilidade maior (MHC) em biópsias musculares de patientes com doença mista do tecido conectivo (DMTC). MÉTODO: Foram estudados14 pacientes com DMTC e comparadas com 8 pacientes com polimiosite (PM), 5 com dermatomiosite (DM) e 4 com distrofias. As células inflamatórias foram caracterizadas como CD4+, CD8+, células T de memória (CD45RO+) e virgens, células "natural killer" e macrófagos. As expressões de MHC-I e -II, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 e C5b-9 foram caracterizadas em fibras musculares e vasos. RESULTADOS:A análise morfológica demonstrou um padrão tipo PM. O estudo imuno-histoquímico revelou diminuição do número de capilares, predomínio de células CD4+ e B nas regiões perivasculares e predomínio de CD8+ e CD45RO+ nas regiões endomisiais. A expressão de MHC-I nos vasos e nas fibras degeneradas, MHC-II nos vasos e fibras perifasciculares e expressão de ICAM-1 / VCAM-1 no endotélio indicaram uma associação de processos vascular e imune-celular mediando a lesão muscular. CONCLUSÃO: Os achados revelaram duplo mecanismo na DMTC, imune-celular como na PM e vascular como na DM.

doença mista do tecido conectivo; miosite; complexo de histocompatibilidade maior; moléculas de adesão; complexo de ataque à membrana; fenotipagem linfocitária


Miosite na doença mista do tecido conectivo: achados imunopatológicos de polimiosite e dermatomiosite

Maria Angela A.G. ViannaI; Claudia T.L. BorgesI; Eduardo F. BorbaI; Maria Teresa C. CaleiroI; Eloisa BonfáI; Suely K.N. MarieII

IMD, PhD, Division of Rheumatology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil (FMUSP)

IIMD, PhD, Department of Neurology FMUSP

CorrespondenceCorrespondence to Dra. Suely Kazue Nagahashi Marie Avenida Dr. Arnaldo 453, 4º andar / sala 4110 Faculdade de Medicina USP LIM 15 01246-903 São Paulo SP Brasil FAX: (55 11) 3062-0620

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the inflammatory cells, the expression pattern of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1), membrane attack complex (C5b-9), and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens in muscle biopsy of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).

METHOD: We studied 14 patients with MCTD, and compared to 8 polimyositis (PM) patients, 5 dermatomyositis (DM) and 4 dystrophies. Inflammatory cells were examined for CD4+, CD8+, memory and naïve T cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages. Expression of MHC-I and -II, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and C5b -9 were characterized on muscle fibers and vessels.

RESULTS: Morphological analysis displayed a pattern of PM. Immunohistochemical study revealed a decreased number of capillaries, predominance of CD4+ and B cells in perivascular regions and predominance of CD8+ and CD45RO+ in endomysial regions. The expression of MHC-I on vessels and on degenerated muscle fibers, MHC-II expression on vessels and perifascicular muscle fibers, and the expression of ICAM-1 / VCAM-1 on endothelial cells indicated both vascular and cellular-immune mediated processes causing the muscular lesion.

CONCLUSION:Our findings revealed a mixed mechanism in MCTD, both vascular involvement as DM, and cell-mediated like PM.

Key words: mixed connective tissue disease, myositis, major histocompatibility complex, adhesion molecules, membrane attack complex, lymphocyte phenotyping.

RESUMO

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar as células do infiltrado inflamatório, o padrão de expressão das moléculas de adesão (ICAM-1 e VCAM-1), complexo de ataque à membrana (C5b-9) e antígenos de histocompatibilidade maior (MHC) em biópsias musculares de patientes com doença mista do tecido conectivo (DMTC).

MÉTODO: Foram estudados14 pacientes com DMTC e comparadas com 8 pacientes com polimiosite (PM), 5 com dermatomiosite (DM) e 4 com distrofias. As células inflamatórias foram caracterizadas como CD4+, CD8+, células T de memória (CD45RO+) e virgens, células "natural killer" e macrófagos. As expressões de MHC-I e –II, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 e C5b-9 foram caracterizadas em fibras musculares e vasos.

RESULTADOS:A análise morfológica demonstrou um padrão tipo PM. O estudo imuno-histoquímico revelou diminuição do número de capilares, predomínio de células CD4+ e B nas regiões perivasculares e predomínio de CD8+ e CD45RO+ nas regiões endomisiais. A expressão de MHC-I nos vasos e nas fibras degeneradas, MHC-II nos vasos e fibras perifasciculares e expressão de ICAM-1 / VCAM-1 no endotélio indicaram uma associação de processos vascular e imune-celular mediando a lesão muscular.

CONCLUSÃO: Os achados revelaram duplo mecanismo na DMTC, imune-celular como na PM e vascular como na DM.

Palavras-chave: doença mista do tecido conectivo, miosite, complexo de histocompatibilidade maior, moléculas de adesão, complexo de ataque à membrana, fenotipagem linfocitária.

The rather heterogeneous group of inflammatory myopathies comprises three major and distinct subsets: polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM), and inclusion body myositis (IBM). Each group has its characteristic clinical, immunopathological, and morphological features even when associated with other systemic diseases1. Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) described by Sharp et al.2 in 1972 is an inflammatory disease which is clinically characterized by features of systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis and polymyositis, associated with high titers of circulating antinuclear antibody with specificity for nuclear ribonucleoprotein (RNP).

During the course of this disease, the majority of patients complains of myalgia, muscle tenderness or fatigue2. Clinical evidence of myositis defined as symmetrical proximal weakness, electromyographic abnormalities, or altered muscle enzymes were reported in almost three-fourths of 25 MCTD patients in the original series of Sharp et al.2 and in nine of 20 patients described by Bennett and O'Connell3. Despite these reports, the pattern of myopathy detected in MCTD is poorly characterized in the literature. In contrast, there is a growing body of evidence that HLA class I-restricted cytotoxic T cells-mediated response against surface antigens expressed by muscle fibers is the primary pathogenic mechanism in PM and IBM4, whereas DM involves predominantly an antibody or immune-complex-mediated response against a vascular-endothelial component5,6. Moreover, the studies that have characterized the muscle involvement in MCTD2,3,7 antedated the Kasukawa classification criteria8 actually applied for this disease. According to some authors2,3,7-9, the muscle involvement is a classic inflammatory myositis similar to that detected in PM when analyzed by histology and histochemistry. Nonetheless, conventional light microscopy and staining techniques used in these studies could not distinguish the real significance of cellular infiltrates.

We therefore have designed the present study to characterize the infiltrating mononuclear cells, the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins, as well as the adhesion molecules and complement activation, in order to better understand the mechanism of muscle cell injury in MCTD.

METHOD

Patients – Fourteen patients with MCTD [12 females (F), 2 males (M), age 24-54 years] prospectively followed in our outpatient Rheumatology Clinic at the University of São Paulo were selected for this study (Table 1). All MCTD patients met the classification criteria of Kasukawa8 and had clinical signs of myopathy (weakness or elevated enzyme levels) at the time of evaluation. Muscle biopsy specimens were obtained from clinically weak brachial biceps muscle after written informed consent. Four MCTD patients with muscular symptoms had biopsies taken before treatment in a recent diagnosis of MCTD. The other ten MCTD patients were biopsied in order to elucidate the muscular symptoms despite treatment of MCTD systemic activity. Five of these 10 MCTD patients were taking prednisone for less than 6 months and the other five for 6 months or longer.

Eight PM patients (6F, 2M, age 27-57 years) and 5 DM (3F, 2M, age 22-58 years) according to Bohan and Peter10,11 criteria were selected for control. Additionally, 4 patients (3M, 1F, age 20-50 years) with non-inflammatory neuromuscular diseases (NINMD) included X-linked, limb-girdle and facioscapulohumeral dystrophies were also included as controls (Table 1). All muscle biopsy of control patients were performed during active disease and before treatment, and also after written informed consent. No patients or controls had evidence of an associated malignancy.

This study was approved by local ethics committee.

Laboratorial data – Blood samples of MCTD patients and controls were collected within two weeks prior to biopsy. Muscle enzymes such as creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate (ASP) and alanine (ALT) amino transaminases were analyzed by standard techniques.

Autoantibody assay – Serum samples were also tested for the presence of anti-nuclear and cytoplasmic antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence using Hep-2 as substrate. Antibodies to RNP and Sm were detected by counterimmunoelectrophoresis12, and antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) were tittered by passive hemaglutination assay13. Crithidia luciliae was used to detect reactivity to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)14. Antibodies to Jo-1 were determined by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting, as previously described15.

Histopathological analysis – Routine standard histological and histochemical techniques were performed on muscle biopsies. Sequential frozen sections were stained with hematoxilin-eosin (H&E), modified Gomori trichrome, periodic acid Schiff, cytochrome C oxydase (COX), NADH-tetrazolium-reductase, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), adenosine triphosphatase (pH 4.3 and 9.4), alkaline and acid phosphatases16. Each biopsy specimen was coded and independently analyzed for inflammatory infiltrate (in endomysial, perimysial and perivascular sites), necrosis and fibrosis.

Immunohistochemical analysis – Immunoreagents used for characterization of inflammatory infiltrate and surface molecules expressed on muscle fiber were: memory T cells (CD45RO), clone UCHL1, DAKO/M0742, dilution 1:200; naïve T cells (CD45RA), 4KB5, DAKO/M0754, 1:200; CD4+ T cells, OPD4, DAKO/M834, 1:150; CD8+ T cells, C8/144B, DAKO/M7103, 1:200; macrophages (CD68) EBM11, DAKO/M0718, 1:1600; natural killer (NK), NK1, DAKO/M1014, 1:100; B cells (CD20), L26, DAKO/M755, 1:200; MHC class I, W6/32, DAKO/M0736, 1:100; MHC class II, CD3/43, DAKO/M0775, 1:100; ICAM-1 (CD54), 6.5B5, DAKO/M7063, 1:200; VCAM-1 (CD106), 1.4C3, DAKO/M7106, 1:100; C5b-9, aE11, DAKO/M0777, 1:200.

Immunohistochemical procedure consisted by serial 4 m frozen sections which were fixed for 10 minutes in acetone at 4º C and then washed in distilled water followed by phosphate-buffered-saline (PBS 0.01M, pH 7.4) for 5 minutes. Endogenous peroxidase was blocked with H2O2 3% in absolute methanol four times, 5 minutes each. After a rinse in distilled water followed by PBS for 5 minutes, the primary antibody was added diluted in bovine serum albumine (BSA) 1%, sodium azide 0.1% and PBS. Sequential incubation in a wet chamber at 37º C for 30 minutes was followed by an overnight incubation at 4º C. The secondary antibodies were applied after three times washed by 5 minutes in PBS by 3 different techniques:

LSAB+ procedure (for CD45RO, CD45RA, NK, CD20, CD68) – A biotinylated anti-mouse, anti-rabbit and anti-goat immunoglobulins (DAKO, A/S Denmark; code K0690) was applied for 30 minutes at 37º C. Subsequently, it was incubated with a chromogenic substrate solution for peroxidase 3,3'-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride (DAB). After a final rinse, haematoxylin counterstaining was performed. The slides were mounted and coverslipped with a permanent medium (Enterllan).

StreptABComplex/HRP procedure (for MHC-I, -II, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, C5b-9)) – The prepared secondary biotinylated goat and rabbit immunoglobulin (StreptABComplex/HRP-Duet, mouse/rabbit, DAKO, S/A Denmark; code K0492) was applied for 30 minutes at 37º C and rinsed in PBS. Subsequently, it was incubated with a chromogenic substrate solution for peroxidase 3,3'-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride (DAB). After a final rinse, haematoxylin counterstaining was performed. The slides were mounted and coverslipped with Enterllan.

EnVision-AP procedure (for CD4+, CD8+) – A conjugated polymer with alkaline phosphatase was applied for 30 minutes (DAKO, A/S Denmark; code K4016). After a further rinse with PBS, fast-red substrate-chromogen was applied for 10 min, followed by haematoxylin counterstaining. The slides were mounted and coverslipped with a permanent medium.

For control purposes additional sections were not incubated with primary antibody and lymphoid tissue was used as positive control for lymphocyte subtype antibody reactions.

Quantitative analysis – Each biopsy specimen was coded and analyzed "blind" by the two investigators (MAAGV and SKNM). Ten random analyzed fields of 400x represented the entire area of the specimen.

Analysis of inflammatory cells – CD4+, CD8+, CD45RO, CD45RA, NK, CD20, and CD68 were counted on the perivascular and endomysial regions separately. The cells were counted using the program "CELL" which was developed in order to process images obtained by a digital camera attached to a microscope ("CELL", MEVIS – Medical Informatic Consulting, São Paulo, Brazil) and accepts images in TIF or JPEG format. This program allows organizing, rendering and calibrating a set of images, and is also able to identify and count up three different types of cells, in an automatic or semi-automatic way. All images are translated into RGB with 8 bits per channel (24 bits per pixel). The segmentation process is based in color masks, with adjustable range for each primary color. Rejection algorithms were introduced based in cell area and form factor criteria. Cell borders could be drawn by the user, if necessary. The results presentation could be in the form of histograms and tables, including diameter, area, form factor and number of each type of cells.

Analysis of MHC-I, MHC-II, ICAM-1, Vcam-1 and C5b-9 – Expression of those antigens were assessed by a semiquantitative method where: (-) = no expression in structures analyzed; (+) = expression observed in less than 25% of structures; (++) = in less than 50%; (+++) = in less than 75%; (++++) = in 76 to 100% of structures analyzed.

Statistical analysis – Continuous data were expressed as mean and standard deviation or in median with minimum and maximum values. Comparison among groups and MCTD regarding continuous variables were performed using Kruskal-Wallis test. In case of statistical significance, multiple comparisons between groups were done using Wilcoxon rank sum test. Pearson's Chi-square test was used to compare groups regarding the proportion of patients with 0/+ and ++/+++ to immunohistochemical parameters. Level of significance was set at p<0.05, and the SPSS® statistical system was used for all statistical calculations.

RESULTS

Laboratorial data

MCTD patients had a significantly lower median CK level compared to DM (p=0.0142), but not significantly different from PM (p=0.34) nor NINMM (p=0.17). Similarly, no difference was detected for LDH, AST and ALT levels among groups (Table 2).

Autoantibody assay

All MCTD sera presented an uniformly positive speckled ANA with high titer anti-RNP and negative anti-Sm, anti-dsDNA and anti-Jo1 antibodies. All except one of DM patients presented a positive speckled ANA. On the other hand, 4 of 8 PM patients presented a positive speckled ANA and 2 of them also presented anti-Jo1 antibodies. In contrast, the NINMD group was invariably negative for the presence of all autoantibodies tested.

Histological and histochemical findings

All MCTD muscle biopsies revealed an inflammatory cell infiltrate displaying a heterogeneous distribution, predominating in the perivascular, and endomysial regions (Fig 1A). Moreover, some perimysial vessels presented slight wall thickness increase (Figs 1B, 1C). Some necrotic and non-necrotic muscle fibers were surrounded by inflammatory cells, which were sparsely distributed among the fascicles (Fig 1A), and showed positivity on acid phosphatase reaction. In addition, the affected muscle fibers demonstrated intermiofibrilar disorganization on oxidative reactions (NADH, SDH, and COX). Slight endomysial and perimysial connective tissue proliferation was observed in few (3/14) MCTD muscle biopsies.



In contrast, PM muscle specimens displayed an endomysium and perivascular inflammatory infiltrate in a moderate intensity, with some of those cells surrounding and invading single non-necrotic muscle fibers. The necrotic and ghost fibers were also present.

On the other hand, DM biopsies exhibited the typical distribution of inflammatory cells on perivascular region, with a marked perifascicular atrophy. No proliferation of connective tissue was observed on DM and PM samples.

As expected, proliferation of connective tissue was the main finding on the NINMD group, which also presented some degree of necrotic muscle fibers and a sparse inflammatory infiltrate, with exception of the fascioscapulohumeral dystrophy case (Case 30) which had an important inflammatory infiltrate.

Immunohistochemical results

Expression of MHC class I and class II

The expression of MHC-I was present both on invaded fibers and sarcolemmal membrane in MCTD (Fig 2A). Its positivity was uniformly scarce, and significantly lesser than PM and DM (p<0.001) (Tables 1 and 3). Importantly, degenerated and normal fibers surrounded by inflammatory cells in MCTD (Fig 2A*) and PM expressed MHC-I, as necrotic and degenerated fibers mainly in perifascicular region.




The expression of MHC-II was on invaded fibers, on fibers presenting intermyofibrillar abnormalities, and on fibers with any degree of necrosis. The reactivity of MHC-II on invaded fibers was significantly slighter on MCTD (p=0.012) compared to controls. Of note, sarcolemmal membrane MHC-II expression was positive in MCTD on the perifascicular region, as in DM (Table 1 and 3) (Figs 2B and 2F).

All vessels and capillaries were consistently positive to MHC-II, allowing an estimation of tissue perfusion based upon an analysis of the number of vessels compared to the number of myofibers. This ratio was significantly higher in PM (median 0.57, range 0.29 to 1.08), compared to MCTD (median 0.33, range 0.17 to 0.83), which was similar to DM (median 0.24, range 0.18 to 0.33) and NINMD (median 0.38, range 0.16 to 0.87), with significant difference among those groups (p=0.015) (Table 1).

Different degrees of vessel depletion were observed in all groups, when a proportion of two vessels to one fiber was considered as normal. This depletion was more evident in DM, as expected. However, interestingly, it was greater in MCTD than in PM.

Expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1), and C5b-9

The intensity of expression of ICAM-1, a constitutive endothelial adhesion molecule, on vessel wall was significantly different among groups (p=0.012) and revealed a weak pattern in the MCTD which was similar to PM, but different from DM (Tables 1 and 3). In MCTD, ICAM-1 expression was observed on vessels surrounded by inflammatory cells (Fig 2C). Similarly, ICAM-1 expressed on invaded muscle fibers was positive in 80% of DM cases. On the other hand, the expression on the membrane of muscle fibers was similarly slight among the four groups (p=0.26).

In contrast, there was no difference in the expression of VCAM-1, an inducible adhesion molecule, on vessels among all groups studied (p=0.06). Some PM (1 out of 8) DM (2 out of 5) presented +2 reaction, in contrast to +1 expression in MCTD (14 out of 14). Similarly, in MCTD, VCAM-1 was positive on vessels among or near inflammatory infiltrate (Tables 1 and 3) (Fig 2D).

The apparent lower expression of C5b-9, membrane attack complex (MAC), on vessels in MCTD (Fig 2E) compared to controls did not reach statistical significance (p=0.18). In addition, the MAC expressed in the membrane was scarce in the majority of all groups studied (Tables 1 and 3).

Phenotyping of infiltrating mononuclear cells

Macrophages (CD68) were one of the predominant cell of the inflammatory infiltrate in all groups, and it was statistically lower in MCTD than PM (p=0.024) and DM (p=0.035) (Graphic 1).


Similarly, the CD45RO+ (memory T cells) were also predominant in the inflammatory infiltrate and they were more frequently found on PM and DM, compared to MCTD and NINMD (p=0.005). On the other hand, CD45RA (virgin T cells) and NK cells (natural killer) were rarely seen in the infiltrate in all groups and no significant difference was detected among them (p=0.07, and p=0.4, respectively) (Graphic 1).

In MCTD myositis the CD4+ T cells predominate at perivascular than at endomysial regions, but despite the difference, it did not reach statistical significance (p=0.057) (Fig 3A). The CD8+ T cells were present more often in endomysial region than at perivascular region (p=0.007) (Graphic 2, Figs 3B, 3C). Similarly to helper T cells, B cells (CD20) were more abundant at perivascular than at endomysial sites (p<0.001) (Graphic 2, Fig 3D). Consequently, the CD4/CD8 ratio was highest at perivascular than at endomysial site (p=0.017) (Graphic 2).




In DM, there were a prevalence of CD4 T cells at perivascular region, and B cells (CD20) distribution on perivascular and endomysial region. Therefore, there was higher CD4/CD8 ratio at perivascular than at endomysial site (Graphic 2).

On PM, the CD4+ T cells at perivascular region were quite similar to endomysial region with a predominance of CD8+ T cells at endomysial region, and B cells (CD20) at perivascular site. Therefore, the CD4/CD8 ratio at perivascular and endomysial was 3:1 with no statistical difference (Graphic 2).

In NINMD control group, B cells were slightly more common in perivascular region with no difference between the CD8 at endomysial and perivascular regions, and a slight predominance of CD4 at endomysial region than at perivascular site. Consequently, there were a higher CD4/CD8 ratio endomysially than at perivascular site (Graphic2).

In summary, the percentage of lymphocyte T helper CD4+ were more frequently found in the perivascular than endomysial region of MCTD and DM but not in PM. The percentage of lymphocytes T cytotoxic CD8+, were frequently detected in the endomysial than perivascular region in all groups, except in NINMD, mainly in PM but without statistical difference among groups. The percentage of B cells (CD20) was similar in all groups studied (Graphic 2).

DISCUSSION

This is the first immunohistochemical study to provide clues to the pathogenesis of MCTD myositis. This study suggests that the myositis in MCTD may represent a unique syndrome, with elements of PM and DM, characterized by relatively low CKs, abnormally decreased vessel density, low expression of MHC-I, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1, with predominance of CD45RO cells and macrophages at inflammatory infiltrate, and CD4 and B cells mainly distributed on perivascular site.

Other investigators have described MCTD myopathy with PM pattern2,3,8, when analyzed by clinical and histological features. On the other hand, Dalakas1,17 and others18 had described that the myopathy in MCTD resembled more to DM, based on clinical observation.

Histochemical reactions of all MCTD cases in this series revealed the presence of non-necrotic invaded muscle fibers associated with predominant endomysial and perivascular involvement which confers a pattern similar to PM in accordance to the previous descriptions on the literature2,3,19.

However, the present results also demonstrated a remarkable decrease in the number of vessels observed in the quantitative analysis and a presence of endothelial thickness associated to a perivascular inflammatory infiltration, which indicate a role of vascular pathology in MCTD myositis. The depletion of blood vessels has already been described on initial phase of DM20, which is also preceded by MAC deposition on blood vessels. Interestingly, vascular involvement associated to immunoglobulin deposition has been reported in a few MCTD patients more than 20 years ago7. In this regard, proliferative vascular lesions which are a consequence of intimal and medial thickening of blood vessel wall due to inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the MCTD muscle of autopsy cases by Singsen et al.9. Although this type of vascular lesion is the characteristic injury of scleroderma, the findings of perivascular inflammatory infiltration, absence of fibrosis and no fibrinoid vascular change observed in this study support the hypothesis that the vascular involvement in MCTD muscle differs from those of scleroderma.

On the other hand, detection of MAC on muscle vessels of these patients also raises the question whether the complement system may contribute to the pathogenic mechanism in MCTD myositis. A growing body of evidence demonstrates the important role of capillary injury by MAC in the early phased of muscle involvement of DM20,21.

The expression of ICAM-1, a constitutive adhesion molecule, on vessels was observed in our MCTD cases. Although its reactivity was detected in few vessels, it was positive in all cases, which also emphasizes the importance of the vascular component in the immunopathogenesis of MCTD muscle injury. It may be relevant that preferential ICAM-1 upregulation on endothelial cells of perimysial vessels and capillaries was previously described in DM1,22. The reactivity observed at remote sites from inflammatory cells infiltration also suggests a nonlocal factor triggering its expression in MCTD. In this regard, Okawa-Takatsuji et al.23 recently demonstrated that autoantibodies against U1-ribonucleoprotein (U1-RNP), a biological marker of MCTD, can up-regulate ICAM-1 expression on endothelial cells of pulmonary artery, suggesting that this autoantibody may play an important role in the immunopathological processes leading to a proliferative vasculopathy.

Similarly, the expression of the VCAM-1 was noted on endothelial cells of some arterioles surrounded by inflammatory cells. A widespread expression of VCAM-1 has been described in rheumatoid arthritis, AIDS encephalitis, and other conditions22. Its expression is not striking in DM and PM, suggesting that this inducible endothelial adhesion molecule does not play an important role in the pathogenesis of those inflammatory myopathies. Further studies will be necessary to determine more details about their participation in MCTD myositis.

In addition, the MHC-II expression on degenerated fibers, remarkably on those with a reticular intracytoplasmic pattern on perifascicular region, also shows the importance of the vascular component in the pathogenesis of MCTD muscle injury, as already described in DM1.

MHC-I positive muscle fibers in our MCTD patients were restricted to endomysial non-necrotic invaded fibers that were surrounded and invaded by CD8+ cytotoxic T cell, prevailing over CD4+ on the endomysial region. In fact, Engel and Arahata24,25 described a PM pattern which is characterized by a progressive positive gradient fro CD8+ T cells from perivascular to endomysial region that was further confirmed by other investigators26-28.

In agreement with these data, our observations also indicate the existence of a cytotoxic cell mediated injury. However, these findings were observed in scattered muscle fibers suggesting that the cellular immune response although present may not be the major mechanism involved in MCTD. Conversely, the prevalence of CD4+ over CD8+ T cell associated to the presence of B cells on perivascular region advocates for a vascular involvement and a probable humoral participation in MCTD myositis.

The inflammatory cell infiltrate of MCTD muscle observed herein has a dual interesting characteristic: one that resembles PM in the endomysial region, and the other that resembles DM in perimysial region. However, a significantly fewer total number of T cells is observed in MCTD compared to that observed in PM and DM which is also associated to a smaller number of macrophages, reflects a lower degree of the inflammatory process in MCTD in relation to both the other inflammatory muscle diseases.

In summary, our findings support the notion that muscle involvement in MCTD is a preponderant vessel targeted disease with a probable humoral role, and a concomitant minor cytotoxic immune response. Further studies to evaluate the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines and U1-RPN antibodies in perpetuating muscle injury are required for a better understanding of the immunopathogenesis of MCTD.

Acknowlegements

We are indebted to Frederick W Miller, MD, PhD, for his careful review of the manuscript. We also thank Mariko Yokoo, and Alda Wakamatsu for technical help.

Received 30 March 2004, received in final form 1 July 2004. Accepted 10 August 2004.

Study supported by FAPESP, # 98/16291-2

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  • Correspondence to

    Dra. Suely Kazue Nagahashi Marie
    Avenida Dr. Arnaldo 453, 4º andar / sala 4110
    Faculdade de Medicina USP LIM 15
    01246-903
    São Paulo SP Brasil
    FAX: (55 11) 3062-0620
  • Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      25 Apr 2006
    • Date of issue
      Dec 2004

    History

    • Received
      30 Mar 2004
    • Reviewed
      01 July 2004
    • Accepted
      10 Aug 2004
    Academia Brasileira de Neurologia - ABNEURO R. Vergueiro, 1353 sl.1404 - Ed. Top Towers Offices Torre Norte, 04101-000 São Paulo SP Brazil, Tel.: +55 11 5084-9463 | +55 11 5083-3876 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
    E-mail: revista.arquivos@abneuro.org