"We report that out of 501 patients with SLE analyzed, 73 (14%) present autoantibodies against IFNα (anti-IFN-Abs). The presence of neutralizing-anti-IFN-Abs in 4.2% of patients inversely correlates with low circulating IFNα protein levels, inhibition of IFN-I downstream gene signatures, and inactive global disease score."
#Immunology #Lupus #Interferon #AutoAntibodies
https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(22)00473-6
@gpollara Particularly cool that in this case the anti-IFN abs may be having a beneficial effect, immune regulation by auto antibodies.
@cyrilpedia @gpollara Interesting. Anifrolumab adverse effects include more respiratory infections and shingles, should we expect that in sle patients who develop these beneficial anti-ifn antibodies (for longer than with mab treatment, I imagine)?
@PietroGhezzi @gpollara That's a great point, and it would certainly not be surprising to see this in those with very high titers of anti-ifn abs. This is also what Casanova et al have observed in many severe covid patients.
@cyrilpedia @PietroGhezzi I find fascinating this balance between protection & pathology in cytokines - which is so elegantly demonstrated by effects of genetic deletions & neutralising antibodies (be it autoimmune or therapeutic).
Really teases out essential from redundant immune components in specific contexts.
@cyrilpedia V cool study from colleagues at UCL. Evidence is stacking up that these auto antibodies to type I IFN play an important role in pathogenesis of many diseases.