Janus-like effects of type I interferon in autoimmune diseases

Type I interferon in systemic autoimmune diseases

Th e hypothesis that type I interferon plays a central role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has gained growing support in recent years [1-4]. Th e early data from the 1970s demonstrating increased functional interferon activity in lupus patient sera have been confi rmed and extended using current technologies that permit detection of the broad gene expression program i...

Type I interferon in organ-targeted autoimmune and inflammatory diseases

A significant role for IFNα in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus is well supported, and clinical trials of anti-IFNα monoclonal antibodies are in progress in this disease. In other autoimmune diseases characterized by substantial inflammation and tissue destruction, the role of type I interferons is less clear. Gene expression analysis of peripheral blood cells from patients with...

The type I interferon system in the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases

Many patients with systemic autoimmune diseases have signs of a continuous production of type I interferon (IFN) and display an increased expression of IFN-α-regulated genes. The reason for the on-going IFN-α synthesis in these patients seems to be an activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) by immune complexes (ICs), consisting of autoantibodies in combination with DNA or RNA-containi...

Type I interferon in systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases.

Different genetic alterations may lead to type I interferon (IFN) overproduction in human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The increased bioavailability of type I IFN contributes to peripheral tolerance breakdown through the activation of immature myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs). IFN-matured mDCs activate autoreactive T cells. These cells, together with plasmacytoid DCs, help expand autoreact...

Air Pollution and its Effects on Autoimmune Diseases