AB0058 Interferons and Systemic Sclerosis: Correlation Between Interferon Gamma and Interferon-Lambda 1 (IL-29). (9th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dantas, A.T.; Gonçalves, S.M.C.; Pereira, M.C.; Almeida, A.R.; Marques, C.D.L.; Rego, M.J.B.D.M.; Pitta, I.D.R.; Duarte, A.L.B.P.; Pitta, M.G.D.R.
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 74(2015)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 910
• Page End: 910
• Publication Date: 2015-06-09
• Subjects: Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.3635
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Interferon-lambda 1 (IFNl1), also known as Interleukin-29, belongs to the family of type III interferons and is produced by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and dendritic cells. It was already described antiviral, anti-proliferative and antitumor effects of IFNl1, but immune-regulatory function is still gradually been elucidated. In human T cells, this cytokine was able to inhibit Th2 response by diminishing secretion of IL-4, IL-5 and, mainly, IL-13 but its real role in pathophysiology of human diseases is still unclear. Objectives: To evaluate serum levels of IFNl1 in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and healthy controls and its association with Th1 and Th2 cytokines. Methods: Serum samples were obtained from 52 SSc patients (49 women, 3 men) with a mean age of 44.8 years (range 19–79 yrs) and 53 sex and age matched healthy controls. ELISAs for serum levels of IFNl1, IFNg, TNFa, IL-13, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 were performed with commercially available sandwich ELISA kits, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Results: IFNl1 levels in patients with SSc were significantly higher than those in healthy individuals (24.82±8.78 and 11.04±3.04 pg/ml, respectively; p<0.0001). Also, SSc patients had higher IFNg levels than controls (34.11±8.11 and 10.73±2.77 pg/ml, respectively; p<0.0001). Furthermore, we found a positive correlation between IL-29 and IFNg levels in SSc patients (p=0.0103, r=0.3526). IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13 and TNFa were not detected in most of the patients and normal controls serum. We found that patients with myositis had higher IFNg levels than those without muscle involvement (p=0.0483) but no significant association was found between IL-29 levels and clinical manifestations. Conclusions: IL-29 levels are increased in SSc and are positively correlated with IFNg levels, a Th1 cytokine. Because of its strong inhibitory effect on Th2 pathway demonstrated by previous studies, at this point, we can only speculate on the potential role of IL-29 as an anti-fibrotic cytokine and additional longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate this concern References: Jordan WJ, Eskdale J, Srinivas S, Pekarek V, Kelner D, Rodia M, Gallagher G.Human interferon lambda-1 (IFN-lambda1/IL-29) modulates the Th1/Th2 response. Genes Immun. 2007 Apr;8(3):254-61. Srinivas S, Dai J, Eskdale J, Gallagher GE, Megjugorac NJ, Gallagher G. Interferon-lambda1 (interleukin-29) preferentially down-regulates interleukin-13 over other T helper type 2 cytokine responses in vitro. Immunology. 2008 Dec;125(4):492-502. Wu Q, Yang Q, Lourenco E, Sun H, Zhang Y. Interferon-lambda1 induces peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived chemokines secretion in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: its correlation with disease activity. Arthritis Res Ther. 2011 Jun 16;13(3):R88. Disclosure of Interest: None declared