Features of the cytokine profile of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus depending on the presence of an interferon signature

The aim – to evaluate the cytokine profile of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) depending on the presence of increased expression of interferon (IFN) stimulated genes.

Materials and methods. The analysis included 140 patients (123 (88%) women and 17 (12%) men) with a confirmed diagnosis of SLE. Disease duration was 3.0 [0.3; 12.0] years, SLEDAI-2K (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000) score was 6.5 [4.0; 10.5] points, SDI (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/ American College of Rheumatology Damage Index) – 0 [0; 2] points. IFN status was assessed by the expression of IFN-stimulated genes (MX1, RSAD2, EPSTI1) using real-time polymerase chain reaction. A study of 48 serum cytokines was performed using a multiplex immunoassay based on xMAP suspension microarray technology (BioPlex® 200 Pro Human Cytokine Screening Panel, 48-Plex, Bio-Rad Laboratories, USA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The control group consisted of 13 healthy donors matched for gender and age.

Results. Expression of IFN-stimulated genes and the IFN score were significantly higher in patients with SLE compared to healthy donors (p < 0.05). The IFN signature was present in 103 (81.7%) patients and absent in 23 (18.3%) patients. Patients with the IFN signature had higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL) 18, TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand)), chemokines (IP-10 (interferon gamma-induced protein 10)), growth factors (macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra)), and lower levels of hepatocyte growth factor.

Conclusion. The immunological phenotype with the IFN signature is characterized by higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-18, TRAIL), chemokines (IP-10), growth factors (M-CSF), and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1Ra), which suggests higher inflammatory activity in this group of patients.

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