Clinical and serological manifestations associated with interferon-α levels in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

Author(s)

Mariana Postal ^[1] ; Nailu Angélica Sinicato ^[2] ; Karina Oliveira Peliçari ^[3] ; Roberto Marini ^[4] ; Lilian Tereza Lavras Costallat ^[5] ; Simone Appenzeller ^[6]

Affiliation

^[1] State University of Campinas. Faculty of Medical Science. Department of Medicine - Brasil

^[2] State University of Campinas. Faculty of Medical Science - Brasil

^[3] State University of Campinas. Faculty of Medical Science. Department of Medicine - Brasil

^[4] State University of Campinas. Faculty of Medical Science. Department of Pediatrics - Brasil

^[5] State University of Campinas. Faculty of Medical Science. Department of Medicine - Brasil

^[6] State University of Campinas. Faculty of Medical Science. Department of Medicine - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Clinics; v. 67, n. 2, p. 157-162, 2012-00-00.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the serum levels of interferon alpha in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients, their first-degree relatives and healthy controls and to evaluate the associations between serum interferon alpha and disease activity, laboratory findings and treatment features. METHODS: We screened consecutive childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients in a longitudinal cohort at the pediatric rheumatology unit of the State University of Campinas between 2009 and 2010. All patients demonstrated disease onset before the age of 16. Disease status was assessed according to the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI). Interferon alpha levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. RESULTS: We included 57 childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients (mean age 17.33±4.50), 64 firstdegree relatives (mean age 39.95±5.66), and 57 healthy (mean age 19.30±4.97) controls. Serum interferon alpha levels were significantly increased in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients compared to their firstdegree relatives and healthy controls. Interferon alpha levels were significantly increased in patients with positive dsDNA antibodies, patients with cutaneous vasculitis, patients with new malar rash and patients who were not receiving medication. Interferon alpha levels correlated with C3 levels and systemic lupus erythematosus Disease Activity Index scores. In addition, we observed an inverse correlation between patient age and interferon alpha levels. CONCLUSION: Interferon alpha may play a role in the pathogenesis of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus, especially in cutaneous manifestations and dsDNA antibody formation. The observation that interferon alpha levels are increased in patients who are not taking medication should be investigated in longitudinal studies to determine whether elevated interferon alpha levels may predict systemic lupus erythematosus flares. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/11076-2 - Levels of interferon alpha, gamma and TNF alpha in patients of SLE: association with clinical manifestations
• Grantee: Mariana Postal Zink de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 10/13637-9 - Metabolic syndrome and body composition in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus
• Grantee: Nailú Angélica Sinicato Martin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 10/13636-2 - Clinical and laboratory findings associated with IL - 17 in systemic lupus erythematosus
• Grantee: Karina de Oliveira Peliçari
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 08/02917-0 - Blood and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers associated with structural and functional central nervous system abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus
• Grantee: Simone Appenzeller
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/06049-6 - Blood and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers associated with structural and functional central nervous system abnormalities in Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Grantee: Simone Appenzeller
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers