title: Autoimmunity is a type I interferon-deficiency syndrome corrected by ingested type I IFN via the GALT system.
abstract: Type I interferons (IFN-alpha/beta), products of the innate immune system, can modulate immune function whereas proinflammatory IFN-gamma (type II IFN), a product of the acquired immune system upregulates inflammation and enhances cell mediated immunity. We have proposed a unifying hypothesis of the origin of autoimmunity as a type I IFN immunodeficiency syndrome involving inadequate regulation of the acquired immune system product IFN-gamma by the IFN-alpha/beta innate immune system. The common theme of ingested type I IFNs in autoimmunity is inhibition of proinflammatory type II IFN systemically or at the target organ. In multiple sclerosis (MS) and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) at the target organ, and in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as a regulator of other proinflammatory cytokines, IFN-gamma is the nexus of inflammation in autoimmunity. Ingested type I IFNs counteract type II IFN, overcome the relative lack of type I IFN activity, and ameliorate autoimmunity. The administration of type I IFNs (IFN-alpha/beta) via the gut offers an exciting alternative to systemic application for overcoming the type I IFN immunodeficiency in autoimmunity. Successful use of ingested type I IFN in three separate prototypical autoimmune diseases suggests a broad antiinflammatory therapeutic profile for this technology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 77030, USA. sbrod@neuro.med.uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Brod
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D015551:Autoimmunity; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000172:deficiency*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I