Interferon-inducible gene expression signature in peripheral blood cells of patients with severe lupus.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex, inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects multiple organ systems. We used global gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to identify distinct patterns of gene expression that distinguish most SLE patients from healthy controls. Strikingly, about half of the patients studied showed dysregulated expression of genes in the IFN pathway. Furthermore, this IFN gene expression "signature" served as a marker for more severe disease involving the kidneys, hematopoetic cells, and/or the central nervous system. These results provide insights into the genetic pathways underlying SLE, and identify a subgroup of patients who may benefit from therapies targeting the IFN pathway.
Baechler
Emily C
EC
Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Batliwalla
Franak M
FM
Karypis
George
G
Gaffney
Patrick M
PM
Ortmann
Ward A
WA
Espe
Karl J
KJ
Shark
Katherine B
KB
Grande
William J
WJ
Hughes
Karis M
KM
Kapur
Vivek
V
Gregersen
Peter K
PK
Behrens
Timothy W
TW
D015536:Down-Regulation; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008177:Lupus Vulgaris / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D015854:Up-Regulation
D007372:Interferons