title: How the study of children with rheumatic diseases identified interferon-alpha and interleukin-1 as novel therapeutic targets.
abstract: Our studies in children with rheumatic diseases have led to the identification of two of the oldest cytokines, type I interferon (IFN) and interleukin 1 (IL-1), as important pathogenic players in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic onset juvenile arthritis (SoJIA), respectively. These findings were obtained by studying the transcriptional profiles of patient blood cells and by assessing the biological and transcriptional effect(s) of active patient sera on healthy blood cells. We also identified a signature that can be used to promptly diagnose SoJIA from other febrile conditions. Finally, our pilot clinical trials using IL-1 blockers have shown remarkable clinical benefits in SoJIA patients refractory to other medications.
authors.affiliation: Baylor Institute for Immunology Research and Baylor Research Institute, Dallas, TX 75204, USA.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pascual
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Allantaz
authors.forename: Pinakeen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: A Karolina
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Palucka
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chaussabel
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Banchereau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1