Researchers at UHN’s Schroeder Arthritis Institute have shed light on how systemic lupus erythematosus – the most common form of lupus – develops.
Systemic lupus is an autoimmune disorder in which the body produces antibodies that attack its own tissues. These harmful self-reactive antibodies, known as autoantibodies, lead to widespread inflammation and tissue damage.
The research team, led by Schroeder Senior Scientist Dr. Joan Wither, used experimental models to explore two key factors that are associated with systemic lupus: B cell tolerance and elevated levels of a protein called interferon-alpha.
“For the first time, we have shown that elevated levels of interferon-alpha in the blood disrupt immune mechanisms that maintain B cell tolerance – a key property of a healthy immune system – leading to the production of autoantibodies,” explains Dr. Wither.
B cell tolerance prevents immune cells that recognize the body from producing antibodies that would react with and harm it. Until this study, the relationship between elevated levels of interferon-alpha and B cell tolerance mechanisms was unknown.
“Our findings reveal that heightened levels of interferon-alpha have a multi-pronged effect on B cells, resulting in increased production of autoantibodies,” says Dr. Dario Ferri, lead author of the study and a former graduate student in Dr. Wither’s lab.
“Firstly, B cells become more activated and are more likely to produce autoantibodies. Secondly, rogue autoreactive B cells become less susceptible to destruction due to dysfunction of immune tolerance checkpoints.”
Notably, the team found that these effects of interferon-alpha were direct – they required interferon-alpha to bind to B cells through a receptor on the cell surface.
The study also showed that many of the effects of interferon-alpha involve helper T cells – cells that mediate immune activity by stimulating other immune cells. The researchers propose that interferon-alpha changes the ability of B cells to interact with T cells.
“Our work highlights the importance of interferon and the pathways through which it acts to promote autoantibody production,” concludes Dr. Wither, who is also a professor in the Department of Medicine and Immunology at the University of Toronto. “These pathways could serve as targets for new treatments for systemic lupus and related conditions.”
Dr. Joan Wither has served on advisory boards for AstraZeneca and received a career award that was indirectly funded by Pfizer.
Both authors contributed equally to the work.
This study was supported by generous donors to UHN Foundation.