Project description:We performed a phase I/II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled dose-escalation study to examine the safety, immunogenicity, and biological effects of active immunization with interferon alpha-Kinoid (IFN-K) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Women 18-50 years of age with mild to moderate SLE were immunized with three (n=10) or four doses (n=9) of 30, 60, 120, 240 microgram IFN-K or saline. Anti-IFNalpha antibodies were detected in all IFN-K-immunized patients. Transcriptomic analysis separated patients at baseline into type I IFN signature-positive and -negative groups. IFN-K induced higher anti-IFNalpha titers in signature-positive than in signature-negative patients and, in signature-positive patients, reduced the expression of IFN-induced genes. The decrease in IFN score correlated with the anti-IFNalpha antibody titers, and with baseline IFN score. IFN-K or placebo was administered at day 0, day 7, day 28 in all patients. Half the subjects received a fourth injection at day 84 (see treatment protocol)
Project description:We performed a phase I/II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled dose-escalation study to examine the safety, immunogenicity, and biological effects of active immunization with interferon alpha-Kinoid (IFN-K) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Women 18-50 years of age with mild to moderate SLE were immunized with three (n=10) or four doses (n=9) of 30, 60, 120, 240 microgram IFN-K or saline. Anti-IFNalpha antibodies were detected in all IFN-K-immunized patients. Transcriptomic analysis separated patients at baseline into type I IFN signature-positive and -negative groups. IFN-K induced higher anti-IFNalpha titers in signature-positive than in signature-negative patients and, in signature-positive patients, reduced the expression of IFN-induced genes. The decrease in IFN score correlated with the anti-IFNalpha antibody titers, and with baseline IFN score.
Project description:The establishment of an interferon (IFN) signature to subset SLE patients on disease severity has led to therapeutics targeting IFNa. Here, we investigate IFN signaling in SLE by first determining the IFN signature for SLE patients (n=81) from the Stanford Lupus Registry using fluidigm qPCR. We measured 44 previously determined IFN-inducible transcripts to subset patients as IFN-high (IFN-H) or IFN-low (IFN-L).
Project description:Normal donor blood was incubated with or without IFN-g stimulation to establish an IFN-g gene signature. Systemic lupus erythematosus subjects were treated with placebo or AMG 811, a therapeutic anti-IFN--g antibody, and changes in the IFN--g signature in whole blood of these subjects was measured.
Project description:Gene expression profile studies have identified an interferon signature in whole blood or mononuclear cell samples from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. This study was designed to determine whether specific lymphocyte and myeloid subsets freshly isolated from the blood of systemic lupus erythematosus patients demonstrated unique gene expression profiles compared to subsets isolated from healthy controls. Experiment Overall Design: The entire study included 67 samples. One CEL file was not available for SLE13_CD4
Project description:Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the immunotherapeutic vaccine interferon-α kinoid (IFN-K) in a 36-week (W) phase IIb, randomised, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled trial in adults with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) despite standard of care. Methods: Patients with SLE (185) with moderate to severe disease activity and positive interferon (IFN) gene signature were randomised to receive IFN-K or PBO intramuscular injections (days 0, 7 and 28 and W12 and W24). Coprimary endpoints at W36 were neutralisation of IFN gene signature and the BILAG-Based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) modified by mandatory corticosteroid (CS) tapering. Results: IFN-K induced neutralising anti-IFN-α2b serum antibodies in 91% of treated patients and reduce the IFN gene signature (p<0.0001). Modified BICLA responses at W36 did not statistically differ between IFN-K (41%) and PBO (34%). Trends on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Responder Index-4, including steroid tapering at W36, favoured the IFN- K and became significant (p<0.05) in analyses restricted to patients who developed neutralising anti-IFN-α2b antibodies. Attainment of lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) at W36 discriminated the two groups in favour of IFN-K (53% vs. 30%, p=0.0022). A significant CS sparing effect of IFN-K was observed from W28 onwards, with a 24% prednisone daily dose reduction at W36 in IFN-K compared with PBO (p=0.0097). The safety profile of IFN-K was acceptable. Conclusions: IFN-K induced neutralising anti-IFN-α2b antibodies and significantly reduced the IFN gene signature with an acceptable safety profile. Although the clinical coprimary endpoint was not met, relevant secondary endpoints were achieved in the IFN-K group, including attainment of LLDAS and steroid tapering. Trial registration number NCT02665364.
Project description:T cell abnormalities are well-known features of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The role of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes, however, remains poorly understood with data suggesting both protective and deleterious roles. This project aimed to identify a cell-specific transcriptional signature in patients with SLE that could be used as a prognostic disease marker. The overall objective is to correlate the clinical presentation with specific RNA signatures to determine if there are signatures that correlate with disease outcome
Project description:We performed spatial transcriptomics on a case series of different clinical subtypes of cutaneous lupus erythematosus including acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (malar rash, systemic lupus erythematosus). Our goals were to (1) determine which differentially expressed genes (DEGs) could be attributed to specific cell populations in specific locations within the tissue, (2) determine if spatial transcriptomics could better distinguish between CLE clinical subtypes than bulk RNA approaches and (3) examine potential cell-cell communication pathways within the skin lesions.