Abstract
Background: Inappropriate and excessive activation of type I interferon (IFN) system is a key feature of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and its targeting has led to important achievements in the development of novel drugs for SLE.
Aim of the work: To evaluate the serum levels of interferon lambda IFN lambda 3 (IL28B) in Egyptian patients with SLE and investigate its potential relation with different clinical and laboratory parameters.
Patients and methods: The study included 40 SLE patients and 40 controls. The SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) was assessed. The measurement of serum levels of IFN lambda 3 was performed in all participants using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results: The mean age of the patients was 26.8 +/- 7.8 years with disease duration 5.1 +/- 4.5 years and they were 35 females and 5 males. The serum levels of IFN lambda 3 were significantly higher in SLE patients (9.7 +/- 12.47 pg/mL) compared to the control (5.13 +/- 1.63 pg/mL)(p = 0.02). Significant correlations were observed between serum IFN lambda 3 and serositis (r = 0.35,p = 0.03), C3 consumption (r -0.33, p = 0.04) and SLEDAI (r 0.34, p = 0.03). On multivariate regression analysis, serositis and SLEDAI (but not C3) were significant independent predictors of IFN lambda 3 levels (beta = 0.08, p = 0.037 and beta = 0.06, p = 0.014 respectively).
Conclusion: The results support a possible role of IFN lambda 3/IL28B in the immunopathogenesis of SLE. The significant association of serum IFN lambda 3 with disease activity highlights the utility of IFN lambda 3 as a novel biomarker for monitoring disease activity and predicting severity in SLE. Further studies on IFN lambda 3 in SLE could be promising in the development of personalized therapy for lupus patients. (C) 2021 THE AUTHORS. Publishing services by ELSEVIER B.V. on behalf of The Egyptian Society of Rheumatic Diseases.