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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the release of interferon-alpha (IFN alpha)-inducing material by necrotic or apoptotic cells, its properties, and the necessity of autoantibodies from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients for the interferogenic activity.

METHODS: U937 monocytic leukemia cells or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were rendered necrotic by freeze-thawing or apoptotic by treatment with ultraviolet light. Cell culture supernatants from these cells and IgG from SLE patients (SLE IgG) were added to cultures of normal PBMCs or purified plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs). The importance of nucleic acids for IFN alpha induction was investigated by RNase and DNase treatment. The IFN alpha levels were measured by immunoassay.

RESULTS: Both necrotic and apoptotic U937 cells released material that, combined with SLE IgG, induced IFN alpha production in PDCs. The release from apoptotic cells occurred with a 16-hour delay, in late apoptosis. Also, normal PBMCs released IFN alpha-inducing material, but only during necrosis. The interferogenic activity of the necrotic material required the presence of RNA, while both RNA and DNA were important in the apoptotic material. In both cases, the presence of SLE IgG was necessary, and its activity correlated with the presence of antibodies to RNA-binding proteins, but not anti-DNA antibodies.

CONCLUSION: Necrotic and late apoptotic cells release material that, combined with SLE IgG, induces production of IFN alpha in PDCs. The IFN alpha inducers probably consist of immune complexes (ICs) containing RNA and possibly DNA as essential interferogenic components. The presence of such interferogenic ICs could explain the ongoing production of IFN alpha in SLE and could be of etiopathogenic importance.

Objective

The etiopathogenesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is largely unknown. In other autoimmune diseases, type I interferon (IFN) may play a pivotal role by triggering and sustaining the disease process. We therefore aimed to determine whether patients with primary SS had an activated type I IFN system.

Methods

Salivary gland biopsy specimens and sera from patients with primary SS were investigated for the occurrence of IFNα-producing cells and measurable IFNα levels, respectively. The ability of primary SS sera together with apoptotic or necrotic cells to induce IFNα production in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells was examined. The IFNα inducer was characterized, and IFNα-producing cells were identified. Clinical data were correlated with the IFNα-inducing capacity of primary SS sera.

Results

Numerous IFNα-producing cells were detected in salivary gland biopsy specimens, despite low serum IFNα levels. Autoantibodies to RNA-binding proteins, combined with material released by necrotic or late apoptotic cells, were potent inducers of IFNα production in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs). This appeared to be attributable to RNA-containing immune complexes triggering PDCs by means of RNA and interaction with Fcγ receptor IIa. The IFNα-inducing capacity of sera was associated with positive results of a labial salivary gland biopsy (focus score ≥1) and with dermatologic, hematologic, and pulmonary manifestations.

Conclusion

Patients with primary SS have an activated type I IFN system. Although virus may initiate the production of IFN, the continued IFNα synthesis is caused by RNA-containing immune complexes that activate PDCs to prolong IFNα production at the tissue level. This IFNα promotes the autoimmune process by a vicious circle–like mechanism, with increased autoantibody production and formation of more endogenous IFNα inducers.

Objective

To investigate the ability of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) autoantigen– and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) autoantigen–associated U1 small nuclear RNA (U1 snRNA) and hY1RNA to induce interferon-α (IFNα) production.

Methods

In vitro–transcribed U1 snRNA or hY1RNA and lipofectin were added to peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures. Purified U1 snRNP particles and IgG from SLE patients (SLE-IgG) were added to cultures of PBMCs, enriched monocytes, or natural interferon–producing cells (NIPCs); the latter are also known as plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC). Cells were double-stained for IFNα and either blood dendritic cell antigen 2 (NIPCs/pDC) or CD14 (monocytes) and then analyzed by flow cytometry. In some experiments, RNase or inhibitors of Fcγ receptor IIa (FcγRIIa) (specific antibodies), endocytosis (chloroquine, bafilomycin A), or Toll-like receptors (TLRs; oligodeoxynucleotide 2088) were used. The produced IFNα was measured by immunoassay.

Results

Lipofected U1 snRNA and hY1RNA both induced IFNα production in monocytes, but not in NIPC/pDC. In contrast, U1 snRNP combined with SLE-IgG induced IFNα production only in NIPCs/pDC, and this response was decreased by RNase treatment or inhibition of the FcγRIIa, the endocytosis pathways, or the TLRs.

Conclusion

Our finding that U1 snRNA and hY1RNA have IFNα-inducing capacity indicates that immune complexes containing such RNA, for example U1 snRNP particles, can be at least partly responsible for the ongoing IFNα production seen in SLE and SS. These results may help to explain the molecular mechanisms behind the pathogenesis of these and other autoimmune diseases in which autoantibodies to RNA- binding proteins occur.