Expression of IFNalpha-inducible genes and modulation of HLA-DR and thyroid stimulating hormone receptors in Graves' disease.

Interferon alpha (IFNalpha) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of different autoimmune diseases. IFNalpha is widely used for the treatment of chronic viral infections, particularly chronic hepatitis C virus infection; however, several case reports have emerged describing autoimmune conditions, such as Graves' disease (GD), that have developed in the patients receiving IFNalpha. The mechanism by which IFNalpha is involved in GD remains poorly understood.

Dysfunctional CD4+,CD25+ regulatory T cells in untreated active systemic lupus erythematosus secondary to interferon-alpha-producing antigen-presenting cells.

Objective: To explore whether there are extrinsic factors that impair the suppressive function of CD4+,CD25+ regulatory T cells in patients with untreated active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: We studied 15 patients with untreated active SLE, 10 patients with SLE in remission, and 15 healthy control subjects. Percentages of CD4+,CD25+,FoxP3+ Treg cells and levels of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) protein were analyzed by flow cytometry.