Autoantibodies targeting type I interferons: Prevalence, mechanisms of induction, and association with viral disease susceptibility.
Eur J Immunol 2023:e2250164. [PMID:
37027328 DOI:
10.1002/eji.202250164]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
The type I interferon (IFN-I) system is essential to limit severe viral disease in humans. Thus, IFN-I deficiencies are associated with serious life-threatening infections. Remarkably, some rare individuals with chronic autoimmune diseases develop neutralising autoantibodies (autoAbs) against IFN-Is thereby compromising their own innate antiviral defences. Furthermore, the prevalence of anti-IFN-I autoAbs in apparently healthy individuals increases with age, such that ∼4% of those over 70 years old are affected. Here, I review the literature on factors that may predispose individuals to develop anti-IFN-I autoAbs, such as reduced self-tolerance caused by defects in the genes AIRE, NFKB2, and FOXP3 (among others), or by generally impaired thymus function, including thymic involution in the elderly. In addition, I discuss the hypothesis that predisposed individuals develop anti-IFN-I autoAbs following 'autoimmunisation' with IFN-Is generated during some acute viral infections, systemic inflammatory events, or chronic IFN-I exposure. Finally, I highlight the enhanced susceptibility that individuals with anti-IFN-I autoAbs appear to have towards viral diseases such as severe COVID-19, influenza, or herpes (e.g. varicella-zoster virus, herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus), as well as adverse reactions to live-attenuated vaccines. Understanding the mechanisms underlying development and consequences of anti-IFN-I autoAbs will be key to implementing effective prophylactic and therapeutic measures. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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