Jancin B et al. - Type I interferon may be a cornerstone of lupus therapy in the future. The most persuasive evidence that type I interferon plays a key role in lupus has come from recent genetic studies. High serum interferon-alpha activity has been shown to be a complex heritable trait. Two genome-wide studies resulted in identification of 10 new genetic variants conferring an increased risk of SLE. Some of these genes encode components of the type I interferon pathway associated with activation of the innate immune system, while others are involved in the adaptive immune response.
See all
