Establishing an Easy-to-Measure Biomarker for the IFN Signature

When it comes to vascular disease in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), the interferon (IFN) signature represents a therapeutic target that has shown promise. In this study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, researchers attempt to find an easy to measure biomarker for the IFN signature. 

Galectin-9 is a novel, easy to measure hence clinically applicable biomarker to detect the #interferon signature in patients with systemic #lupus and #antiphospholipid syndrome.https://t.co/frKAif8x03 pic.twitter.com/eBQZ3Nbz5f

— Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (@ARD_BMJ) September 6, 2018

In the study, researchers looked at the serum levels of galectin-9, CXCL-10 (IP-10) and tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (TNF-RII) in patients with SLE, SLE+APS and primary APS (PAPS) and healthy controls (n=148) after an initial screening of serum analytes in a smaller cohort (n=43). 

Researchers looked at galectin-9, CXCL-10, and TNF-RII as biomarkers to detect the IFN signature was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curves. 

.@RadstakeImmunol has taken our observation of an interferon signature in primary antiphospholipid syndrome and run with it. Nice work.

Interestingly, we have found Galectin-9 upregulated in APS neutrophils. Seems very credible as a potential biomarker.https://t.co/cCQAT8oPYb

— Jason S Knight (@jasonsknight) September 6, 2018

Results showed that galectin-9, CXCL-10, and TNF-RII were elevated in patients with SLE, SLE+APS and PAPS (p<0.05) and correlated with disease activity and tissue factor expression. “Galectin-9 is a novel, easy to measure hence clinically applicable biomarker to detect the IFN signature in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases such as SLE and APS,” the researchers concluded. 

Check out an article on knee osteoarthritis and its link to obesity. 

SOURCE: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases