AB0058 Interferons and Systemic Sclerosis: Correlation Between Interferon Gamma and Interferon-Lambda 1 (IL-29)

BackgroundInterferon-lambda 1 (IFNl1), also known as Interleukin-29, belongs to the family of type III interferons and is produced by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and dendritic cells. It was already described antiviral, anti-proliferative and antitumor effects of IFNl1, but immune-regulatory function is still gradually been elucidated. In human T cells, this cytokine was able to inhibit Th2 response by diminishing secretion of IL-4, IL-5 and, mainly, IL-13 but its real role in pathophysiology of human diseases is still unclear.ObjectivesTo evaluate serum levels of IFNl1 in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and healthy controls and its association with Th1 and Th2 cytokines.MethodsSerum samples were obtained from 52 SSc patients (49 women, 3 men) with a mean age of 44.8 years (range 19–79 yrs) and 53 sex and age matched healthy controls. ELISAs for serum levels of IFNl1, IFNg, TNFa, IL-13, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 were performed with commercially available sandwich ELISA kits, according to the manufacturer's instructions.ResultsIFNl1 levels in patients with SSc were significantly higher than those in healthy individuals (24.82±8.78 and 11.04±3.04 pg/ml, respectively; p