Immunotherapy (Non-Oncology) | Webinars
Exploring the Role of IFNa in Autoimmunity & Infection
On-Demand Webinar featuring Dr Darragh Duffy, LabEx Coordinator at Institut Pasteur
Type I interferons (IFNs) are essential mediators of antiviral responses. These cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity, most notably systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), diabetes mellitus, and dermatomyositis, as well as monogenic type I interferonopathies. Despite a fundamental role in health and disease, the direct quantification of type I IFNs has been challenging. Using single-molecule array (Simoa) digital ELISA technology, we recorded attomolar concentrations of IFNα in healthy donors, viral infection, and complex and monogenic interferonopathies. Digital ELISA IFNα protein measures correlated well with functional activity and IFN-stimulated gene expression, in contrast to IFNα protein measures by more conventional ELISA based methods. We have also used this approach to show the importance of early IFNα in COVID-19 patients, the response of which can be blunted by neutralising auto-antibodies against this cytokine often leading to critical diseases. The use of ultrasensitive assays for the study of IFNα proteins in patient samples highlights the insights that can be obtained from translational and clinical studies in autoimmunity and viral infection.
Key Learning Points:
- The importance of using sensitive and qualified immunoassays to measure IFNα in patient samples
- Auto-antibodies can mask cytokine measures
- Type I interferons are critical for early innate immune responses in COVID-19
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