Detailed Instructions: Given a passage with a context and an answer, construct a question on the basis of the information present in the passage. Construct the question in such a way that (i) it is unambiguous, (ii) it is answerable from the passage, (iii) its answer is unique (iv) it answer uses text phrases from the passage. Avoid creating questions that (i) can't be answered correctly without actually understanding the passage and (ii) uses the same words or phrases given in the passage.
Q: Context: Alterations in phenotype and function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been associated with poor vascular outcomes and impaired vascular repair in various conditions. Our hypothesis was that patients with PM and DM have dysregulation of EPCs driven by type I IFN and IL-18 similar to other autoimmune diseases.', 'Quantification of circulating EPCs was performed by flow cytometry in patients with PM/DM and matched healthy controls. The ability of EPCs to differentiate into mature endothelial cells was investigated by light and fluorescence microscopy quantification in the presence or absence of PM/DM or control serum, neutralizing antibodies to type I IFN receptor or IL-18. Serum type I IFN activity was quantified by induction of type I IFN-inducible genes in HeLa cells. Circulating IL-18 concentrations were assessed by ELISA.', 'Circulating EPCs were significantly lower in PM/DM patients compared with controls. PM/DM EPCs displayed a decreased capacity to differentiate into mature endothelial cells and PM/DM serum significantly inhibited differentiation of control EPCs. This effect was reversed in the majority of samples with neutralizing antibodies to IL-18 or to type I IFN receptor or by a combination of these antibodies. Patients with associated impairments in EPC function had higher type I IFN serum activity.
Answer: PM/DM is associated with dysregulation of EPC phenotype and function that may be attributed, at least in part, to aberrant IL-18 and type I IFN pathways. The implication of these vasculopathic findings for disease prognosis and complications remains to be determined.
A:
Is dysfunction of endothelial progenitor cells associated with the type I IFN pathway in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis?