THU0507 TYPE I INTERFERON SCORE AND INTERFERON INDUCED MEDIATORS CXCL10 AND NEOPTERIN ARE CORRELATED WITH DISEASE ACTIVITY IN JUVENILE DERMATOMYOSITIS
Authors: Rebecca Nicolai, Ivan Caiello, Lucilla Rava’, Silvia Rosina, Luisa Bracci-Laudiero, Francesco Licciardi, Angelo Ravelli, Fabrizio De Benedetti, Gian Marco Moneta
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2019)

<h3>Background</h3> Interferons (IFNs) seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). Our group previously reported that expression of both type I and type II IFN related genes is increased in muscle biopsies of JDM patients and correlates with histological and clinical features of the disease. <h3>Objectives</h3> The aim of this study was to investigate expression of interferon regulated genes (IRGs), as well as serum levels of two type I and type II IFN induced chemokines (CXCL9, CXCL10) and neopterin in peripheral blood of JDM patients and to assess their correlations with clinical and laboratory findings. <h3>Methods</h3> We collected 189 blood samples from 39 JDM patients at different time points during follow-up. In 11 patients we obtained the first blood sample at time of muscle biopsy. We measured expression of type I IRGs (IFI27, IFI44L, IFIT1, ISG15, RSAD2, SIGLEC1), IFNg and type II IRGs (CXCL9, CIITA, IDO1) by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and calculated a type I and type II IFN score for muscle and blood samples; serum levels of CXCL9, CXCL10 and neopterin were analyzed by ELISA. Ten healthy subjects were used as controls (HC). At each visit, the following clinical data were recorded: physician's global assessment (PGA) of disease activity VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), cutaneous VAS, Cutaneous Assessment Tool (CAT) activity score, Childhood Myositis Assessment Score (CMAS), serum levels of creatine phosphokinase (CK, IU/l), presence of myositis specific or myositis associated antibodies (MSA/MAA), prednisone (or equivalent) dose (mg/kg/daily), ongoing immunosuppressive medications. <h3>Results</h3> Serum levels of CXCL9 where significantly correlated with muscle expression of IFNg and type II IFN score. The correlation of CXCL10 levels with muscle type I and type II IFN score was weaker. Muscle expression of CXCL9 and CXCL10 correlated with serum levels of these chemokines. Type I IFN score in blood of JDM patients was increased compared to HC and significantly correlated with PGA, cutaneous VAS, CAT activity score. Serum levels of CXCL9 and CXCL10 were significantly higher in JDM patients compared to HC. MSA positive JDM patients showed higher levels of CXCL9 and CXCL10 compared to MSA negative patients. CXCL10 levels correlated with PGA and CMAS, but not with cutaneous disease activity. CXCL9 showed no significant association with the evaluated clinical features. Neopterin levels significantly correlated with PGA, cutaneous VAS, CAT activity score and CMAS. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Our findings indicate that expression of IRGs, measured as type I IFN score, and serum levels of CXCL10 and neopterin reflect specific features of disease activity in JDM, supporting their role as valuable disease biomarkers. <h3>References</h3> [1] Moneta GM, Pires Marafon D, Marasco E, Rosina S, Verardo M, Fiorillo C, Minetti C, Bracci-Laudiero L, Ravelli A, De Benedetti F, Nicolai R. Muscle Expression of Type I and Type II Interferons Is Increased in Juvenile Dermatomyositis and Related to Clinical and Histological Features. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2018 Dec 15. doi: 10.1002/art.40800. <h3>Acknowledgement</h3> This work was supported by a grant of the Cure JM Foundation to Dr. Nicolai and by funding of the Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS to Dr. De Benedetti <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> Rebecca Nicolai: None declared, Ivan Caiello: None declared, Lucilla Rava': None declared, Silvia Rosina: None declared, Luisa Bracci-Laudiero: None declared, Francesco Licciardi: None declared, Angelo Ravelli Grant/research support from: Angelini, AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson &amp; Johnson, Novartis, Pfizer, Reckitt Benkiser, and Roche, Consultant for: Angelini, AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson &amp; Johnson, Novartis, Pfizer, Reckitt Benkiser, and Roche, Speakers bureau: Angelini, AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson &amp; Johnson, Novartis, Pfizer, Reckitt Benkiser, and Roche, Fabrizio De Benedetti Grant/research support from: Abbvie, SOBI, Novimmune, Roche, Novartis, Sanofi, Pfizer, Gian Marco Moneta: None declared