Serum interferon-alpha level in first degree relatives of systemic lupus erythematosus patients: Correlation with autoantibodies titers

Background and objectives: Interferon-a (IFN-a), a cytokine with both antiviral and immune-regulatory functions, was suggested as a useful tool which can evaluate current systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity and identify patients whoare at risk of future disease flares. In the current study, serum IFN-a levels and associated demographic, and serological features in Egyptian SLE patients and their first degree relatives (FDRs) in comparison to unrelated healthy controls (UHCs) were examined, in order to identify individuals at the greatest risk for clinical illness.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, blood samples were drawn from 54 SLE patients, 93 of their FDRs who consented to enroll into the study and 76 UHCs. Measurement of serum IFN-a by a modified ELISA was carried out. Data were analyzed for associations of serum IFN-a levels with autoantibodies titer.Results: Meanserum IFN-a inFDRswas statistically higher than theUHCsand lower than inSLE patients (P < 0.0001) and it was correlated with ANA titer (r = 0.6, P < 0.0001) and anti ds DNA titer (r = 0.62, P < 0.0001).Conclusion: IFN-a is a crucial player in the complicated autoimmune changes that occur in SLE and serum IFN-a can be a useful marker identifying persons who are at risk of future disease development.Keywords: Interferon-a; Systemic lupus erythematosus; First degree relatives; Autoantibodie

Purinergic receptors in the splanchnic circulation

There is considerable evidence that purines are vasoactive molecules involved in the regulation of blood flow. Adenosine is a well known vasodilator that also acts as a modulator of the response to other vasoactive substances. Adenosine exerts its effects by interacting with adenosine receptors. These are metabotropic G-protein coupled receptors and include four subtypes, A1, A2A, A2B and A3. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a co-transmitter in vascular neuroeffector junctions and is known to activate two distinct types of P2 receptors, P2X (ionotropic) and P2Y (metabotropic). ATP can exert either vasoconstrictive or vasorelaxant effects, depending on the P2 receptor subtype involved. Splanchnic vascular beds are of particular interest, as they receive a large fraction of the cardiac output. This review focus on purinergic receptors role in the splanchnic vasomotor control. Here, we give an overview on the distribution and diversity of effects of purinergic receptors in splanchnic vessels. Pre- and post-junctional receptormediated responses are summarized. Attention is also given to the interactions between purinergic receptors and other receptors in the splanchnic circulation