IFN-α affects Th17/Treg cell balance through c-Maf and associated with the progression of EBV- SLE.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-organ autoimmune disease, of which the pathogens is remains obscure. Viral infection, particularly Epstein Barr viru (EBV) infection, has been considered a common pathogenic factor. This study suggests that c-Maf may be an important target in T cell differentiation during SLE progression, providing a potentially new perspective on the role of viral infection in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Cytokines of EBV-infected SLE patients were measured by ELISA and assessed in conjunction with their clinical data. IFN-α, c-Maf, and the differentiation of Th17/Treg cells in SLE patients and MRL/LPR mice were analyzed using FCM, WB, RT-PCR, etc. Following the infection of cells and mice with EBV or viral mimic poly (dA:dT), the changes of the aforementioned indicators were investigated. The relationship among IFN-α, STAT3, c-Maf and Th17 cells was determined by si-RNA technique. Many SLE patients are found to be complicated by viral infections; Further, studies have demonstrated that viral infection, especially EBV, is involved in SLE development. This study showed that viral infections might promote IFN-α secretion, inhibit c-Maf expression by activating STAT3, increase Th17 cell differentiation, and lead to the immune imbalance of Th17/Treg cells, thus playing a role in the onset and progression of SLE. This study demonstrates that EBV infections may contribute to SLE development by activating STAT3 through IFN-α, inhibiting c-Maf, and causing Th17/Treg immune imbalance. Our work provided a new insight into the pathogenesis and treatment of SLE. • EBV participatede in SLE development through disrupting the Th17 / Treg immune balance. • EBV induces the production of IFN-α, which in turn affects the regulation of Th17/Treg cell differentiation by c-Maf. • EBV infections promote IFN-α secretion, suppresses c-Maf expression through STAT3 pathway. • At the same time, antiviral therapy will be very important for the treatment of SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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