Induction of interferon‐α by immune complexes or liposomes containing systemic lupus erythematosus autoantigen– and Sjögren's syndrome autoantigen–associated RNA

Abstract Objective To investigate the ability of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) autoantigen– and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) autoantigen–associated U1 small nuclear RNA (U1 snRNA) and hY1RNA to induce interferon‐α (IFNα) production. Methods In vitro–transcribed U1 snRNA or hY1RNA and lipofectin were added to peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures. Purified U1 snRNP particles and IgG from SLE patients (SLE‐IgG) were added to cultures of PBMCs, enriched monocytes, or natural interferon–producing cells (NIPCs); the latter are also known as plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC). Cells were double‐stained for IFNα and either blood dendritic cell antigen 2 (NIPCs/pDC) or CD14 (monocytes) and then analyzed by flow cytometry. In some experiments, RNase or inhibitors of Fcγ receptor IIa (FcγRIIa) (specific antibodies), endocytosis (chloroquine, bafilomycin A), or Toll‐like receptors (TLRs; oligodeoxynucleotide 2088) were used. The produced IFNα was measured by immunoassay. Results Lipofected U1 snRNA and hY1RNA both induced IFNα production in monocytes, but not in NIPC/pDC. In contrast, U1 snRNP combined with SLE‐IgG induced IFNα production only in NIPCs/pDC, and this response was decreased by RNase treatment or inhibition of the FcγRIIa, the endocytosis pathways, or the TLRs. Conclusion Our finding that U1 snRNA and hY1RNA have IFNα‐inducing capacity indicates that immune complexes containing such RNA, for example U1 snRNP particles, can be at least partly responsible for the ongoing IFNα production seen in SLE and SS. These results may help to explain the molecular mechanisms behind the pathogenesis of these and other autoimmune diseases in which autoantibodies to RNA‐ binding proteins occur.