Expression data from human healthy and lupus EPCs/CACs, and healthy CD133+ bone marrow EPCs

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by increased vascular risk due to premature atherosclerosis independent of traditional risk factors. We previously proposed that interferon- plays a crucial role in premature vascular damage in SLE. IFN- alters the balance between endothelial cell apoptosis and vascular repair mediated by endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and myeloid circulating angiogenic cells (CACs). Here we demonstrate that IFN- promotes an antiangiogenic signature in SLE and control EPCs/CACs, characterized by transcriptional repression of IL-1 and , IL-1 receptor 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and upregulation of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN) and the decoy receptor IL1-R2. IL-1 promotes significant improvement in the functional capacity of lupus EPCs/CACs, therefore abrogating the deleterious effects of IFN-.

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Thacker SG, Berthier CC, Mattinzoli D, Rastaldi MP, Kretzler M, Kaplan MJ