No increased prevalence of autoantibodies neutralizing type I IFNs in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients

Respir Res. 2023 Mar 20;24(1):87. doi: 10.1186/s12931-023-02396-4.

Abstract

SARS-CoV2 infection has a poor prognosis in patients affected of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Autoantibodies (auto-Abs) neutralizing type I interferons (IFNs) are found in the blood of at least 15% of patients with life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia. Because of the elevated prevalence of some auto-Abs in IPF patients, we hypothesize that the prevalence of auto-Abs neutralizing type I IFNs might be increased in the IPF population and then explained specific poor outcome after COVID-19. We screened the plasma of 247 consecutive IPF patients for the presence of auto-Abs neutralizing type I IFNs. Three patients displayed auto-Abs neutralizing type I IFNs. Among them, the only patient with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection experienced life threatening COVID-19 pneumonia. The prevalence of auto-Abs neutralizing type I IFNs in this cohort of IPF patients was not significantly different from the one of the general population. Overall, this study did not suggest any association between auto-Abs neutralizing type I IFNs and IPF.

Keywords: Autoimmunity; COVID-19; Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies
  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis* / diagnosis
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis* / epidemiology
  • Interferon Type I*
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Viral
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Interferon Type I
  • RNA, Viral