Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Belimumab modulates type I interferon signalling in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors' conclusion
These results revealed a novel mechanism of belimumab action, advancing our understanding of the immune atlas in SLE patients before and after belimumab-targeting treatment.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); PBMC profiled before and after treatment initiation
- Participants
- 6 patients
- Comparison
- Belimumab plus conventional therapy vs conventional therapy alone
- Belimumabn = 3
- Conventional therapyn = 3reference
Methodological detailssingle-cell RNA-seq, before and after treatment initiation
- Single-cell RNA-seq
- Before and after treatment initiation
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Belimumab significantly decreased the number of CD16+ monocytes after 8 weeks; the opposite in the control group
- Belimumab vs conventional therapy: significant reduction in IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) activity in monocytes and low-density granulocytes (LDGs)
- Expansion of unique ISG-enriched subpopulations inhibited with belimumab
- Transcription and expression of BAFF-R and B-cell maturation antigen increased in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), B cells and plasma cells
- BAFF-R expression inhibited in monocytes and T cells
Original publication
Belimumab modulates type I interferon signalling in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Published 21 June 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →