Autoantibody‐Positive Healthy Individuals Display Unique Immune Profiles That May Regulate Autoimmunity

Abstract

ANA-positive healthy individuals exhibit dysregulation in multiple immune pathways yet differ from SLE patients by the absence of elevated IFNs, BLyS, IL-12p40, and stem cell factor/c-Kit ligand. Further, severely decreased levels of IL-1Ra in SLE patients compared with ANA-positive individuals may contribute to disease development. These results highlight the importance of IFN-related pathways and regulatory elements in SLE pathogenesis.