Overview

• UCSF scientists found that antiviral gene activity steadily decreases with age in lupus patients, accounting for the marked improvement in symptoms among those in their 60s and 70s.
• The study showed that lupus-related interferon signaling peaks in mid-life and then wanes, reversing the usual pattern of gradual inflammation increase seen in healthy adults.
• Researchers are preparing clinical trials to compare the effectiveness of interferon-blocking drugs across different age cohorts of lupus patients.
• The team plans to extend this epigenetic attenuation approach to other inflammation-driven conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, COPD and atherosclerosis.
• Results suggest that targeting specific antiviral pathways could offer a precision alternative to broad immunosuppression and reduce long-term side effects in systemic lupus erythematosus.