{"entity": "publication", "iuid": "7b626f01cb884391bca358fcaafa0376", "timestamp": "2026-08-22T08:30:28.574Z", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/7b626f01cb884391bca358fcaafa0376.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/7b626f01cb884391bca358fcaafa0376"}}, "title": "Type I IFN system activation in newborns exposed to Ro/SSA and La/SSB autoantibodies in utero.", "authors": [{"family": "Hedlund", "given": "Malin", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Thorlacius", "given": "Gudny Ella", "initials": "GE"}, {"family": "Ivanchenko", "given": "Margarita", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Ottosson", "given": "Vijole", "initials": "V"}, {"family": "Kyriakidis", "given": "Nikolaos", "initials": "N"}, {"family": "Lagnefeldt", "given": "Linda", "initials": "L"}, {"family": "Tingstr\u00f6m", "given": "Joanna", "initials": "J"}, {"family": "Sirsj\u00f6", "given": "Allan", "initials": "A"}, {"family": "Bengtsson", "given": "Anders A", "initials": "AA"}, {"family": "Aronsson", "given": "Emma", "initials": "E"}, {"family": "Gemzell-Danielsson", "given": "Kristina", "initials": "K"}, {"family": "Ronnblom", "given": "Lars", "initials": "L"}, {"family": "Bergman", "given": "Gunnar", "initials": "G"}, {"family": "Espinosa", "given": "Alexander", "initials": "A"}, {"family": "Sonesson", "given": "Sven-Erik", "initials": "SE"}, {"family": "Eloranta", "given": "Maija-Leena", "initials": "ML"}, {"family": "Wahren-Herlenius", "given": "Marie", "initials": "M", "orcid": "0000-0002-0915-7245", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/0db5190dbe894a5e9cd961e66ba5c75d.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2020-01-00", "journal": {"title": "RMD Open", "issn": "2056-5933", "volume": "6", "issue": "1", "issn-l": null}, "abstract": "In utero exposure of the fetus to Ro/La autoantibodies may lead to congenital heart block (CHB). In the mother, these autoantibodies are associated with activation of the type I interferon (IFN)-system. As maternal autoantibodies are transferred to the fetus during pregnancy, we investigated whether the type I IFN-system is activated also in newborns of anti-Ro/La positive mothers, and whether fetal IFN activation is affected by maternal immunomodulatory treatment.\n\nBlood drawn at birth from anti-Ro/La positive mothers, their newborns and healthy control pairs was separated into plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). PBMC were analysed directly or cultured. mRNA expression was analysed by microarrays, cell surface markers by flow cytometry, and IFN\u03b1 levels by immunoassays.\n\nWe observed increased expression of IFN-regulated genes and elevated plasma IFN\u03b1 levels not only in anti-Ro/La positive women, but also in their newborns. CD14+ monocytes of both anti-Ro/La positive mothers and their neonates showed increased expression of Sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin-1, indicating cellular activation. Notably, the IFN score of neonates born to mothers receiving immunomodulatory treatment was similar to that of controls, despite persistent IFN activation in the mothers. In both maternal and neonatal PBMC, IFN\u03b1 production was induced when cells were cultured with anti-Ro/La positive plasma.\n\nRo/La autoantibody-exposed neonates at risk of CHB have signs of an activated immune system with an IFN signature. This study further demonstrates that neonatal cells can produce IFN\u03b1 when exposed to autoantibody-containing plasma, and that maternal immunomodulatory treatment may diminish the expression of IFN-regulated genes in the fetus.", "doi": "10.1136/rmdopen-2019-000989", "pmid": "31958275", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC7046945"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "rmdopen-2019-000989"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-21T12:27:36.401Z", "modified": "2026-08-21T12:27:36.473Z"}