Gene expression analysis of macrophages derived from ankylosing spondylitis patients reveals interferon‐γ dysregulation

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Abstract
Objective To determine whether macrophages, a type of cell implicated in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), exhibit a characteristic gene expression pattern. Methods Macrophages were derived from the peripheral blood of 8 AS patients (median disease duration 13 years [range P = 0.004) and was poorly responsive to LPS (P = 0.018), as compared with healthy controls. Conclusions Our findings reveal consistent differences in gene expression in macrophages from AS patients, with evidence of a striking “reverse” IFN signature. Together with poor expression and responsiveness of the IFNγ gene, these results suggest that there may be a relative defect in IFNγ gene regulation, with autocrine consequences and implications for disease pathogenesis.