A stronger type I interferon signature distinguishes ANCA-associated vasculitis phenotypes and predicts kidney prognosis

Abstract

Introduction: Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) causes severe multisystemic organ damage. The main phenotypes, microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), share similarities but differ in clinical presentation and outcome. To uncover their molecular differences, we performed transcriptomic profiling of kidney tissue, then focused on type I interferon (IFN-I) pathway activation in kidney and blood and its clinical implications.

Methods: We analyzed two independent cohorts (Maine-Anjou and RENVAS registries) totaling 193 patients with AAV and glomerulonephritis. NanoString nCounter transcriptomic profiling, and serum inflammatory molecules quantification were conducted. Comparative analyses of MPA vs. GPA (and MPO-AAV vs. PR3-AAV) were validated using independent public datasets (including kidney spatial transcriptomic datasets, European cDNA Renal Biobank and blood from the RAVE trial).

Results: The kidney IFN-I signature found in AAV-GN is upregulated in MPA/MPO-AAV compared to GPA/PR3-AAV and controls. Quantitative PCR, MxA immunohistochemistry, and analysis of external datasets confirmed these findings. This IFN-I signature, close to the one found in lupus nephritis, is linked to the extent of pDC infiltration. Kidney IFN-I activation correlated with increased kidney fibrosis, independently of kidney function. High kidney IFN-I signatures were linked to lower kidney survival, independently of kidney function and pathological scores. MPA kidneys also exhibited higher mast cell and T-cell infiltration. Systemic analyses showed elevated IFNα and interferon related inflammatory molecules in all patients with AAV, but a stronger IFN-I gene signature was found in immune cells from MPA.

Conclusions: Our study identifies an IFN-I signature in AAV, especially in MPA/MPO-AAV, underscoring its potential role in disease heterogeneity and kidney pathology. IFN-I emerges as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in AAV, particularly for MPA. Further studies are needed to clarify its mechanisms and explore IFN-I modulation in clinical trials.

Keywords: ANCA; glomerulonephritis; transcriptomic analyses; type I interferon signature.