Polymorphism in IFNAR contributes to glucocorticoid response and outcome in ARDS and COVID-19 (preprint)

The use of glucocorticoids has given contradictory results for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Here we report a novel disease association of a SNP rs9984273, which is situated in the interferon alpha/beta receptor (IFNAR2) gene in an area corresponding to a binding motif of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). The minor allele of SNP rs9984273 associates with higher IFNAR expression, lower IFN-gamma and IL-6 levels and less severe form of coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) according to the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative database, and better outcome in interferon (IFN) beta treated patients with ARDS. Thus, the distribution of this SNP within clinical study arms may explain the contradictory results of multiple ARDS studies and outcomes in COVID-19 concerning type I IFN signalling and glucocorticoids.

Glucocorticoids inhibit type I IFN beta signaling and the upregulation of CD73 in human lung (preprint)

Purpose Glucocorticoids are widely used to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) despite its use is highly controversial based on randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses. As type I interferons (IFNs) are our first line of defense against severe viral respiratory infections, we explored whether glucocorticoids interfere with IFN signaling and whether their use associates to outcome of IFN beta treatment of ARDS. Methods We performed a propensity-matched post-hoc-analysis using data from the recent randomized INTEREST-trial comparing IFN beta-1a to placebo in ARDS patients. Based on the results of these analyses we utilized human lung tissue and human pulmonary endothelial cell cultures to investigate the effect of hydrocortisone on IFN nuclear signaling and the protein transcription of CD73, a molecule responsible for vascular integrity. Results We found that hydrocortisone reduces the production, and prevents the nuclear translocation of IRF9, that is required for IFN beta-dependent signaling of multiple IFN-induced genes. In addition, hydrocortisone inhibits IFN beta-dependent upregulation of CD73 in human lung tissue. Additionally, we found that use of glucocorticoids with IFN beta-1a was independently associated with increased mortality (OR 5.4, 95% CI 2.1–13.9, P< 0.001) in the INTEREST-trial. Conclusions Glucocorticoids inhibit type I IFN beta signaling and the upregulation of CD73 in human lung. This provides the mechanistic basis for the harmful association of glucocorticoids in IFN beta treated patients in the INTEREST-trial. Most importantly, it strongly speaks against the use of glucocorticoids in viral-induced ARDS such as in the current corona virus pandemia. Take home message Glucocorticoids inhibit type I interferon beta signaling and the upregulation of CD73 that is a key molecule preventing vascular leakage and harmful leukocyte infiltration into the lungs. This work provides the mechanistic basis for the need to avoid glucocorticoids in viral-induced ARDS, in which endogenous interferon is needed to combat the infection and its consequences.