Expression of the oas gene family is highly modulated in subjects affected by juvenile dermatomyositis, resembling an immune response to a dsRNA virus infection

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a systemic, autoimmune, interferon (IFN)-mediated inflammatory muscle disorder that affects children younger than 18 years of age. JDM primarily affects the skin and the skeletal muscles. Interestingly, the role of viral infections has been hypothesized. Mammalian 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) genes have been thoroughly characterized as components of the IFN-induced antiviral system, and they are connected to several innate immune-activated diseases. The main purpose of the paper is to define the potential interrelationship between the OAS gene family network and the molecular events that characterize JDM along with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecular pathways.