Work

The Dysregulation of Cytokine Networks in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Year: 2011

Type: review

Abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease associated with chronic immune activation and tissue damage. Organ damage in SLE results from the deposition of immune complexes and the infiltration of activated T cells into susceptible organs. Cytokines are intimately involved in every step of the SLE pathogenesis. Defective immune regulation and uncontrolled lymphocyte activation, as well as increased antigen presenting cell maturation are all influenced by cytokines. Moreover, expansion of local immune responses as well as tissue infiltration by pathogenic cells is instigated by cytokines. In this review, we describe the main cytokine abnormalities reported in SLE and discuss the mechanisms that drive their aberrant production as well as the pathogenic pathways that their presence promotes.

Source: Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research

DOI: 10.1089/jir.2011.0029

Authors: Sokratis A. Apostolidis, Linda A. Lieberman, Katalin Kis-Toth, José C. Crispín, George C. Tsokos

Institutions: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University

Language: English

Topic: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research

Subfield: Rheumatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases