Anticytokine therapy in autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune reaction and inflammation observed in autoimmune diseases may be caused by the deregulated production of cytokines. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine with a wide range of biological activities such as support of hematopoiesis, regulation of acute phase reactions, and generation of immune responses. Uncontrolled hyperproduction of IL-6 causes plasmacytosis, hyper-gamma-globulinemia, thrombocytosis, mesangial cell proliferation of the kidney as well as inflammatory symptoms which are frequently observed in autoimmune diseases. Thus, interference with IL-6 signal transduction may be useful for autoimmune disease therapy. The pathogenic significance of IL-6 in autoimmune disorders and new therapeutic approaches involving blocking of IL-6 signal transduction are discussed.
Nishimoto
N
N
The Department of Medical Science I, School of Health and Sport Sciences, Osaka University, Suita.
Kishimoto
T
T
Yoshizaki
K
K
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015850:Interleukin-6; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D004247:DNA