title: The roles of interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 in B cell hyperactivity in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease most prevalent in women between the ages of twenty and sixty. Successful treatment remains challenging due to a lack of understanding of the underlying mechanisms and multiple symptoms ranging from skin rashes to glomerulonephritis. The pathogenesis of SLE has been linked to a B-cell hyperproliferation unique to afflicted patients. These B-cells generate large quantities of IgG autoantibodies, ultimately capable of leading to lupus nephritis and renal failure. The significance of cytokines in SLE and in murine lupus, a related disease in mice, has been debated, particularly with respect to B-cell activity. Potential roles of auto-regulatory and inflammatory cytokines have been investigated. In particular, IL-6 and IL-10 have been shown to be key factors in regulating autoantibody-secreting B-cell activity in lupus. Here, we will provide a critical overview of our current knowledge of the regulatory roles of these two cytokines in SLE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Benton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D016753:Interleukin-10