An etiopathogenic role for the type I IFN system in SLE.
The type I interferon (IFN) system plays a pivotal role in the etiopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The initial appearance of autoantibody-producing B cells can be precipitated by infection-induced type I IFNs, but the further, significant generation of autoimmune T and B cells is caused by the prolonged production of IFN-alpha, which is maintained by a vicious circle mechanism. This involves the activation of immature dendritic cells, known as natural IFN-producing cells, by continuously formed endogenous IFN-alpha inducers. These IFN-alpha inducers consist of complexes of autoantibodies with nucleic-acid-containing autoantigens derived from apoptotic cells.
Rönnblom
L
L
Dept of Medical Sciences, Section of Rheumatology, University Hospital, S-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. Lars.Ronnblom@medsci.uu.se
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D015551:Autoimmunity; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000502:physiology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008954:Models, Biological
D007370:Interferon Type I