Interleukin 4 treatment of psoriasis: are pleiotropic cytokines suitable therapies for autoimmune diseases?
Many human autoimmune diseases are still treated by a combination of corticosteroids and general immunosuppression. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases has led to therapies that are more specific than current therapies of some of these disorders. In psoriasis, T helper (Th) cells with a pro-inflammatory phenotype (Th1) are considered essential to the disease process. A recent clinical trial of interleukin 4 in psoriasis has demonstrated that such pleiotropic cytokines can be used safely and effectively to correct imbalances in immune function.
Martin
Roland
R
Cellular Immunology Section, Neuroimmunology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center DR MSC 1400, Bethesda, MD 20892-1400, USA. martinr@ninds.nih.gov
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D015847:Interleukin-4