Role of apoptosis in autoimmunity.
Autoimmune diseases are characterized by the activity of autoreactive lymphocytes that produce antibodies targeting self tissue or organ for destruction. Although the pathogenesis of these diseases is poorly understood, during the past two decades basic research has indicated apoptosis as the pivotal molecular mechanism leading to autoimmunity. Recently cytokines have been invoked in the regulation of the apoptosis-related factors and death receptors in autoimmune target destruction. These research advances have contributed to the identification of mechanisms controlling autoimmunity for defining novel therapeutic strategies.
Department of Surgical and Oncological Sciences, Via Liborio Giuffrè 5, 90127 Palermo, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Matilde
M
Todaro
Ann
A
Zeuner
Giorgio
G
Stassi
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000276:immunology