Rationale for T cell inhibition by cyclosporin A in major autoimmune diseases.
T cells exert a fundamental role in different autoimmune chronic inflammatory diseases. The low-affinity autoreactive T cell clones provide the first amplification loop after the antigen (AgX) presentation, and if not counterregulated by the T regulatory cells (Treg), they maintain the inflammation and predispose to organ damage. Interrupting the T cell amplification loop through calcineurin antagonists leads to maintenance of the whole process under the autoimmune threshold.
Ferraccioli
G F
GF
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Complesso Integrato Columbus Via Moscati 31, 00168 Rome, Italy. gf.ferraccioli@rm.unicatt.it
Tomietto
P
P
De Santis
M
M
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000502:physiology; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*
D018106:CD28 Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine