Autoimmune mechanisms in children with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Although the pathogenesis of SLE remains poorly understood, there is consensus that it involves a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. New technologies applied to genomic and gene expression studies have revealed novel gene mutations and cytokine alterations in this disease. Recently, advances in monoclonal antibodies and recombinant DNA technology have resulted in the development of new drugs to arrest disease progression and restore physiologic immune responses without major side effects. Clinical trials to test several of these novel therapies are currently underway.
Stichweh
Dorothee
D
Baylor Institute for Immunology Research, Dallas, TX 75204, USA.
Pascual
Virginia
V
D000367:Age Factors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents