Systemic lupus erythematosus and renal involvement: which role of citokines expression?
The role of cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) glomerulonephritis is extremely complex. Proinflammatory molecules, such as TNF, IL-6, IL-1 and IL-18 are upregulated, as are both Thl and Th2 cytokines, with different implications: the local effects may be different from the systemic immunoregulatory ones. Excessive T helper cell function is a hallmark of SLE and abnormalities of Th citokine profiles have been implicated in loss of immune tolerance, increased antogenic load, defective B cell suppression and a variety of clinical manifestations. For some cytokines, TNF and IL-18 in particular, the local proinflammatory ones may be more relevant to the disease.
Gigante
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Department of Medicina Clinica, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. antonietta_gigante@yahoo.it
Amoroso
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Ferri
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Gianni
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Coppolino
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G
Papa
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Amoroso
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D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000191:economics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines