Interferon beta for glomerulonephritis?
Interferon beta (IFNbeta) is used in the therapy of multiple sclerosis (MS), which develops from the activation of autoreactive T lymphocytes against peptides of myelin basic protein. IFNbeta was demonstrated to have beneficial effects in experimental models of glomerulonephritis (GN), such as decreasing proteinuria via Il-10 release. T helper (Th-1) lymphocyte responses are reduced, the actions of metalloproteinase (MMP9) are suppressed, and the functions of regulatory T cells are promoted. In concept, IFNI3 therapy might be beneficial in patients with life threatening forms of GN, such as Goodpasture's syndrome or vasculitis. Further research is warranted to study the effect of IFNbeta on GN in clinical settings.
E Nigel
EN
Wardle
D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D016899:Interferon-beta