Autoimmune diseases are connected with disturbances in cytokine synthesis, and therapy with IFN-gamma blockers is their main pathogenetic treatment.
Development of autoimmune process in the organism is mainly due to disturbances in cytokine production. Hyperproduction of cytokines can be induced by certain viruses, bacteria, genetic factors, and other triggers. Cytokines act in an interrelated immune cascade with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) playing a central role. Blocking IFN-gamma is the safest and most effective method of treatment of TH1-mediated autoimmune diseases, although blocking other cytokines in the cascade may lead to some therapeutic effect as well. Disturbances in the synthesis of IFN-gamma and, possibly, IFN-alpha may lead to autoantigen formation. Antibodies to IFN-gamma have shown very pronounced therapeutic effect in multiple autoimmune conditions, especially in autoimmune skin diseases. Anticytokine therapy that we have pioneered may be the main pathogenetic method of treatment of a variety of autoimmune conditions.
Skurkovich
Boris
B
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. sskurkovich@gmail.com
Skurkovich
Simon
S
D000818:Animals; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D014611:Vaccination