title: Inflammatory molecules: a target for treatment of systemic autoimmune diseases.
abstract: Inflammation is a process to protect the host against infection and danger signals. However, many pathologic conditions, including autoimmune diseases, are sustained by perpetual activation of the inflammatory process. In the past few years our knowledge about the molecular basis of inflammation have been uncovered and now much is known about the primary role of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 and TNF. In the early '90s, anti-cytokine therapies started and confirmed the primary role of TNF in autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's Disease and psoriasis. Increasing understanding of the role of inflammatory mediators in inflammation and diseases is opening new avenues for the treatment of inflammatory-based diseases through selective targeting of cytokines and lipid mediators.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Italy. Electronic address: tincani@bresciareumatologia.it.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tincani
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andreoli
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bazzani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bosisio
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sozzani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha