How interferon-gamma keeps autoimmune diseases in check.
Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is regarded traditionally as a proinflammatory factor and as the signature cytokine of Th1-dominated autoimmune processes. Early evidence indicative of an opposite, protective role has recently received further attention from reports revealing an increasing number of pathways by which IFN-gamma can counteract harmful inflammation in Th1-associated autoimmune diseases. Here, we review evidence for IFN-gamma's anti-inflammatory effects primarily from the perspective of one experimental model, collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), and question the classic proinflammatory role of IFN-gamma and also the Th1-Th2 paradigm as a basis for explaining the regulation of autoimmune diseases. We conclude that endogenous production of IFN-gamma during inflammatory and autoimmune diseases should be considered as a process with bidirectional immunoregulatory consequences, often resulting in moderation of pathology.
Kelchtermans
Hilde
H
Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Billiau
Alfons
A
Matthys
Patrick
P
D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D007371:Interferon-gamma