title: Understanding autoimmune disease: new targets for drug discovery.
abstract: A more complete understanding of the mechanisms that drive autoimmune diseases has begun to be translated into therapeutic options with significant clinical consequences. A clear example of this is the introduction of biological therapies, which have provided new therapeutic avenues, as well as validated the mediators (TNFalpha, IL-6), mechanisms (T cell costimulation, leukocyte migration), and cellular players (T and B lymphocytes) of the disease process itself. New discoveries into the role of Th17 and regulatory T cells and the epigenetic regulation of cytokine expression may offer novel intervention strategies to satisfy the unmet medical needs that still exist in these diseases.
authors: Autoimmunity Department, R&D Center, Almirall Laboratories, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Balagué
authors: Steven L
authors: SL
authors: Kunkel
authors: Núria
authors: N
authors: Godessart
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055808:Drug Discovery; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors