Cytokine networks in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease more prominent in women and characterized by multiple organ damage. Imbalance in cytokine production and cytokine levels correlates with SLE progression, making the understanding of SLE cytokine networks very important for SLE treatment strategy and drug development. In this article, we review cytokine networks that may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE by briefly describing abnormal cytokine production and serum cytokine levels in SLE patients. We also focus on the pathological roles of cytokines and their interactions in immunoregulatory networks and suggest how their disturbances may implicate in pathological conditions in SLE. Finally, we further discuss the influence of estrogen on these cytokine networks.
Lee
Hooi-Ming
HM
Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Sugino
Hidehiko
H
Nishimoto
Norihiro
N
D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D015398:Signal Transduction
D016207:Cytokines; D004967:Estrogens