title: [Pathogenesis of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies].
abstract: The inflammatory myopathies, commonly described as idiopathic, are a group of acquired diseases characterized by an inflammatory infiltrate of the skeletal muscle. On the basis of clinical and immuno-pathological features, three major diseases can be identified: dermatomiositis (DM), polymyositis (PM) and inclusion body myositis (IBM). Immunopathogenesis mechanisms are crucial for discriminating between the three different subsets of inflammatory myopathies. DM is a complement-mediated microangiopathy affecting skin and muscle. PM and IBM are T cell-mediated disorders, where CD8-positive cytotoxic T cells invade muscle fibres expressing MHC class I antigens. This article summarizes the main immunopathological markers. The impact of this new knowledge must be defined in relation to potential therapeutic targets for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación en Epidemiología Clínica de la UMAE HP CMNS-XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México D.F., México; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D. F., México. criebnava@yahoo.com.mx
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Riebeling-Navarro
authors.forename: Arnulfo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nava