title: The tumor necrosis factor superfamily of cytokines in the inflammatory myopathies: potential targets for therapy.
abstract: The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IM) represent a heterogeneous group of autoimmune diseases, of which dermatomyositis (DM), polymyositis (PM), and sporadic inclusion body myositis (IBM) are the most common. The crucial role played by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in the IM has long been recognized. However, so far, 18 other members of the TNF superfamily have been characterized, and many of these have not yet received the attention they deserve. In this paper, we summarize current findings for all TNF cytokines in IM, pinpointing what we know already and where current knowledge fails. For each TNF family member, possibilities for treating inflammatory diseases in general and the IM in particular are explored.
authors: Laboratory for Myopathology, Department of Neurology and Neuromuscular Reference Center, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. boel.depaepe@ugent.be
authors: Boel
authors: B
authors: De Paepe
authors: Kim K
authors: KK
authors: Creus
authors: Jan L
authors: JL
authors: De Bleecker
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009220:Myositis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D000079424:Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000079424:Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors