title: Interferons as components of the complex web of reactions sustaining inflammation in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.
abstract: Evidence accumulates implicating interferons (IFNs) in the chronic inflammation associated with the idiopathic inflammatory mypathies (IM). Dermatomyositis in particular appears to display a strong IFN type 1 signature. Proposed pathogenic actions of IFNs include the upregulation of major histocompatibility complex class I on muscle fibres, and the induction of a plethora of pro-inflammatory factors, including cytokines and chemokines. This review brings together findings on IFNs and IFN-induced factors, sketching their roles in IM immunopathogenesis in general and dermatomyositis in particular, and offering a basis for exploring their potential therapeutic relevance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Myopathology & Neuromuscular Reference Centre, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium. Electronic address: boel.depaepe@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Boel
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: De Paepe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007372:Interferons / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D009220:Myositis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007370:Interferon Type I; D007372:Interferons
keywords: Chemokines; Cytokines; Inflammatory myopathy; Interferon-inducible genes; Interferons