Abstract
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease. The disease is characterized by activation and dysregulation of both the innate and the adaptive immune systems. The autoimmune response targets self-molecules including cell nuclei, double stranded DNA and other intra and extracellular structures. Multiple susceptibility genes within the immune system have been identified, as well as disturbances in different immune pathways. SLE may affect different organs and organ systems, and organ involvement is diverse among individuals. A universal understanding of pathophysiological mechanism of the disease, as well as directed therapies, are still missing. Cytokines are immunomodulating molecules produced by cells of the immune system. Interferons (IFNs) are a broad group of cytokines, primarily produced by the innate immune system. The IFN system has been observed to be dysregulated in SLE, and therefore IFNs have been extensively studied with a hope to understand the disease mechanisms and identify novel targeted therapies. In several autoimmune diseases identification and subsequent blockade of specific cytokines has led to successful therapies, for example tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibition in rheumatoid arthritis. Authors of this review have sought corresponding developments in SLE. In the current review, we cover the actual knowledge on IFNs and other studied cytokines as biomarkers and treatment targets in SLE.
Highlights
The results demonstrated that all patients with rash, more than half of patients with lupus nephritis (LN) and two thirds with arthritis had upregulated serum levels of IFN-α [16]
Data from this study indicate that high IFN-λ1 levels in patients who did not respond to therapy could be a biomarker of therapy resistant LN
Multiple cytokines from different cytokine networks are elevated in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. The disease may affect different organs and organ systems including skin, joints, kidney, the central and peripheral nervous systems. Secreted cytokines can be observed in the circulation, saliva, urine and identified in the target organ tissues such as skin, kidney and synovia. The majority of those cytokines have pro-inflammatory properties, but some have immunomodulatory or anti-inflammatory roles.
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