Cytokines in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors are overexpressed by renal parenchymal cells and by infiltrating mononuclear cells in human and experimental lupus nephritis. The importance of cytokines in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis has been established using spontaneous mouse models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The actions of these cytokines are complex. There is a growing appreciation that the cytokine level and stage of kidney disease determines whether cytokine protects or promotes further tissue injury. This article identifies potential therapeutic targets and strategies that might halt progressive renal injury in patients with SLE.

在人类和实验性狼疮性肾炎中，肾实质细胞以及浸润的单核细胞会过度表达细胞因子、趋化因子和生长因子。利用系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）的自发小鼠模型，已经确定了细胞因子在狼疮性肾炎发病机制中的重要性。这些细胞因子的作用是复杂的。人们越来越认识到，细胞因子水平和肾脏疾病阶段决定了细胞因子是保护还是促进进一步的组织损伤。本文确定了可能阻止系统性红斑狼疮患者进行性肾损伤的潜在治疗靶点和策略。