Th1 cytokines in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis: The role of IL-18
- 作者：Nicola Calvani ; Marco Tucci ; Hanno B. Richards ; Paola Tartaglia and Franco Silvestris
- 关键词：IL-18 ; IL-12 ; IL-4 ; IFN-γ ; Lupus nephritis ; SLE
- 刊名：Autoimmunity Reviews
- 出版年：2005
- 期刊代码：30_15689972
- 类别：med
- 出版时间：2005
- 卷：4
- 期：8
- 页码：542-548
- 文件大小：180 K
摘要
Excessive T helper cell function is a hallmark of systemic lupus erythematosus and abnormalities of T helper cytokine profiles have been implicated in loss of immune tolerance, increased antigenic load, defective B cell suppression and a variety of clinical manifestations. Here, we emphasize the importance of T helper 1-type (i.e., IFN-γ) with respect to T helper 2-type (i.e., IL-4) cytokines in promoting the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis focusing on the critical role of IL-18, a major T helper 1 differentiation factor. IL-18 is overexpressed in patients with lupus nephritis along with higher INF-γ and lower IL-4 production as compared to non-nephritic lupus patients. We hypothesize a pathogenic model where both the onset and aggravation of nephritis are promoted by an imbalance of immune response towards a T helper 1 cytokine predominance due to IL-18 up-regulation. In contrast, a T helper 2-skewed cytokine profile may possibly prevent the development of renal disease. In this context, IL-18 represents a novel marker of lupus nephritis and its measurement may be helpful in the assessment of patients.