Systemic lupus erythematosus and renal involvement: which role of citokines expression?

A. Gigante, D. Amoroso, F. Ferri, C. Gianni, G. Coppolino*, A. Papa, A. Amoroso

Department of Medicina Clinica, University of Rome “La Sapienza” – Rome (Italy)
*Department of Medicina Clinica, University Campus Biomedico – Rome (Italy)

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• Immunology

Abstract. – The role of cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) glomerulonephritis is extremely complex. Proinflammatory molecules, such as TNF, IL-6, IL-1 and IL-18 are upregulated, as are both Th1 and Th2 cytokines, with different implications: the local effects may be different from the systemic immunoregulatory ones. Excessive T helper cell function is a hallmark of SLE and abnormalities of Th citokine profiles have been implicated in loss of immune tolerance, increased antogenic load, defective B cell suppression and a variety of clinical manifestations. For some cytokines, TNF and IL-18 in particular, the local proinflammatory ones may be more relevant to the disease.

Corresponding Author: Antonietta Gigante, MD; e-mail: antonietta_gigante@yahoo.it

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