Systemic lupus erythematosus: all roads lead to type I interferons

Curr Opin Immunol. 2006 Dec;18(6):676-82. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2006.09.014. Epub 2006 Oct 2.

Abstract

In recent years, the study of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients has revealed a central role for type I interferon (IFN) in disease pathogenesis. IFN induces the unabated activation of peripheral dendritic cells, which select and activate autoreactive T cells rather than deleting them, thus failing to induce peripheral tolerance. IFN also directly affects T cells and B cells. Furthermore, immune complexes binding to FcgammaR and Toll-like receptors provide an amplification loop for IFN production and B-cell activation in SLE. Polymorphisms in genes that control IFN production or its downstream signaling pathway, such as IRF5, might be responsible for some of these alterations. This novel information is leading to the development of IFN antagonists as a potential therapeutic intervention in SLE, thus bringing hope to SLE patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Interferon Type I / genetics
  • Interferon Type I / immunology*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / genetics
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptors / immunology

Substances

  • Interferon Type I
  • Toll-Like Receptors