Anti-TNF-αTherapies in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

[摘要] Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-αis not just a proinflammatory cytokine. It has also been proposed to be an immunoregulatory molecule that can alter the balance of T regulatory cells. Anti-TNF-αtherapies have been provided clinical benefit to many patients and introduced for treating moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and other chronic inflammatory disorders. However, their use also is accompanied by new or aggravated forms of autoimmunity, such as formation of autoantibodies, including antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), antidouble-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies, and anticardiolipin antibodies (ACL). Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease with autoimmune disturbance and inflammatory damage. The role of TNF-αin human SLE is controversial. Here we review the role of TNF-αin the pathophysiological processes of SLE and the likely effects of blocking TNF-αin treatment of SLE.

[学科分类] 基础医学