Therapeutic Strategies for SLE Involving Cytokines: Mechanism-Oriented Therapies Especially IFN-𝛾 Targeting Gene Therapy

Figure 2

Notion of IFN-𝛼/𝛽 and TNF-𝛼 axis balance proposed by Banchereau and Pascual [26]. Environmental factors (e.g., viral infections), apoptotic bodies and immune complexes stimulate pDCs through the coengagement of Fc𝛾R and TLRs trigger the production of IFN-𝛼/𝛽 from pDCs and following production of TNF-𝛼 occurs. Also IFN-𝛼/𝛽 induces the generation of mature DCs. Banchereau and Pascud hypothesize that increased production of TNF-𝛼 may weaken IFN-𝛼/𝛽 production, leading to prevention of lupus. Also tolerogenic peptide activates Treg cells leading to production of TGF-𝛽 may inhibit DCs activity, resulting in the suppression of lupus development [27]. These events suppress the lupus development, whereas immunogenic DCs suppress function of Treg cells. Thus Horwitz [22] proposed T reg regulation together with tolerogenic DCs for therapy. Important cytokines are shown in bold arrows letters.