Roles of Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of SLE

Figure 1

Cytokine network that links innate and adaptive immunity. This figure illustrates the functions of some key cytokines secreted by several most important types of immune cells. APC refers primarily to monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. In SLE, TGF-β and IL-10 mainly exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, while IL-6, BAFF, IFN-α, IFN-γ, IL-17, and IL-23 function as proinflammatory cytokines. These cytokines have cross-talks by affecting one another, thereafter constituting a complex network.