Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease of a dysregulated immune system. As some of the principal modifiers of immune responses, cytokines figure prominently into the etiology and pathogenesis of SLE. Cytokines can be products of both the innate and the adaptive immune systems and affect the majority of the cell types involved in lupus. Recent work using microarray techniques and genetic analysis has strengthened the association between cytokine dysregulation and SLE. Furthermore, cytokines represent a relatively easy target for therapeutic intervention via blockade with biological agents, such as the recently announced encouraging trials of inhibitors to Blys. A thorough understanding of the role these important immune control molecules play in SLE is crucial to understanding the disease and how to ameliorate its effects.

We invite authors to present original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate work in the evolving area of cytokine biology in SLE. We are particularly interested in papers that address the role of cytokines in the etiology of SLE, or targeting of cytokines as part of an SLE therapeutic strategy. Topics that will be emphasized include, but are not limited to:

• Genetic associations with cytokine profile in SLE
• Identification of cytokine dysregulation in SLE
• Use of cytokines as SLE biomarkers
• Animal studies that identify the importance of cytokines or groups of cytokines in an SLE model
• The role of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, BLyS, interferons, or TNF-family members in SLE
• Influence of SLE-associated cytokines upon cellular immunity and/or humoral autoimmunity
• Clinical associations with cytokine patterns in SLE
• Therapeutic strategies for SLE involving cytokines

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