Journal
CURRENT OPINION IN RHEUMATOLOGY
Volume 19, Issue 1, Pages 61-66Publisher
LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
DOI: 10.1097/BOR.0b013e328010c547
Keywords
autoimmunity; compication; interferon; systemis lupus erythematosus; thyroid
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Purpose of review Interferons are used to treat a variety of medical conditions. There are integral players in immunity and a number of immune-mediated complications can arise during interferon therapy. We have reviewed the occurrence of these complications, and the mechanisms behind them. Recent findings Case reports and follow-up studies of large cohorts of patients on interferon therapy have confirmed that immune-mediated complications are uncommon but can occur in a number of different organ systems. IFN alpha production is induced by specific autoantibody-nuclear antigen immune complexes, and has a key role in the development and maintenance of autoimmunity in systemic lupus erythematosus. Summary Interferon therapy can precipitate immune-mediated abnormalities de novo or can exacerbate an existing autoimmune tendency. This manifest in the rise in titre of existing antibodies and in the development of clinical disease in patients with preexisting antibodies. Type I interferons have a key role in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available