Cytokines and Autoimmune Diseases: From the Control of Autoimmune Diseases With Anti-Cytokine Treatment to the Induction of Autoimmunity With Cytokine

The identification of the role of cytokines in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases has led to significant progress in treatment. The best example is probably the beneficial effect of blocking TNFα in an increasing number of inflammatory diseases, starting with rheumatoid arthritis. However since not all patients respond and since the treatment is suspensive, other cytokine inhibitors are now ready to be tested. The negative consequences of blocking cytokines have demonstrated their role in immunity as observed by the reactivation of tuberculosis following TNFα inhibition. Similarly, adminsitration of other cytokines such as Interferonα has been associated with the induction of autoimmune manifestations, often in a predisposed context.