CYTOKINES AND AUTOIMMUNITY

Although the immunopathology of most autoimmune diseases has been well defined, the mechanisms responsible for the breakdown of self-toleran ce and which lead to the development of systemic and organ-specific au toaggrcssion are still unclear. Evidence has accumulated which support s a role for a disregulated production of cytokines by leucocytes and possibly other cells in the pathogenesis of some autoimmune diseases. However, due to the complexity and heterogeneity of cytokine effects i n the regulation of the immune response, it is difficult to determine whether abnormalities in the patterns of cytokine production are prima ry or secondary to the pathological process. Confusion is also caused by the fact that the biological activities of cytokines are multiple a nd often overlapping, and consequently it is difficult to focus on a u nique effect of any one cytokine. Characterization of the potential an d actual involvement of cytokines is important not only for a better u nderstanding of the pathogenesis of autoimmune conditions, but particu larly because of the implications for the development of immunotherape utic strategies for the prevention and treatment of the diseases.