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Cytokines

Cytokines are "A small protein released by cells that has a specific effect on the interactions between cells, on communications between cells or on the behavior of cells. The cytokines includes the interleukins, lymphokines and cell signal molecules, such as tumor necrosis factor and the interferons, which trigger inflammation and respond to infections." (MedTerms) [1.]

Cytokines as inflammatory agents - Especially IL4 seen in polymyositis (Lundberg, Brengman 1995) [2.]

An opposing opinion, showing no increase in IL4 in active polymyositis is at (Aleksza, Szegedi, et al. 2003) [3.]

This paper shows an expression of increased IL1a and involvement of the microvessels. (Lundberg 2000) [4.]

Another study documenting increased expression of IL1a i all three forms of myositis. Cytokine production in muscle tissue of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. (I Lundberg, A K Ulfgren 1997). Found at Arthritis Rheum. 1997 May ;40 (5):865-74 9153548 Cit:99


Interleukin 18

Specimens from PM displayed a prevalent endomysial accumulation of IL-18+ cells. (Tucci, Quatraro, Dammacco et al. 2006) [5.]

 


 

 

  1. Definition from MedTerms, found at http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=11937
  2. Lundberg I, Brengman J, Engel A. Analysis of cytokine expression in muscle in inflammatory myopathies, Duchenne dystrophy, and non-weak controls. Journal of Neuroimmunology Volume 63, Issue 1 , Pages 9-16, 1 December 1995 as found at http://www.jni-journal.com/article/0165-5728(95)00122-0/abstract.
  3. Aleksza, M, Zegedi A, Antal-Szalmas P, et al.Altered cytokine expression of peripheral blood lymphocytes in polymyositis and dermatomyositis Ann Rheum Dis 2005;64:1485–1489 as found at http://ard.bmj.com/content/64/10/1485.full.pdf
  4. Lundberg, I. The role of cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Current Rheumatology Reports, Volume 2, Number 3 (2000), 216-224, as found at http://www.springerlink.com/content/5673603872017465/?MUD=MP
  5. Tucci M, Quatraro C, Dammacco F, et al. Interleukin-18 overexpression as a hallmark of the activity of autoimmune inflammatory myopathies. Clin Exp Immunol. 2006 October; 146(1): 21–31. As found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1809738/.