IL-23: A Promising Therapeutic Target for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Leng, Rui-Xue; Pan, Hai-Feng; Chen, Gui-Mei; Wang, Chao; Qin, Wei-Zi; Chen, Li-Li; Tao, Jin-Hui; Ye, Dong-Qing

doi:10.1016/j.arcmed.2010.02.011

« Previous Next »Archives of Medical Research
Volume 41, Issue 3 , Pages 221-225, April 2010

IL-23: A Promising Therapeutic Target for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Rui-Xue Leng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, PR China
- These authors contributed equally to this work.
Hai-Feng Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, PR China
- These authors contributed equally to this work.
Gui-Mei Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, PR China
Chao Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, PR China
Wei-Zi Qin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, PR China
Li-Li Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, PR China
Jin-Hui Tao
- Department of Rheumatology, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, PR China
Dong-Qing Ye
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, PR China
- Address reprint requests to: Dong-Qing Ye, M.D., Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, PR China; Phone: +86 551 5167726; FAX: +86 551 5161171

Received 22 October 2009; accepted 5 February 2010.

(ARCMED-D-10-00519)

Cytokine-mediated immunity plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The recent identification of the dimeric interleukin (IL)-12-related cytokine IL-23 now contributes to our understanding of the fine-tuning of cellular immunity. The critical implication of IL-12 p40 in autoimmune inflammation has long been misinterpreted and until recently have studies revealed that it is IL-23, not IL-12, is the crucial factor in this immune dysregulation. Therefore, targeting of IL-23 or the IL-23 receptor is a potential therapeutic approach for autoimmune diseases including SLE. In this opinion article, we will discuss the biological features of IL-23 and summarize recent advances on the role of IL-23 in the pathogenesis and treatment of SLE.

Key Words: IL-23, IL-23 receptor, Therapeutic target, Systemic lupus erythematosus