Donniacuo Anna, Mauro Arianna, Cardamone Chiara, Basile Anna, Manzo Paola, Dimitrov Jelena, Cammarota Anna Lisa, Marzullo Liberato, Triggiani Massimo, Turco Maria Caterina, De Marco Margot, Rosati Alessandra
Cytokine Lab, Clinical Pathology Unit, Hospital Unit "Gaetano Fucito", 84085 Mercato San Severino, Italy.
Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Via Salvador Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Sep 13;26(18):8921. doi: 10.3390/ijms26188921.
Autoimmune diseases are characterized by dysregulated adaptive immune responses leading to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Cytokines and growth factors play central roles in modulating immune regulation, inflammation, and tissue repair, thereby representing critical biomarkers for the enhancement of diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring. This review provides a comprehensive overview of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as growth factors, emphasizing their pathogenic roles and clinical relevance across various autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and connective tissue diseases such as systemic sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Key pro-inflammatory cytokines-such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and IFN-γ-are examined regarding their contributions to disease progression and activity, alongside anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-10 and IL-4, which regulate immune tolerance and inflammation resolution. Growth factors, such as TGF-β, are analyzed for their dual roles in immune modulation, fibrosis, and tissue remodeling. Cytokine signature profiles employed as diagnostic tools are discussed, together with the need for assay standardization. Advances in multiplex and omics technologies facilitating biomarker discovery are also reviewed. Finally, current and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting cytokines and growth factors, such as anti-TNF agents, IL inhibitors, anti-interferon therapies, and JAK/STAT pathway blockers, are explored.
自身免疫性疾病的特征是适应性免疫反应失调，导致慢性炎症和组织损伤。细胞因子和生长因子在调节免疫调节、炎症和组织修复中发挥核心作用，因此是增强诊断、预后和治疗监测的关键生物标志物。本综述全面概述了促炎和抗炎细胞因子以及生长因子，强调它们在包括类风湿性关节炎、银屑病关节炎、强直性脊柱炎以及系统性硬化症、干燥综合征和系统性红斑狼疮等结缔组织疾病在内的各种自身免疫性疾病中的致病作用和临床相关性。研究了关键的促炎细胞因子，如TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6、IL-17和IFN-γ对疾病进展和活动的贡献，以及调节免疫耐受和炎症消退的抗炎细胞因子，如IL-10和IL-4。分析了生长因子，如TGF-β在免疫调节、纤维化和组织重塑中的双重作用。讨论了用作诊断工具的细胞因子特征谱，以及检测标准化的必要性。还综述了促进生物标志物发现的多重和组学技术的进展。最后，探讨了针对细胞因子和生长因子的当前和新兴治疗策略，如抗TNF药物、IL抑制剂、抗干扰素疗法和JAK/STAT通路阻滞剂。
