The role of interleukin‐4 in rheumatic diseases

摘要

Summary Rheumatism is a group of diseases, most of which are autoimmune diseases, that violate joints, bones, muscles, blood vessels and related soft tissue. As is well known, cytokines play a role in the pathogenesis of several rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritides, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Recently, the role of interleukin‐4 ( IL ‐4), which may participate in the mechanism of rheumatism, have been discovered. It is reported that IL ‐4 takes part in the regulation of T cell activation, differentiation, proliferation, and survival of different T cell types. IL ‐4 also has an immunomodulatory effect on B cells, mast cells, macrophages, and many cell types. A review of the literature on functions of IL ‐4 in rheumatic diseases is presented.