Abstract
Clinical manifestations of cutaneous lupus erythematosus are diverse and different subtypes of the disease have been defined. It is characteristic for lupus skin inflammation that a significant activation of innate interferon pathways is observable. Endogenous molecules indicative for tissue damage (damage-associated molecular patterns [DAMPs]) show cytokine-like properties once released from intracellular compartments and these DAMPs have been shown to influence the course of inflammatory responses. Cytokines including TNF-α and IL-1 family members significantly contribute to the chronic inflammatory phenotype and, in combination with DAMPs, impact on the activation of innate interferons. A better understanding of the deregulated cytokine network in cutaneous lupus erythematosus patients with distinct disease phenotypes and genetic backgrounds is of high importance and a prerequisite for recommending and developing more individualized therapeutic strategies.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.