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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex systemic autoimmune disease with involvement of both B cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes and several cytokines aberrations. Standard therapy for SLE has its limitations. Tacrolimus, a novel calcineurin inhibitor with potent immunosuppressive effects, has been shown in the recent years to be effective in SLE therapy. This paper serves to collate the experimental and clinical data on the efficacy of tacrolimus in the treatment of SLE and lupus nephritis. Tacrolimus as a key component of multitarget therapy in SLE is also discussed. The immunocytokine modulatory effects of tacrolimus are also reviewed with reference to SLE. It can be concluded that tacrolimus has an established role in the management of SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are CD4+Foxp3+ cells that modulate autoimmune responses. Tregs have been shown to be also involved during the immune response against infectious agents. The aim of this work is to study the role of Tregs during the infection with the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. Resistant BALB/c mice were injected with 200 μg of anti-CD25mAb (clone PC61) and 2 days later they were infected with 20 cysts of the ME49 strain of T. gondii. We observed that depleted mice showed 50-60% mortality during the acute infection. When FACS analysis was carried out, we observed that although injection of PC61mAb eliminated 50% of Tregs, infected-depleted mice showed a similar percentage of CD25+Foxp3- (activated T cells, Tact) to those observed in infected nondepleted animals, demonstrating that in our depletion/infection system, injection of PC61mAb did not hamper T cell activation while percentage of Tregs was reduced by 75% 10 days post infection.We concluded that Tregs are essential during protection in the acute phase of T. gondii infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE: lupus) is a chronic complicated autoimmune disease and pathogenesis is still unclear. However, key cytokines have been recognized. Interferon (IFN)-γ and also IFNα/β are of particular importance. Depending on the concept that lupus is a helper T(Th)1 disease and that dendritic cells (DCs) determine the direction of lupus, balance shift of Th1/Th2 and immunogenic/tolerogenic DCs is reviewed for therapy. (IFN)-γ- and IFN-α/β-targeted (gene) therapies are introduced. These consist of Th1/Th2 balance shift and elimination of IFN-γ and IFN-γ-related cytokines such as (interleukin)IL- 12 and IL-18. Other approaches include suppression of immunocompetent cells, normalization of abnormal T-cell function, costimulation blockade, B lymphocyte stimulator (Blys) blockade, and suppression of nephritic kidney inflammation. Moreover, balance shift of IFN-α/β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a together with regulatory T(Treg) cells are briefely introduced. Clinical application will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]