Cytokines play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of
autoimmune diseases. The precise triggers for the breakdown of self-tolerance and the subsequent events leading to the induction of pathogenic autoimmune responses remain to be defined for most of the naturally occurring
autoimmune diseases. Studies conducted in experimental models of human
autoimmune diseases and observations in patients have revealed a general scheme in which proinflammatory
cytokines contribute to the initiation and propagation of autoimmune
inflammation, whereas anti-inflammatory
cytokines facilitate the regression of
inflammation and recovery from acute phase of the disease. This idea is embodied in the T helper (Th) 1/Th2 paradigm, which over the past two decades has had a major influence on our thinking about the role of
cytokines in autoimmunity. Interestingly, over the past decade, the
interleukin (IL)-17/IL-23 axis has rapidly emerged as the new paradigm that has compelled us to critically re-examine the
cytokine-driven immune events in the pathogenesis and treatment of autoimmunity. In this 2-volume special issue of the journal, leading experts have presented their research findings and viewpoints on the role of
cytokines in the context of specific
autoimmune diseases.