The role of inflammatory cytokines in diabetic nephropathy

JF Navarro-Gonzalez… - Journal of the American …, 2008 - journals.lww.com
Cytokines act as pleiotropic polypeptides regulating inflammatory and immune responses
through actions on cells. They provide important signals in the pathophysiology of a range of
diseases, including diabetes mellitus. Chronic low-grade inflammation and activation of the
innate immune system are closely involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its
microvascular complications. Inflammatory cytokines, mainly IL-1, IL-6, and IL-18, as well as
TNF-α, are involved in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. In this …