Journal of Inflammation Research (Apr 2023)

Potential Use of Janus Kinase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

  • Huo R,
  • Huang X,
  • Yang Y,
  • Lin J

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 16
pp. 1471 – 1478

Abstract

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Rongxiu Huo,* Xinxiang Huang,* Yang Yang, Jinying Lin Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, the People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jinying Lin, Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, the People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 6 Taoyuan Road, Qingxiu District, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530016, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, autoimmune disease with unclear pathogenesis. One characteristic of SLE is pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine imbalance. Janus kinase (JAK) is an intracellular non-receptor tyrosine kinase essential for many cytokine signaling pathways. Dysregulation of the JAK/signal transduction and transcriptional activator (STAT) pathway is an important process in SLE pathogenesis. Targeting JAK/STAT proteins can simultaneously block the functions of multiple cytokines. Current SLE treatment with non-specific corticosteroids and immunosuppressants can cause many adverse reactions. Therefore, treatments designed to control specific molecular targets for SLE are desirable. JAK inhibitors (JAKis) are a potential treatment for rheumatic diseases; however, the use of targeted signaling pathways to treat SLE remains a challenge, and its efficacy has not been determined. JAKis have shown positive results in reducing the use of glucocorticoids and/or non-specific immunosuppressants for SLE. JAKis are currently undergoing several clinical trials and expected to be the next stage in the treatment of SLE. Therefore, inhibition of the JAK/STAT pathway through JAKis may improve traditional treatment strategies for SLE.Keywords: systemic lupus erythematosus, Janus kinase, JAK/STAT pathway, JAK inhibitors

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