Cytokines are "A small protein released by cells that has a specific effect on the interactions between cells, on communications between cells or on the behavior of cells. The cytokines includes the interleukins, lymphokines and cell signal molecules, such as tumor necrosis factor and the interferons, which trigger inflammation and respond to infections." (MedTerms) [1]

Interleukins

This paper shows an expression of increased IL1a and involvement of the microvessels (Lundberg 2000). [2]

Another study documenting increased expression of IL1a i all three forms of myositis. Cytokine production in muscle tissue of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. (Lundberg I, Ulfgren AK 1997). [3]

Cytokines as inflammatory agents - Especially IL4 seen in polymyositis (Lundberg, Brengman 1995). [4]

An opposing opinion, showing no increase in IL4 in active polymyositis is at (Aleksza, Szegedi, et al. 2003). [5]

Specimens from PM displayed a prevalent endomysial accumulation of IL-18+ cells. (Tucci, Quatraro 2006). [6]

Interferons

Treatment with interferon 1 has been shown to induce polymyositis and other auto-immune diseases, and interferon 1 has been shown to be upregulated in a high percentage of cases of both polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Regulation of interferon 1 may be a target for therapy. (Wlash 2007).[7] Also see (Lundbeg, Helmers 2010). [8]

Important study on interferon interaction with immature muscle cells is "Immature muscle precursors are a source of interferon-β in myositis: role of Toll-like receptor 3 activation and contribution to HLA class I up-regulation".(Tournadre 2012). [9]

Tumor Necrosis Factor

The role of cytokines and TNF (De Paepe 2011). [10]

Footnotes:

1. o, . MedTerms Definition. MedTerms, http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=11937, 0 as found at VIEW

2. Lundberg, I, . The role of cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Current Rheumatology Reports, Volume 2, Issue 3, pp 216-224, 2000 as found at VIEW

3. Lundberg I, Ulfgren AK,Nyberg P,Andersson U,Klareskog L. Cytokine production in muscle tissue of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Arthritis Rheum, 40(5):865-74, 1997 as found at VIEW

4. Lundberg I, Brengman J, Engel A. Analysis of cytokine expression in muscle in inflammatory myopathies, Duchenne dystrophy, and non-weak controls. Journal of Neuroimmunology, Volume 63, Issue 1 , Pages 9-16, 1995 as found at VIEW

5. Aleksza M, Zegedi A, Antal-Szalmas P. Altered cytokine expression of peripheral blood lymphocytes in polymyositis and dermatomyositis . Ann Rheum Dis, 64:1485–1489 , 2005 as found at VIEW

6. Tucci M, F Dammacco,Dammacco F,Quatraro C,Silvestris F. Interleukin-18 overexpression as a hallmark of the activity of autoimmune inflammatory myopathies. Clin Exp Immunol, 146(1): 21–31, 2006 as found at VIEW

7. De Paepe B, Creus K,Blecker JLD. The Tumor Necrosis Factor Superfamily of Cytokines in the Inflammatory Myopathies: Potential Targets for Therapy. Clinical and Developmental Immunology, 2012, Article ID 369432, 10 pages, 2011 as found at VIEW