Interferon-Beta for Glomerulonephritis?

Interferon beta (IFN?) is used in the therapy of multiple sclerosis (MS), which develops from the activation of autoreactive T lymphocytes against peptides of myelin basic protein. IFN? was demonstrated to have beneficial effects in experimental models of glomerulonephritis (GN), such as decreasing proteinuria via Il-10 release. T helper (Th-1) lymphocyte responses are reduced, the actions of metalloproteinase (MMP9) are suppressed, and the functions of regulatory T cells are promoted. In concept, IFNI3 therapy might be beneficial in patients with life threatening forms of GN, such as Goodpasture s syndrome or vasculitis. Further research is warranted to study the effect of IFN? on GN in clinical settings.