Cytokines and Chemokines

Neuropsychiatric syndromes of systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) is a life-threatening disorder and early diagnosis and proper treatment are critical for the management of patients with this disease. Brain magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalogram, neuropsychological tests and routine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination are used clinically for the diagnosis of NPSLE. In addition to these tests, cytokine and chemokine levels in the CSF have been reported as useful diagnostic markers of NPSLE. This chapter provides an overview of the roles of cytokines and chemokines in NPSLE.