Glomerulonephritis and cytokines

: In the past year, major advances have been made in understanding the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis and progression of chronic glomerulonephritis. This paper reviews recent data on the pivotal roles of cytokines including interleukins-1 and -6, tumor necrosis factor, platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, fibroblast growth factor and insulin-like growth factor in mediating glomerular cell proliferation and in leading to glomerulosclerosis.