Immunity, inflammation and disease
IFN-γ-Associated Signaling Networks in Interstitial Lung Disease Associated With Sjögren's Disease
By Chen Q, Li Y, Chen Y and 3 others.
Abstract
Background
Sjögren's disease (SD) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder that can affect multiple organ systems. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a clinically significant pulmonary manifestation of SD and is associated with impaired quality of life and increased mortality. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), a major effector cytokine of Th1 immunity, has been implicated in immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation; however, its contribution to SD-associated ILD (SD-ILD) and its relationship with fibrotic remodeling remain incompletely understood.
Materials and methods
This pathway-oriented narrative review synthesized evidence identified through a structured and iterative search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, updated through August 2026. Priority was given to direct evidence from SD-ILD. When disease-specific evidence was limited, mechanistic findings from SD without characterized ILD, related connective tissue disease-associated ILDs, fibrotic lung diseases, and experimental models were considered and interpreted as indirect or extrapolated evidence.