Role of the Lyn tyrosine kinase in the development of autoimmune disease

The Lyn tyrosine kinase plays a key regulatory role in the immune system that was first highlighted by the phenotype of Lyn-/- mice. These animals develop an autoimmune disease similar to the autoimmune disorder systemic lupus erythematosus. Deregulation of the Lyn pathway is also observed in lupus patient samples, validating Lyn-/- mice as a model of lupus, as well as providing an archetype for the testing of suitable therapeutic agents. Here, we present an overview of the role of Lyn in immune cells and autoimmunity, emphasizing the pathogenic mechanisms contributing to autoimmune disease in Lyn-/- mice and the deregulation of Lyn-dependent pathways in patients with lupus, and provide a perspective on the therapeutic targeting of Lyn-regulated pathways in this disease.