Emerging concepts in the molecular pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a prototypic autoimmune disease that afflicts predominantly women during their child-bearing age. The disease is characterized by the production of autoantibodies and immune complexes in association with a diverse array of clinical manifestations. Investigation into the etiopathogenesis has been directed at identifying the genes that provide susceptibility to the disease, the complex cellular and cytokine aberrations and the biochemical abnormalities that are responsible for them. Understanding the immune cell signaling and gene transcription abnormalities will help us tailor new strategies for efficient biotherapy of the disease.