Pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets in systemic lupus erythematosus: from bench to bedside

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is considered an autoimmune disease with multiorgan involvement. Many advances have been made during the last decade regarding inflammatory pathways, genetic and epigenetic alterations, adaptive and innate immune system mechanisms specifically involved in SLE pathogenesis. Apoptosis has been proposed as an important player in SLE pathogenesis more than a decade ago. However, only recently new key apoptotic pathways have been investigated and the link between apoptotic debris containing autoantigens, innate immunity and ongoing inflammation has been further elucidated. Better understanding of cellular mechanisms and involved cytokines contributed to the development of new biological drugs specifically addressed for SLE therapy.