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Lupus Erythematosus pp 13–26Cite as

The Immunopathogenesis and Immunopathology of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic autoimmune disease characterized by the production of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs). These antibodies can bind protein and nucleic acid components of the cell nucleus to form immune complexes to drive pathogenesis. These complexes can deposit in the kidney to incite nephritis or stimulate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) to produce cytokines, most prominently type 1 interferon. The activity of the complexes reflects the intrinsic immunostimulatory properties of nucleic acids, both DNA and RNA, which can activate the innate immune system by interaction with toll-like receptors (TLRs) as well as non-TLR sensors. The operation of this system requires the presence of extracellular nucleic acids which can be derived from apoptotic and necrotic cells. With impaired clearance of dead and dying cells, levels of extracellular nucleic acids can rise and intensify immune disturbances key to autoimmunity.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    David S. Pisetsky M.D., Ph.D.

  2. Medical Research Service, Durham VA Hospital, 151G Durham VAMC, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA

    David S. Pisetsky M.D., Ph.D.

Authors
  1. David S. Pisetsky M.D., Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David S. Pisetsky M.D., Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Div. of Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy, Francis Street 75, Boston, 02115, USA

    Peter H. Schur

  2. Div. of Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Lupus Center, Francis Street 75, Boston, 02115, Massachusetts, USA

    Elena M. Massarotti

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© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Pisetsky, D.S. (2012). The Immunopathogenesis and Immunopathology of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. In: Schur, P., Massarotti, E. (eds) Lupus Erythematosus. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1189-5_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1189-5_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-1188-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-1189-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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