Systemic Lupus erythematosus

Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a B-cell-mediated autoimmune disease that has a remitting/relapsing course, and owing to its systemic nature many organs may be involved. Autoantibodies against nuclear antigens (ANA, anti-ds DNA) are characteristic of the disease. These autoantibodies are directly responsible for organ damage, in addition to which complement-binding immune complexes cause vasculitis, which in turn leads to secondary impairment of organ (e.g. kidney) function. In SLE, the prognosis depends heavily on the extent of kidney involvement. If left untreated, SLE has a dire prognosis; immunosuppressive therapy has dramatically improved the prognosis. © 2006 Springer Medizin Verlag.