Lupus erythematosus: a short account.

Lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease with diverse clinical manifestations including arthritis, skin disorders and kidney disease. Pathologically it is characterised by complex interactions between multiple genetic, epigenetic and extraneous factors; and serologically by the presence of a variety of antibodies which are reactive to intracellular molecular constituents. Impaired clearance of apoptotic cells and of immune complexes, loss of immune tolerance to self-antigens and dysregulation of the cytokine network act synergistically with extraneous factors such as ultraviolet radiation, viruses and certain drugs to induce and sustain lupus erythematosus.