IMMUNOGENETICS OF LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Kye words : Lupus , Genetics, Association. Immunopathogenesis of SLE Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with a prevalence of approximately 1/2500 in European populations affecting mainly females (9 females:1 male) (1). It's characterized by a plethora of immunological and laboratory abnormalities with multiple organ / tissue damage. Almost all of the key components in the immune system are involved in the disease pathogenesis which is largely still unclear (2) . Deficiencies in the recognition and clearance of apoptotic cells by phagocytosis have been shown in patients with SLE (3,4). Whether apoptosis itself is abnormal or merely an effect of environmental triggers, such as U.V. irradiation or viral infection, is less understood (5,6) . During necrosis or apoptosis nuclear antigens are subjected to modifications which allow them to be rec-