Autoimmune pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease, which is characterized by high levels of autoantibodies and multisystem damage. Neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) involves both the central and peripheral nervous systems, which is one major cause of death in SLE patients. Pathogenesis of NPSLE is complicated. Currently it is known that there are two mechanisms to be involved in NPSLE: one is cerebrovascular injury mediated by immune complex containing autoantibodies, and the other is brain tissue damage induced by inflammatory mediators originated from autoimmunity.

doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2014.09.006