title: Lupus erythematosus: a short account.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, School of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Limpopo, Medunsa Campus, South Africa. Ifeller@ul.ac.za
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Feller
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Motswaledi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chandran
authors.forename: U M E
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Chikte
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meyerov
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lemmer
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics