title: Cardiovascular disease in lupus: insights and updates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  With improved management of the classical disease manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cardiovascular disease (CVD) has emerged as one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality. This review in particular focuses on progress over the past year in clinical and basic aspects of SLE-driven accelerated atherosclerosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both subclinical CVD and CV events continue to be recognized at increased frequency in previously unstudied lupus cohorts and populations. Novel associations have been identified between lupus CVD and cognitive impairment, depression, and low-income status. In terms of pathogenesis, there is an ever-increasing focus on the innate immune system and, in particular, type I interferons (IFNs). Recent studies have drawn connections in both human and murine models between neutrophils, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, type I IFNs, and endothelial dysfunction. Whether treatments such as mycophenolate mofetil or statins have a role in prevention of lupus CVD is an area of intensive study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CVD is a major complication of lupus and is now a leading cause of death among people living with this disease. As such, additional studies are needed in order to identify the most effective preventive strategies and most predictive vascular risk biomarkers. Type I IFNs may play a critical role in lupus CVD pathogenesis, and it is recommended that vascular outcomes be included in ongoing trials testing the efficacy of anti-IFN biologics.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5680, USA.
authors.forename: Jason S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: Mariana J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kaplan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D015415:Biomarkers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents