Molecular aberrations in human systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder that predominantly a ffects women during the childbearing years. Clinically, major organ systems are affected, including the skin, kidneys and nervous system. Genetic, hor monal, environmental and immunoregulatory factors contribute to the highly variable expression of the disease. Impaired cellular and humoral immune re sponses reflect disordered biochemical and molecular functions that might b e determined genetically. Enhanced understanding of these molecular abnorma lities should enable development of new, effective therapeutic agents in th e near future.