Lupus

Question 1

What is lupus?

Answer 1

systemic autoimmune condition

Question 2

Where does it affect?

Answer 2

any part of the body

Question 3

Who commonly gets it?

Answer 3

women:men=9:1
20-40 years old
commoner in afrocarribean, hispanic, American, asian and Chinese

Question 4

What is the pathogenesis?

Answer 4

loss of immune regulation, increased and defective apoptosis, necrotic cells release nuclear materials which act as auto-antigens, autoimmunity results from exposure to nuclear and cellular antigens, b and T cells are stimulated, autoantibodies are produced

Question 5

Pathogenesis 2

Answer 5

complexes of antigens and auto-antibodies form and circulate, deposition of immune complexes in basement membrane, activation of complement which attract leucocytes and release cytokines, cytokine release perpetuates inflammation which causes necrosis and scarring