ABSTRACT
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic autoimmune disease that afflicts women during their child-bearing years. The heterogeneous clinical disease is characterized by abnormal production of autoantibodies and immune complexes in association with a diverse array of clinical manifestations. Investigation into the etiopathogenesis has been directed to understanding the susceptibility genes, intrinsic biochemical abnormalities, mechanisms of autoimmunity, as well as the basis for clinical heterogeneity. Emerging immune cell signaling abnormalities in SLE may be more clearly understood by studying samples before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, comparing abnormalities in the same individual with and without active disease.
