The Biology of Dendritic Cells in the Context of Autoimmunity
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease that affects at least five million people worldwide. An increased expression of type I interferon (IFN) regulated genes is a hallmark of SLE, but the precise etiology of SLE initiation and flares is poorly understood. Because plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are the primary type I IFN producers, their role in SLE has long been suspected, with murine pDC depletion models successfully delaying the progression of murine lupus-like disease. However, the mechanism behind how exactly how pDCs contribute to lupus autoimmunity is unknown, contributing to the current dearth lack of disease modifying treatments; current treatments only succeed in suppressing symptoms, and do not halt disease progression. In this study, we take a multifactorial approach to understanding the biology of pDCs in the context of lupus autoimmunity. Although the exact etiology of lupus is unknown, infections are an important environmental trigger for
Immunology, Autoimmunity, Curli, Dendritic cells, Plasmacytoid dendritic cells, STAT2, Systemic lupus erythematosus
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