Lupus And The Immune System

There are several aspects of the immune system that play a role in the development of lupus, according to an article published in this week’s issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Studies conducted in New York and around the world show that T- and B-cell function, cytokine production and a host of other immune functions affect a person’s susceptibility to lupus.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and brain. Normally the body’s immune system makes proteins called antibodies, to protect the body against viruses, bacteria, and other foreign materials. These foreign materials are called antigens. Read more