Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by widespread immunologic abnormalities and multiorgan involvement including the skin, joints, and the peripheral and central nervous systems, amongst other organs and systems. The clinical course of SLE is usually dependent on the organ involved such as neuropsychiatric syndromes of systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE), lupus nephritis (LN), lupus pancreatitis (LP), and pulmonary hypertension (PH). Early diagnosis and epoch-making therapeutic strategies are prerequisites for improved prognosis of patients with SLE. To fulfill this medical need, a better understanding of the pathogenesis of SLE is required. Research over the course of several years has yielded a basic scientific understanding of SLE pathogenesis. This includes understanding the role of various cytokines and chemokines in disease progression, the chronic activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells by circulating immune complexes, and the expression of neutrophil-specific genes.

The main focus of this special issue will be on the diagnostic tools for specific organ involvement in SLE (NPSLE, LN, LP, PH, etc.) and on the development of new therapeutic strategies (biologics, etc.), as well as the pathogenesis of SLE, including animal models of SLE. This special issue will become an international forum for researchers and clinicians to summarize the most recent developments and ideas in the field.

We invite investigators to contribute original research as well as review articles. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Immunological pathogenesis of lupus: roles of activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells by circulating immune complex NKT cells, invariant NKT cells, autoantibodies, and autoantigens in the pathogenesis of lupus
• Early diagnostic tools for NPSLE, LN, LP, and PH: intrathecal cytokines, chemokines, and autoantibodies
• Therapeutic strategies for lupus: immunosuppressants (cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)), biologics (anti-CD20 antibody and BLyS-specific inhibitor), and so forth
• Genetic approach in the pathogenesis of lupus and murine models for lupus: MHC genes, genes encoding complement components, TNF, FcγR, T cell receptors, and cytokines

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