Lupus nephritis. How latest insights into its pathogenesis promote novel therapies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Lupus nephritis is a complex autoimmune disease that develops its own dynamic upon damaging the renal ultrastructure. Here, we summarize the latest pathophysiological concepts of lupus nephritis and how these translate into novel therapeutic options. RECENT
FINDINGS: Multidisciplinary research activities form a better understanding about how lupus develops from an unfortunate combination of gene variants that promote the loss of tolerance, that impair the clearance of dying cells, that regulate the immune interpretation of autoantigens as well as the peripheral control of autoreactive lymphocytes. As a new entry, nuclear particles also act as autoadjuvants mimicking viral particles and triggering interferon-alpha-dependent antiviral immune responses that cause symptoms similar to viral infection.
SUMMARY: A set of novel drugs have the potential to more specifically interfere with these pathomechanisms and raise hope to more efficiently treat lupus nephritis with fewer side-effects in the near future.