Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic autoimmune disease caused by the production of pathogenic autoantibodies to a spectrum of ubiquitous nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens.These autoantibodies form immune complexes which deposit in tissues,causing blood vessel inflammation and tissue damage.The cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to autoantibody production in lupus are still poorly understood.There is considerable evidence to suggest that the development SLE involves multifactorial interactions of various genetic,environmental and hormonal factors.