Lupus erythematosus. Signaling pathways in immunopathogenesis and its therapeutic implications




Ruth Jiménez-Pérez, Instituto de Biomedicina “Dr. Jacinto Convit”, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
Martín Sánchez, Instituto de Biomedicina “Dr. Jacinto Convit”, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
Jennifer Frías-Méndez, Instituto de Biomedicina “Dr. Jacinto Convit”, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
Nieves González, Instituto de Biomedicina “Dr. Jacinto Convit”, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
Ricardo Pérez-Alfonzo, Dirección de Postgrado de Dermatología, Instituto de Biomedicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela


Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune, inflammatory, chronic, multi-organ and multi-factor disease. Characterized by a type III hypersensitivity reaction, with immune complex deposits and activation of the complement system. It is an epigenetic disease, associated with triggering phenomena that contribute to the immunopathogenesis of the disease: environmental, genetic and hormonal, favoring the loss of immune tolerance. The mechanisms by which the disease develops include production of autoantibodies, B cell hyper-reactivity, formation of immune complexes, complement system deficiencies, activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells, increased levels of interferons, cytokines and and apoptotic dysfunction. In recent years, the alteration in the janus kinase signaling pathway has been given great importance as a predisposing factor in etiopathogenesis A wide variety of medications have been used in the control and treatment of the disease. The future of therapeutics is focused on drugs aimed at immune modulation, including: inhibitors of B-cell activating factor, anti-type I interferons, anti-interferons α and janus kinase signaling pathway inhibitors. This review comprises: the predisposing and triggering factors of lupus erythematosus, its effect on immune signaling pathways, and possible therapeutic targets in the design of new drugs capable of modulating the immune system for disease control.



Keywords: B cells. Signaling pathways. Treatment, Jak/Stat inhibitors. Immunopathogenesis.