Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research Paper
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
BIO 221 Section 3
April 3, 2012
The A.D.A.M Medical Encyclopedia defines Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) as a long-term autoimmune and chronic inflammation disorder that affects many organs, such as the skin, kidneys, and brain, and also affects the joints (A.D.A.M Editorial, 2000). When a person is diagnosed with SLE, it simply means that their immune system has turned against itself, and it is now producing autoantibodies and cytotoxic T cells that attack certain tissues and organs in the body. This is called autoimmunity. Symptoms of the disease vary from one person to the next, but almost all cases experience joint pain and swelling (A.D.A.M. Editorial, 2000). The disease involves all of the key components
BIO 221 Section 3
April 3, 2012
The A.D.A.M Medical Encyclopedia defines Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) as a long-term autoimmune and chronic inflammation disorder that affects many organs, such as the skin, kidneys, and brain, and also affects the joints (A.D.A.M Editorial, 2000). When a person is diagnosed with SLE, it simply means that their immune system has turned against itself, and it is now producing autoantibodies and cytotoxic T cells that attack certain tissues and organs in the body. This is called autoimmunity. Symptoms of the disease vary from one person to the next, but almost all cases experience joint pain and swelling (A.D.A.M. Editorial, 2000). The disease involves all of the key components