MODELING OF IMMUNOSENESCENCE WITH AGING IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease affecting multiple systems and presenting with a wide range of clinical symptoms. Disease phenotype alters from childhood to old age. The possible reasons for these differences are genetic factors, changes in the hormonal status, and the aging immune system. As a result of the disease itself or as a side effect of medications, SLE patients often experience manifestations associated with aging like cardiovascular disease and infection susceptibility. Furthermore, immunosenescence, which commonly affects the elderly subjects, may result from the continued immune system activation during the natural history of SLE. In this study, we aimed to analyze the immunosenescence in SLE, the differences and similarities in SLE phenotype at different age groups, and possible reasons for these changes.