[Photobiology of lupus erythematosus].

Photosensitivity is one of the criteria of the American Rheumatism Association for the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Although UV irradiation is a major factor in the pathogenesis of photosensitive cutaneous lupus erythematosus, so far the exact pathomechanism is unknown. The following review presents historical, clinical and experimental data on the photobiology of cutaneous lupus erythematosus.