Immune complexes--pathogenetic factors of autoimmune systemic lupus erythematosus.

Immune complexes (IC) are a general feature of immunologic mediated reactions in host defence against disease. Under certain circumstances they become pathogenic. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a well accepted model of immune complex action in autoimmunity. It seems likely, that different ways of IC formation and effects are at least in part responsible for lupus nephritis, skin affection and other manifestations of SLE. There are practical aspects of immune complex determination in monitoring disease as well as certain therapeutic regimes.