Update: Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus

B cells underpin lupus immunopathology

“…Nevertheless, the future promises good news for the selective therapeutic targeting of molecules responsible for initiating lupus disease in man. 18 …”

Sex-based differences in regulatory T cells.

“…More detailed studies have been performed in recent years to evaluate the potential role of androgen in the prevention/cure of autoimmune diseases like SLE, with results that generally suggest that androgens are responsible for the protection against autoimmune disease. In some of such studies the role of testosterone in the treatment of SLE was emphasized, wherein the administration of various forms of the steroid alleviated SLE, or SLE development was seen to occur if levels of testosterone dropped (87,117,(153)(154)(155). In the Lupus prone NZB x NZW mice, more suppressor cells were generated in the presence of testosterone, suggesting their role in protecting susceptible mouse strains from the production of autoantibodies (156).…”

“…In some of such studies the role of testosterone in the treatment of SLE was emphasized, wherein the administration of various forms of the steroid alleviated or modified the course of SLE in both females and males (87,117,(153)(154)(155)188). a).…”