Grant: Operating Grant

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic disease in which the immune system is overactive ad damages normal tissue. Excessive sunlight exposure is known to induce a lupus skin rash in predisposed people and can also worsen systemic lupus erythematosus. Why people with lupus develop these untoward reactions to sunlight is not yet clear. We have developed an animal model of sun induced worsening of systemic lupus erythematosus using a strain of mice known to be prone to diabetes. As we can study these mice after intense sun exposure and before disease onset, we will use these mice to learn about the abnormal reactions that occur in the skin and that lead to systemic illness. We will also examine patients with SLE and determine the role the skin and sun exposure may have in affecting disease. These studies will allow us to better council patients with regards to sun exposure and may lead to new, skin-directed treatments for disease.