Figure 2.

Common and disparate mechanisms of SLE and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In the development of SLE or CVD, there are both disparate and common mechanisms. In SLE (red oval), elevated levels of estrogen and estrogen receptor signaling promote the severity and frequency of the disease. In CVD (black oval), estrogen and receptor signaling are cardioprotective until menopause. Differences in immune cell populations including B cells and monocytes may contribute to CVD. However, numerous mechanisms are shared between SLE and CVD (middle oval) including dysregulation of the immune system, increases in oxidative stress, and development of atherosclerosis through dyslipidemia. These common pathways may contribute to CVD complications that are frequently seen in patients with SLE.