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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2010 Dec 1.
Published in final edited form as: Int J Clin Rheumtol. 2010 Feb 1;5(1):59–74. doi: 10.2217/ijr.09.72

Figure 3. Mechanisms by which infectious agents induce or protect against systemic lupus erythematosus.

Figure 3

Infectious agents lead to the pathogenesis of SLE through several mechanisms, including molecular mimicry, apoptosis (programmed cell death) and IFN-α. On the other hand, some infections, such as malaria, can act as protective agents. Vaccinations may act as protective agents by preventing some of the infections that can induce SLE. IFN-β and IFN-γ may also have a protective effect.

SLE: Systemic lupus erythematosus.