A recent article published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology (March 2025) highlights the importance of the innate immune response in systemic lupus erythematosus. Join me as I briefly review the innate immune system, its response in lupus, and what it means for those living with lupus and their healthcare team.

Key Takeaways:

🔹 Stat Insight: Up to 80% of lupus patients exhibit a persistent Type I interferon response, a key driver of inflammation in the disease.

🔹 Stat Insight: Elevated neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were detected in nearly 90% of active lupus cases, worsening disease progression.

🔹 Stat Insight: 50-60% of lupus patients with kidney involvement show low complement levels, indicating disease activity.

Caller Question:

🎙 Hi, Dr. Kat.! My name is Melanie from Ohio, and I’ve been living with lupus for over ten years. I always thought lupus was just my immune system attacking itself, but this idea of the innate immune system being involved is really interesting. Does this mean that treatments like steroids and immunosuppressants might not be enough? Are there any new medications being developed that target this part of the immune system? Thanks so much for your podcast—I learn something new every time I listen!

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