Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the classical systemic autoimmune disease with heterogeneous manifestations and unpredictable behaviour in which almost 70% may have a relapsing-remitting course, while 30% are divided equally between prolonged remission and persistently active disease [1]. According to the mosaic of autoimmunity [2], immune responses (innate and adaptative), as well as interaction of genes with environmental factors (ultraviolet radiation, smoking and drugs, such as, procainamide, hydralazine and anti-tumour necrosis factor agents) lead to numerous immunologic abnormalities that culminate in persistent immune responses against autologous nucleic acids.
