Activation profile of intracellular mitogen-activated protein kinases in peripheral lymphocytes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease associated with aberrant activation of T and B lymphocytes. Abnormal activation of intracellular signaling molecules in lymphocytes by inflammatory cytokines can instigate the inflammation in SLE.