Accelerated Atherosclerosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Insights into Mechanisms and Clinical Consequences

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Premature coronary atherosclerosis is a leading cause of late-stage mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), independent of traditional risk factors.
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Chronic systemic inflammation in SLE alters lipoprotein profiles, leading to dysfunctional HDL and elevated oxidized LDL, contributing to atherogenesis.
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Type I interferon signaling and excessive neutrophil extracellular trap release are central mechanisms driving vascular pathology in SLE patients.
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Traditional lipid-lowering strategies, such as statin therapy, have shown limited effectiveness in managing atherosclerosis in SLE patients.
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Understanding the immunopathological processes linking SLE and atherosclerosis is crucial for improving cardiovascular risk assessment and developing targeted therapies.

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