Kidney function improved and inflammation eased in a mice model of lupus nephritis by preventing a receptor — called Axl — on a protein complex from turning active by using a small molecule now in clinical testing, researchers report. Their study, “Targeted inhibition of Axl receptor tyrosine kinase ameliorates anti-GBM-…

In China, mortality rates are higher among women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) than men, with infection being the leading cause of death, a study reports. According to the researchers, risk factors for poorer outcomes include older age at disease onset, infection, autoimmune anemia, low platelet levels, and pulmonary…

Frequent delays found in diagnosing systemic lupus erythematosus in a large group children were mostly due to mild symptoms at disease onset, while those with evidence of severe and multi-system disease were typically diagnosed in about one month, a study of pediatric lupus patients in Brazil reported. The study, “Characteristics of 1555…