What causes the immune system to attack the body in lupus disease?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own healthy cells, tissues, and organs. This happens when a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers—such as infections, sunlight, stress, or certain medications—confuses the immune system, causing it to lose its ability to distinguish between foreign invaders and the body itself. The result is widespread inflammation that can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and brain.

Because lupus symptoms often mimic other conditions and vary widely from person to person, getting clarity early is critical. If you're experiencing unexplained fatigue, joint pain, rashes, or other concerning signs, don't wait to guess what's happening. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand your symptoms and confidently plan your next steps toward answers.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

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Explanation

Lupus is a disease where the immune system, which normally protects the body from germs, starts attacking the body's own healthy cells by mistake. This happens because of a mix of genetic and environmental factors that confuse the immune system.

How It Happens

Genetic Factors: Some people are born with genes that make them more likely to get lupus. These genes can make the immune system more likely to get confused.
Environmental Triggers: Things like infections, sunlight, and stress can trigger the immune system to start attacking the body.
Immune System Confusion: In lupus, the immune system makes a mistake and thinks that the body's own cells are invaders, like germs. This causes inflammation and damage to different parts of the body.

Understanding these factors can help in finding better ways to treat and manage lupus. If you're experiencing symptoms that concern you, try our free AI symptom checker to better understand what might be happening with your health, and always follow up with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and care.

(References)

Arnaud L, Chasset F, & Martin T. (2024). Immunopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus: An .... Autoimmunity reviews, 39343084.
Tusseau M, Khaldi-Plassart S, Cognard J, Viel S, Khoryati L, Benezech S, et al. (2024). Mendelian Causes of Autoimmunity: the Lupus Phenotype. Journal of clinical immunology, 38619739.
Zharkova O, Celhar T, Cravens PD, Satterthwaite AB, Fairhurst AM, & Davis LS. (2017). Pathways leading to an immunological disease: systemic .... Rheumatology (Oxford, England), 28375453.

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