RELATIONSHIP OF IMMUNE SYSTEM HISTOLOGY WITH COVID-19 AND SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

Introduction: The immune system is responsible for the body's cellular and humoral immunity. It can be activated by the presence of external antigens, such as viruses, or by the production of autoantibodies, causing autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Objective: The objective of this work was to describe the histology and functioning of the immune system and to understand the possibility of exacerbation of COVID-19 symptoms in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Method: This work is a narrative review of technical books and articles published in SciELO and PubMed. Results: The innate and adaptive immune system contains cells that populate the lymphoid organs. The coronavirus is an external agent that stimulates the production of antibodies and cytokine-secreting cells, whereas patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have autoantibodies that can compromise their own antigens, leading to inflammation. Conclusion: In conclusion, lymphoid tissue cells trigger an immune response against the coronavirus, while patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have autoimmunity and, when contracting COVID, can develop the exacerbated form of this disease by hypomethylation or demethylation of DNA, which can increase the cytokine levels.