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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic autoimmune disease requiring a genetic predisposition coupled with an environmental trigger in order for initiation of disease. While the exact pathoaetiology has yet to be determined, both B and T cell dysregulation are thought to contribute to disease. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a class of enzymes that hydrolyze the lysine bound acetyl group in both histone and non-histone proteins thereby altering protein structure and function. While the use of pan-HDAC inhibitors has proven to be effective for the treatment of a number of acute diseases, they may not be viable as therapeutics for chronic disease due to cytotoxicity and adverse side effects following long term treatment. We sought to determine whether treatment with a class I and II HDAC inhibitor (HDACi) or a specific HDAC6i would be able to ameliorate disease in lupus-prone NZB/W mice. We found that both the class I and II HDACi (ITF2357) and the HDAC6i (ACY-738) were able to decrease SLE markers of disease including splenomegaly, proteinuria, and anti-dsDNA and IgG production in the sera. Treatment with ITF2357 resulted in an increase in the number of immunosuppressive regulatory T (Treg) cells and a decrease in the pro-inflammatory Th17 phenotype. Furthermore, ITF2357 was found to increase Foxp3 acetylation leading to increased Foxp3 stability allowing for differentiation into the Treg phenotype. ACY-738 treatment was able to correct aberrant bone marrow B cell differentiation while also increasing the number of splenic Treg cells in NZB/W mice. These results suggest that HDAC inhibition is able to ameliorate SLE in NZB/W mice by altering aberrant T and B cell differentiation. Additional studies were performed to further examine the expression and function of different HDAC isoforms in immune cells. Due to the ability of HDAC inhibition to decrease markers of SLE disease as well as alter B and T cell development and differentiation, we sought to determine if specific HDAC isoforms are altered in lupus vs non lupus mice in early and late disease states. We determined the level of class IIb HDAC (HDACs 6, 9, and 10) expression in bone marrow B cells, splenic B and T cells, and glomerular cells from early- and late-disease MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice compared to healthy, age-matched C57BL/6 control mice. Expression of HDAC6 and HDAC9 were significantly increased in all of the tissues tested from MRL/lpr mice. Furthermore, both cytoplasmic and nuclear HDAC activity was increased in diseased MRL/lpr mice, and HDAC activity and expression continued to increase as disease progressed. In vitro treatment with ACY-738, a selective HDAC6i, was able to decrease cytoplasmic HDAC activity and inhibit iNOS production. Furthermore, ACY-738 was able to alter apoptosis through increased Bax expression in B cells. Treatment with ACY-738 was also able to inhibit Hsp90 expression and decrease NF-κB nuclear translocation, which are both upregulated during active SLE. Our studies indicate that HDAC activity contributes to SLE pathogenesis and that the use of isoform-selective HDAC inhibitors may be a viable treatment for SLE. / Ph. D.

No / Our objectives were to obtain monoclonal anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, to characterize their antigen specificity, and their capability to induce a pro-inflammatory and pro-adhesive endothelial phenotype, and to investigate the mechanism of endothelial cell (EC) activation in vitro. Monoclonal IgG AECA were generated by hybridoma formation with human SLE B cells. Antigen specificity was characterized by immunoblotting with enriched cell membrane fractions, by cytofluorimetry and by cell solid-phase ELISA. Endothelial activation was evaluated by measuring increases in U937 cell adhesiveness, adhesion molecule (E-selectin and ICAM-1) expression and IL-6 production. In addition, mechanisms of endothelial activation were investigated by assessment of NF-B by measuring the loss of its inhibitor I-B. mAb E-3 bound live EC and recognized a 42 kDa EC membrane protein, it enhanced U937 adhesiveness, E-selectin and ICAM-1 expression and IL-6 production, and caused the loss of I-B. We conclude this is the first in vitro demonstration that a human monoclonal AECA from a SLE patient reacts with a constitutive endothelial membrane antigen and induces a pro-inflammatory endothelial phenotype through NF-B activation.

No / Combinatorial antibody libraries were constructed from the spleen of a patient with concomitant systemic lupus erythematosus and idiopathic thrombocytopenia. Following selection of the libraries with DNA, a panel of 15 anti-DNA Fabs was isolated. Sequence analysis of these antibodies coupled with measurements of their affinities for ss- and dsDNA were used to investigate the role of somatic mutation in affinity maturation of the anti-DNA response. Examination of the germline genes used by these Fabs supports previous studies that suggest there is no restriction of the gene usage in the anti-DNA response. However, data are presented indicating that VH3 genes and the A27 V¿ paired with the J¿1 may be over-expressed in the anti-DNA repertoire. Analysis of the role of somatic mutation in increasing affinity for DNA indicates that affinity maturation has occurred and suggests that the CDR1 and CDR2 of the heavy chain are of importance in this process.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic autoimmune disease characterized by abnormalities in multiple components of the immune system resulting in progressive damage to multiple organs. Current treatments for SLE are often intensive and result in side effects and the potential for continued flares and progression of disease. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes control multiple cellular functions by removing acetyl groups from lysine residues in various proteins. HDAC inhibitors have been investigated as a potential treatment for SLE with promising results, however selective HDAC6 inhibition (HDAC6i) has become a leading candidate for pharmacologic inhibition to reduce the potential for side effects. We hypothesize that HDAC6i will decrease SLE disease by targeting substrates of HDAC6 in multiple components of immunity and organ systems. NZB/W mice were treated with ACY-738 or ACY-1083, followed by evaluation of multiple disease parameters and mechanisms involved in disease pathogenesis within the kidney, bone marrow, and spleen. Within the kidney, HDAC6i decreased glomerular pathology scores, proteinuria, and IgG and C3 deposition. Within glomerular cells, HDAC6i increased alpha-tubulin acetylation and decreased nuclear NF-κB. Within the spleen, there was a dose-dependent decrease in the frequency of Th17 cells and a mild decrease in the frequency of Treg cells. Concurrently, there were decreased levels of IL-12/IL-23 and minimal decreases in TGF-β in the serum. Within the bone marrow, B cell development through Hardy fractions exhibited accelerated progression through later stages as NZB/W mice aged. This accelerated progression may allow B cells to bypass important regulatory checkpoints in maintaining immune tolerance and contribute to autoimmunity. Treatment with an HDAC6i corrected the aberrant B cell development in the bone marrow and RNAseq analysis unveiled six genes (Cebpb, Ccr9, Spib, Nfil3, Lgals1, and Pou2af1) that may play a role in the aforementioned abnormalities. Overall, these findings show that HDAC6i decreased disease in NZB/W mice by targeting multiple components of the immune response, including glomerular cells, T cell subsets in the spleen, and bone marrow B cells. In conclusion, selective HDAC6i is an excellent candidate for pharmacologic therapy for SLE because it targets multiple immune abnormalities involved in SLE pathogenesis while remaining selective and safe. / Ph. D. / Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by multiple abnormalities in the immune system resulting in progressive immune-mediated damage to multiple organs. Current treatment regimens are often intensive, result in side effects, and may only provide temporary relief of disease. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition is currently being investigated as a new treatment modality for SLE with aims for improved efficacy and decreased potential for unwanted side effects. HDAC enzymes remove acetyl groups from multiple proteins (substrates) and subsequently regulate their function. HDAC6 is a specific HDAC enzyme that is of particular interest and are the subject of the following studies. These studies hypothesize that HDAC6 inhibition will decrease SLE by targeting multiple protein targets involved in the immune-mediated pathway of disease initiation and progression. NZB/W mice were utilized as a model of the human disease, and were treated by HDAC6 inhibitors during various stages of disease progression. Long-term treatment initiated early in disease decreases disease as evidenced by decreased renal pathology scores, immune complex deposition in the kidneys, decreased T cell subtypes in the spleen, and decreased inflammatory cytokines. HDAC6 inhibition corrects abnormal B cell development within the bone marrow of NZB/W mice, which is otherwise altered during disease progression. Furthermore, HDAC6 inhibition altered gene expression within the bone marrow, and deep sequencing analysis revealed multiple genes that may be involved in the pathway of disease progression. Overall, HDAC6 inhibition targets multiple pathways involved in SLE disease initiation and progression in various organs including the bone marrow, spleen, and kidneys. Because SLE is a disease that is multi-factorial and effects multiple organs, it would be ideal that a potential drug therapy also targets multiple targets and organ systems while remaining safe to use. Based on these studies, HDAC6 inhibitors are excellent candidates for the treatment of SLE.

Mitochondria are intracellular organelles in control of numerous biological functions (e.g.,from energy supply to steroidogenesis and programmed cell death by apoptosis). Evolutively, mitochondria are considered as derived from the endosymbiosis between an α-proteobacterium and a primitive eukaryotic cell. Due to its origin, the organelle displays prokaryotic motifs such as a circular double-stranded hypomethylated DNA (i.e., mtDNA) and N-formylated peptides. Intact or damaged mitochondria, as well as mitochondrial components may be extruded in the extracellular space upon cell activation or death. These features, as well as several biomolecules localized within the mitochondrion (e.g.,ATP, cytochrome C) are able to be recognized by the innate immune system as mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns, thus eliciting a proinflammatory response. A humoral immune response comprising anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) is also described in various autoimmune conditions, such as AMA-M2 in primary biliary cirrhosis (i.e., PBC). Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the alternance of flares and phases of remission, due to the deposition of antibody-antigen scaffolds (i.e., immune complexes) within tissues, leading to various clinical manifestations (e.g., neuropsychiatric, hematological or dermatological disorders). The antiphospholipid syndrome (i.e., APS) is an autoimmune disease, with thromboembolic and/or obstetrical manifestations, that can either be found alone or along with SLE. While the immunogenicity of cardiolipin (i.e., a phospholipid uniquely synthetized by mitochondria In humans) is well described in SLE and APS (i.e., anticardiolipins), mitochondrial proteins targeted by autoantibodies are still poorly known. The present doctoral thesis follows my masters' project during which I developed ELISAs allowing for the detection of AMA targeting intact mitochondria (i.e., AwMA) or mtDNA (i.e., AmtDNA)¹. The present project aims aims to characterize the mitochondrial immunogenicity in SLE and APS. The University of Toronto Lupus Clinic cohort comprise sera from patients with SLE or APS (n=175 and n=12 respectively). AwMA and AmtDNA levels were assessed in these samples, as well as in sera from healthy volunteers (n=43) or patients with PBC (n=12). I observed that all patients had increased AwMA, compared to healthy individuals. AmtDNA were only increased in SLE patients and were associated with increased past reports of lupus nephritis (p=0.01). These results were published in March 2019 in Scientific Reports². During the acquisition of these data, I observed that patients' sera also presented immunoreactivity against mitochondrial RNA (i.e., mtRNA). I thus adapted my assays to detect autoantibodies against mtRNA (i.e., AmtRNA), and assessed their levels in sera from patients includes in the systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease biobank and data repository (i.e., SARD-BDB. Healthy:n=30, SLE:n=87). AmtRNA were significantly elevated in SLE (IgG: p<0.0001, IgM:p=0.0493). Surprisingly, AmtRNA-IgG were associated with decreased reports of past lupus nephritis (p=0.03) and carotid plaque (p=0.04). This study was published in Frontiers in Immunology in May 2019³. As each AMA assessed displayed biostatistical associations with antiphospholipids, I replicated these protocols, using sera from patients with APS, included in the SARD-BDB (n=27). AmtRNA (IgG:p=0.0005, IgM:p=0.01) and AmtDNA-IgM were increased in APS (p=0.009). However, only AmtDNA-IgM were associated with reports of arterial thromboses (p=0.047). This pilot study was published in Lupus in August 2020⁴. In a a recent study, accepted in Arthritis & Rheumatology in January 2022⁵, we identified by mass spectrometry 1345 proteins associated with AwMA, 431 of with were assigned to the mitochondrial proteome. These results allowed to identify two candidates: C1qBP and Mfn-1. IgGs to C1qBP were increased in (p=0.0167) and associated with positivity to the lupus anticoagulant (p=0.049) in SLE. IgGs against Mfn-1 are interesting candidates for the prediction of the disease (p=0.0052) and are associated with positivity to antiphospholipids (p=0.011) and antibodies against double-stranded DNA (p = 0.0005). These results highlight the immunogenicity of the organelle in SLE and APS. Mitochondrial antigens are interesting candidates for the development of novel clinical assays allowing improved prognosis, diagnosis, or disease stratification, ultimately contributing to the improvement of medical care for people with autoimmune conditions. / Les mitochondries sont des organelles intracellulaires considérées comme issues de l'endosymbiose entre une α-protéobactérie et une cellule eucaryote primitive. L'organelle exprime ainsi des motifs moléculaires en lien avec son origine procaryote tels qu'un ADN hypométhylés (i.e., mtDNA) ou des peptides N-formylés. Des mitochondries ou bien des composantes mitochondriales pourront être libérées dans le milieu extracellulaire lors de différents évènements d'activation ou de mort cellulaire. Ces caractéristiques ainsi que certaines biomolécules, spécifiquement localisées dans la mitochondrie (e.g.,ATP, cytochrome C) auront la capacité d'être reconnues comme des motifs de dangers et de stimuler une réponse proinflammatoire de la part des cellules du système immunitaire inné. Une réponse humorale constituée d'anticorps anti-mitochondriaux (AMA) est connue dans différents troubles auto-immuns tels que les AMA-M2 dans la cirrhose biliaire primitive (PBC). Le lupus érythémateux disséminé (SLE) est une maladie auto-immune caractérisée par une succession de phases d'exacerbation et de rémission dues au dépôt d'enchevêtrements d'autoanticorps et de leurs antigènes dans les tissus, aboutissant à une grande variété de manifestations cliniques (e.g.,manifestations neuropsychiatriques, hématologiques, dermatologiques). Le syndrome des antiphospholipides (APS) est une maladie qui peut être distincte ou associée au SLE et présente des manifestations thromboemboliques et/ou obstétriques. Bien que l'immunogénicité de la cardiolipine (i.e., phospholipide uniquement synthétisée dans la mitochondrie chez l'humain) soit connue dans le cadre du SLE et de l'APS (i.e., anticardiolipines), l'antigénicité des protéines mitochondriales reste encore méconnue. Cette thèse de doctorat fait suite à mes travaux de maîtrise au cours desquels, j'ai développé des ELISAs permettant de mesurer des niveaux des IgGs dirigés contre les mitochondries intactes (i.e., AwMA) et le mtDNA (i.e., AmtDNA)¹. Mon projet de thèse vise à caractériser l'immunogénicité mitochondriale dans l'auto-immunité. La cohorte de la University of Toronto Lupus Clinic regroupe des échantillons d'échantillons de séra de patients souffrant de SLE ou d'APS (n=175 et n=12, respectivement). Les AwMA, et AmtDNA ont été mesurés au sein de ces échantillons ainsi que d'échantillons de volontaires sains (n=43) et de donneurs souffrant de PBC (n=12). Les patients souffrant des trois conditions présentaient une augmentation significative des AwMA par rapport aux contrôles sains. Les AmtDNA, uniquement augmentés chez les patients SLE (p=0.0004) ont été associés à des antécédents accrus de néphrite lupique (p=0.01). Ces résultats ont été publiés en mars 2019 dans le journal Scientific Reports² . Durant ces mesures, j'ai observé que les séra de patients présentaient aussi une immunoréactivité dirigée contre l'ARN mitochondrial (mtRNA). J'ai, par la suite, adapté mes tests pour détecter les AMA dirigés contre le mtRNA (i.e., AmtRNA) et les ai mesurés à l'aide de séra inclus dans la cohorte des maladies rhumatismales auto-immunes systémiques (MRAS. Sains:n=30, SLE:n=87). Les d'AmtRNA sont significativement élevés dans le SLE (IgG:p<0.0001 , IgM:p=0.0493). De façon surprenante, les AmtRNA-IgG sont associés avec des historiques réduits de néphrite lupique (p=0.03) et de plaque carotidienne (p=0.04). Ces travaux ont été publiés dans le journal Frontiers in Immunology en mai 2019³. L'ensemble des AMA mesurés présentant des associations biostatistiques avec différents anticorps antiphospholipides. J'ai répliqué mon protocole sur des échantillons de patients souffrant d'APS, inclus dans la cohorte MRAS (n=27). Les AmtRNA (IgG:p=0.0005, IgM:p=0.01) et les AmtDNA-IgM sont augmentés dans l'APS (p=0.009). Seuls les AmtRNA-IgM sont associées avec une diminution des antécédents de thromboses artérielles (p=0.047). Ce projet a fait l'objet d'un article, publié dans Lupus en aout 2020⁴. Dans une autre étude, acceptée dans le journal Arthritis & Rheumatology en janvier 2022⁵, nous avons identifié, par spectrométrie de masse, 1345 protéines associées aux AwMA dont 431 sont associées avec le protéome mitochondrial. Ces résultats m'ont permis d'identifier deux candidats d'intérêts : C1qBP et Mfn-1. Les anti-C1qBP sont significativement augmentés chez les patients lupiques (p=0.0167) et sont associés avec la positivité pour l'anticoagulant lupique (p=0.049). Les anti-Mfn1 constituent de potentiels candidats pour prédire la maladie (p=0.0052). Ils sont, par ailleurs, associés avec la positivité aux antiphospholipides (p=0.011) et aux anti-ADN double brins (p=0.0005). Ces résultats soulignent l'immunogénicité de la mitochondrie dans le SLE et l'APS. Les AMA et leurs cibles constituent de nouvelles avenues d'intérêt dans la mise au point de nouveaux tests cliniques permettant le diagnostic, le pronostic ou la classification de la maladie afin d'améliorer la prise en charge des patients lupiques.

Les récepteurs Toll-like (TLRs) détectent des structures conservées exprimées par différentes classes de microorganismes, jouant ainsi un rôle majeur dans la réponse immunitaire. Les TLRs localisés dans les endosomes (TLR3, 7, 8 et 9) reconnaissent principalement des acides nucléiques dérivés de microbes. Cependant, ils peuvent également être responsables de la reconnaissance d’acides nucléiques endogènes et contribuer au développement d’auto immunité. A la différence du TLR8humain, le TLR8 murin n’induit pas de réponse à l’ARN simple brin et a ainsi été considéré comme non fonctionnel. Le but de cette étude est d’étudier le rôle du TLR8 murin dans l’immunité. Nous avons montré que les cellules dendritiques déficientes en TLR8 surexpriment le TLR7 et présentent une réponse accrue à une stimulation de TLR7. Chez la souris, la déficience en TLR8 entraine une augmentation des taux d’anticorps circulant (IgM, IgG, IgG2a), des autoanticorps, et au niveau rénal la présence de dépôts de complexes immuns. A l’inverse des souris TLR8-/-, les souris TLR7/8-/- sont protégées de tout symptôme. Nos résultats indiquent donc que chez la souris le TLR8 joue un rôle primordial dans la modulation de l’expression de TLR7, et cette régulation est cruciale dans le contrôle du développement d’autoimmunité spontanée. / Toll-like receptors (TLRs) detect conserved molecular products of microorganisms and play anessential role in the induction of immune responses. Endosomal TLRs (TLR3, 7, 8 and 9) sensenucleic acids derived from microbes. However they can also recognize self nucleic acids and thus beinvolved in the development of autoimmunity. Unlike human TLR8, murin TLR8 does not respond tosingle-stranded RNA suggesting that it could be not functional. In the current study, we investigatedthe role of murine TLR8 signaling in immunity. We found that TLR8-/- dendritic cells overexpressTLR7 and are hyperesponsive to various TLR7 ligands. In mice, TLR8 deficiency leads to increasedlevels of IgM, IgG, IgG2a circulating antibodies, autoantibodies and in the kidney to higher depositionof immunocomplexes while double TLR7/8-/- mice are protected from autoimmune features. Thesedata provide evidence for a pivotal role of murine TLR8 in the regulation of murine TLR7 expressionand this control is critical for the prevention of spontaneous autoimmunity development.

Identifying the best control method for problematic wildlife is an ever present issue in wildlife management. Popular control methods have ranged from lethal techniques, extirpating the animal, to multiple non-lethal methods focused on deterring undesired behavior. In the past, lethal methods were the preferred choice. However, with increased awareness of the need for biodiversity conservation, new management methods focus on non-lethal control, with emphasis on exploiting aspects of naturally occurring organismal behaviors and ecology. Over the past decade, technological advances in extraction method’s and equipment have also developed new techniques providing a broader range of information about species biology for management use. One of the most well documented conflicts between wildlife and humans is that of the wolf. Using advanced technology and new techniques, we investigated the implication of using chemosensory signals in canid urine to modify behavior as a possible non-lethal alternative in large predator management. Here we used the SBSE method coupled with improved GC/MS equipment to analyze the volatile organic compounds in the urine of four canid species, gray wolf (Canis lupus), red wolf (Canis rufus), wolf-dog hybrids (Canis familiaris) and the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) in order to create working urinary profiles. The extraction method identified several compounds also seen in the urinary profiles of other large predators. In addition, similarities and differences were also noted between taxa and the sexes, and these can be further explored in future studies. Two identified urinary compounds, acetophenone and methyl propyl sulfide, were selected for further behavioral evaluation. We focused on these compounds and their influence as chemosensory signals triggering urine marking events in both the gray wolf and red wolf. Behavioral observations of the effects of these two chemicals indicated they elicited responses from captive wolves. At each of the three study sites, the combination of these chemicals produced urine-marking events along the territory boundary by dominant animals. As a result, the investigation focused on what triggered the urine-marking events, the chemicals themselves, their combination, or the breakdown of the chemicals producing other odorants. It was found that there was no significant degradation of the chemicals over time and environmental conditions produced no significant breakdown of the acetophenone prior to the addition of methyl propyl sulfide. This posed a number of new questions and illustrated the need for additional behavioral studies. The results of this study analyzing chemosensory signals in canid urine, provides biologists with new information to aid in the development of new non-lethal management strategies for handling problematic wildlife as well as providing useful information for future research involving reproduction, predator/prey dynamics, territory maintenance, and a host of other studies focusing on animal ecology in association with chemosensory signaling.

O desencadeamento do Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico (LES) está relacionado às situações estressantes e traumáticas da vida dos pacientes, o que sugere o fator psicológico como deflagrador da doença. A Nefrite Lúpica (NL) pode ser a primeira manifestação do LES e constitui fator de maior morbidade e mortalidade, por levar à insuficiência renal, com necessidade de hemodiálise, e colocar o sujeito diante de mudanças da rotina de vida, da autoimagem, o que faz da própria doença um evento traumático para o paciente. Dentro desse contexto, os objetivos desta pesquisa foram: (i) verificar a existência de eventos de vida associados ao deflagramento do LES nos relatos dos pacientes com NL e a forma como esses pacientes compreendem o seu adoecimento; e (ii) analisar correlações entre eventos de vida, estado de atividade do LES e perfil socioeconômico. Para a pesquisa empírica, adotou-se uma abordagem quali-quantitativa, por meio da aplicação dos seguintes instrumentos: entrevista semiestruturada (psicológica), entrevista para eventos de vida recentes (psiquiátrica) e instrumental de classificação socioeconômica. A amostra foi composta por 43 sujeitos internados no Serviço de Nefrologia do Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo, sendo 22 pacientes do grupo caso, com NL e 21 pacientes do grupo controle, com doença glomerular primária. Os dados clínicos e laboratoriais foram coletados por meio do SLEDAI e por consulta ao prontuário. Os principais resultados obtidos demonstram que a ocorrência de eventos de vida não apresentou correlação à atividade do LES. Evidencia-se uma associação entre eventos de vida negativos e o deflagramento da doença nos dois grupos estudados, o que demonstra que eventos negativos também antecedem e podem estar associados ao início de outras patologias. Quanto à maneira como os pacientes com NL compreendem o seu adoecimento, observou-se que eles compreendem parcialmente sua doença, atribuindo um significado negativo e associam uma situação emocional ao início do adoecimento. São pacientes que percebem os problemas de suas vidas e possuem necessidade de lidar com o adoecimento implicando-se ao tratamento. Há sofrimento quanto ao adoecimento pelas mudanças e limitações que a doença impõe, principalmente em relação à autoestima, por isto, sofrem emocionalmente e possuem necessidade de serem escutados e amparados. Portanto, conclui-se que os eventos de vida negativos e/ou traumáticos estão relacionados ao deflagramento do LES tanto de forma objetiva como um acontecimento que envolve mudanças no ambiente social externo, sem considerar a subjetividade do sujeito quanto de forma subjetiva como um evento de vida singular, relatado pelos próprios pacientes como um evento traumático. Essas evidências sugerem que os pacientes com NL possuem fatores psicológicos particulares que atuam tanto no curso da doença, quanto em seu deflagramento / The onset of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is related to stressful and traumatic situations in patient lives, which suggests the psychological factor to trigger the disease. The Lupus Nephritis (LN) may be the first manifestation of SLE and is a major factor of morbidity and mortality, because it leads to kidney failure, requiring hemodialysis. Furthermore, the LN changes the routine of life and selfimage of patients, which makes the disease itself a traumatic event. Within this context, this study aims to: (i) verify the existence of life events associated with the outbreak of SLE, and how these patients understand their illness, and (ii) evaluate correlations between life events, status of SLE activity and socioeconomic profile. For the empirical research, we used a qualitative and quantitative approach, applying the following instruments: a semi-structured psychological interview; a psychiatric interview for recent life events and an instrumental for socioeconomic status. The sample was consisted of 43 subjects admitted to the Nephrology Department, at Hospital das Clinicas in Sao Paulo: 22 patients formed the case group, with LN and 21 formed the control group, with primary glomerular disease. The clinical and laboratory data were collected using the SLEDAI. The main results show that the occurrence of life events had no correlation with SLE activity. There was an association between negative life events and the outbreak of the disease in both groups, showing that negative events also precede and may be associated with the onset of other pathologies. Regarding the manner LN patients understand their illness, we see that they partially understand their disease, giving a negative meaning and associating an emotional situation at the beginning of illness. These are patients who perceive problems in their lives and need to deal with the disease giving importance to the treatment. The illness process causes suffering due to the changes and limitations the disease imposes, especially related to self-esteem, therefore, patients suffer emotionally and demand to be heard and supported. Thus, we conclude that the negative life events and/or trauma are related to the triggering of SLE both in an objective way as an event that involves changes in the external social environment, without taking into account the subjectivity of the subject as in a subjective singular life event, reported by the patient as a traumatic event. Based on this analysis, we suggest that patients with LN have particular psychological factors that operate both in the course of the disease, and in its triggering