People with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have higher levels of antibodies targeting a specific viral-like protein fragment compared to healthy individuals and people with other autoimmune diseases.

Scientists found that people with lupus have much higher levels of certain antibodies that stick to a specific part of an ancient virus in our DNA, compared to healthy people or those with other autoimmune diseases. This supports the idea that lupus is linked to a stronger immune reaction to this particular viral fragment.