Lupus Nephritis is characterized by defective removal of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps that are modified in protein composition and contain specific auto-antigens.

Neutrophyl Extracellular Traps (NETs) accumulated in serum of patients with Lupus Nephritis for defective removal by DNAse. Among a complex protein panel (overall 802) two clusters of 16 and 13 proteins were more expressed by LN and SLE NETs respectively; oxidized aenolase and annexin A1 were main components of the first series in LN. NETs may represent a source of modified intracellular antigens for autoimmunity in LN.