Lupuserythematosus is an autoimmune disease characterised by complex immunological disturbances involving humoral and cellular responses. Research into the pathogenesis of lupus is ongoing, but many aspects are still unexplained. Of particular interest to scientists, heat shock proteins, antibodies directed against these proteins and galectin 3 have recently been the focus of research. A number of experimental studies are yielding newer findings and links between the factors observed and the skin lesions occurring in lupus.