Overexpression of ACSL5 in SLE patients may be an important key in predisposition and progression of autoimmunity; pointing to the involvement of this enzyme in supplying the material necessary for oxidative modification of cellular and extracellular components in early stages of SLE and SLE-like diseases, being ACSL5 directly associated with apoptosis and thus leading to an augmented apoptosis and recognition of these modified antigens by macrophages, which in the end could activate lymphocytes and promote autoantibody production. This evidence concerns the gene ACSL5 and systemic lupus erythematosus.