Where are immune complexes typically deposited in individuals with SLE?

In individuals with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), immune complexes are typically deposited in the connective tissues of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. This is significant because the accumulation of these immune complexes can lead to inflammation and damage in various tissues, resulting in the diverse clinical manifestations associated with lupus.

The deposition often occurs in areas where blood flow is prominent, as these are the sites where circulating autoantibodies and their target antigens can interact and form immune complexes. Once deposited, these immune complexes can activate complement and recruit inflammatory cells, leading to local tissue injury and contributing to the pathology of SLE.

While immune complexes can affect other structures such as the skin and tissues in the nervous system, the most common and clinically relevant locations for these deposits are indeed in the connective tissues associated with blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. This explains the systemic nature of SLE and its potential to cause vasculitis and other vascular-related issues.