Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a diffuse connective tissue disease characterized by immune inflammation, involving multiple systems and multiple organs. The pathogenesis and clinical manifestation is complex, and the course of disease is prolonged and repeated. Related researches show that the occurrence of SLE is related to the normal immune state of the body being disturbed, resulting in abnormal activation of immune cells and immune molecules in the body, and is a systemic autoimmune disease. In this paper, the pathogenesis of SLE will be summarized from two aspects of immune inducing factors and mechanism and immune pathological injury mechanism, and the diagnosis and treatment methods of SLE will be reviewed from the perspective of immunology. This study aims to provide data support for further exploring the pathogenesis of SLE, and thus open up a new approach for the prevention, detection and treatment of SLE.