The genetics of systemic lupus erythematosus

There is considerable evidence that the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has a strong genetic basis. For more than 20 years, much effort has been made to understand the genetics of SLE. Association studies in humans suggest the existence of genetic effects by the alleles encoded in the HLA, deficiencies in the complement genes and the low-affinity variants of Fcgamma-receptors. In mouse models of SLE at least 13 loci have been identified, including the MHC, linked to lupus-related phenotypes such as nephritis and production of autoantibodies. Recently, linkage studies have been performed in human SLE; one investigating a candidate region based on synteny to a murine susceptibility locus and four genome-wide linkage studies in various populations. Linkage was demonstrated to several chromosomal regions, some of which are syntenic to murine lupus susceptibility loci. Interestingly, many of the identified chromosomal regions co-localise with loci implicated in other autoimmune diseases.