Genetics and systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex, multifactorial autoimmune disease. Genetic factors are believed to contribute to its pathogenesis. There have been numerous recent advances in the study of murine and human lupus genetics. In well-defined, experimental, transgenic or gene-knockout mouse models, the development of lupus-like disease has implicated specific genes and pathways in the disease pathogenesis. Linkage analyses have mapped multiple susceptibility loci and disease suppressive loci using inbred strains of mice that spontaneously develop lupus-like disease. Elegant genetic dissection has demonstrated that a component phenotype of SLE is displayed by each congenic strain carrying a single susceptibility locus on a resistant genetic background, whereas polycongenic strains exhibit fatal lupus nephritis. These studies suggest that genes in separate pathways can interact to augment or suppress the initiation and progression of systemic autoimmunity. In association studies of human lupus, the contributions of the MHC loci, Fcg receptors, various cytokines, components of the complement cascade, and proteins involved in apoptosis have been explored. Most recently, linkage analyses have been performed and provide many chromosomal regions for further exploration for susceptibility genes. Studies to identify the genes in the susceptibility regions are underway. An understanding of the genes involved in the development of lupus should provide targets for more focused therapy in lupus.