Scientists at Tohoku University, Department of Pathology target lupus genetics
2007 NOV 20 -- Current study results from the report, 'Autosomal loci associated with a sex-related difference in the development of autoimmune phenotypes in a lupus model,' have been published. "Sex-related differences (SrD) are a general characteristic of human autoimmune diseases. There is an increasing body of evidence that suggests a link between sex-related hormones and autoimmune onsets," investigators in Sendai, Japan report. "Here, through a genetic approach using a lupus mouse model, we attempted to show the involvement of genetic factors in the development of SrD in autoimmune diseases. Using MRL/lpr x (MRL/lpr x C57BL/6.Fas(lpr))F1 (MBN2) mice, the whole genome was searched to identify linkage loci to autoimmune phenotypes inherited from a lupus MRL/Mp.Fas(lpr) (MRL/lpr) strain of mice, which exhibits glomerulonephritis, splenomegaly and antinuclear autoantibody. The genome-wide association study confirmed four linkage loci on chromosomes 4, 7, 13, and 17. Furthermore, differential analyses performed using male and female groups of MBN2 mice revealed that two loci located on chromosomes 4 (41-72 cM, MRL/lpr allele) and 7 (4-21 cM, B6/lpr allele) were male specific and suppressed autoimmune phenotypes. Notably, the sum effect of the two loci adequately explained a range of SrD developed in the MBN2 mice," wrote N. Misu and colleagues, Tohoku University, Department of Pathology. The researchers concluded: "Our present findings suggest the presence of a male-predominant mechanism underlying the development of SrD in autoimmunity, depending on the effects of autosomal loci under an undefined male-specific condition." Misu and colleagues published their study in European Journal of Immunology (Autosomal loci associated with a sex-related difference in the development of autoimmune phenotypes in a lupus model. European Journal of Immunology, 2007;37(10):2787-96). For additional information, contact N. Misu, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Dept. of Pathology, Sendai, Japan. The publisher of the European Journal of Immunology can be contacted at: Wiley-V C H Verlag GmbH, PO Box 10 11 61, D-69451 Weinheim, Germany. Keywords: Japan, Sendai, Lupus Genetics, Autoimmune Disease, Autoimmune Disorder, Genetics, Immunology, Lupus. This article was prepared by Life Science Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Life Science Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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