title: The genetics of systemic sclerosis.
abstract: The etiopathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) is unclear. With no definitive evidence supporting an environmental cause, recent attention has focused on genetic factors. Familial clustering and ethnic influences have been demonstrated. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) associations exist but are more related to the presence of particular autoantibodies rather than to the disease. In addition, no single major histocompatibility complex (MHC) allele predisposes to SSc in all ethnic groups. The role of microchimerism in SSc is a novel yet unproven hypothesis that may be related to intergenerational HLA compatibility. Recent studies investigating polymorphisms in genes coding for extracellular matrix proteins and cell-signaling molecules implicate non-MHC areas in SSc pathogenesis. The data reviewed suggest that SSc is a multigenic complex disorder.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Internal Medicine, 6431 Fannin MSB 5.260, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Frank.C.Arnett@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Randall W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Monty B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Tew
authors.forename: Frank C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Arnett
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000235:genetics; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D016207:Cytokines; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D006680:HLA Antigens; D006681:HLA-D Antigens