title: DNaseI in pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: The aberrant activation of lymphocytes causes autoimmune diseases. Although there are many candidate molecules that are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, it still remains unclear how immunological tolerance is disturbed in each autoimmune disease. Recently, we discovered two patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with a defect in the DNaseI gene locus. According to immunological and genetic analysis, we hypothesize that defective antigen clearance, especially accumulation of nucleosomal antigens, is responsible for the development of SLE. In this article, we review the pathogenesis of SLE from the view of defective self-antigen clearance due to low DNaseI activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
authors.forename: Shin-Ichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsukumo
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yasutomo
mesh_terms: D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D009154:Mutation
chemical_list: D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I