Genetics of lupus nephritis.
Susceptibility to lupus nephritis is the end-result of complex interactions between polymorphic genetic factors involved in the regulation of immune responses. In humans, genome-wide screens and candidate-gene analyses led to the identification of several loci containing potential targets (FcgammaRIIa, PTPN22, PD-1, IL-10) for physiopathological research and therapeutic interventions. In mice, the generation of congenic mice, bearing in a normal genetic background one single disease-associated locus, greatly improved our understanding of the mechanisms mediating the genetic contribution to the disease. In the future, the identification of disease-associated genes will open new perspectives for the development of more targeted therapies of lupus nephritis.
Lauwerys
B R
BR
Service de Rhumatologie, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Bruxelles, Belgium. Bernard.Lauwerys@ruma.ucl.ac.be
Wakeland
E K
EK
D000818:Animals; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal