title: MHC II molecules in inflammatory diseases: interplay of qualities and quantities.
abstract: It is generally accepted that MHC II molecules confer susceptibility to inflammatory diseases because of the different abilities they possess for binding and presenting peptides to T cells. A new study suggests that the level of MHC II gene expression is also a risk factor for such diseases. It shows that a polymorphism in the promoter of the MHC II transactivator (MHC2TA) gene (which encodes CIITA), leads to reduced MHC2TA expression, and hence reduced production of MHC II molecules. This predisposes to rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and myocardial infarction.
authors.affiliation: MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK.
authors.forename: Manuel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Friese
authors.forename: E Yvonne
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fugger
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
chemical_list: D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II