title: Genetics of autoimmune diseases--disorders of immune homeostasis.
abstract: In the past few years, our extensive knowledge of the mammalian immune system and our increasing ability to understand the genetic causes of complex human disease have opened a window onto the pathways that lead to autoimmune disorders. In addition to the well-established role of genetic variation that affects the major histocompatibility complex, a number of rare and common variants that affect a range of immunological pathways are now known to have important influences on the phenotypic diversity that is seen among autoimmune diseases. Recent studies have also highlighted a previously unanticipated interplay between the innate and adaptive immune system, providing a new direction for research in this field.
authors.affiliation: Robert S. Boas Center for Genomics and Human Genetics, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System, Manhasset, New York 11030, USA. peterg@nshs.edu
authors.forename: Peter K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Gregersen
authors.forename: Timothy W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Behrens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D015551:Autoimmunity; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System