Genetic progress towards the molecular basis of common autoimmunity.
Identification of the genetic determinants that underlie autoimmune diseases implicates new biochemical pathways in disease pathogenesis. The authors describe how recent advances in genetic knowledge of autoimmunity have pointed to aberrant negative regulation of autoreactive T-cells as a key step in autoimmunity. The tissue specificity of autoimmune attack is also under genetic control and variations in tissue-specific factors also appear to have a role.
Merriman
Tony R
TR
Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Box 56, 710 Cumberland Street, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Pearce
Simon H S
SH
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000235:genetics; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism