SAP discovery: the sword edges--beneficial and harmful.
We cloned the SLAM associated protein (SAP) gene in 1995. In 1998, it was discovered that the SAP gene was defective in patients with X-linked lymphoproliferative disease. Subsequently, details on the key role of life-long immune memory (vaccination) and of life-long autoantibody production in patients suffering from autoimmune disease have been revealed. In this paper, we discuss the dual nature of SAP in humans: its beneficial effect on life-long immune memory (vaccination) and its harmful effect on life-long autoantibody production.
Sawada
Shigemasa
S
Department of Rheumatology and Hematology, Nihon University Nerima Hikarigaoka Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. sswd98@med.nihon-u.ac.jp
Takei
Masami
M
Ishiwata
Tetsuyosi
T
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D000071179:Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Associated Protein; D013585:Synovitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C114953:SH2D1A protein, human; D000071179:Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Associated Protein