title: A diverse array of genetic factors contribute to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease with variable clinical presentation frequently affecting the skin, joints, haemopoietic system, kidneys, lungs and central nervous system. It can be life threatening when major organs are involved. The full pathological and genetic mechanisms of this complex disease are yet to be elucidated; although roles have been described for environmental triggers such as sunlight, drugs and chemicals, and infectious agents. Cellular processes such as inefficient clearing of apoptotic DNA fragments and generation of autoantibodies have been implicated in disease progression. A diverse array of disease-associated genes and microRNA regulatory molecules that are dysregulated through polymorphism and copy number variation have also been identified; and an effect of ethnicity on susceptibility has been described.
authors.affiliation: South African National Bioinformatics Institute/MRC Unit for Bioinformatics Capacity Development, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa. nicki@sanbi.ac.za
authors.forename: Nicki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tiffin
authors.forename: Adebowale
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adeyemo
authors.forename: Ikechi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Okpechi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D056915:DNA Copy Number Variations; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D035683:MicroRNAs