Mapping autoimmunity genes

Rat and mouse models for the major human autoimmune/inflammatory diseases a re under intense genetic scrutiny. Genome-wide linkage studies reveal that each model is regulated by multiple genetic loci, Many of these loci coloca lize to homologous genomic regions associated with several different autoim mune diseases of mice, rats and humans. Candidate genes are being identifie d, Polymorphic alleles associated with these chromosomal segments may repre sent predisposing genetic elements common to a number of human diseases wit h very different clinical presentations.