Delineating the genetic basis of systemic lupus erythematosus

Genetic predisposition plays a crucial role in susceptibility to systemic l upus erythematosus (SLE) in both human patients and animal models. Recent p rogress in experimental systems and human linkage analysis is providing key insights into the genetic basis for susceptibility and elucidating the man ner in which genetic interactions mediate severe disease pathogenesis. Gene s in multiple pathways appear to participate in specific elements of the di sease, and epistatic interactions among these genes play an important role in both aggravating and suppressing disease development.