Deciphering the genetic background of systemic sclerosis. (July 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Broen, Jasper CA; Coenen, Marieke JH; Radstake, Timothy RDJ
• Is Part Of: Expert review of clinical immunology. Volume 7:Number 4(2011)
• Page Start: 449
• Page End: 462
• Publication Date: 2011-07
• Subjects: family studies -- genetics -- genome-wide association study -- human leukocyte antigen -- systemic sclerosis -- telomeres; Clinical immunology -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1586/eci.11.26
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-666X

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe autoimmune connective tissue disease. Over the years, evidence for a genetic background of SSc susceptibility has clearly accumulated. This article aims to provide an extensive overview of genetics in SSc research. We discuss indicators for a genetic component present in SSc, family studies, chromosomal aberrances, the involvement of the HLA region and multiple candidate genes and, finally, genome-wide association studies.