Unraveling the genetics of systemic lupus erythematosus

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Abstract
The capacity to locate polymorphisms on a virtually complete map of the human genome coupled with the ability to accurately evaluate large numbers (by historical standards) of genetic markers has led to gene identification in complex diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus). While this is a phenotype with enormous clinical variation, the twin studies and the observed familial aggregation, along with the genetic effects now known, suggest a strong genetic component. Unlike type 1 diabetes, lupus genetics is not dominated by the powerful effect of a single locus. Instead, there are at least six known genetic association effects in lupus of smaller magnitude (odds ratio 10) are expected to be identified to contribute to lupus or in its many subsets defined by clinical and laboratory features.