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PMID: 11890874 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Review

The genetics of systemic sclerosis.

Current rheumatology reports ·Vol. 4 ·No. 2 ·2002-04-00 ·Pages 99-107

Johnson RW, Tew MB, Arnett FC

Abstract

The etiopathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) is unclear. With no definitive evidence supporting an environmental cause, recent attention has focused on genetic factors. Familial clustering and ethnic influences have been demonstrated. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) associations exist but are more related to the presence of particular autoantibodies rather than to the disease. In addition, no single major histocompatibility complex (MHC) allele predisposes to SSc in all ethnic groups. The role of microchimerism in SSc is a novel yet unproven hypothesis that may be related to intergenerational HLA compatibility. Recent studies investigating polymorphisms in genes coding for extracellular matrix proteins and cell-signaling molecules implicate non-MHC areas in SSc pathogenesis. The data reviewed suggest that SSc is a multigenic complex disorder.

MeSH Terms
Autoantibodies/genetics Cytokines/genetics Extracellular Matrix Proteins/genetics HLA Antigens/genetics HLA-D Antigens/genetics Humans Polymorphism, Genetic Scleroderma, Systemic/ethnology,genetics
Chemicals
Autoantibodies Cytokines Extracellular Matrix Proteins HLA Antigens HLA-D Antigens
Authors & Affiliations
3 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Johnson Randall W
University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Internal Medicine, 6431 Fannin MSB 5.260, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Frank.C.Arnett@uth.tmc.edu
Tew Monty B
Arnett Frank C
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Article Info
Journal
Current rheumatology reports
Abbr.
Curr Rheumatol Rep
ISSN
1523-3774
DOI
10.1007/s11926-002-0004-2
Email
frank.c.arnett@uth.tmc.edu
Published
2002-04-00
Pages
99-107
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
100888970
Subset
IM
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1007/s11926-002-0004-2 View journal details
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