GENETIC LINKAGE IN LUPUS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the production of auto-antibodies against intracellular antigens. Collection of multicase SLE families is ongoing. Over 200 families, of which 30% are African-American (AA), have been collected to date and subjected to genome-wide scanning for linked loci. There is considerable variability among SLE patients with respect to the clinical manifestations of disease and virtually any organ system may be affected. Little is known about whether the observed clinical variability is due to environmental effects, heterogeneity of SLE loci, or modifying genes. Our further characterization of neuropsychiatric lupus has recently been published and confirmation of prior principal component analysis is underway. SNP typing is complet for several candidate regions and genes. We have begun two new projects related to the relationship between obesity and SLE. We have conducted linkage scans using multiple approaches to properly model this potential gene by environment interaction. We have also just completed a principal component analysis of the ACR criteria, and autoimmunity profiles and their relationship to BMI.