FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF COMPLEMENT RECEPTOR 2 AS A LUPUS SUSCEPTIBILITY GENE

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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. Complement receptor 2 is a protein on antibody-producing cells believed to be important in lupus. We have shown that the gene for this protein is abnormal in an animal model of lupus, providing strong proof that it causes lupus. We have also shown that certain variations in the gene for this protein are found more often in individuals who have lupus. In this study, we want to determine how the variations in the complement receptor 2 gene affect its function so that we can understand better how it might be involved in lupus. To do this, we will draw blood from different people who express different versions of the gene to test the function of the receptor in a number of different ways. In addition, we will obtain a small piece of the tonsils from some people to test the function of a form of the receptor that is expressed in the tonsils but not in the blood.