Researchers find new genes likely to cause immune disorders

Researchers from Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Britain have found three new genes that are likely to cause immune disorders.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a common autoimmune disease that usually affects women, especially those of childbearing age.

China has more than one million people diagnosed with SLE.

Symptoms include fatigue, fever, muscle and joint pains, and red rash on the face.

The disease might lead to organ failure, brain dysfunction, subsequent infections and life threatening in severe cases.

The cause of SLE is not clear, but previous studies show that genetic factors play an important role and there is no cure for the disease.

More than 80 susceptibility loci of SLE have been identified through genome-wide association studies.

Researchers have not only verified the well-established genes, but also identified three new risk ones namely ST3AGL4, MFHAS1, and CSNK2A2.

The research, which was jointly undertaken by the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (FAHAMU), University of Hong Kong, Guangzhou Medical University, and King’s College, London, was published recently in the journal — Annals of Rheumatic Diseases.

Sheng Yujun, lead researcher at FAHAMU said “the discovery of these risk genes would help us to understand the genetic mechanisms of SLE. It would also shed light on development of new drugs and clinical applications of gene study.”