RESEARCH NEWS STUDY IDENTIFIES NEW GENETIC LINKS TO LUPUS New research has identified a few specific gene variants associated with lupus. A gene variant is a permanent change in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene, which can sometimes cause disease. The latest findings suggest there are five different gene variants that may promote the autoimmune response in lupus, in which certain immune-system cells mistakenly attack the body’s healthy cells. Lupus is difficult to diagnose, especially in the early stages. This study helps pave the way for potential
genetic testing in the future to help identify people at high risk for the disease. Lupus is a complex disease that is likely caused by several interacting features. For example, we know that inherited genes, environmental exposures (such as certain medications, severe exposure to ultraviolet rays, perhaps certain viral exposures at key times), and female hormones all likely contribute to the development of lupus. No single gene or group of genes has been proven to cause lupus. Lupus does, however, appear in
certain families, and when one of two identical twins has lupus, there is an increased chance that the other twin will also develop the disease. These findings, as well as others, strongly suggest that genes are involved in the development of lupus. To learn more about lupus and genes or to read the research study visit our website at https://www. lupusgreaterohio.org/understanding-lupus/news/
RESEARCH IDENTIFIES FOUR DIFFERENT LUPUS SUBGROUPS New research finds there are four distinct subtypes of lupus based on one’s autoantibody profile. Autoantibodies are types of molecules produced by certain immune-system cells that attack the body’s normal cells, and there are several different types of autoantibodies that commonly occur in lupus. This latest study shows that one’s autoantibody profile (the mix of specific types of autoantibodies one has), along with the types of genes they have, can identify different subgroups within lupus. Researchers analyzed data from 911 people with lupus. They looked at 13 different lupus-associated autoantibodies, gene types
and clinical symptoms and diagnoses and discovered four distinct lupus groupings, or “clusters,” each with its own predominant autoantibody profile and a strong association with a specific gene: • Subgroup 1 was more likely to present with discoid lesions (disc-shaped skin damage) • Subgroup 2 was most commonly characterized by nephritis (kidney disease) • Subgroup 3 experienced more vascular events (like stroke or heart attack) • Subgroup 4 was the least common cluster, included the fewest number of males and
was associated with the highest age at lupus diagnosis
These four distinct lupus subgroups suggest that there may be several different disease pathways involved in the development and progression of lupus, which could influence how people with the disease are diagnosed and treated in the future. To learn more about lupus subgroups visit our website at https:// www.lupusgreaterohio.org/understanding-lupus/news/
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