Journal
AUTOIMMUNITY
Volume 41, Issue 4, Pages 272-277Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/08916930802024574
Keywords
autoimmune diseases; autoimmunity; genetic factors; epigenetic factors; X chromosome
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Approximately 5% of the population in Western countries is affected by autoimmune diseases (AID), with a significantly higher prevalence in women. Genetic factors are known to be crucial determinants of susceptibility as shown by family and twin studies, although no specific genes predisposing women to autoimmunity have been identified thus far. Several studies indicate that X chromosome abnormalities, such as inactivation patterns, characterize some female-predominant AID. We herein review the most recent evidence on the role of the X chromosome in the breakdown of immune tolerance and discuss its potential implications. Future efforts will help to identify specific X chromosome regions containing candidate genes for disease susceptibility.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available