Approved Research

Dissecting the genetic association of SLE with other diseases and biological markers

Lay summary

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder that develops when the body's immune system begins to attack self-tissues. The disease mechanisms haven't been fully understood. A combination of genetic, environmental and hormonal factors most likely explain the disease development. Genetic factors significantly contribute to the disease development and more than 180 genetic loci have been found associated with the disease through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, the disease demonstrates significant differences in prevalence, severity and age of onset among different ancestral groups. Our previous studies were mainly conducted in East Asian populations. Making full use of the UK Biobank data could help us better understand the genetic basis of the ancestral difference, which eventually can prioritize the usage of drugs for patients with different ancestral background. In addition, current studies have shown a high degree of genetic sharing among autoimmune diseases. Understanding the genetic sharing between SLE and other diseases could provide new insights for the drug repositioning. The project duration is expected to be last for 36 months.