type1 interferon tagged posts

Researchers Discover Potential Genetic Trigger of Autoimmune Disease

Schematic representation of the structural organization of active human retroelements and their transcripts. Alu, SVA and LINE-1 belong to the non-LTR group of currently active human retroelements. Each panel shows the schematic of the element with the expected transcript (represented as a line and labeled RNA) shown below it.

Schematic representation of the structural organization of active human retroelements and their transcripts. Alu, SVA and LINE-1 belong to the non-LTR group of currently active human retroelements. Each panel shows the schematic of the element with the expected transcript (represented as a line and labeled RNA) shown below it.

Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) have uncovered a potential genetic trigger of systemic autoimmune disease. The study, the culmination of more than 10 years of research discovered virus-like elements within the human genome linked to the development of 2 autoimmune diseases: lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome.

More than 80 types of autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome, affect up to 22 million people in the US...

Read More