Scientists find autoimmune disease genes

Chinese researchers have identified several new genes that play an important role in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a common autoimmune disease, according to a new study published by Nature Genetics.

The study was led by Zhang Xuejun, a professor at the Institute of Dermatology at No 1 Hospital, Anhui Medical University, who worked with researchers from the Chinese National Human Genome Center and Huashan Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai.

SLE is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease that can affect any part of the body including the joints, skin, lungs, heart, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system.