Genetics of Behçet's disease

Laura T Morton, Deva Situnayake, Graham R Wallace

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article discusses recent genetic and epigenetic associations involved in the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease.

RECENT FINDINGS: Genetic studies have supported the strong association of human leukocyte antigen-B and Behçet's disease, and high production of tumour necrosis factor and low production of interleukin (IL)-10, which have led to therapy based on controlling these effects. Polymorphisms that affect the response to pathogens (TLR and FUT2) are leading to increased interest in responses to microbiomes. Inflammation in Behçet's disease results in vascular damage and several single nucleotide polymorphisms in chemokine and adhesion molecules may be involved in this process. Increased levels of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β and IL-17 have been linked to altered expression of microRNAs, miR155, miR21 and miR23b. DNA methylation changes in monocytes and lymphocytes have been described that affect the function of these cells.

SUMMARY: Genetic and epigenetic changes affecting cells and molecules involved in Behçet's disease offer new pathways for research, including cytoskeletal protein function, that will provide new targets for therapy, and potentially address the ethnic differences seen in validation of gene studies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)39-44
Number of pages6
JournalCurrent Opinion in Rheumatology
Volume28
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2016

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Genetics of Behçet's disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this