women

Researchers Identify Genetic Marker for Lupus in African American Women

Researchers Identify Genetic Marker for Lupus in African American Women

A new study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology finds there may be a genetic explanation for the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in African American women.

The study, published on August 20, points to epigenetic changes near interferon-regulated genes early in B cell development. These changes are a “hallmark” of SLE development in African American women, the authors wrote.

“We have identified an aberrant epigenetic signature that developed early in B cell development in African American patients. This observation is consistent with recently published work which identified a SLE-specific epigenetic signature present in the resting naïve B cell stage that persists throughout development in a cohort of Africa American females,” wrote the authors who were led by Devin Absher, Ph.D., of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Alabama.

Lupus affects more women than men. Why? New study explores

Lupus affects more women than men. Why? New study explores

Lupus affects nine times more women than men. Experts know that lupus erythematosus, SLE, or lupus affects many more women than men, but none of them can explain why. Now that University of Houston biomedical engineer Chandra Mohan has the funding, he has set out to determine why.

Prof. Mohan, Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Endowed Professor of biomedical engineering, has $2 million to solve the mystery.

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