Genetic Basis of Autoimmune Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by an aberrant immune response against the host's own cell and tissues, wherein the immune system loses immunological tolerance and recognizes the self as non-self. Given the fact that ~70% of human genes contributes to immune system functioning, autoimmune diseases can develop due to alterations in these immune regulatory genes. Many autoimmune diseases (organ-specific autoimmune diseases (e.g., T1DM, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Vitiligo, Graves’ disease, autoimmune anemias, Goodpasture’s Syndrome, myasthenia gravis, etc.) or  systemic autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, spondylarthropathies, systemic sclerosis, and Sjogrens syndrome, etc.)) are considered complex genetic diseases due to the involvement of mutiple genes. Exploring the genetic susceptibility factors for these autoimmune diseases will be helpful in delineating their exact roles in altering the immune pathways and can help in designing marker-assisted diagnostics, personalized therapy and possible genetic interventions for various autoimmune diseases. This Special Issue invites contributions dealing with the genetic basis of various autoimmune diseases through genetic association studies involving different strategies, ranging from linkage studies, candidate gene association studies to genome-wide association studies. In addition, review articles, genotype–phenotype correlations, gene–gene interactions and meta-analysis studies are also welcomed in this issue.

Dr. Mitesh Dwivedi
Guest Editor

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