Systemic lupus erythematosus-associated defects in the inhibitory receptor FcgammaRIIb reduce susceptibility to malaria.

ABSTRACT: Polygenic autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In recent years, functionally important genetic polymorphisms conferring susceptibility to SLE have been identified, but the evolutionary pressures driving their retention in the gene pool remain elusive. A defunctioning, SLE-associated polymorphism of the inhibitory receptor FcgammaRIIb is found at an increased frequency in African and Asian populations, broadly corresponding to areas where malaria is endemic. Here, we show that FcgammaRIIb-deficient mice have increased clearance of malarial parasites (Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi) and develop less severe disease. In vitro, the human lupus associated FcgammaRIIb polymorphism enhances phagocytosis of Plas

SUBMITTER: Clatworthy MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1855357 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature