Genetic Susceptibility to Leprosy-From Classic Immune-Related Candidate Genes to Hypothesis-Free, Whole Genome Approaches.

ABSTRACT: Genetics plays a crucial role in controlling susceptibility to infectious diseases by modulating the interplay between humans and pathogens. This is particularly evident in leprosy, since the etiological agent, Mycobacterium leprae, displays semiclonal characteristics not compatible with the wide spectrum of disease phenotypes. Over the past decades, genetic studies have unraveled several gene variants as risk factors for leprosy per se, disease clinical forms and the occurrence of leprosy reactions. As expected, several of these genes are immune-related; yet, hypothesis-free approaches have led to genes not classically linked to immune response. The PARK2, originally described as a Parkinson's disease gene, illustrates the case: Parkin-the protein coded by PARK2

SUBMITTER: Cambri G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6062607 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature