Abstract
The identification of genes underlying quantitative-trait loci (QTL) for complex diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, is a challenging and difficult task for the human genome project. Through positional cloning of the Pia4 QTL in rats, we found that a naturally occurring polymorphism of Ncf1 (encoding neutrophil cytosolic factor 1, a component of the NADPH oxidase complex) regulates arthritis severity. The disease-related allele of Ncf1 has reduced oxidative burst response and promotes activation of arthritogenic T cells. Pharmacological treatment with substances that activate the NADPH oxidase complex is shown to ameliorate arthritis. Hence, Ncf1 is associated with a new autoimmune mechanism leading to severe destructive arthritis, notably similar to rheumatoid arthritis in humans.
MeSH terms
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Adoptive Transfer
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Alleles
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Animals
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Animals, Congenic
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Animals, Wild
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Arthritis / enzymology
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Arthritis / genetics*
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Arthritis / immunology
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Arthritis / pathology*
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Autoimmune Diseases / enzymology
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Autoimmune Diseases / genetics
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Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
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Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
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Base Sequence
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Disease Progression
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Enzyme Activation
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Gene Frequency
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Molecular Sequence Data
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NADPH Oxidases / metabolism
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Phosphoproteins / analysis
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Phosphoproteins / genetics*
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Phosphoproteins / metabolism
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Physical Chromosome Mapping
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Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
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Quantitative Trait Loci / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / analysis
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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Rats
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Rats, Inbred Strains
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Respiratory Burst
Substances
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Phosphoproteins
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RNA, Messenger
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NADPH Oxidases
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neutrophil cytosolic factor 1
Associated data
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GENBANK/AF017085
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GENBANK/AJ000485
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GENBANK/AY029167
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GENBANK/Z29530
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RefSeq/NM_020331