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Evolutionary history of copy-number-variable locus for the low-affinity Fcy receptor: mutation rate, autoimmune disease, and the legacy of helminth infection

Machado, L., Hardwick, R. J., Bowdrey, J., Bogle, H., Knowles, T., Sironi, M. and Hollox, E. J. (2012) Evolutionary history of copy-number-variable locus for the low-affinity Fcy receptor: mutation rate, autoimmune disease, and the legacy of helminth infection. The American Journal of Human Genetics. 90(6), pp. 973-985. 0002-9297.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: Both sequence variation and copy-number variation (CNV) of the genes encoding receptors for immunoglobulin G (Fcg receptors) have been genetically and functionally associated with a number of autoimmune diseases. However, the molecular nature and evolutionary context of this variation is unknown. Here, we describe the structure of the CNV, estimate its mutation rate and diversity, and place it in the context of the known functional alloantigen variation of these genes. Deletion of Fcg receptor IIIB, associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, is a result of independent nonallelic homologous recombination events with a frequency of approximately 0.1%. We also show that pathogen diversity, in particular helminth diversity, has played a critical role in shaping the functional variation at these genes both between mammalian species and between human populations. Positively selected amino acids are involved in the interaction with IgG and include some amino acids that are known polymorphic alloantigens in humans. This supports a genetic contribution to the hygiene hypothesis, which states that past evolution in the context of helminth diversity has left humans with an array of susceptibility alleles for autoimmune disease in the context of a helminth-free environment. This approach shows the link between pathogens and autoimmune disease at the genetic level and provides a strategy for interrogating the genetic variation underlying autoimmunedisease risk and infectious-disease susceptibility.
Uncontrolled Keywords: /dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Creators: Machado, Lee, Hardwick, Robert J, Bowdrey, Jennifer, Bogle, Helen, Knowles, Timothy, Sironi, Manuela and Hollox, Edward J
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: Research Centres > Centre for Health Sciences and Services
Research Centres > Centre for Physical Activity and Life Sciences
Date: 8 June 2012
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 973-985
Journal or Publication Title: The American Journal of Human Genetics
Volume: 90
Number: 6
Number of Pages: 12
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg.2012.04.018
ISSN: 0002-9297
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: Yes
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/11132

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