Rat and mouse models for the major human autoimmune/inflammatory diseases are under intense genetic scrutiny. Genome-wide linkage studies reveal that each model is regulated by multiple genetic loci. Many of these loci colocalize to homologous genomic reg

Recent progress towards elucidating the genetic basis for susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has provided insights into the manner in which individual susceptibility genes contribute to disease pathogenesis. Studies in animal models of systemic autoimmunity suggest that genes in three separate pathways contribute to the initiation and progression of systemic autoimmunity. Linkage studies in humans suggest that at least some susceptibility genes mediating disease in lupus-prone mice may also contribute to susceptibility in humans.