Molecular analysis of HumDN1 VNTR polymorphism of the human deoxyribonuclease I in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Deoxyribonuclease I (DNASE1) may be responsible for the removal of DNA from nuclear antigens at sites of high cell turnover, thus preventing the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The purpose of this study was to screen DNASE1 gene for mutations that may have an effect on susceptibility to develop SLE. DNA was extracted from 76 Kuwaiti SLE patients and 92 race-matched controls.