Tumor necrosis factor receptor II and PTPN22 genes polymorphisms and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus in Egyptian children.

Background: Many genes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a potent cytokine stimulator acting through 2 cell surface receptors (TNFR I and II). TNFRII gene which controls expression of these receptors has been linked to SLE susceptibility through promoting apoptosis.