Linkage mapping of a novel susceptibility locus for Behcet's disease to chromosome 6p22-23

Abstract

Objective. The etiology of Behcet's disease is unknown; however, familial aggregation studies indicate a strong genetic background and a complex inheritance model. Association of HLA-B51 with Behcet's disease is regarded as being the strongest evidence of genetic contribution described to date. A low rate of recombination was observed within the telomeric end of the major histocompatibility complex up to the HFE gene, which causes hereditary hemochromatosis. We therefore hypothesized that the telomere of 6p may harbor a susceptibility gene for Behcet's disease.