To continue our previous investigations, we have extensively investigated the function of the 61, 41, and 35 non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human genes encoding DNASE1, DNASE1L3, and DNASE2, respectively, potentially relevant to autoimmune diseases.
In addition, if nucleases, such as DNase II or DNase III (Trex1), fail to clear self-DNA, accumulated DNA gains access to intracellular compartments where it drives inflammatory responses leading to autoimmune disease.
The association of SNPs in the 5'-regulatory region of the DNA degrading enzyme DNASE2 with RA implies a role for this enzyme in the pathogenesis of this autoimmune disease.