Autoimmune regulator

The Autoimmune Regulator, abbreviated AIRE, is a human gene which is expressed in the thymus. It causes transcription of a wide selection of organ-specific genes. This reduces the threat of autoimmunity occurring by allowing the elimination of autoreactive T cells by the process of negative selection if they are too reactive to self.

It is mutated in the rare autoimmune syndrome Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy Syndrome type 1 (APS-1), also known as Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy-Candidiasis-Ectodermal Dystrophy (APECED). Disruption of AIRE results in the development of a range of autoimmune diseases, the most common clinical conditions in the syndrome are hypoparathyroidism, primary adrenocortical failure and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. AIRE is expressed primarily in the thymus.

A gene knockout of the murine homolog Aire has created a transgenic mouse model to study the mechanism of disease in human patients. Research on the knockout mouse has demonstrated that Aire functions through initiating the transcription of a diverse set of self-antigens, such as insulin, in the thymus. This expression then allows maturing thymocytes to become tolerant towards peripheral organs, thereby suppressing autoimmune disease.