“Xist is a very long RNA, 17,000 nucleotides long, or letters, and it associates with approximately almost 100 proteins,” Chang said. Chang wondered whether the clumps of protein molecules that arise when Xist connects with the X chromosome were a trigger for autoimmune disease. The experiments weren’t designed to show whether Xist or the related proteins cause autoimmune disease in the animals. The samples from patients with autoimmune disease produced higher levels of autoantibodies in reaction to proteins associated with Xist, the researchers found. Plus, environmental factors play a big role in autoimmune disease.

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Persons: Howard Chang, Chang, ”, it’s, Montserrat Anguera, ” Anguera, wasn’t, ” Chang, “ It’s, “ Organizations: CNN, Stanford University, Cell, Stanford School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine Locations: United States, Montserrat