525 | id == 525
525 | category_id == 29
525 | category_order == 26
525 | category_name == Lupus
525 | category_color == #C47AC0
525 | slug == FAP-lupus
525 | title == A Genetic Link Between Joint Integrity & Lupus (FAP)
525 | meta_description == FAP helps maintain joint integrity. A variant of FAP has been associated with lupus. Read more here.
525 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>FAP helps maintain joint integrity. How might a variant of <em>FAP</em> alter the activity of cells involved in lupus progression? Read more to find out.</strong></p>
525 | overall_score_text == Your Lupus Score (based on FAP gene)
525 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/FAP-Lupus.jpg
525 | author_id == 14
525 | author_name == Shany Lahan
525 | author_title == MS (Neuroscience)
525 | author_order == 5
525 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Shany.webp
525 | author_intro == <p>Shany received her MSc in Neuroscience from Western University.</p>    <p>Prior to joining SelfDecode, Shany conducted research related to Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, and taught science to undergraduate students. She believes that research should be accessible to everyone, regardless of scientific background. Shany joined SelfDecode&nbsp;with a mission to help others optimize their health and wellbeing &ndash; as well as help them understand the science behind it all.</p>
525 | reviewer == None
525 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
525 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
525 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
525 | publish_date == 2020
525 | publish_date == 12
525 | publish_date == 3
525 | avg_rating == 5.0
525 | tags_id == 33
525 | tags_name == Autoimmunity
525 | tags_id == 1008
525 | tags_name == Collagen
525 | tags_id == 1006
525 | tags_name == FAP Gene
525 | tags_id == 1007
525 | tags_name == Fibroblast
525 | tags_id == 1009
525 | tags_name == Osteoarthritis
525 | tags_id == 941
525 | tags_name == Synovial Joint
525 | permissions_favorite == False
525 | permissions_rate == False
525 | content_article == <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FAP</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene encodes fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP), an enzyme that regulates the development and activity of cells essential for joint integrity. A variant of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FAP </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">may play a role in lupus by decreasing the production of FAP. Lifestyle modifications may counteract the effects of this variant by temporarily increasing FAP production.</span></span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>FAP </em></strong><strong>and Lupus</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/fap/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FAP</span></em></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">gene codes for fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP), an enzyme important for the growth, movement, and interactions of fibroblasts [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/2191"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17469140/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fibroblasts are cells that release structural proteins, such as </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-collagen/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">collagen</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. In joints of the body, fibroblasts help maintain the integrity of cartilage (containing collagen and other proteins), as well as provide lubrication [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4034148/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5652455/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a preliminary study of fibroblasts derived from the joints of lupus patients, FAP levels were decreased in comparison to healthy controls. In another study of patients with osteoarthritis (another disorder characterized by joint dysfunction), the production of FAP was reportedly increased [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17469140/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1526559/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Taken together, these observations suggest that FAP levels must remain balanced in order to maintain healthy joints.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A variant of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FAP </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">has been associated with lupus. This variant may decrease the production of FAP in joints, resulting in dysregulated fibroblast activity and joint damage [</span><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms16021"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17469140/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Your </strong><strong><em>FAP </em></strong><strong>Results for Lupus</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*7242060498383351*</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Primary SNP:</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>FAP </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs2111485/"><strong>rs2111485</strong></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms16021"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Higher odds of lupus, relative to &lsquo;G&rsquo;</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Lower odds of lupus, relative to &lsquo;A&rsquo;</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;">*5283549425422818*</p> <h2 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Recommendations for Managing Lupus</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*2551992992914109*</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Exercise</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Exercise temporarily increased the production of FAP in a study of healthy men. As this increase was only observed during exercise (rather than post-exercise), exercise may be particularly beneficial for regulating FAP levels [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29663541/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A meta-analysis of 11 studies involving lupus patients concluded that 12-week aerobic </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-14-proven-health-benefits-exercise-references-mechanisms/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">exercise</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> programs may help improve fatigue, depression, and physical fitness without worsening disease activity. People with mild lupus should begin with moderate intensity exercise for at least 20 minutes, 3 times per week [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28477898/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28432856/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise may help manage lupus by temporarily increasing the production of FAP.</span></p>
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525 | content_learn_more_5283549425422818_key == 5283549425422818
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525 | content_learn_more_5283549425422818_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your FAP gene is associated with somewhat higher odds of lupus, relative to other variants. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of lupus; it’s just one gene related to it. Exercising may help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
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rsIDs = rs2111485
rsStatus = rs2111485,,chr2,162254026,A,G,,,22,14,HET
