Welcome to the first session of the four-part Lupus Ontario Symposium 2025. Please find the other sessions in the video Playlist.
SESSION 1: Heredity & Lupus: Is Lupus Passed Down? Presented by Dr. Joan Wither.
When lupus runs in a family, many wonder: is it inherited, or is something else at play? In this informative webinar, we’ll explore the complex relationship between genetics, environment, and the development of lupus.
Join us for a deep dive into the science behind heredity and autoimmune disease. We’ll examine what current research says about genetic risk factors, how environmental triggers play a role, and why lupus doesn’t follow a simple pattern of inheritance. Whether you’re living with lupus, have a family history, or are simply curious about how genes and environment interact, this session will offer clear answers and valuable context.
About Dr. Joan Wither: Dr. Wither is a Professor of Medicine and Immunology at the University of Toronto, Senior Scientist at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute at the Krembil Research Institute and staff rheumatologist at University Health Network, where she is the Director of the STAT and Early Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease Clinics. Dr. Wither’s translational research program focusses upon the Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases (SARD), including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Sjogren’s Disease, and Systemic Sclerosis. More recently, her work has shown how interferons disrupt immune function, identified biomarkers predicting progression from asymptomatic autoimmunity, and uncovered markers that stratify lupus nephritis patients by treatment response and long-term renal outcomes.