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Aggarwal A, Fernandes TAP, Migowa A, Smith EMD, Hanif M, Webb K, Lewandowski LB. Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (cSLE): An International Perspective. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2024; 24:559-569. [PMID: 39145903 PMCID: PMC11377481 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-024-01169-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is a severe and potentially life-threatening chronic autoimmune disease. cSLE is more aggressive and has poorer outcomes than adult-onset disease. The global burden of cSLE is poorly understood, with most publications on cSLE originating from high-resourced settings. The reports from less resourced settings indicate high morbidity and mortality in these populations. RECENT FINDINGS In this article, we review the disparities in global access to rheumatology care and research for patients with cSLE. We highlight recent cSLE advances from all regions of the globe. We describe current obstacles to cSLE clinical care and research in all settings. Finally, we propose a path forward for high quality, equitable and accessible care to individuals with cSLE everywhere. Individuals with cSLE are at risk for morbidity and death, yet patients worldwide face challenges to adequate access to care and research. Sustained, collaborative efforts are needed to create pathways to improve care and outcomes for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amita Aggarwal
- Department of Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Taciana A P Fernandes
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Angela Migowa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, 3Rd Parklands Avenue, P.O.BOX 30270 00100 GPO, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eve M D Smith
- Department of Women's & Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Maria Hanif
- Department of Women's & Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Kate Webb
- Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Laura B Lewandowski
- Lupus Genomics and Global Health Disparities Unit, Systemic Autoimmunity Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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López-Briceño IA, Ramírez-Bello J, Montúfar-Robles I, Barbosa-Cobos RE, Ángulo-Ramírez AV, Valencia-Pacheco G. IRF5 Variants Are Risk Factors for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Two Mexican Populations. J Clin Rheumatol 2024; 30:283-290. [PMID: 39271190 DOI: 10.1097/rhu.0000000000002121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Interferon regulatory factor 5 ( IRF5 ) is one of the pivotal genes implicated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) among diverse ethnic groups, including Europeans, Asians, Hispanics, and Africans. Notably, its significance appears particularly pronounced among Hispanic populations. Previous studies have identified several single-nucleotide variants within IRF5 , such as rs2004640G/T, rs2070197T/C, and rs10954213G/A, as associated with susceptibility to SLE among patients from Mexico City. However, the population of Yucatan, located in the Southeast of Mexico and characterized by a greater Amerindian genetic component, remains largely unexplored in this regard. OBJECTIVES Our study aimed to replicate the observed association between IRF5 variants and susceptibility to SLE among patients from Central Mexico and Yucatan. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of IRF5 rs59110799G/T, a variant that has not been previously studied in SLE individuals. METHOD Our study included 204 SLE patients and 160 controls from Central Mexico, as well as 184 SLE patients and 184 controls from Yucatan. All participants were females 18 years and older. We employed a TaqMan assay to detect the presence of the following single-nucleotide variants: rs2004640G/T, rs2070197T/C, rs10954213G/A, and rs59110799G/T. Furthermore, we utilized 2 distinct web tools and databases to predict the potential functional implications of IRF5 variants. RESULTS In SLE patients from Central Mexico, several IRF5 alleles showed significant associations with the disease following adjustment by the Bonferroni test: the rs2070197C allele (odds ratio [OR], 2.08), the rs10954213A allele (OR, 1.59), and the rs59110799G allele (OR, 1.71). Conversely, among patients from Yucatan, the following alleles showed associations: rs2004640T (OR, 1.51), rs2070197C (OR, 1.62), rs10954213A (OR, 1.67), and rs59110799G (OR, 1.44). CONCLUSION Our findings highlight genetic variations between Mexican populations and emphasize the role of IRF5 as a risk factor in SLE patients from both Central Mexico and Yucatan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac A López-Briceño
- From the Laboratorio de Hematología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi," Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Yucatan
| | - Julian Ramírez-Bello
- Subdirección de Investigación Clínica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez
| | | | | | | | - Guillermo Valencia-Pacheco
- From the Laboratorio de Hematología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi," Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Yucatan
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Chen YC, Liu TY, Lu HF, Huang CM, Liao CC, Tsai FJ. Multiple polygenic risk scores can improve the prediction of systemic lupus erythematosus in Taiwan. Lupus Sci Med 2024; 11:e001035. [PMID: 38724181 PMCID: PMC11086529 DOI: 10.1136/lupus-2023-001035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify new genetic variants associated with SLE in Taiwan and establish polygenic risk score (PRS) models to improve the early diagnostic accuracy of SLE. METHODS The study enrolled 2429 patients with SLE and 48 580 controls from China Medical University Hospital in Taiwan. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) and PRS analyses of SLE and other three SLE markers, namely ANA, anti-double-stranded DNA antibody (dsDNA) and anti-Smith antibody (Sm), were conducted. RESULTS Genetic variants associated with SLE were identified through GWAS. Some novel genes, which have been previously reported, such as RCC1L and EGLN3, were revealed to be associated with SLE in Taiwan. Multiple PRS models were established, and optimal cut-off points for each PRS were determined using the Youden Index. Combining the PRSs for SLE, ANA, dsDNA and Sm yielded an area under the curve of 0.64 for the optimal cut-off points. An analysis of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes in SLE indicated that individuals with HLA-DQA1*01:01 and HLA-DQB1*05:01 were at a higher risk of being classified into the SLE group. CONCLUSIONS The use of PRSs to predict SLE enables the identification of high-risk patients before abnormal laboratory data were obtained or symptoms were manifested. Our findings underscore the potential of using PRSs and GWAS in identifying SLE markers, offering promise for early diagnosis and prediction of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chia Chen
- Million-Person Precision Medicine Initiative, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Yuan Liu
- Million-Person Precision Medicine Initiative, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Fang Lu
- Million-Person Precision Medicine Initiative, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Ming Huang
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chou Liao
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Fuu-Jen Tsai
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Departments of Medical Genetics and Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Zhang Y, Hou G, Shen N. Non-coding DNA variants for risk in lupus. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2024; 38:101937. [PMID: 38429183 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2024.101937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease that arises from a dynamic interplay between genetics and environmental triggers. The advent of sophisticated genomics technology has catalyzed a shift in our understanding of disease etiology, spotlighting the pivotal role of non-coding DNA variants in SLE pathogenesis. In this review, we present a comprehensive examination of the non-coding variants associated with SLE, shedding light on their role in influencing disease risk and progression. We discuss the latest methodological advancements that have been instrumental in the identification and functional characterization of these genomic elements, with a special focus on the transformative power of CRISPR-based gene-editing technologies. Additionally, the review probes into the therapeutic opportunities that arise from modulating non-coding regions associated with SLE. Through an exploration of the complex network of non-coding DNA, this review aspires to decode the genetic puzzle of SLE and set the stage for groundbreaking gene-based therapeutic interventions and the advancement of precision medicine strategies tailored to SLE management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Rheumatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM), Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Guojun Hou
- Shanghai Institute of Rheumatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM), Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Nan Shen
- Shanghai Institute of Rheumatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM), Shanghai, 200001, China.
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Tangtanatakul P, Lei Y, Jaiwan K, Yang W, Boonbangyang M, Kunhapan P, Sodsai P, Mahasirimongkol S, Pisitkun P, Yang Y, Eu-Ahsunthornwattana J, Aekplakorn W, Jinawath N, Neelapaichit N, Hirankarn N, Wang YF. Association of genetic variation on X chromosome with systemic lupus erythematosus in both Thai and Chinese populations. Lupus Sci Med 2024; 11:e001061. [PMID: 38458775 DOI: 10.1136/lupus-2023-001061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES X chromosome has been considered as a risk factor for SLE, which is a prototype of autoimmune diseases with a significant sex difference (female:male ratio is around 9:1). Our study aimed at exploring the association of genetic variants in X chromosome and investigating the influence of trisomy X in the development of SLE. METHODS X chromosome-wide association studies were conducted using data from both Thai (835 patients with SLE and 2995 controls) and Chinese populations (1604 patients with SLE and 3324 controls). Association analyses were performed separately in females and males, followed by a meta-analysis of the sex-specific results. In addition, the dosage of X chromosome in females with SLE were also examined. RESULTS Our analyses replicated the association of TMEM187-IRAK1-MECP2, TLR7, PRPS2 and GPR173 loci with SLE. We also identified two loci suggestively associated with SLE. In addition, making use of the difference in linkage disequilibrium between Thai and Chinese populations, a synonymous variant in TMEM187 was prioritised as a likely causal variant. This variant located in an active enhancer of immune-related cells, with the risk allele associated with decreased expression level of TMEM187. More importantly, we identified trisomy X (47,XXX) in 5 of 2231 (0.22%) females with SLE. The frequency is significantly higher than that found in the female controls (0.08%; two-sided exact binomial test P=0.002). CONCLUSION Our study confirmed previous SLE associations in X chromosome, and identified two loci suggestively associated with SLE. More importantly, our study indicated a higher risk of SLE for females with trisomy X.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pattarin Tangtanatakul
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre of Excellent in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yao Lei
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Hong Kong University, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Krisana Jaiwan
- Master of Sciences Program in Molecular Science of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wanling Yang
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Hong Kong University, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Manon Boonbangyang
- National Biobank of Thailand (NBT), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Punna Kunhapan
- Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Pimpayao Sodsai
- Centre of Excellent in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Division of Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Prapaporn Pisitkun
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mahidol University Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Nephrology, Fourth Affiliated Hospital, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jakris Eu-Ahsunthornwattana
- Department of Community Medicine, Mahidol University Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wichai Aekplakorn
- Department of Community Medicine, Mahidol University Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Natini Jinawath
- Program in Translational Medicine, Mahidol University Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
- Integrative Computational BioScience (ICBS) Center, Mahidol University, Nakornpathom, Thailand
| | - Nareemarn Neelapaichit
- Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Mahidol University Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nattiya Hirankarn
- Centre of Excellent in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Division of Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yong-Fei Wang
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
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Tesser A, Valencic E, Boz V, Tornese G, Pastore S, Zanatta M, Tommasini A. Rheumatological complaints in H syndrome: from inflammatory profiling to target treatment in a case study. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2024; 22:21. [PMID: 38263041 PMCID: PMC10807099 DOI: 10.1186/s12969-023-00950-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND H Syndrome is a rare genetic condition caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in the SLC29A3 gene. It is characterized by a wide range of clinical manifestations, many of which are related to the immune-rheumatological field. These include scleroderma-like skin changes, deforming arthritis, and enlarged lymph nodes. The condition also features cardiac and endocrine defects, as well as hearing loss, for which the immune pathogenesis appears less clear. Immunomodulatory medications have been shown to improve many symptoms in recent experiences. CASE PRESENTATION A 21-year-old girl was referred to our institute after being diagnosed with H syndrome. Her medical history was characterized by the development of finger and toe deformities, which developed since the first years of life and progressively worsened with clinodactyly. At 6 years of age, she was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus without typical autoantibodies and with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. She also complained of frequent episodes of lymphadenopathy, sometimes with colliquation and growth retardation due to pancreatic insufficiency. It wasn't until the genetic diagnosis of H syndrome that the continual increase in acute phase reactants was noticed, suggesting that an immunological pathogenesis may be the source of her problems. During her visit to our institute, she reported serious pain in both feet and hands and difficulty walking due to knee arthritis and muscle contractures. Conventional therapy with steroid injection in affected joints and methotrexate only led to partial improvement. After a thorough assessment of her inflammatory profile showing a high interferon score, the girl received treatment with baricitinib. Furthermore, based on recent data showing that SLC29A3 deficiency results in interferon production because of Toll-like Receptor 7 activation in lysosomes, hydroxychloroquine was also added. The combination of the two drugs resulted for the first time in a rapid and persistent normalization of inflammatory markers, paralleled by a dramatic improvement in symptoms. CONCLUSIONS We describe the results of inhibiting IFN inflammation in H syndrome and discuss how JAK inhibitors and antimalarials might represent a mechanistically based treatment for this orphan drug disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Tesser
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, via dell'Istria 65/1, Trieste, 34137, Italy
| | - Erica Valencic
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, via dell'Istria 65/1, Trieste, 34137, Italy.
| | - Valentina Boz
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, via dell'Istria 65/1, Trieste, 34137, Italy
| | - Gianluca Tornese
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, via dell'Istria 65/1, Trieste, 34137, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume, 447, Trieste, 34149, Italy
| | - Serena Pastore
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, via dell'Istria 65/1, Trieste, 34137, Italy
| | - Manuela Zanatta
- Centro di Coordinamento Regionale Malattie Rare ASUFC, Piazzale Santa Maria della Misericordia, Udine, 33100, Italy
| | - Alberto Tommasini
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, via dell'Istria 65/1, Trieste, 34137, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Strada di Fiume, 447, Trieste, 34149, Italy
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Kalliolias GD, Basdra EK, Papavassiliou AG. Targeting TLR Signaling Cascades in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Update. Biomedicines 2024; 12:138. [PMID: 38255243 PMCID: PMC10813148 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Evidence from animal models and human genetics implicates Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) in the pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Endosomal TLRs sensing nucleic acids were proposed to induce lupus-promoting signaling in dendritic cells, B cells, monocytes, and macrophages. Ligation of TLR4 in synovial macrophages and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) by endogenous ligands was suggested to induce local production of mediators that amplify RA synovitis. Inhibition of TLRs using antagonists or monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that selectively prevent extracellular or endosomal TLR ligation has emerged as an attractive treatment strategy for SLE and RA. Despite the consistent success of selective inhibition of TLR ligation in animal models, DV-1179 (dual TLR7/9 antagonist) failed to achieve pharmacodynamic effectiveness in SLE, and NI-0101 (mAb against TLR4) failed to improve arthritis in RA. Synergistic cooperation between TLRs and functional redundancy in human diseases may require pharmacologic targeting of intracellular molecules that integrate signaling downstream of multiple TLRs. Small molecules inhibiting shared kinases involved in TLR signaling and peptidomimetics disrupting the assembly of common signalosomes ("Myddosome") are under development. Targeted degraders (proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs)) of intracellular molecules involved in TLR signaling are a new class of TLR inhibitors with promising preliminary data awaiting further clinical validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- George D. Kalliolias
- Hospital for Special Surgery, Arthritis & Tissue Degeneration, New York, NY 10021, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | - Efthimia K. Basdra
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Athanasios G. Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
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Singh MK, Maiti GP, Reddy-Rallabandi H, Fazel-Najafabadi M, Looger LL, Nath SK. A Non-Coding Variant in SLC15A4 Modulates Enhancer Activity and Lysosomal Deacidification Linked to Lupus Susceptibility. FRONTIERS IN LUPUS 2023; 1:1244670. [PMID: 38317862 PMCID: PMC10843804 DOI: 10.3389/flupu.2023.1244670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with a strong genetic basis. Despite the identification of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the SLC15A4 gene that are significantly associated with SLE across multiple populations, specific causal SNP(s) and molecular mechanisms responsible for disease susceptibility are unknown. To address this gap, we employed bioinformatics, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs), and 3D chromatin interaction analysis to nominate a likely functional variant, rs35907548, in an active intronic enhancer of SLC15A4. Through luciferase reporter assays followed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR, we observed significant allele-specific enhancer effects of rs35907548 in diverse cell lines. The rs35907548 risk allele T is associated with increased regulatory activity and target gene expression, as shown by eQTLs and chromosome conformation capture (3C)-qPCR. The latter revealed long-range chromatin interactions between the rs35907548 enhancer and the promoters of SLC15A4, GLTLD1, and an uncharacterized lncRNA. The enhancer-promoter interactions and expression effects were validated by CRISPR/Cas9 knock-out (KO) of the locus in HL60 promyeloblast cells. KO cells also displayed dramatically dysregulated endolysosomal pH regulation. Together, our data show that the rs35907548 risk allele affects multiple aspects of cellular physiology and may directly contribute to SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Kumar Singh
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City OK, USA
| | - Guru Prashad Maiti
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City OK, USA
| | | | - Mehdi Fazel-Najafabadi
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City OK, USA
| | - Loren L. Looger
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA, USA
| | - Swapan K. Nath
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City OK, USA
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Singh MK, Maiti GP, Reddy-Rallabandi H, Fazel-Najafabadi M, Looger LL, Nath SK. A Non-Coding Variant in SLC15A4 Modulates Enhancer Activity and Lysosomal Deacidification Linked to Lupus Susceptibility. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.28.551056. [PMID: 37546883 PMCID: PMC10402135 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.28.551056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with a strong genetic basis. Despite the identification of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the SLC15A4 gene that are significantly associated with SLE across multiple populations, specific causal SNP(s) and molecular mechanisms responsible for disease susceptibility are unknown. To address this gap, we employed bioinformatics, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs), and 3D chromatin interaction analysis to nominate a likely functional variant, rs35907548, in an active intronic enhancer of SLC15A4 . Through luciferase reporter assays followed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR, we observed significant allele-specific enhancer effects of rs35907548 in diverse cell lines. The rs35907548 risk allele T is associated with increased regulatory activity and target gene expression, as shown by eQTLs and chromosome conformation capture (3C)-qPCR. The latter revealed long-range chromatin interactions between the rs35907548 enhancer and the promoters of SLC15A4, GLTLD1 , and an uncharacterized lncRNA. The enhancer-promoter interactions and expression effects were validated by CRISPR/Cas9 knock-out (KO) of the locus in HL60 promyeloblast cells. KO cells also displayed dramatically dysregulated endolysosomal pH regulation. Together, our data show that the rs35907548 risk allele affects multiple aspects of cellular physiology and may directly contribute to SLE.
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Poirier A, Wu C, Hincapie AM, Martinez-Cordova Z, Abidin BM, Tremblay ML. TAOK3 limits age-associated inflammation by negatively modulating macrophage differentiation and their production of TNFα. Immun Ageing 2023; 20:31. [PMID: 37400834 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-023-00350-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human aging is characterized by a state of chronic inflammation, termed inflammaging, for which the causes are incompletely understood. It is known, however, that macrophages play a driving role in establishing inflammaging by promoting pro-inflammatory rather than anti-inflammatory responses. Numerous genetic and environmental risk factors have been implicated with inflammaging, most of which are directly linked to pro-inflammatory mediators IL-6, IL1Ra, and TNFα. Genes involved in the signaling and production of those molecules have also been highlighted as essential contributors. TAOK3 is a serine/threonine kinase of the STE-20 kinase family that has been associated with an increased risk of developing auto-immune conditions in several genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Yet, the functional role of TAOK3 in inflammation has remained unexplored. RESULTS We found that mice deficient in the serine/Threonine kinase Taok3 developed severe inflammatory disorders with age, which was more pronounced in female animals. Further analyses revealed a drastic shift from lymphoid to myeloid cells in the spleens of those aged mice. This shift was accompanied by hematopoietic progenitor cells skewing in Taok3-/- mice that favored myeloid lineage commitment. Finally, we identified that the kinase activity of the enzyme plays a vital role in limiting the establishment of proinflammatory responses in macrophages. CONCLUSIONS Essentially, Taok3 deficiency promotes the accumulation of monocytes in the periphery and their adoption of a pro-inflammatory phenotype. These findings illustrate the role of Taok3 in age-related inflammation and highlight the importance of genetic risk factors in this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Poirier
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Chenyue Wu
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ana Maria Hincapie
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Zuzet Martinez-Cordova
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Belma Melda Abidin
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Michel L Tremblay
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- McGill University, Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, 1160 Pine Avenue West, Montréal, Québec, H3A 1A3, Canada.
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11
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Guga S, Wang Y, Graham DC, Vyse TJ. A review of genetic risk in systemic lupus erythematosus. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2023; 19:1247-1258. [PMID: 37496418 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2023.2240959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a complex multisystem autoimmune disease with a wide range of signs and symptoms in affected individuals. The utilization of genome-wide association study (GWAS) technology has led to an explosion in the number of genetic risk factors mapped for autoimmune diseases, including SLE. AREAS COVERED In this review, we summarize the more recent genetic risk loci mapped in SLE, which bring the total number of loci mapped to approximately 200. We review prioritization analyses of the associated variants and experimental validation of the putative causal variants. This includes the implementation of new bioinformatic techniques to align genomic and functional data and the use of transcriptomics with single-cell RNA-sequencing, CRISPR genome editing, and Massive Parallel Reporter Assays to analyze non-coding regulatory genetics. EXPERT OPINION Despite progress in identifying more genetic risk loci and variant-gene pairs for SLE, understanding its pathogenesis and applying findings clinically remains challenging. The polygenic risk score (PRS) has been used as an application of SLE genetics, but with limited performance in non-EUR populations. In the next few years, advancements in proteomics, post-translational modification estimation, and whole-genome sequencing will enhance disease understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suri Guga
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Yuxuan Wang
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Timothy J Vyse
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, King's College London, London, UK
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12
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Mok CC, Teng YKO, Saxena R, Tanaka Y. Treatment of lupus nephritis: consensus, evidence and perspectives. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2023; 19:227-238. [PMID: 36864291 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-023-00925-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite the continuing development of immunomodulatory agents and supportive care, the prognosis associated with lupus nephritis (LN) has not improved substantially in the past decade, with end-stage kidney disease still developing in 5-30% of patients within 10 years of LN diagnosis. Moreover, inter-ethnic variation in the tolerance of, clinical response to and level of evidence regarding various therapeutic regimens for LN has led to variation in treatment prioritization in different international recommendations. Modalities that better preserve kidney function and reduce the toxicities of concomitant glucocorticoids are unmet needs in the development of therapeutics for LN. In addition to the conventional recommended therapies for LN, there are newly approved treatments as well as investigational drugs in the pipeline, including the newer generation calcineurin inhibitors and biologic agents. In view of the heterogeneity of LN in terms of clinical presentation and prognosis, the choice of therapies depends on a number of clinical considerations. Molecular profiling, gene-signature fingerprints and urine proteomic panels might enhance the accuracy of patient stratification for treatment personalization in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Chiu Mok
- Department of Medicine, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Y K Onno Teng
- Center of Expertise for Lupus-, Vasculitis- and Complement-mediated systemic diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Ramesh Saxena
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yoshiya Tanaka
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
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13
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Identifying susceptibility genes for essential hypertension by transcriptome-wide association study. Biochem Biophys Rep 2022; 32:101387. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2022.101387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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14
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Nagafuchi Y, Ota M, Hatano H, Inoue M, Kobayashi S, Okubo M, Sugimori Y, Nakano M, Yamada S, Yoshida R, Tsuchida Y, Iwasaki Y, Shoda H, Okada Y, Yamamoto K, Ishigaki K, Okamura T, Fujio K. Control of naive and effector CD4 T cell receptor repertoires by rheumatoid-arthritis-risk HLA alleles. J Autoimmun 2022; 133:102907. [PMID: 36126366 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2022.102907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) alleles regulate susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and immune-mediated diseases. This study aims to elucidate the impact of HLA alleles to T cell subsets. METHODS We performed genome-wide and HLA allele association analysis for T cell receptor (TCR) beta chain repertoire in 13 purified T cell subsets from the ImmuNexUT database, consisting of 407 donors with ten immune-mediated diseases and healthy controls. RESULTS HLA class II alleles were associated with TRBV gene usage and the public clones of CD4 T cells, while HLA class I alleles were associated with CD8 T cells. RA-risk and immune-mediated diseases-risk HLA alleles were associated with TRBV gene usage of naive and effector CD4 T cell subsets and public clones accumulating in Th17. Clonal diversity was independent of HLA alleles and was correlated with transcriptome changes that reflect TCR signaling. CONCLUSION This study revealed in vivo evidence that both HLA alleles and environmental factors shape naive and effector TCR repertoires in RA and immune-mediated diseases patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuo Nagafuchi
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Functional Genomics and Immunological Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Mineto Ota
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Functional Genomics and Immunological Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Hatano
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Laboratory for Human Immunogenetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Mariko Inoue
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satomi Kobayashi
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mai Okubo
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Sugimori
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nakano
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Laboratory for Autoimmune Diseases, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Saeko Yamada
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryochi Yoshida
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yumi Tsuchida
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukiko Iwasaki
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Shoda
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukinori Okada
- Department of Statistical Genetics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan; Department of Genome Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Laboratory for Systems Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Yamamoto
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Laboratory for Autoimmune Diseases, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Ishigaki
- Laboratory for Human Immunogenetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Okamura
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Functional Genomics and Immunological Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keishi Fujio
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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15
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Su YJ, Li FA, Sheu JJC, Li SC, Weng SW, Shen FC, Chang YH, Chen HY, Liou CW, Lin TK, Chuang JH, Wang PW. A Study on MDA5 Signaling in Splenic B Cells from an Imiquimod-Induced Lupus Mouse Model with Proteomics. Cells 2022; 11:3350. [PMID: 36359746 PMCID: PMC9657434 DOI: 10.3390/cells11213350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Several environmental stimuli may influence lupus, particularly viral infections. In this study, we used an imiquimod-induced lupus mouse model focused on the TLR7 pathway and proteomics analysis to determine the specific pathway related to viral infection and the related protein expressions in splenic B cells to obtain insight into B-cell responses to viral infection in the lupus model. MATERIALS AND METHODS We treated FVB/N wild-type mice with imiquimod for 8 weeks to induce lupus symptoms and signs, retrieved splenocytes, selected B cells, and conducted the proteomic analysis. The B cells were co-cultured with CD40L+ feeder cells for another week before performing Western blot analysis. Panther pathway analysis was used to disclose the pathways activated and the protein-protein interactome was analyzed by the STRING database in this lupus murine model. RESULTS The lupus model was well established and well demonstrated with serology evidence and pathology proof of lupus-mimicking organ damage. Proteomics data of splenic B cells revealed that the most important activated pathways (fold enrichment > 100) demonstrated positive regulation of the MDA5 signaling pathway, negative regulation of IP-10 production, negative regulation of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2 production, and positive regulation of the RIG-I signaling pathway. A unique protein-protein interactome containing 10 genes was discovered, within which ISG15, IFIH1, IFIT1, DDX60, and DHX58 were demonstrated to be downstream effectors of MDA5 signaling. Finally, we found B-cell intracellular cytosolic proteins via Western blot experiment and continued to observe MDA5-related pathway activation. CONCLUSION In this experiment, we confirmed that the B cells in the lupus murine model focusing on the TLR7 pathway were activated through the MDA5 signaling pathway, an important RNA sensor implicated in the detection of viral infections and autoimmunity. The MDA5 agonist/antagonist RNAs and the detailed molecular interactions within B cells are worthy of further investigation for lupus therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jih Su
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Center for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Departments of Nuclear Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Fu-An Li
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Jim Jinn-Chyuan Sheu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804201, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Chou Li
- Center for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Medical Research and Core Laboratory for Phenomics and Diagnostics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Wen Weng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Center for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Chih Shen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Center for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hsiang Chang
- Center for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Huan-Yuan Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Liou
- Center for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Tsu-Kung Lin
- Center for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Jiin-Haur Chuang
- Center for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Pediatric Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Wen Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Center for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
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16
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Ma W, Lau YL, Yang W, Wang YF. Random forests algorithm boosts genetic risk prediction of systemic lupus erythematosus. Front Genet 2022; 13:902793. [PMID: 36046232 PMCID: PMC9421562 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.902793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) present varied clinical manifestations, posing a diagnostic challenge for physicians. Genetic factors substantially contribute to SLE development. A polygenic risk scoring (PRS) model has been used to estimate the genetic risk of SLE in individuals. However, this approach assumes independent and additive contribution of genetic variants to disease development. We aimed to improve the accuracy of SLE prediction using machine-learning algorithms. We applied random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and artificial neural network (ANN) to classify SLE cases and controls using the data from our previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted in either Chinese or European populations, including a total of 19,208 participants. The overall performances of these predictors were assessed by the value of area under the receiver-operator curve (AUC). The analyses in the Chinese GWAS showed that the RF model significantly outperformed other predictors, achieving a mean AUC value of 0.84, a 13% improvement upon the PRS model (AUC = 0.74). At the optimal cut-off, the RF predictor reached a sensitivity of 84% with a specificity of 68% in SLE classification. To validate these results, similar analyses were repeated in the European GWAS, and the RF model consistently outperformed other algorithms. Our study suggests that the RF model could be an additional and powerful predictor for SLE early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Ma
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu-Lung Lau
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wanling Yang
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- *Correspondence: Wanling Yang, ; Yong-Fei Wang,
| | - Yong-Fei Wang
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Shenzhen Futian Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Wanling Yang, ; Yong-Fei Wang,
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17
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Acharya M, Jackson SW. Regulatory strategies limiting endosomal Toll-like receptor activation in B cells. Immunol Rev 2022; 307:66-78. [PMID: 35040152 PMCID: PMC8986562 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The recognition of pathogen-associated nucleic acid (NA) promotes effective immunity against invading pathogens. However, endosomal Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation by self-NA also underlies the pathogenesis of systemic autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). For this reason, the activation thresholds of NA-sensing TLRs must be tightly regulated to balance protective and pathogenic immune responses. In this study, we will provide an overview of the evolutionary mechanisms designed to limit the aberrant activation of endosomal TLRs by self-ligands, focusing on four broad strategies. These include the following: 1) the production of nucleases able to degrade self-DNA and RNA; 2) the cell-specific regulation of endosomal TLR expression; 3) the spatial and temporal control of TLR positioning at a sub-cellular level; and 4) the modulation of downstream TLR signaling cascades. Given the critical role of B cells in lupus pathogenesis, where possible, we will describe evidence for B cell-specific induction of these regulatory mechanisms. We will also highlight our own work showing how modulation of B cell endolysosomal flux tunes NA-sensing TLR activation signals. In the face of inevitable generation of self-NA during normal cellular turnover, these parallel mechanisms are vital to protect against pathogenic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mridu Acharya
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Shaun W Jackson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
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