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Sombekke MH, Vellinga MM, Uitdehaag BMJ, Barkhof F, Polman CH, Arteta D, Tejedor D, Martinez A, Crusius JBA, Peña AS, Geurts JJG, Vrenken H. Genetic correlations of brain lesion distribution in multiple sclerosis: an exploratory study. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2011; 32:695-703. [PMID: 21436341 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a2352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In MS, the total brain lesion volume and spatial distribution of lesions across the brain vary widely among individual patients. We hypothesized that spatial distribution may be partially driven by genetic predisposition, and we aimed to explore relations among candidate genes and the spatial distribution of white matter brain lesions in MS. MATERIAL AND METHODS Genotypes of 69 SNPs in 208 patients with MS were related to the spatial distribution of T2 brain lesions. Lesions were manually outlined on MR images, and binary lesion masks were produced and registered to a common space. With Randomise software, the lesion masks were related to genotype by using a voxelwise nonparametric GLM approach, followed by clusterwise analysis. We used a DNA chip with SNPs selected from the literature on MS susceptibility, severity, and phenotypes. RESULTS For 11 of these SNPs, 1 of the genotypes expressed significant clusters of increased or decreased lesion probability in varying, predominantly periventricular, brain regions. When we statistically controlled the voxelwise analyses for effects of total brain lesion volume, only 1 SNP remained significant: rs2227139, located within the MHC class II region. This SNP retained its periventricular cluster of significantly increased lesion probability for the heterozygote genotype. CONCLUSIONS Heterozygosity of rs2227139 (MHC class II region) is associated with increased right frontal periventricular lesion probability (P<.01). Ten other SNPs showed associations between genotype and spatial lesion distribution that are partly explained by total lesion volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Sombekke
- VU University Medical Center, Department of Neurology, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Harnesk K, Swanberg M, Ockinger J, Diez M, Lidman O, Wallström E, Lobell A, Olsson T, Piehl F. Vra4 congenic rats with allelic differences in the class II transactivator gene display altered susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2008; 180:3289-96. [PMID: 18292553 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.5.3289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Presentation of Ag bound to MHC class II (MHC II) molecules to CD4+ T cells is a key event in adaptive immune responses. Genetic differences in MHC II expression in the rat CNS were recently positioned to allelic variability in the CIITA gene (Mhc2ta), located within the Vra4 locus on rat chromosome 10. In this study, we have examined reciprocal Vra4-congenic strains on the DA and PVGav1 backgrounds, respectively. After experimental nerve injury the strain-specific MHC II expression on microglia was reversed in the congenic strains. Similar findings were obtained after intraparenchymal injection of IFN-gamma in the brain. Expression of MHC class II was also lower on B cells and dendritic cells from the DA.PVGav1-Vra4- congenic strain compared with DA rats after in vitro stimulation with IFN-gamma. We next explored whether Vra4 may affect the outcome of experimental autoimmune disease. In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induced by immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, DA.PVGav1-Vra4 rats displayed a lower disease incidence and milder disease course compared with DA, whereas both PVGav1 and PVGav1.DA-Vra4 rats were completely protected. These results demonstrate that naturally occurring allelic differences in Mhc2ta have profound effects on the quantity of MHC II expression in the CNS and on immune cells and that this genetic variability also modulates susceptibility to autoimmune neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Harnesk
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Neuroimmunology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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3
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Dyment DA, Cader MZ, Datta A, Broxholme SJ, Cherny SS, Willer CJ, Ramagopalan S, Herrera BM, Orton S, Chao M, Sadovnick AD, Hader M, Hader W, Ebers GC. A first stage genome-wide screen for regions shared identical-by-descent in Hutterite families with multiple sclerosis. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2008; 147B:467-72. [PMID: 18081025 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The complexity of multiple sclerosis (MS) genetics has made the search for novel genes using traditional sharing methods problematic. In order to minimize the genetic heterogeneity present in the MS population we have screened the Canadian MS population for individuals belonging to the Hutterite Brethren. Seven Hutterites with clinically definite MS were ascertained and are related to a common founder by eight generations. Six of the 7 affected individuals and 21 of their unaffected family members (total = 27) were genotyped for 807 markers. Haplotypes were then inspected for sharing among the six MS patients. There were three haplotypes shared among all six MS patients. The haplotypes were located at 2q34-35, 4q31-32, and 17p13. An additional 15 haplotypes were shared among five of the six Hutterites MS patients. The HLA Class II region was one of the highlighted regions; however, the shared MHC haplotype bore the DRB1*04 allele and not the MS-associated DRB1*15 allele providing further evidence of the complexity of the MHC. Additional genotyping to refine the haplotypes followed by screening for potential variants may lead to the identification of a novel MS susceptibility gene(s) in this unique population.
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Akkad DA, Arning L, Ibrahim SM, Epplen JT. Sex specifically associated promoter polymorphism in multiple sclerosis affects interleukin 4 expression levels. Genes Immun 2007; 8:703-6. [PMID: 17855802 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gene.6364429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The interleukin 4 promoter polymorphism -589 C/T (rs2243250) was genotyped in 869 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 595 healthy blood donors. Sex-specific MS association was evident whereas two flanking polymorphisms showed insignificant P values. In dual luciferase assays of cultured Jurkat cells the cloned promoter comprising the -589 T allele leads to higher expression as compared to the respective construct with the C allele. Together these findings may be discussed functionally as contributing to the genetic predisposition and to the pathogenesis in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Akkad
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
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5
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Cai G, Hafler DA. Multispecific responses by T cells expanded by endogenous self-peptide/MHC complexes. Eur J Immunol 2007; 37:602-12. [PMID: 17304631 DOI: 10.1002/eji.200636787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The paradox of autoreactivity to self-peptides in physiological as opposed to pathological immune responses is not well understood. Here, we directly examined the human T cell response to endogenous self-peptides in a series of healthy subjects. CFSE-labeled T cells were stimulated with unmanipulated antigen-presenting cells containing endogenous self-antigen, and the resulting CD4+ populations entering into cell cycle (CFSE(low)) or non-proliferating CD4+ cells (CFSE(high)) were single-cell sorted, cloned and screened against a panel of self-antigens and microbial recall antigens to interrogate their antigen reactivity. The percentage of CD4+ T cells entering cell cycle in response to self-peptide/MHC was calculated to be 0.04%, and entry into cell cycle was dependent upon CD28 costimulation. Clones derived from CFSE(low) T cells exhibited significantly greater cross-reactivity to multiple antigens than CFSE(high) clones or other CD4+ clones generated after microbial antigen stimulation. Sequencing the TCRbeta chains indicated that CFSE(low) clones were indeed clonal. These data demonstrate that T cell clones generated on stimulation by endogenous self-peptides exhibit a high degree of multispecificity, and we speculate that their multispecificity is based upon recognition of shared-backbone MHC determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guifang Cai
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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6
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Tham E, Gielen AW, Khademi M, Martin C, Piehl F. Decreased Expression of VEGF-A in Rat Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis and in Cerebrospinal Fluid Mononuclear Cells from Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Scand J Immunol 2006; 64:609-22. [PMID: 17083617 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2006.01851.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) stimulates angiogenesis, but is also pro-inflammatory and plays an important role in the development of neurological disease, where it can have both attenuating and exacerbating effects. VEGF-B, a related molecule, is highly expressed in the central nervous system and seems to be important in neurological injury. A few studies have indicated that VEGF-A may play a role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), but the role of VEGF-B has not been studied. We have studied the expression of VEGF-A, -B and their receptors by mRNA in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR in spinal cord from LEW rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples from MS patients. Whereas VEGF-A is downregulated in glia in EAE, the infiltrating inflammatory cells are positive for VEGF-A. Expression of VEGF-B and the VEGF receptors is unaltered. In addition, the levels of VEGF-A mRNA in mononuclear cells [corrected] in CSF are lower in MS patients compared with controls. These results demonstrate a complex regulation of VEGF-A during neuroinflammation and suggest that VEGF-B is not involved in the pathogenesis of MS.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Alternative Splicing
- Animals
- Cerebrospinal Fluid/cytology
- Down-Regulation
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/genetics
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/metabolism
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/pathology
- Female
- Humans
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/chemistry
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Multiple Sclerosis/genetics
- Multiple Sclerosis/metabolism
- Multiple Sclerosis/pathology
- Neuroglia/chemistry
- Neuroglia/metabolism
- Neuroglia/pathology
- Neurons/chemistry
- Neurons/metabolism
- Neurons/pathology
- RNA, Messenger/analysis
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Rats
- Rats, Inbred Lew
- Spinal Cord/metabolism
- Spinal Cord/pathology
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/analysis
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B/analysis
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B/genetics
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B/metabolism
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1/analysis
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1/genetics
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- E Tham
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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7
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Zheng T, Wang H, Lo SH. Backward genotype-trait association (BGTA)-based dissection of complex traits in case-control designs. Hum Hered 2006; 62:196-212. [PMID: 17114886 PMCID: PMC2757084 DOI: 10.1159/000096995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2006] [Accepted: 09/09/2006] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The studies of complex traits project new challenges to current methods that evaluate association between genotypes and a specific trait. Consideration of possible interactions among loci leads to overwhelming dimensions that cannot be handled using current statistical methods. METHODS In this article, we evaluate a multi-marker screening algorithm--the backward genotype-trait association (BGTA) algorithm for case-control designs, which uses unphased multi-locus genotypes. BGTA carries out a global investigation on a candidate marker set and automatically screens out markers carrying diminutive amounts of information regarding the trait in question. To address the 'too many possible genotypes, too few informative chromosomes' dilemma of a genomic-scale study that consists of hundreds to thousands of markers, we further investigate a BGTA-based marker selection procedure, in which the screening algorithm is repeated on a large number of random marker subsets. Results of these screenings are then aggregated into counts that the markers are retained by the BGTA algorithm. Markers with exceptional high counts of returns are selected for further analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Evaluated using simulations under several disease models, the proposed methods prove to be more powerful in dealing with epistatic traits. We also demonstrate the proposed methods through an application to a study on the inflammatory bowel disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Zheng
- Department of Statistics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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8
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Martínez A, Sánchez-Lopez M, Varadé J, Mas A, Martín MC, de Las Heras V, Arroyo R, Mendoza JL, Díaz-Rubio M, Fernández-Gutiérrez B, de la Concha EG, Urcelay E. Role of the MHC2TA gene in autoimmune diseases. Ann Rheum Dis 2006; 66:325-9. [PMID: 17012290 PMCID: PMC1855999 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2006.059428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes is almost exclusively regulated by the class II transactivator. A promoter polymorphism (-168A/G, rs3087456) in the MHC2TA gene was associated with increased susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and myocardial infarction in a northern European population. However, no evidence of association of this MHC2TA variant with the two autoimmune diseases could be subsequently detected in independent cohorts. AIM To test the aforementioned single nucleotide polymorphism and another G-->C change (nt1614 from coding sequence, rs4774) to analyse the haplotype pattern in this MHC2TA gene. METHODS A case-control study was performed with 350 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 396 patients with multiple sclerosis, 663 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and 519 healthy controls from Madrid. Genotyping was ascertained by using TaqMan assays-on-demand on a 7900HT analyser, following the manufacturer's suggestions (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, California, USA). Haplotypes were inferred with the expectation-maximisation algorithm implemented by the Arlequin software. RESULTS No independent association with these autoimmune diseases was found for either polymorphism in the Spanish cohorts tested. However, when haplotypes were compared between patients with rheumatoid arthritis and controls, a significant difference in their overall frequency distribution was observed, evidencing a protective haplotype (-168A/1614C, p = 0.006; odds ratio (OR) 0.7) and a risk haplotype (-168G/1614C, p = 0.019; OR 1.6). Patients with multiple sclerosis mirrored these results, but no effect on IBD was identified. CONCLUSIONS The MHC2TA gene influences predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, but not to IBD. The -168G allele is not an aetiological variant in itself, but a genetic marker of susceptibility/protection haplotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Martínez
- Immunology Department, Hospital Universitario San Carlos, Martin Lagos s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Akkad DA, Gödde R, Epplen JT. No association between synapsin III gene promoter polymorphisms and multiple sclerosis in German patients. J Neurol 2006; 253:1365-6. [PMID: 16972123 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-006-0214-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2005] [Accepted: 03/01/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
We investigated whether the polymorphisms rs133946 and rs133945 in the promoter region of the synapsin III (SYN3) gene are associated with multiple sclerosis in German patients. Association of the SYN3 variations and haplotypes with MS is not evident in German MS patients - in contrast to a MS cohort from Italy, as reported previously.
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10
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Abdeen H, Heggarty S, Hawkins SA, Hutchinson M, McDonnell GV, Graham CA. Mapping candidate non-MHC susceptibility regions to multiple sclerosis. Genes Immun 2006; 7:494-502. [PMID: 16837933 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gene.6364320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the genetic basis of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains a major challenge, despite decades of intensive research. In order to identify candidate non-MHC susceptibility regions to MS, the results of whole genome screens for linkage or association and follow-up studies in 18 different populations were superimposed together in a combined genomic map. Analysis of this map led to the prediction of at least 38 potential susceptibility regions, each showing linkage and/or association in several populations. Among these, 17 regions were the most reproducibly reported in these studies, thus representing top predicted candidates for MS. This non-formal approach to meta-analysis demonstrated the ability to verify results and retrieve lost information in an association study. Assessment of the map in a Northern Irish refined screen (n=415 cases, n=490 controls) revealed association in 15 regions (P<0.05), including 10 promising candidates on chromosomes 1p13, 2p13, 2q14, 3p23, 7q21, 13q14, 15q13, 17p13, 18q21 and 20p12 (P<0.0025). Seven of these regions were previously overlooked in the Northern Irish whole genome association study. Collating results from numerous studies, this draft map represents a tool that should facilitate the analysis of the genetic backgrounds of MS in many populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Abdeen
- Regional Genetics Centre, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, UK
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11
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Wieczorek S, Arning L, Alheite I, Epplen JT. Mutations of the puratrophin-1 (PLEKHG4) gene on chromosome 16q22.1 are not a common genetic cause of cerebellar ataxia in a European population. J Hum Genet 2006; 51:363-367. [PMID: 16491300 DOI: 10.1007/s10038-006-0372-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2005] [Accepted: 12/25/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia (ADCA) is a genetically heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders with overlapping clinical presentation. Recently, a single nucleotide substitution in the 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of the puratrophin-1 (PLEKHG4) gene on chromosome 16q22.1 has been shown to be associated with ADCA in 52 unrelated Japanese families. As this mutation has so far not been investigated in other populations, we have screened 537 European patients with a clinical diagnosis of cerebellar ataxia for this specific nucleotide substitution. The mutation was not identified in our cohort. In addition, we screened the complete 5'-UTR as well as the entire coding region of this gene in 120 patients for variations that might account for their clinical symptoms. Several new rare variations were found. For none of the variations could an obvious pathogenetic relevance be postulated at this point, albeit some findings should be followed up in additional populations and by functional assays. We conclude that mutations of the puratrophin-1 gene are not a common cause of hereditary ataxia in our Caucasian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Wieczorek
- Human Genetics, MA5/39, Ruhr-University, Bochum, 44780, Germany.
| | - Larissa Arning
- Human Genetics, MA5/39, Ruhr-University, Bochum, 44780, Germany
| | - Ingrid Alheite
- Human Genetics, MA5/39, Ruhr-University, Bochum, 44780, Germany
| | - Jörg T Epplen
- Human Genetics, MA5/39, Ruhr-University, Bochum, 44780, Germany
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12
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Akkad DA, Jagiello P, Szyld P, Goedde R, Wieczorek S, Gross WL, Epplen JT. Promoter polymorphism rs3087456 in the MHC class II transactivator gene is not associated with susceptibility for selected autoimmune diseases in German patient groups. Int J Immunogenet 2006; 33:59-61. [PMID: 16426246 DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-313x.2006.00568.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We analysed whether the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3087456 in the promoter of the MHC class II transactivator (MHC2TA) gene is associated with manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, narcolepsy and Wegener granulomatosis. The recently reported association in a northern population of the MHC2TA variation with these autoimmune diseases is not evident in the German population.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Akkad
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr-University, 44801 Bochum, Germany
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13
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Abstract
Compelling epidemiologic and molecular data indicate that genes play a primary role in determining who is at risk for developing multiple sclerosis (MS), how the disease progresses, and how someone responds to therapy. The genetic component of MS etiology is believed to result from the action of allelic variants in several genes. Their incomplete penetrance and moderate individual effect probably reflects epistatic interactions, post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, and significant environmental influences. Equally significant, it is also likely that locus heterogeneity exists, whereby specific genes influence susceptibility and pathogenesis in some individuals but not in others. With the aid of novel analytical algorithms, the combined study of genomic, transcriptional, proteomic, and phenotypic information in well-controlled study groups will define a useful conceptual model of pathogenesis and a framework for understanding the mechanisms of action of existing therapies for this disorder, as well as the rationale for novel curative strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Oksenberg
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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