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Sharma SD, Leung SH, Viatte S. Genetics of rheumatoid arthritis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2024:101968. [PMID: 38955657 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2024.101968] [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: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
In the past four decades, a plethora of genetic association studies have been carried out in cohorts of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. These studies have highlighted key aspects of disease pathogenesis and suggested causal mechanisms. In this review, we discuss major advances in our understanding of the genetic architecture of rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility, severity and treatment response and explain how genetics supports current models of disease pathogenesis and outcome. We outline future research directions, like Mendelian randomisation, and present a number of potential avenues for clinical translation, including risk and outcome prediction, patient stratification into treatment response groups and pharmacological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema D Sharma
- Versus Arthritis Centre for Genetics and Genomics, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK; NIHR Manchester Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Centre, Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
| | - Shek H Leung
- Versus Arthritis Centre for Genetics and Genomics, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
| | - Sebastien Viatte
- Versus Arthritis Centre for Genetics and Genomics, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK; NIHR Manchester Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Centre, Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK; Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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2
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Chen Y, Liu S, Gong W, Guo P, Xue F, Zhou X, Wang S, Yuan Z. Protein-centric omics integration analysis identifies candidate plasma proteins for multiple autoimmune diseases. Hum Genet 2023:10.1007/s00439-023-02627-0. [PMID: 38143258 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02627-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
It remains challenging to translate the findings from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of autoimmune diseases (AIDs) into interventional targets, presumably due to the lack of knowledge on how the GWAS risk variants contribute to AIDs. In addition, current immunomodulatory drugs for AIDs are broad in action rather than disease-specific. We performed a comprehensive protein-centric omics integration analysis to identify AIDs-associated plasma proteins through integrating protein quantitative trait loci datasets of plasma protein (1348 proteins and 7213 individuals) and totally ten large-scale GWAS summary statistics of AIDs under a cutting-edge systematic analytic framework. Specifically, we initially screened out the protein-AID associations using proteome-wide association study (PWAS), followed by enrichment analysis to reveal the underlying biological processes and pathways. Then, we performed both Mendelian randomization (MR) and colocalization analyses to further identify protein-AID pairs with putatively causal relationships. We finally prioritized the potential drug targets for AIDs. A total of 174 protein-AID associations were identified by PWAS. AIDs-associated plasma proteins were significantly enriched in immune-related biological process and pathways, such as inflammatory response (P = 3.96 × 10-10). MR analysis further identified 97 protein-AID pairs with potential causal relationships, among which 21 pairs were highly supported by colocalization analysis (PP.H4 > 0.75), 10 of 21 were the newly discovered pairs and not reported in previous GWAS analyses. Further explorations showed that four proteins (TLR3, FCGR2A, IL23R, TCN1) have corresponding drugs, and 17 proteins have druggability. These findings will help us to further understand the biological mechanism of AIDs and highlight the potential of these proteins to develop as therapeutic targets for AIDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxuan Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44, Wenhua West Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Institute for Medical Dataology, Shandong University, 12550, Erhuan East Road, Jinan, 250003, Shandong, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44, Wenhua West Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Institute for Medical Dataology, Shandong University, 12550, Erhuan East Road, Jinan, 250003, Shandong, China
| | - Weiming Gong
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44, Wenhua West Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Institute for Medical Dataology, Shandong University, 12550, Erhuan East Road, Jinan, 250003, Shandong, China
| | - Ping Guo
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44, Wenhua West Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Institute for Medical Dataology, Shandong University, 12550, Erhuan East Road, Jinan, 250003, Shandong, China
| | - Fuzhong Xue
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44, Wenhua West Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Institute for Medical Dataology, Shandong University, 12550, Erhuan East Road, Jinan, 250003, Shandong, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Center for Statistical Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Shukang Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44, Wenhua West Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Institute for Medical Dataology, Shandong University, 12550, Erhuan East Road, Jinan, 250003, Shandong, China.
| | - Zhongshang Yuan
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44, Wenhua West Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Institute for Medical Dataology, Shandong University, 12550, Erhuan East Road, Jinan, 250003, Shandong, China.
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Swart PC, Du Plessis M, Rust C, Womersley JS, van den Heuvel LL, Seedat S, Hemmings SMJ. Identifying genetic loci that are associated with changes in gene expression in PTSD in a South African cohort. J Neurochem 2023; 166:705-719. [PMID: 37522158 PMCID: PMC10953375 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15919] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms underlying posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are yet to be fully elucidated, especially in underrepresented population groups. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) are DNA sequence variants that influence gene expression, in a local (cis-) or distal (trans-) manner, and subsequently impact cellular, tissue, and system physiology. This study aims to identify genetic loci associated with gene expression changes in a South African PTSD cohort. Genome-wide genotype and RNA-sequencing data were obtained from 32 trauma-exposed controls and 35 PTSD cases of mixed-ancestry, as part of the SHARED ROOTS project. The first approach utilised 108 937 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (MAF > 10%) and 11 312 genes with Matrix eQTL to map potential eQTLs, while controlling for covariates as appropriate. The second analysis was focused on 5638 SNPs related to a previously calculated PTSD polygenic risk score for this cohort. SNP-gene pairs were considered eQTLs if they surpassed Bonferroni correction and had a false discovery rate <0.05. We did not identify eQTLs that significantly influenced gene expression in a PTSD-dependent manner. However, several known cis-eQTLs, independent of PTSD diagnosis, were observed. rs8521 (C > T) was associated with TAGLN and SIDT2 expression, and rs11085906 (C > T) was associated with ZNF333 expression. This exploratory study provides insight into the molecular mechanisms associated with PTSD in a non-European, admixed sample population. This study was limited by the cross-sectional design and insufficient statistical power. Overall, this study should encourage further multi-omics approaches towards investigating PTSD in diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia C. Swart
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesStellenbosch UniversityCape TownSouth Africa
- South African Medical Research Council/Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders UnitCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Morne Du Plessis
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesStellenbosch UniversityCape TownSouth Africa
- South African Medical Research Council/Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders UnitCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Carlien Rust
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesStellenbosch UniversityCape TownSouth Africa
- South African Medical Research Council/Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders UnitCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Jacqueline S. Womersley
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesStellenbosch UniversityCape TownSouth Africa
- South African Medical Research Council/Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders UnitCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Leigh L. van den Heuvel
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesStellenbosch UniversityCape TownSouth Africa
- South African Medical Research Council/Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders UnitCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Soraya Seedat
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesStellenbosch UniversityCape TownSouth Africa
- South African Medical Research Council/Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders UnitCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Sian M. J. Hemmings
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesStellenbosch UniversityCape TownSouth Africa
- South African Medical Research Council/Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders UnitCape TownSouth Africa
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Qiu Y, Feng D, Jiang W, Zhang T, Lu Q, Zhao M. 3D genome organization and epigenetic regulation in autoimmune diseases. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1196123. [PMID: 37346038 PMCID: PMC10279977 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1196123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) genomics is an emerging field of research that investigates the relationship between gene regulatory function and the spatial structure of chromatin. Chromatin folding can be studied using chromosome conformation capture (3C) technology and 3C-based derivative sequencing technologies, including chromosome conformation capture-on-chip (4C), chromosome conformation capture carbon copy (5C), and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C), which allow scientists to capture 3D conformations from a single site to the entire genome. A comprehensive analysis of the relationships between various regulatory components and gene function also requires the integration of multi-omics data such as genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics. 3D genome folding is involved in immune cell differentiation, activation, and dysfunction and participates in a wide range of diseases, including autoimmune diseases. We describe hierarchical 3D chromatin organization in this review and conclude with characteristics of C-techniques and multi-omics applications of the 3D genome. In addition, we describe the relationship between 3D genome structure and the differentiation and maturation of immune cells and address how changes in chromosome folding contribute to autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueqi Qiu
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Delong Feng
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenjuan Jiang
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
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Szukiewicz D. Epigenetic regulation and T-cell responses in endometriosis – something other than autoimmunity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:943839. [PMID: 35935991 PMCID: PMC9355085 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.943839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial-like glands and stroma located outside the uterine cavity. This common, estrogen dependent, inflammatory condition affects up to 15% of reproductive-aged women and is a well-recognized cause of chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Despite the still unknown etiology of endometriosis, much evidence suggests the participation of epigenetic mechanisms in the disease etiopathogenesis. The main rationale is based on the fact that heritable phenotype changes that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence are common triggers for hormonal, immunological, and inflammatory disorders, which play a key role in the formation of endometriotic foci. Epigenetic mechanisms regulating T-cell responses, including DNA methylation and posttranslational histone modifications, deserve attention because tissue-resident T lymphocytes work in concert with organ structural cells to generate appropriate immune responses and are functionally shaped by organ-specific environmental conditions. Thus, a failure to precisely regulate immune cell transcription may result in compromised immunological integrity of the organ with an increased risk of inflammatory disorders. The coexistence of endometriosis and autoimmunity is a well-known occurrence. Recent research results indicate regulatory T-cell (Treg) alterations in endometriosis, and an increased number of highly active Tregs and macrophages have been found in peritoneal fluid from women with endometriosis. Elimination of the regulatory function of T cells and an imbalance between T helper cells of the Th1 and Th2 types have been reported in the endometria of women with endometriosis-associated infertility. This review aims to present the state of the art in recognition epigenetic reprogramming of T cells as the key factor in the pathophysiology of endometriosis in the context of T-cell-related autoimmunity. The new potential therapeutic approaches based on epigenetic modulation and/or adoptive transfer of T cells will also be outlined.
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Jemec GBE, Del Marmol V, Bettoli V, Augustin M, Prens EP, Zouboulis CC. Register, multicenter and genome-wide association studies in hidradenitis suppurativa. Exp Dermatol 2022; 31 Suppl 1:22-28. [PMID: 35582836 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14610] [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: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The European Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation (EHSF) e.V. has taken several initiatives to collaborative studies. They result from the data of the European Registry of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (ERHS) based on the knowledge obtained from the regional Northern countries (HISREG) and Italian (IRHIS) registries and the real-world data generated from claims data from insurance databases. Multicenter studies, such as the Hidradenitis Suppurativa collaborative study of subtypes (HORUS) and the Global Hidradenitis Suppurativa Atlas (GHISA) are planned to provide an ideal complement to the register studies. Most recently, the role of EHSF as a coordinator or key player is being explored in multiple genetic studies, such as a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and the exome sequencing and cellular/molecular profiling project, which will speed up gene and drug discovery in HS.
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Affiliation(s)
- G B E Jemec
- Department of Dermatology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark.,European Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation e.V., Dessau, Germany
| | - V Del Marmol
- Department of Dermatology, Hopital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.,European Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation e.V., Dessau, Germany
| | - V Bettoli
- Department of Dermatology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,European Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation e.V., Dessau, Germany
| | - M Augustin
- Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,European Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation e.V., Dessau, Germany
| | - E P Prens
- Department of Dermatology, Erasmus Medical Center, University of Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,European Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation e.V., Dessau, Germany
| | - C C Zouboulis
- Departments of Dermatology, Venereology, Allergollogy and Immunology, Dessau Medical Center, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Dessau, Germany.,European Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation e.V., Dessau, Germany
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7
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Okada Y, Yamamoto K. Genetics and functional genetics of autoimmune diseases. Semin Immunopathol 2022; 44:1-2. [PMID: 35147752 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-022-00915-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yukinori Okada
- Laboratory for Systems Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan.
- Department of Statistical Genetics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.
| | - Kazuhiko Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Autoimmune Diseases, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan.
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Orozco G, Schoenfelder S, Walker N, Eyre S, Fraser P. 3D genome organization links non-coding disease-associated variants to genes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:995388. [PMID: 36340032 PMCID: PMC9631826 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.995388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome sequencing has revealed over 300 million genetic variations in human populations. Over 90% of variants are single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the remainder include short deletions or insertions, and small numbers of structural variants. Hundreds of thousands of these variants have been associated with specific phenotypic traits and diseases through genome wide association studies which link significant differences in variant frequencies with specific phenotypes among large groups of individuals. Only 5% of disease-associated SNPs are located in gene coding sequences, with the potential to disrupt gene expression or alter of the function of encoded proteins. The remaining 95% of disease-associated SNPs are located in non-coding DNA sequences which make up 98% of the genome. The role of non-coding, disease-associated SNPs, many of which are located at considerable distances from any gene, was at first a mystery until the discovery that gene promoters regularly interact with distal regulatory elements to control gene expression. Disease-associated SNPs are enriched at the millions of gene regulatory elements that are dispersed throughout the non-coding sequences of the genome, suggesting they function as gene regulation variants. Assigning specific regulatory elements to the genes they control is not straightforward since they can be millions of base pairs apart. In this review we describe how understanding 3D genome organization can identify specific interactions between gene promoters and distal regulatory elements and how 3D genomics can link disease-associated SNPs to their target genes. Understanding which gene or genes contribute to a specific disease is the first step in designing rational therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela Orozco
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics Versus Arthritis, Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom.,NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Schoenfelder
- Enhanc3D Genomics Ltd., Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, CB22 3AT Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Stephan Eyre
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics Versus Arthritis, Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom.,NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Fraser
- Enhanc3D Genomics Ltd., Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
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