TNFSF4 is a risk factor to systemic lupus erythematosus in a Latin American population

Exploring the contribution of genetics on the clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by diverse clinical manifestations affecting multiple organs and systems. The understanding of genetic factors underlying the various manifestations of SLE has evolved considerably in recent years. This review provides an overview of the genetic implications in some of the most prevalent manifestations of SLE, including renal involvement, neuropsychiatric, cutaneous, constitutional, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular manifestations. We discuss the current state of knowledge regarding the genetic basis of these manifestations, highlighting key genetic variants and pathways implicated in their pathogenesis. Additionally, we explore the clinical implications of genetic findings, including their potential role in risk stratification, prognosis, and personalized treatment approaches for patients with SLE. Through a comprehensive examination of the genetic landscape of SLE manifestations, this review aims to provide insights into the underlying mechanisms driving disease heterogeneity and inform future research directions in this field.

Risk factors of systemic lupus erythematosus: an overview of systematic reviews and Mendelian randomization studies

BACKGROUND

The etiology of systemic lupus erythematosus is complex and incurable. A large number of systematic reviews have studied the risk factors of it. Mendelian randomization is an analytical method that uses genetic data as tool variables to evaluate the causal relationship between exposure and outcome.

OBJECTIVE

To review the systematic reviews and Mendelian randomization studies that focused on the risk factors of systemic lupus erythematosus and shed light on the development of treatments for its prevention and intervention.

METHODS

From inception to January 2022, we systematically searched MEDLINE (via PubMed) and Embase for related systematic reviews and Mendelian randomization studies. Extract relevant main data for studies that meet inclusion criteria. The quality of systematic reviews was assessed by using Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2). Finally, the risk factors are scored comprehensively according to the results' quantity, quality, and consistency.

RESULTS

Our study involved 64 systematic reviews and 12 Mendelian randomization studies. The results of systematic reviews showed that diseases (endometriosis, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis), lifestyle (smoking, drinking, vaccination), and gene polymorphism influenced the incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus. The results of Mendelian randomization studies identified the role of disease (periodontitis, celiac disease), trace elements (selenium, iron), cytokines (growth differentiation factor 15), and gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.

CONCLUSION

We should pay attention to preventing and treating systemic lupus erythematosus in patients with endometriosis, celiac disease, and periodontitis. Take appropriate dietary supplements to increase serum iron and selenium levels to reduce the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus. There should be no excessive intervention in lifestyles such as smoking and drinking.

TNFSF4 is a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis but not for primary Sjögren's syndrome in the Mexican population

PURPOSE

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) are autoimmune diseases (ADs) characterized by joint damage and involvement of the salivary glands, respectively. ADs share some susceptibility loci, such as TNFSF4, which is a classical susceptibility gene associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, but its role in RA and pSS is not yet clear. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether three TNFSFS4 polymorphisms are associated with RA and pSS.

METHODS

Our case-control study included 500 controls, 459 patients with RA, and 210 patients with pSS from Mexico. TNFSF4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1234315C/T, rs2205960G/T, and rs704840T/G were genotyped using TaqMan probes and discrimination allelic assay.

RESULTS

The three TNFSF4 SNPs were associated with susceptibility to RA (rs1234315C/T: odds ratio [OR] 1.4, p = 0.01; rs2205960G/T: OR 1.23, p = 0.03; rs704840T/G: OR 1.24, p = 0.02). An association between TNFSF4 rs1234315C/T and pSS was also observed (OR 1.28, p = 0.04), however, after Bonferroni correction, this association was lost.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that TNFSF4 could be a risk factor in RA but not pSS in a Mexican population.

Polymorphisms in TNFAIP3, but not in STAT4, BANK1, BLK, and TNFSF4, are associated with susceptibility to Takayasu arteritis

BACKGROUND

Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is considered a rare disease characterized by nonspecific inflammation of the large arteries, especially the aorta and its major branches. Because TAK is an autoimmune disease (AD), it could share susceptibility loci with other pathologies such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), among others. Widely explored polymorphisms in non-HLA genes, including TNFAIP3, STAT4, TNFSF4, BANK1, and BLK have been consistently associated with both SLE and RA, but they have not been evaluated in TAK.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to investigate whether TNFAIP3, STAT4, BANK1, BLK, and TNFSF4 polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to TAK.

METHODS

The TNFAIP3 rs2230926T/G and rs5029924C/T, STAT4 rs7574865G/T, BANK1 10516487G/A, BLK rs2736340T/C, rs13277113A/G, and TNFS4 rs2205960G/T polymorphisms were genotyped in 101 cases and 276 controls by using a TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. An association analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The TNFAIP3 rs2230926T/G and rs5029924C/T polymorphisms were in complete linkage disequilibrium and turned out to be risk factors for TAK (OR = 4.88, p = 0.0001). The STAT4, BANK1, BLK, and TNFSF4 polymorphisms were not associated with the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study documenting an association of TNFAIP3 rs2230926T/G and rs5029924C/T with TAK. Our results provide new information on the genetic bases of TAK.