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El-Halwagi A, Agarwal SK. Insights into the genetic landscape of systemic sclerosis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2024:101981. [PMID: 39068103 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2024.101981] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease that clinically manifests as progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Autoimmunity and endothelial dysfunction play important roles in the development of SSc but the causes of SSc remain unknown. Accumulating evidence, first from familial aggregation studies and subsequently from candidate gene association studies and genome wide association studies underscore the crucial contributions of genetics to the development of SSc. The identification of polymorphisms in the HLA region as well as non-HLA loci is important for understanding the risks of developing SSc but can also provide important pathogenic insight in SSc. While not translating into clinic practice yet, understanding the genetic landscape of SSc will hopefully assist in the diagnosis and management of patients with and/or at risk of developing SSc in the future. Herein we review the studies that investigate genetic risks of SSc susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali El-Halwagi
- Section of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sandeep K Agarwal
- Section of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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IgA Vasculitis: Influence of CD40, BLK and BANK1 Gene Polymorphisms. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11195577. [PMID: 36233442 PMCID: PMC9572210 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11195577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
CD40, BLK and BANK1 genes involved in the development and signaling of B-cells are identified as susceptibility loci for numerous inflammatory diseases. Accordingly, we assessed the potential influence of CD40, BLK and BANK1 on the pathogenesis of immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV), predominantly a B-lymphocyte inflammatory condition. Three genetic variants within CD40 (rs1883832, rs1535045, rs4813003) and BLK (rs2254546, rs2736340, rs2618476) as well as two BANK1 polymorphisms (rs10516487, rs3733197), previously associated with inflammatory diseases, were genotyped in 382 Caucasian patients with IgAV and 955 sex- and ethnically matched healthy controls. No statistically significant differences were observed in the genotype and allele frequencies of CD40, BLK and BANK1 when IgAV patients and healthy controls were compared. Similar results were found when CD40, BLK and BANK1 genotypes or alleles frequencies were compared between patients with IgAV stratified according to the age at disease onset or to the presence/absence of gastrointestinal or renal manifestations. Moreover, no CD40, BLK and BANK1 haplotype differences were disclosed between patients with IgAV and healthy controls and between patients with IgAV stratified according to the clinical characteristics mentioned above. Our findings indicate that CD40, BLK and BANK1 do not contribute to the genetic background of IgAV.
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Saint Just Ribeiro M, Tripathi P, Namjou B, Harley JB, Chepelev I. Haplotype-specific chromatin looping reveals genetic interactions of regulatory regions modulating gene expression in 8p23.1. Front Genet 2022; 13:1008582. [PMID: 36160011 PMCID: PMC9490475 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1008582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A major goal of genetics research is to elucidate mechanisms explaining how genetic variation contributes to phenotypic variation. The genetic variants identified in genome-wide association studies (GWASs) generally explain only a small proportion of heritability of phenotypic traits, the so-called missing heritability problem. Recent evidence suggests that additional common variants beyond lead GWAS variants contribute to phenotypic variation; however, their mechanistic underpinnings generally remain unexplored. Herein, we undertake a study of haplotype-specific mechanisms of gene regulation at 8p23.1 in the human genome, a region associated with a number of complex diseases. The FAM167A-BLK locus in this region has been consistently found in the genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in all major ancestries. Our haplotype-specific chromatin interaction (Hi-C) experiments, allele-specific enhancer activity measurements, genetic analyses, and epigenome editing experiments revealed that: 1) haplotype-specific long-range chromatin interactions are prevalent in 8p23.1; 2) BLK promoter and cis-regulatory elements cooperatively interact with haplotype-specificity; 3) genetic variants at distal regulatory elements are allele-specific modifiers of the promoter variants at FAM167A-BLK; 4) the BLK promoter interacts with and, as an enhancer-like promoter, regulates FAM167A expression and 5) local allele-specific enhancer activities are influenced by global haplotype structure due to chromatin looping. Although systemic lupus erythematosus causal variants at the FAM167A-BLK locus are thought to reside in the BLK promoter region, our results reveal that genetic variants at distal regulatory elements modulate promoter activity, changing BLK and FAM167A gene expression and disease risk. Our results suggest that global haplotype-specific 3-dimensional chromatin looping architecture has a strong influence on local allelic BLK and FAM167A gene expression, providing mechanistic details for how regional variants controlling the BLK promoter may influence disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Saint Just Ribeiro
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Pulak Tripathi
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Bahram Namjou
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - John B. Harley
- Research Service, US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Cincinnati Education and Research for Veterans Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Iouri Chepelev, ; John B. Harley,
| | - Iouri Chepelev
- Research Service, US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Cincinnati Education and Research for Veterans Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Iouri Chepelev, ; John B. Harley,
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Yang T, Sim KY, Ko GH, Ahn JS, Kim HJ, Park SG. FAM167A is a key molecule to induce BCR-ABL-independent TKI resistance in CML via noncanonical NF-κB signaling activation. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:82. [PMID: 35241148 PMCID: PMC8892744 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02298-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND BCR-ABL-independent drug resistance is a barrier to curative treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, the molecular pathways underlying BCR-ABL-independent tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance remain unclear. METHODS In silico bioinformatic analysis was performed to identify the most active transcription factor and its inducer that contribute to BCR-ABL-independent TKI resistance. Tandem mass spectrometry analysis was performed to identify the receptor for the noncanonical NF-κB activator FAM167A. In vitro and in vivo mouse experiments revealed detailed molecular insights into the functional role of the FAM167A-desmoglein-1 (DSG1) axis in BCL-ABL-independent TKI resistance. CML cells derived from CML patients were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription PCR and flow cytometry. RESULTS We found that NF-κB had the greatest effect on differential gene expression of BCR-ABL-independent TKI-resistant CML cells. Moreover, we found that the previously uncharacterized protein FAM167A activates the noncanonical NF-κB pathway and induces BCR-ABL-independent TKI resistance. Molecular analyses revealed that FAM167A activates the noncanonical NF-κB pathway by binding to the cell adhesion protein DSG1 to upregulate NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) by blocking its ubiquitination. Neutralization of FAM167A in a mouse tumor model reduced noncanonical NF-κB activity and restored sensitivity of cells to TKIs. Furthermore, FAM167A and surface DSG1 levels were highly upregulated in CD34+ CML cells from patients with BCR-ABL-independent TKI-resistant disease. CONCLUSIONS These results reveal that FAM167A acts as an essential factor for BCR-ABL-independent TKI resistance in CML by activating the noncanonical NF-κB pathway. In addition, FAM167A may serve as an important target and biomarker for BCR-ABL-independent TKI resistance.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Apoptosis
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl
- Humans
- Imatinib Mesylate/pharmacology
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/genetics
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/pathology
- Mice
- NF-kappa B/metabolism
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Proteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Taewoo Yang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 08826 Seoul, Republic of Korea
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005 Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Young Sim
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 08826 Seoul, Republic of Korea
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005 Republic of Korea
| | - Gwang-Hoon Ko
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 08826 Seoul, Republic of Korea
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, 61005 Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Sook Ahn
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, 58128 Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeoung-Joon Kim
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, 58128 Hwasun, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Gyoo Park
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 08826 Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Beesley CF, Goldman NR, Taher TE, Denton CP, Abraham DJ, Mageed RA, Ong VH. Dysregulated B cell function and disease pathogenesis in systemic sclerosis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:999008. [PMID: 36726987 PMCID: PMC9885156 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.999008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex, immune-mediated rheumatic disease characterised by excessive extracellular matrix deposition in the skin and internal organs. B cell infiltration into lesional sites such as the alveolar interstitium and small blood vessels, alongside the production of defined clinically relevant autoantibodies indicates that B cells play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis and development of SSc. This is supported by B cell and fibroblast coculture experiments revealing that B cells directly enhance collagen and extracellular matrix synthesis in fibroblasts. In addition, B cells from SSc patients produce large amounts of profibrotic cytokines such as IL-6 and TGF-β, which interact with other immune and endothelial cells, promoting the profibrotic loop. Furthermore, total B cell counts are increased in SSc patients compared with healthy donors and specific differences can be found in the content of naïve, memory, transitional and regulatory B cell compartments. B cells from SSc patients also show differential expression of activation markers such as CD19 which may shape interactions with other immune mediators such as T follicular helper cells and dendritic cells. The key role of B cells in SSc is further supported by the therapeutic benefit of B cell depletion with rituximab in some patients. It is notable also that B cell signaling is impaired in SSc patients, and this could underpin the failure to induce tolerance in B cells as has been shown in murine models of scleroderma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire F. Beesley
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Claire F. Beesley,
| | - Nina R. Goldman
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Taher E. Taher
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher P. Denton
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Abraham
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rizgar A. Mageed
- Centre for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Voon H. Ong
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Pu W, Zhang R, Ma Y, Liu Q, Jiang S, Liu J, Zhao Y, Tu W, Guo G, Zuo X, Wang Q, Chen Y, Wu W, Zhou X, Distler JHW, Reveille JD, Zou H, Jin L, Mayes MD, Wang J. Genetic associations of non-MHC susceptibility loci with systemic sclerosis in a Han Chinese population. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:2039-2042.e7. [PMID: 34919939 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Weilin Pu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Research Unit of dissecting the population genetics and developing new technologies for treatment and prevention of skin phenotypes and dermatological diseases (2019RU058), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
| | - Rui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute for Six-sector Economy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yanyun Ma
- Institute for Six-sector Economy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China; Research Unit of dissecting the population genetics and developing new technologies for treatment and prevention of skin phenotypes and dermatological diseases (2019RU058), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
| | - Qingmei Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuai Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Rheumatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Rheumatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinhuan Zhao
- Division of Rheumatology, Shanghai TCM-integrated Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenzhen Tu
- Division of Rheumatology, Shanghai TCM-integrated Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang Guo
- Department of Rheumatology, Yiling Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaoxia Zuo
- Department of Rheumatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University
| | - Qingwen Wang
- Rheumatology and Immunology Department, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- Division of Rheumatology, Shanghai TCM-integrated Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenyu Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhou
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunogenetics, the University of Texas-McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jörg H W Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 and Institute for Clinical Immunology, University of Erlangen, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - John D Reveille
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunogenetics, the University of Texas-McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hejian Zou
- Department of Rheumatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Research Unit of dissecting the population genetics and developing new technologies for treatment and prevention of skin phenotypes and dermatological diseases (2019RU058), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Maureen D Mayes
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunogenetics, the University of Texas-McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jiucun Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Research Unit of dissecting the population genetics and developing new technologies for treatment and prevention of skin phenotypes and dermatological diseases (2019RU058), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Institute of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Hinchcliff M, Garcia-Milian R, Di Donato S, Dill K, Bundschuh E, Galdo FD. Cellular and Molecular Diversity in Scleroderma. Semin Immunol 2021; 58:101648. [PMID: 35940960 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2022.101648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
With the increasing armamentarium of high-throughput tools available at manageable cost, it is attractive and informative to determine the molecular underpinnings of patient heterogeneity in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Given the highly variable clinical outcomes of patients labelled with the same diagnosis, unravelling the cellular and molecular basis of disease heterogeneity will be crucial to predicting disease risk, stratifying management and ultimately informing a patient-centered precision medicine approach. Herein, we summarise the findings of the past several years in the fields of genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics that contribute to unraveling the cellular and molecular heterogeneity of SSc. Expansion of these findings and their routine integration with quantitative analysis of histopathology and imaging studies into clinical care promise to inform a scientifically driven patient-centred personalized medicine approach to SSc in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Hinchcliff
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, USA.
| | | | - Stefano Di Donato
- Raynaud's and Scleroderma Programme, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leeds, UK
| | | | - Elizabeth Bundschuh
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, USA
| | - Francesco Del Galdo
- Raynaud's and Scleroderma Programme, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leeds, UK.
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Ota Y, Kuwana M. Updates on genetics in systemic sclerosis. Inflamm Regen 2021; 41:17. [PMID: 34130729 PMCID: PMC8204536 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-021-00167-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex disease, in which an interaction of genetic and environmental factors plays an important role in its development and pathogenesis. A number of genetic studies, including candidate gene analysis and genome-wide association study, have found that the associated genetic variants are mainly localized in noncoding regions in the expression quantitative trait locus and influence corresponding gene expression. The gene variants identified as a risk for SSc susceptibility include those associated with innate immunity, adaptive immune response, and cell death, while there are only few SSc-associated genes involved in the fibrotic process or vascular homeostasis. Human leukocyte antigen class II genes are associated with SSc-related autoantibodies rather than SSc itself. Since the pathways between the associated genotype and phenotype are still poorly understood, further investigations using multi-omics technologies are necessary to characterize the complex molecular architecture of SSc, identify biomarkers useful to predict future outcomes and treatment responses, and discover effective drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Ota
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8603-8582, Japan
| | - Masataka Kuwana
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8603-8582, Japan.
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Neys SFH, Hendriks RW, Corneth OBJ. Targeting Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase in Inflammatory and Autoimmune Pathologies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:668131. [PMID: 34150760 PMCID: PMC8213343 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.668131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) was discovered due to its importance in B cell development, and it has a critical role in signal transduction downstream of the B cell receptor (BCR). Targeting of BTK with small molecule inhibitors has proven to be efficacious in several B cell malignancies. Interestingly, recent studies reveal increased BTK protein expression in circulating resting B cells of patients with systemic autoimmune disease (AID) compared with healthy controls. Moreover, BTK phosphorylation following BCR stimulation in vitro was enhanced. In addition to its role in BCR signaling, BTK is involved in many other pathways, including pattern recognition, Fc, and chemokine receptor signaling in B cells and myeloid cells. This broad involvement in several immunological pathways provides a rationale for the targeting of BTK in the context of inflammatory and systemic AID. Accordingly, numerous in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies support the potential of BTK targeting in these conditions. Efficacy of BTK inhibitors in various inflammatory and AID has been demonstrated or is currently evaluated in clinical trials. In addition, very recent reports suggest that BTK inhibition may be effective as immunosuppressive therapy to diminish pulmonary hyperinflammation in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we review BTK's function in key signaling pathways in B cells and myeloid cells. Further, we discuss recent advances in targeting BTK in inflammatory and autoimmune pathologies.
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Kerick M, González-Serna D, Carnero-Montoro E, Teruel M, Acosta-Herrera M, Makowska Z, Buttgereit A, Babaei S, Barturen G, López-Isac E, Lesche R, Beretta L, Alarcon-Riquelme ME, Martin J. Expression Quantitative Trait Locus Analysis in Systemic Sclerosis Identifies New Candidate Genes Associated With Multiple Aspects of Disease Pathology. Arthritis Rheumatol 2021; 73:1288-1300. [PMID: 33455083 DOI: 10.1002/art.41657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the genetic variants that affect gene expression (expression quantitative trait loci [eQTLs]) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to investigate their role in the pathogenesis of the disease. METHODS We performed an eQTL analysis using whole-blood sequencing data from 333 SSc patients and 524 controls and integrated them with SSc genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. We integrated our findings from expression modeling, differential expression analysis, and transcription factor binding site enrichment with key clinical features of SSc. RESULTS We detected 49,123 validated cis-eQTLs from 4,539 SSc-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (PGWAS < 10-5 ). A total of 1,436 genes were within 1 Mb of the 4,539 SSc-associated SNPs. Of those 1,436 genes, 565 were detected as having ≥1 eQTL with an SSc-associated SNP. We developed a strategy to prioritize disease-associated genes based on their expression variance explained by SSc eQTLs (r2 > 0.05). As a result, 233 candidates were identified, 134 (58%) of them associated with hallmarks of SSc and 105 (45%) of them differentially expressed in the blood cells, skin, or lung tissue of SSc patients. Transcription factor binding site analysis revealed enriched motifs of 24 transcription factors (5%) among SSc eQTLs, 5 of which were found to be differentially regulated in the blood cells (ELF1 and MGA), skin (KLF4 and ID4), and lungs (TBX4) of SSc patients. Ten candidate genes (4%) can be targeted by approved medications for immune-mediated diseases, of which only 3 have been tested in clinical trials in patients with SSc. CONCLUSION The findings of the present study indicate a new layer to the molecular complexity of SSc, contributing to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kerick
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, CSIC, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Elena Carnero-Montoro
- Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Granada, Spain
| | - Maria Teruel
- Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Granada, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Guillermo Barturen
- Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Granada, Spain
| | - Elena López-Isac
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, CSIC, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Lorenzo Beretta
- Referral Center for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta E Alarcon-Riquelme
- Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research, Granada, Spain
| | - Javier Martin
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, CSIC, Granada, Spain
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review susceptibility genes and how they could integrate in systemic sclerosis (SSc) pathophysiology providing insight and perspectives for innovative therapies. RECENT FINDINGS SSc is a rare disease characterized by vasculopathy, dysregulated immunity and fibrosis. Genome-Wide association studies and ImmunoChip studies performed in recent years revealed associated genetic variants mainly localized in noncoding regions and mostly affecting the immune system of SSc patients. Gene variants were described in innate immunity (IRF5, IRF7 and TLR2), T and B cells activation (CD247, TNFAIP3, STAT4 and BLK) and NF-κB pathway (TNFAIP3 and TNIP1) confirming previous biological data. In addition to impacting immune response, CSK, DDX6, DNASE1L3 and GSDMA/B could also act in the vascular and fibrotic components of SSc. SUMMARY Although genetic studies highlighted the dysregulated immune response in SSc, future research must focus on a deeper characterization of these variants with determination of their functional effects. Moreover, the role of these genes or others on specific vasculopathy and fibrosis would provide insight. Establishment of polygenic score or integrated genome approaches could identify new targets specific of SSc clinical features. This will allow physicians to propose new therapies to SSc patients.
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Chemokine-like factor-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing family in autoimmune diseases. Chin Med J (Engl) 2021; 133:951-958. [PMID: 32195671 PMCID: PMC7176445 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000000747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The chemokine-like factor (CKLF)-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing family (CMTM) is widely expressed in the immune system. Abnormal expression of CMTM is associated with the development of various diseases. This article summarizes the relevant research on the role of the CMTM family in immune disorders. This information will increase our understanding of pathogenesis and identify promising targets for the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases. The CMTM family is highly expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. CKLF1 may be involved in the development of arthritis through its interaction with C-C chemokine receptor 4. CKLF1 is associated with the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis and psoriasis. Both CMTM4 and CMTM5 are associated with the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. CMTM1, CMTM2, CMTM3, and CMTM6 play a role in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, Sjögren syndrome, and anti-phospholipid syndrome, respectively. The CMTM family has been implicated in various autoimmune diseases. Further research on the mechanism of the action of CMTM family members may lead to the development of new treatment strategies for autoimmune diseases.
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Mehta BK, Espinoza ME, Hinchcliff M, Whitfield ML. Molecular "omic" signatures in systemic sclerosis. Eur J Rheumatol 2020; 7:S173-S180. [PMID: 33164732 DOI: 10.5152/eurjrheum.2020.19192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by immunologic, vascular, and extracellular matrix abnormalities. Variation in the proportion and/or timing of activation in the deregulated molecular pathways that underlie SSc may explain the observed clinical heterogeneity in terms of disease phenotype and treatment response. In recent years, SSc research has generated massive amounts of "omics" level data. In this review, we discuss the body of "omics" level work in SSc and how each layer provides unique insight to our understanding of SSc. We posit that effective integration of genomic, transcriptomic, metagenomic, and epigenomic data is an important step toward precision medicine and is vital to the identification of effective therapeutic options for patients with SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhaven K Mehta
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Monica E Espinoza
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Monique Hinchcliff
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Michael L Whitfield
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.,Department of Biomedical Data Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
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14
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Validation of genome-wide associated variants for Kawasaki disease in a Taiwanese case-control sample. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11756. [PMID: 32678208 PMCID: PMC7366615 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68673-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology that affects infants and young children. Considerable evidence supports the hypothesis that there is a genetic basis for KD susceptibility. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several genetic variants associated with KD. This study aims to replicate three novel KD-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), identified by GWAS in Japanese, in a Taiwanese population. Associations between these SNPs and development of coronary artery lesions (CALs) were also investigated. The rs2254546 A/G, rs2857151 A/G, and rs4813003 C/T SNPs were genotyped in 681 children with KD and 563 ethnically-matched healthy controls using TaqMan Assay or DNA sequencing. We found rs2254546 and rs4813003 SNPs were significantly associated with KD (G allele, odds ratio [OR] = 1.54, P = 1.0 × 10–5; C allele, OR = 1.32, P = 8.1 × 10–4). However, no evidence for associations with CAL development was observed. Our study successfully validates associations of the rs2254546 and rs4813003 SNPs with KD in a Taiwanese population. Further functional studies of the SNPs are important in understanding the pathogenesis of KD.
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15
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Takagi K, Kawamoto M, Higuchi T, Tochimoto A, Harigai M, Kawaguchi Y. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the
HIF1A
gene are associated with susceptibility to pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic sclerosis and contribute to SSc‐PAH disease severity. Int J Rheum Dis 2020; 23:674-680. [DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.13822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kae Takagi
- Department of Medicine Tokyo Women's Medical University Medical Center East Tokyo Japan
- Department of Rheumatology Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Manabu Kawamoto
- Department of Rheumatology Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Tomoaki Higuchi
- Department of Rheumatology Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Akiko Tochimoto
- Department of Rheumatology Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Masayoshi Harigai
- Department of Rheumatology Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Yasushi Kawaguchi
- Department of Rheumatology Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
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HLA and autoantibodies define scleroderma subtypes and risk in African and European Americans and suggest a role for molecular mimicry. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 117:552-562. [PMID: 31871193 PMCID: PMC6955366 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1906593116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a clinically heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterized by mutually exclusive autoantibodies directed against distinct nuclear antigens. We examined HLA associations in SSc and its autoantibody subsets in a large, newly recruited African American (AA) cohort and among European Americans (EA). In the AA population, the African ancestry-predominant HLA-DRB1*08:04 and HLA-DRB1*11:02 alleles were associated with overall SSc risk, and the HLA-DRB1*08:04 allele was strongly associated with the severe antifibrillarin (AFA) antibody subset of SSc (odds ratio = 7.4). These African ancestry-predominant alleles may help explain the increased frequency and severity of SSc among the AA population. In the EA population, the HLA-DPB1*13:01 and HLA-DRB1*07:01 alleles were more strongly associated with antitopoisomerase (ATA) and anticentromere antibody-positive subsets of SSc, respectively, than with overall SSc risk, emphasizing the importance of HLA in defining autoantibody subtypes. The association of the HLA-DPB1*13:01 allele with the ATA+ subset of SSc in both AA and EA patients demonstrated a transancestry effect. A direct correlation between SSc prevalence and HLA-DPB1*13:01 allele frequency in multiple populations was observed (r = 0.98, P = 3 × 10-6). Conditional analysis in the autoantibody subsets of SSc revealed several associated amino acid residues, mostly in the peptide-binding groove of the class II HLA molecules. Using HLA α/β allelic heterodimers, we bioinformatically predicted immunodominant peptides of topoisomerase 1, fibrillarin, and centromere protein A and discovered that they are homologous to viral protein sequences from the Mimiviridae and Phycodnaviridae families. Taken together, these data suggest a possible link between HLA alleles, autoantibodies, and environmental triggers in the pathogenesis of SSc.
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17
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Comarmond C, Lorin V, Marques C, Maciejewski-Duval A, Joher N, Planchais C, Touzot M, Biard L, Hieu T, Quiniou V, Desbois AC, Rosenzwajg M, Klatzmann D, Cacoub P, Mouquet H, Saadoun D. TLR9 signalling in HCV-associated atypical memory B cells triggers Th1 and rheumatoid factor autoantibody responses. J Hepatol 2019; 71:908-919. [PMID: 31279905 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2019.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection contributes to the development of autoimmune disorders such as cryoglobulinaemia vasculitis (CV). However, it remains unclear why only some individuals with HCV develop HCV-associated CV (HCV-CV). HCV-CV is characterized by the expansion of anergic CD19+CD27+CD21low/- atypical memory B cells (AtMs). Herein, we report the mechanisms by which AtMs participate in HCV-associated autoimmunity. METHODS The phenotype and function of peripheral AtMs were studied by multicolour flow cytometry and co-culture assays with effector T cells and regulatory T cells in 20 patients with HCV-CV, 10 chronicallyHCV-infected patients without CV and 8 healthy donors. We performed gene expression profile analysis of AtMs stimulated or not by TLR9. Immunoglobulin gene repertoire and antibody reactivity profiles of AtM-expressing IgM antibodies were analysed following single B cell FACS sorting and expression-cloning of monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS The Tbet+CD11c+CD27+CD21- AtM population is expanded in patients with HCV-CV compared to HCV controls without CV. TLR9 activation of AtMs induces a specific transcriptional signature centred on TNFα overexpression, and an enhanced secretion of TNFα and rheumatoid factor-type IgMs in patients with HCV-CV. AtMs stimulated through TLR9 promote type 1 effector T cell activation and reduce the proliferation of CD4+CD25hiCD127-/lowFoxP3+ regulatory T cells. AtM expansions display intraclonal diversity with immunoglobulin features of antigen-driven maturation. AtM-derived IgM monoclonal antibodies do not react against ubiquitous autoantigens or HCV antigens including NS3 and E2 proteins. Rather, AtM-derived antibodies possess rheumatoid factor activity and target unique epitopes on the human IgG-Fc region. CONCLUSION Our data strongly suggest a central role for TLR9 activation of AtMs in driving HCV-CV autoimmunity through rheumatoid factor production and type 1 T cell responses. LAY SUMMARY B cells are best known for their capacity to produce antibodies, which often play a deleterious role in the development of autoimmune diseases. During chronic hepatitis C, self-reactive B cells proliferate and can be responsible for autoimmune symptoms (arthritis, purpura, neuropathy, renal disease) and/or lymphoma. Direct-acting antiviral therapy clears the hepatitis C virus and eliminates deleterious B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cloé Comarmond
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR_S 959, Immunologie-Immunopathologie-Immunotherapie, i3 and Département Hospitalo-Universitaire Inflammation-Immunopathologie-Biotherapie, i2B, F-75651 Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Biothérapie, F-75013 Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Département de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, F-75013 Paris, France; Laboratory of Humoral Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; INSERM U1222, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Lorin
- Laboratory of Humoral Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; INSERM U1222, Paris, France
| | - Cindy Marques
- AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Département de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, F-75013 Paris, France; Laboratory of Humoral Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; INSERM U1222, Paris, France
| | - Anna Maciejewski-Duval
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR_S 959, Immunologie-Immunopathologie-Immunotherapie, i3 and Département Hospitalo-Universitaire Inflammation-Immunopathologie-Biotherapie, i2B, F-75651 Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Biothérapie, F-75013 Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Département de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Nizar Joher
- Laboratory of Humoral Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; INSERM U1222, Paris, France
| | - Cyril Planchais
- Laboratory of Humoral Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; INSERM U1222, Paris, France
| | - Maxime Touzot
- INSERM U932, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France; Institut Curie, Section Recherche, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France; Laboratoire d'Immunologie Clinique, Institut Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Lucie Biard
- AP-HP, SBIM, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Université Paris Diderot, Paris 7, Paris, France; INSERM, ECSTRA Team, CRESS UMR-S 1153, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Thierry Hieu
- Laboratory of Humoral Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; INSERM U1222, Paris, France
| | - Valentin Quiniou
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR_S 959, Immunologie-Immunopathologie-Immunotherapie, i3 and Département Hospitalo-Universitaire Inflammation-Immunopathologie-Biotherapie, i2B, F-75651 Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Biothérapie, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Anne-Claire Desbois
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR_S 959, Immunologie-Immunopathologie-Immunotherapie, i3 and Département Hospitalo-Universitaire Inflammation-Immunopathologie-Biotherapie, i2B, F-75651 Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Biothérapie, F-75013 Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Département de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Michelle Rosenzwajg
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR_S 959, Immunologie-Immunopathologie-Immunotherapie, i3 and Département Hospitalo-Universitaire Inflammation-Immunopathologie-Biotherapie, i2B, F-75651 Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Biothérapie, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - David Klatzmann
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR_S 959, Immunologie-Immunopathologie-Immunotherapie, i3 and Département Hospitalo-Universitaire Inflammation-Immunopathologie-Biotherapie, i2B, F-75651 Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Biothérapie, F-75013 Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Département de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Patrice Cacoub
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR_S 959, Immunologie-Immunopathologie-Immunotherapie, i3 and Département Hospitalo-Universitaire Inflammation-Immunopathologie-Biotherapie, i2B, F-75651 Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Biothérapie, F-75013 Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Département de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Hugo Mouquet
- Laboratory of Humoral Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; INSERM U1222, Paris, France.
| | - David Saadoun
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR_S 959, Immunologie-Immunopathologie-Immunotherapie, i3 and Département Hospitalo-Universitaire Inflammation-Immunopathologie-Biotherapie, i2B, F-75651 Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Biothérapie, F-75013 Paris, France; AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Département de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, F-75013 Paris, France.
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18
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Cheng CW, Yang SF, Wang YH, Fang WF, Lin YC, Tang KT, Lin JD. Associations of secreted phosphoprotein 1 and B lymphocyte kinase gene polymorphisms with autoimmune thyroid disease. Eur J Clin Invest 2019; 49:e13065. [PMID: 30589937 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Revised: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysregulation of the type 1 interferon (IFN)-related signalling pathway predisposes one to autoimmune diseases. Possible associations of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) and B lymphocyte kinase (BLK) of the type 1 IFN-related signalling pathway with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) in an ethnic Chinese (ie Taiwanese) population were tested. METHODS Totally, 83 Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) patients, 319 Graves' disease (GD) patients and 369 controls were enrolled. Genotypes of the two SNPs (rs1126772 and rs1126616) of SPP1 and two SNPs (rs13277113 and rs2736340) of BLK were determined. RESULTS Our results showed reduced percentages of the G allele of rs13277113 of BLK in GD (P = 0.037, odds ratio [OR] = 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.62-0.99) and HT (P = 0.002, OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.36-0.81), compared to the controls. At the same time, lower frequencies of the C allele of rs2736340 of BLK in GD (P = 0.025, OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.60-0.97) and HT (P = 0.003, OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.35-0.81) than the controls were also observed. There were significantly higher AT haplotype frequencies of rs1327713 and rs2736340 in GD and HT patients than in the controls (P = 0.025, OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.03-1.67, and P = 0.003, OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.24-2.87, respectively). Moreover, the anti-microsomal antibody titre was associated with rs2736340. CONCLUSIONS Genetic variants of rs13277113 and rs2736340 of BLK were associated with susceptibility to GD, HT and AITD in an ethnic Chinese population. Our results suggest the BLK may participate in the pathogenesis of GD, HT and AITD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Wen Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Traditional Herb Medicine Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Hung Wang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Fang Fang
- Department of Family Medicine, Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chin Lin
- Department of Family Medicine, Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Kam-Tsun Tang
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jiunn-Diann Lin
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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19
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Song RH, Li Q, Jia X, Yao QM, Wang B, Zhang JA. Polymorphisms of FAM167A-BLK Region Confer Risk of Autoimmune Thyroid Disease. DNA Cell Biol 2018; 37:932-940. [PMID: 30351170 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2018.4344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rong-hua Song
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Jia
- Department of Endocrinology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiu-ming Yao
- Department of Endocrinology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-an Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, China
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20
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Trombetta AC, Soldano S, Contini P, Tomatis V, Ruaro B, Paolino S, Brizzolara R, Montagna P, Sulli A, Pizzorni C, Smith V, Cutolo M. A circulating cell population showing both M1 and M2 monocyte/macrophage surface markers characterizes systemic sclerosis patients with lung involvement. Respir Res 2018; 19:186. [PMID: 30249259 PMCID: PMC6154930 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-018-0891-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disorder characterized by immune system alterations, vasculopathy and fibrosis. SSc-related interstitial lung disease (ILD) represents a common and early complication, being the leading cause of mortality. Monocytes/macrophages seem to have a key role in SSc-related ILD. Interestingly, the classically (M1) and alternatively (M2) activated monocyte/macrophage phenotype categorization is currently under revision. Our aim was to evaluate if circulating monocyte/macrophage phenotype could be used as biomarker for lung involvement in SSc. To this purpose we developed a wide phenotype characterization of circulating monocyte/macrophage subsets in SSc patients and we evaluated possible relations with lung involvement parameter values. Methods A single centre cross-sectional study was performed in fifty-five consecutive SSc patients, during the year 2017. All clinical and instrumental tests requested for SSc follow up and in particular, lung computed tomography (CT) scan, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), Doppler echocardiography with systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) measurement, blood pro-hormone of brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) evaluation, were performed in each patient in a maximum one-month period. Flow cytometry characterization of circulating cells belonging to the monocyte/macrophage lineage was performed using specific M1 (CD80, CD86, TLR2 and TLR4) and M2 surface markers (CD204, CD163 and CD206). Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis. Results A higher percentage of circulating CD204+CD163+CD206+TLR4+CD80+CD86+ and CD14+CD206+CD163+CD204+TLR4+CD80+CD86+ mixed M1/M2 monocyte/macrophage subsets, was identified to characterize patients affected by SSc-related ILD and higher systolic pulmonary artery pressure. Mixed M1/M2 monocyte/macrophage subset showed higher percentages in patients positive for anti-topoisomerase antibody, a known lung involvement predictor. Conclusions The present study shows for the first time, through a wide flow cytometry surface marker analysis, that higher circulating mixed M1/M2 monocyte/macrophage cell percentages are associated with ILD, sPAP and anti-topoisomerase antibody positivity in SSc, opening the path for research on their possible role as pathogenic or biomarker elements for SSc lung involvement. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12931-018-0891-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Chiara Trombetta
- Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Polyclinic San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefano Soldano
- Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Polyclinic San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Contini
- Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Veronica Tomatis
- Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Polyclinic San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Barbara Ruaro
- Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Polyclinic San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sabrina Paolino
- Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Polyclinic San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Renata Brizzolara
- Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Polyclinic San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Montagna
- Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Polyclinic San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Sulli
- Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Polyclinic San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carmen Pizzorni
- Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Polyclinic San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vanessa Smith
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maurizio Cutolo
- Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Polyclinic San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
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21
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Rezaei R, Aslani S, Dashti N, Jamshidi A, Gharibdoost F, Mahmoudi M. Genetic implications in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. Int J Rheum Dis 2018; 21:1478-1486. [DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.13344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ramazan Rezaei
- Rheumatology Research Center Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
- Department of Immunology School of Medicine Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Saeed Aslani
- Rheumatology Research Center Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Navid Dashti
- Rheumatology Research Center Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
- Department of Immunology School of Medicine Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Ahmadreza Jamshidi
- Rheumatology Research Center Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Farhad Gharibdoost
- Rheumatology Research Center Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Mahdi Mahmoudi
- Rheumatology Research Center Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
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22
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Mentlein L, Thorlacius GE, Meneghel L, Aqrawi LA, Ramírez Sepúlveda JI, Grunewald J, Espinosa A, Wahren-Herlenius M. The rheumatic disease-associated FAM167A-BLK locus encodes DIORA-1, a novel disordered protein expressed highly in bronchial epithelium and alveolar macrophages. Clin Exp Immunol 2018; 193:167-177. [PMID: 29663334 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Triggering of autoimmunity that leads to rheumatic disease has been suggested to depend upon gene-environment interactions occurring in epithelial barriers and associated immune cells. Genetic studies have identified associations of the FAM167A-BLK locus with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome. While BLK (B lymphocyte kinase) has a well-established role in B cells, family with sequence similarity to 167 member A (FAM167A) and its gene family remain uncharacterized. To begin to understand the role of FAM167A in rheumatic disease pathogenesis, we explored this gene family and cloned and investigated the gene products. Expression of quantitative trait locus analysis was performed in immune cells. FAM167A and FAM167B were cloned from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Gene conservation and protein properties were analysed by online tools, mRNA expression measured in mouse organs by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and protein expression investigated in human tissues by immunohistochemistry. We found that autoimmune risk genotypes within the FAM167A-BLK locus lead to increased expression of FAM167A. The FAM167 gene family includes two members, FAM167A and FAM167B, which are not homologous to any other annotated gene but are evolutionarily conserved. The encoded proteins, which we denote 'disordered autoimmunity' (DIORA)-1 and DIORA-2, respectively, are characterized by a high content of intrinsic disorder. Notably, DIORA-1 has its highest expression in the lung, detectable in both bronchial epithelium and alveolar macrophages with an endosomal localization pattern. In summary, the FAM167A gene is associated with several rheumatic diseases and encodes a novel disordered protein, DIORA-1, which is expressed highly in the lung, consistent with a potential role in disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - J Grunewald
- Respiratory Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Zeng C, Fang C, Weng H, Xu X, Wu T, Li W. B-cell lymphocyte kinase polymorphisms rs13277113, rs2736340, and rs4840568 and risk of autoimmune diseases: A meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e7855. [PMID: 28885337 PMCID: PMC6392982 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000007855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND B-cell lymphocyte kinase (BLK) is an inhibitor of B cells that has an important influence on several autoimmune diseases, but there is a lack of comprehensive analysis of its association with autoimmune diseases. Hence, it is meaningful to conduct a comprehensive analysis. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed on the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases up to June 30, 2016. The data were extracted and quality-assessed before conducting the meta-analysis. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were assessed with the STATA version 12.0 software. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis were conducted to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS Altogether, 33 studies with 68,874 cases and 90,684 controls, 24 studies with 31,095 cases and 39,077 controls for rs13277113, 21 studies with 26,388 cases and 40,635 controls for rs2736340, and 4 studies with 11,391 cases and 10,972 controls for rs4840568 were included in this meta-analysis. The results revealed that the BLK rs13277113 and rs2736340 polymorphisms increased the risk of autoimmune diseases in the total analysis (A vs G: OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.27-1.39, P < .01; T vs C: OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.27-1.41, P < .01), and rs4840568 was positively associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (A vs G: OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.22-1.43, P = .01). CONCLUSION This meta-analysis shows that the BLK (rs13277113, rs2736340, rs4840568) polymorphisms may be a risk factor for developing autoimmune diseases, especially for Asian populations and SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Zeng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University
| | - Cheng Fang
- Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Weng
- Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoqing Xu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University
| | - Tianyang Wu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University
| | - Wenhua Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University
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Tsou PS, Sawalha AH. Unfolding the pathogenesis of scleroderma through genomics and epigenomics. J Autoimmun 2017; 83:73-94. [PMID: 28526340 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2017.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
With unknown etiology, scleroderma (SSc) is a multifaceted disease characterized by immune activation, vascular complications, and excessive fibrosis in internal organs. Genetic studies, including candidate gene association studies, genome-wide association studies, and whole-exome sequencing have supported the notion that while genetic susceptibility to SSc appears to be modest, SSc patients are genetically predisposed to this disease. The strongest genetic association for SSc lies within the MHC region, with loci in HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQB1, HLA-DPB1, and HLA-DOA1 being the most replicated. The non-HLA genes associated with SSc are involved in various functions, with the most robust associations including genes for B and T cell activation and innate immunity. Other pathways include genes involved in extracellular matrix deposition, cytokines, and autophagy. Among these genes, IRF5, STAT4, and CD247 were replicated most frequently while SNPs rs35677470 in DNASE1L3, rs5029939 in TNFAIP3, and rs7574685 in STAT4 have the strongest associations with SSc. In addition to genetic predisposition, it became clear that environmental factors and epigenetic influences also contribute to the development of SSc. Epigenetics, which refers to studies that focus on heritable phenotypes resulting from changes in chromatin structure without affecting the DNA sequence, is one of the most rapidly expanding fields in biomedical research. Indeed extensive epigenetic changes have been described in SSc. Alteration in enzymes and mediators involved in DNA methylation and histone modification, as well as dysregulated non-coding RNA levels all contribute to fibrosis, immune dysregulation, and impaired angiogenesis in this disease. Genes that are affected by epigenetic dysregulation include ones involved in autoimmunity, T cell function and regulation, TGFβ pathway, Wnt pathway, extracellular matrix, and transcription factors governing fibrosis and angiogenesis. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current findings of SSc genetic susceptibility, followed by an extensive description and a systematic review of epigenetic research that has been carried out to date in SSc. We also summarize the therapeutic potential of drugs that affect epigenetic mechanisms, and outline the future prospective of genomics and epigenomics research in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Suen Tsou
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Amr H Sawalha
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center for Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Demirci FY, Wang X, Morris DL, Feingold E, Bernatsky S, Pineau C, Clarke A, Ramsey-Goldman R, Manzi S, Vyse TJ, Kamboh MI. Multiple signals at the extended 8p23 locus are associated with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus. J Med Genet 2017; 54:381-389. [PMID: 28289186 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2016-104247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A major systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility locus lies within a common inversion polymorphism region (encompassing 3.8 - 4.5 Mb) located at 8p23. Initially implicated genes included FAM167A-BLK and XKR6, of which BLK received major attention due to its known role in B-cell biology. Recently, additional SLE risk carried in non-inverted background was also reported. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS In this case -control study, we further investigated the 'extended' 8p23 locus (~ 4 Mb) where we observed multiple SLE signals and assessed these signals for their relation to the inversion affecting this region. The study involved a North American discovery data set (~ 1200 subjects) and a replication data set (> 10 000 subjects) comprising European-descent individuals. RESULTS Meta-analysis of 8p23 SNPs, with p < 0.05 in both data sets, identified 51 genome-wide significant SNPs (p < 5.0 × 10-8). While most of these SNPs were related to previously implicated signals (XKR6-FAM167A-BLK subregion), our results also revealed two 'new' SLE signals, including SGK223-CLDN23-MFHAS1 (6.06 × 10-9 ≤ meta p ≤ 4.88 × 10-8) and CTSB (meta p = 4.87 × 10-8) subregions that are located > 2 Mb upstream and ~ 0.3 Mb downstream from previously reported signals. Functional assessment of relevant SNPs indicated putative cis-effects on the expression of various genes at 8p23. Additional analyses in discovery sample, where the inversion genotypes were inferred, replicated the association of non-inverted status with SLE risk and suggested that a number of SLE risk alleles are predominantly carried in non-inverted background. CONCLUSIONS Our results implicate multiple (known+novel) SLE signals/genes at the extended 8p23 locus, beyond previously reported signals/genes, and suggest that this broad locus contributes to SLE risk through the effects of multiple genes/pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Yesim Demirci
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Xingbin Wang
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - David L Morris
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Eleanor Feingold
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Sasha Bernatsky
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Christian Pineau
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ann Clarke
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman
- Division of Rheumatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
| | - Susan Manzi
- Department of Medicine, Lupus Center of Excellence, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Timothy J Vyse
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | - M I Kamboh
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
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Multiple genes, especially immune-regulating genes, contribute to disease susceptibility in systemic sclerosis. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2016; 28:595-605. [DOI: 10.1097/bor.0000000000000334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Chairta P, Nicolaou P, Christodoulou K. Genomic and genetic studies of systemic sclerosis: A systematic review. Hum Immunol 2016; 78:153-165. [PMID: 27984087 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2016.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune rheumatic disease characterised by fibrosis, vasculopathy and inflammation. The exact aetiology of SSc remains unknown but evidences show that various genetic factors may be involved. This review aimed to assess HLA alleles/non-HLA polymorphisms, microsatellites and chromosomal abnormalities that have thus far been associated with SSc. PubMed, Embase and Scopus databases were searched up to July 29, 2015 using a combination of search-terms. Articles retrieved were evaluated based on set exclusion and inclusion criteria. A total of 150 publications passed the filters. HLA and non-HLA studies showed that particular alleles in the HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQB1, HLA-DQA1, HLA-DPB1 genes and variants in STAT4, IRF5 and CD247 are frequently associated with SSc. Non-HLA genes analysis was performed using the PANTHER and STRING10 databases. PANTHER classification revealed that inflammation mediated by chemokine and cytokine, interleukin and integrin signalling pathways are among the common extracted pathways associated with SSc. STRING10 analysis showed that NFKB1, CSF3R, STAT4, IFNG, PRL and ILs are the main "hubs" of interaction network of the non-HLA genes associated with SSc. This study gathers data of valid genetic factors associated with SSc and discusses the possible interactions of implicated molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paraskevi Chairta
- Neurogenetics Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2370, Cyprus; Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2370, Cyprus
| | - Paschalis Nicolaou
- Neurogenetics Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2370, Cyprus; Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2370, Cyprus
| | - Kyproula Christodoulou
- Neurogenetics Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2370, Cyprus; Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 2370, Cyprus.
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Abstract
Purpose of review Large-scale and follow-up genetic association studies in systemic sclerosis (SSc) have implicated over 40 regions in disease risk, 15 of which with robust associations. Nevertheless, the causal variants and the functional mechanisms underlying the genetic associations remain elusive, and the reasons for the higher disease burden in African Americans unknown. Incorporating tools from diverse fields is beginning to unveil the role of genetic diversity and regulatory variation in SSc susceptibility. This review will summarize recent advances in SSc genetics, including autoimmune disease overlap, evidence of natural selection, and current progress towards the dissection of the functional role of associated risk variants. Recent findings In the past year, multiple large-scale studies reported novel strong and suggestive SSc associations. These results, coupled with the regions shared with other autoimmune diseases, emphasize the role of dysregulation of immune pathways as a key causative factor in SSc pathogenesis. Strong evidence implicates natural selection as a mechanism contributing to the maintenance of some of these SSc alleles in the population. Studies integrating genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic datasets in specific cell types to identify causal autoimmune disease variants are emerging. Summary The identification and comprehensive understanding of the factors and mechanisms contributing to SSc will contribute to improved diagnosis and disease management.
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Genetic risk factors for sclerotic graft-versus-host disease. Blood 2016; 128:1516-24. [PMID: 27313329 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2016-05-715342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sclerotic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a distinctive phenotype of chronic GVHD after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, characterized by fibrosis of skin or fascia. Sclerotic GVHD has clinical and histopathological similarities with systemic sclerosis, an autoimmune disease whose risk is influenced by genetic polymorphisms. We examined 13 candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that have a well-documented association with systemic sclerosis to determine whether these SNPs are also associated with the risk of sclerotic GVHD. The study cohort included 847 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with chronic GVHD. Genotyping was performed using microarrays, followed by imputation of unobserved SNPs. The donor rs10516487 (BANK1: B-cell scaffold protein with ankyrin repeats 1) TT genotype was associated with lower risk of sclerotic GVHD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21-0.87; P = .02). Donor and recipient rs2056626 (CD247: T-cell receptor ζ subunit) GG or GT genotypes were associated with higher risk of sclerotic GVHD (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.13-2.18; P = .007 and HR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.19-2.32; P = .003, respectively). Donor and recipient rs987870 (5'-flanking region of HLA-DPA1) CC genotypes were associated with higher risk of sclerotic GVHD (HR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.22-5.11; P = .01 and HR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.00-4.54; P = .05, respectively). In further analyses, the recipient DPA1*01:03∼DPB1*04:01 haplotype and certain amino acid substitutions in the recipient P1 peptide-binding pocket of the HLA-DP heterodimer were associated with risk of sclerotic GVHD. Genetic components associated with systemic sclerosis are also associated with sclerotic GVHD. HLA-DP-mediated antigen presentation, T-cell response, and B-cell activation have important roles in the pathogenic mechanisms of both diseases.
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Terao C, Raychaudhuri S, Gregersen PK. Recent Advances in Defining the Genetic Basis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2016; 17:273-301. [PMID: 27216775 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-090314-045919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory arthritis and exhibits genetic overlap with other autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Although predominant associations with the HLA-DRB1 locus have been known for decades, recent data have revealed additional insight into the likely causative variants within HLA-DRB1 as well as within other HLA loci that contribute to disease risk. In addition, more than 100 common variants in non-HLA loci have been implicated in disease susceptibility. Genetic factors are involved not only in the development of RA, but also with various disease subphenotypes, including production and circulating levels of autoantibodies and joint destruction. The major current challenge is to integrate these new data into a precise understanding of disease pathogenesis, including the critical cell types and molecular networks involved as well as interactions with environmental factors. We predict that delineating the functional effects of genetic variants is likely to drive new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chikashi Terao
- Divisions of Genetics and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.,Partners Center for Personalized Genetic Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142; .,Center for the Promotion of Interdisciplinary Education and Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan;
| | - Soumya Raychaudhuri
- Divisions of Genetics and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.,Partners Center for Personalized Genetic Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142; .,Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, M15 6SZ Manchester, United Kingdom.,Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter K Gregersen
- Robert S. Boas Center for Genomics and Human Genetics, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York 11030;
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Murdaca G, Contatore M, Gulli R, Mandich P, Puppo F. Genetic factors and systemic sclerosis. Autoimmun Rev 2016; 15:427-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2016.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Zhou Y, Li X, Wang G, Li X. Association of FAM167A-BLK rs2736340 Polymorphism with Susceptibility to Autoimmune Diseases: A Meta-Analysis. Immunol Invest 2016; 45:336-48. [PMID: 27105348 DOI: 10.3109/08820139.2016.1157812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation between family with sequence similarity 167A-B lymphoid tyrosine kinase (FAM167A-BLK) rs2736340 polymorphism and autoimmune diseases. METHODS Databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedical Literature database (CBM) and Chinese database, Wan Fang database were used in searching eligible studies from January 1, 1966 to October 2, 2015. The odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled to estimate the strength of the association. RESULTS A total of 25 studies with 30,217 patients and 44,754 controls were included in the meta-analysis. The overall results showed FAM167A-BLK rs2736340 T allele was a risk allele for autoimmune diseases (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.28-1.44, p < 0.001). In the subgroup by ethnicities, the results suggested T allele was an increased risk in North America, Europe, and Asia (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.10-1.60, p = 0.004; OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.22-1.31, p < 0.001; and OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.40-1563, p < 0.001, respectively), but not in Africa. Subgroup analysis in different genetic models (recessive, dominant, and additive) revealed significant association between rs2736340 and autoimmune diseases in Asia and North America, but not the recessive model in Europe or Africa, or the additive model in Africa. Stratification analysis by diseases suggested FAM167A-BLK rs2736340 had a positive association with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and Kawasaki disease, primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), primary antiphosholipid syndrome (APS), and myositis. CONCLUSION The current meta-analysis suggested that FAM167A-BLK rs2736340 polymorphism is associated with several autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingbo Zhou
- a Department of Rheumatology and Immunology , Anhui Provincial Hospital affiliated with Anhui Medical University , Hefei , Anhui , China
| | - Xiangpei Li
- a Department of Rheumatology and Immunology , Anhui Provincial Hospital affiliated with Anhui Medical University , Hefei , Anhui , China
| | - Guosheng Wang
- a Department of Rheumatology and Immunology , Anhui Provincial Hospital affiliated with Anhui Medical University , Hefei , Anhui , China
| | - Xiaomei Li
- a Department of Rheumatology and Immunology , Anhui Provincial Hospital affiliated with Anhui Medical University , Hefei , Anhui , China
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Sanges S, Guerrier T, Launay D, Lefèvre G, Labalette M, Forestier A, Sobanski V, Corli J, Hauspie C, Jendoubi M, Yakoub-Agha I, Hatron PY, Hachulla E, Dubucquoi S. Role of B cells in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. Rev Med Interne 2016; 38:113-124. [PMID: 27020403 DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2016.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Revised: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an orphan disease characterized by progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Aside from vasculopathy and fibrotic processes, its pathogenesis involves an aberrant activation of immune cells, among which B cells seem to play a significant role. Indeed, B cell homeostasis is disturbed during SSc: the memory subset is activated and displays an increased susceptibility to apoptosis, which is responsible for their decreased number. This chronic loss of B cells enhances bone marrow production of the naïve subset that accounts for their increased number in peripheral blood. This permanent activation state can be explained mainly by two mechanisms: a dysregulation of B cell receptor (BCR) signaling, and an overproduction of B cell survival signals, B cell activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL). These disturbances of B cell homeostasis induce several functional anomalies that participate in the inflammatory and fibrotic events observed during SSc: autoantibody production (some being directly pathogenic); secretion of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines (interleukin-6); direct cooperation with other SSc-involved cells [fibroblasts, through transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling, and T cells]. These data justify the evaluation of anti-B cell strategies as therapeutic options for SSc, such as B cell depletion or blockage of B cell survival signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sanges
- Université de Lille, U995, Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC), 59000 Lille, France; Inserm, U995, 59000 Lille, France; CHU de Lille, département de médecine interne et immunologie clinique, 59000 Lille, France; Centre national de référence maladies systémiques et auto-immunes rares (sclérodermie systémique), 59000 Lille, France; FHU Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases and Targeted Therapies, 59000 Lille, France
| | - T Guerrier
- Université de Lille, U995, Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC), 59000 Lille, France; Inserm, U995, 59000 Lille, France; CHU de Lille, Centre de biologie-pathologie-génétique, institut d'Immunologie, 59000 Lille, France
| | - D Launay
- Université de Lille, U995, Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC), 59000 Lille, France; Inserm, U995, 59000 Lille, France; CHU de Lille, département de médecine interne et immunologie clinique, 59000 Lille, France; Centre national de référence maladies systémiques et auto-immunes rares (sclérodermie systémique), 59000 Lille, France; FHU Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases and Targeted Therapies, 59000 Lille, France.
| | - G Lefèvre
- Université de Lille, U995, Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC), 59000 Lille, France; Inserm, U995, 59000 Lille, France; CHU de Lille, département de médecine interne et immunologie clinique, 59000 Lille, France; Centre national de référence maladies systémiques et auto-immunes rares (sclérodermie systémique), 59000 Lille, France; FHU Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases and Targeted Therapies, 59000 Lille, France; CHU de Lille, Centre de biologie-pathologie-génétique, institut d'Immunologie, 59000 Lille, France
| | - M Labalette
- Université de Lille, U995, Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC), 59000 Lille, France; Inserm, U995, 59000 Lille, France; FHU Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases and Targeted Therapies, 59000 Lille, France; CHU de Lille, Centre de biologie-pathologie-génétique, institut d'Immunologie, 59000 Lille, France
| | - A Forestier
- Université de Lille, U995, Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC), 59000 Lille, France; Inserm, U995, 59000 Lille, France; CHU de Lille, département de médecine interne et immunologie clinique, 59000 Lille, France; Centre national de référence maladies systémiques et auto-immunes rares (sclérodermie systémique), 59000 Lille, France; FHU Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases and Targeted Therapies, 59000 Lille, France
| | - V Sobanski
- Université de Lille, U995, Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC), 59000 Lille, France; Inserm, U995, 59000 Lille, France; CHU de Lille, département de médecine interne et immunologie clinique, 59000 Lille, France; Centre national de référence maladies systémiques et auto-immunes rares (sclérodermie systémique), 59000 Lille, France; FHU Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases and Targeted Therapies, 59000 Lille, France
| | - J Corli
- Université de Lille, U995, Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC), 59000 Lille, France; Inserm, U995, 59000 Lille, France; FHU Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases and Targeted Therapies, 59000 Lille, France; CHU de Lille, département de rhumatologie, 59000 Lille, France
| | - C Hauspie
- Université de Lille, U995, Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC), 59000 Lille, France; Inserm, U995, 59000 Lille, France; CHU de Lille, Centre de biologie-pathologie-génétique, institut d'Immunologie, 59000 Lille, France
| | - M Jendoubi
- Université de Lille, U995, Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC), 59000 Lille, France; Inserm, U995, 59000 Lille, France
| | - I Yakoub-Agha
- Université de Lille, U995, Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC), 59000 Lille, France; Inserm, U995, 59000 Lille, France; FHU Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases and Targeted Therapies, 59000 Lille, France; CHU de Lille, département des maladies du sang, 59000 Lille, France
| | - P-Y Hatron
- Université de Lille, U995, Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC), 59000 Lille, France; CHU de Lille, département de médecine interne et immunologie clinique, 59000 Lille, France; Centre national de référence maladies systémiques et auto-immunes rares (sclérodermie systémique), 59000 Lille, France; FHU Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases and Targeted Therapies, 59000 Lille, France
| | - E Hachulla
- Université de Lille, U995, Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC), 59000 Lille, France; Inserm, U995, 59000 Lille, France; CHU de Lille, département de médecine interne et immunologie clinique, 59000 Lille, France; Centre national de référence maladies systémiques et auto-immunes rares (sclérodermie systémique), 59000 Lille, France; FHU Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases and Targeted Therapies, 59000 Lille, France
| | - S Dubucquoi
- Université de Lille, U995, Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC), 59000 Lille, France; Inserm, U995, 59000 Lille, France; FHU Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases and Targeted Therapies, 59000 Lille, France; CHU de Lille, Centre de biologie-pathologie-génétique, institut d'Immunologie, 59000 Lille, France
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Tochimoto A, Kawaguchi Y, Yamanaka H. Genetic Susceptibility to Interstitial Lung Disease Associated with Systemic Sclerosis. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-CIRCULATORY RESPIRATORY AND PULMONARY MEDICINE 2016; 9:135-40. [PMID: 26997879 PMCID: PMC4791172 DOI: 10.4137/ccrpm.s23312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease that is characterized by tissue fibrosis, microvasculopathy, and autoimmunity. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common complication of SSc and is one of the frequent causes of mortality in SSc. Although the exact etiology of SSc remains unknown, clinical and experimental investigations have suggested that genetic and environmental factors are relevant to the pathogenesis of SSc and SSc-ILD. More than 30 genes have been identified as susceptibility loci for SSc, most of which are involved in immune regulation and inflammation. It is thought that the key pathogenesis of SSc-ILD is caused by the release of profibrotic mediators such as transforming growth factor β1 and connective tissue growth factor from lung cells induced by a persistent damage. This review presents the genetic susceptibility to SSc-ILD, including human leukocyte antigen and non-human leukocyte antigen genes, especially focusing on connective tissue growth factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Tochimoto
- Institute of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Kawaguchi
- Institute of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hisashi Yamanaka
- Institute of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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Wei P, Yang Y, Guo X, Hei N, Lai S, Assassi S, Liu M, Tan F, Zhou X. Identification of an Association of TNFAIP3 Polymorphisms With Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in Fibroblasts in an Integrative Study of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Genetic and Environmental Factors. Arthritis Rheumatol 2016; 68:749-60. [PMID: 26474180 PMCID: PMC4767670 DOI: 10.1002/art.39476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a fibrotic disease attributed to both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. This study was undertaken to investigate the associations between SSc-associated genetic variants and the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) genes in human fibroblasts stimulated with silica particles in time-course and dose-response experiments. METHODS A total of 200 fibroblast strains were examined for ECM gene expression after stimulation with silica particles. The fibroblasts were genetically profiled using Immunochip assays and then subjected to whole-genome genotype imputation. Associations of genotypes and gene expression were first analyzed in a Caucasian cohort and then validated in a meta-analysis combining the results from Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic subjects. A linear mixed model for longitudinal data analysis was used to identify genetic variants associated with the expression of ECM genes, and the associations were validated by using a haplotype-based longitudinal association test on regions that included the loci identified. RESULTS The single-nucleotide polymorphism rs58905141 in TNFAIP3 was consistently associated with time-course and/or dose-response expression of MMP3 and MMP1 in the fibroblasts stimulated with silica particles in both the analysis of Caucasian subjects only and the meta-analysis. Results of the haplotype-based analysis validated the association signals. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that a genetic variant of TNFAIP3 is strongly associated with the silica-induced profibrotic response of fibroblasts. In silico functional analysis based on the ENCODE database revealed that rs58905141 might affect the binding activities of the transcription factors for TNFAIP3. This is the first genome-wide study of interactions between genetic and environmental factors in a complex SSc fibroblast model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Wei
- Human Genetics Center and Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Yang Yang
- Human Genetics Center and Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Xinjian Guo
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Nainan Hei
- Human Genetics Center and Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Syeling Lai
- Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Shervin Assassi
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Mengyuan Liu
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Filemon Tan
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Xiaodong Zhou
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030
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Simpfendorfer KR, Armstead BE, Shih A, Li W, Curran M, Manjarrez-Orduño N, Lee AT, Diamond B, Gregersen PK. Autoimmune disease-associated haplotypes of BLK exhibit lowered thresholds for B cell activation and expansion of Ig class-switched B cells. Arthritis Rheumatol 2016; 67:2866-76. [PMID: 26246128 DOI: 10.1002/art.39301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE B lymphoid kinase (BLK) is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and several other B cell-associated autoimmune disorders. BLK risk variants are consistently associated with reduced BLK expression, but the mechanisms by which reduced expression alters human B cell function to confer autoimmune disease susceptibility are unknown. This study was undertaken to characterize the BLK risk haplotype and to determine associated B cell functional phenotypes involved in autoimmunity. METHODS The BLK risk haplotype association with RA (determined using whole-genome sequencing data) was confirmed in 2,526 RA cases and 2,134 controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from RA patients, healthy adults, and umbilical cord blood were used to study B cell functional phenotypes associated with the BLK risk genotype. Association of the BLK haplotype with B cell phenotypes was analyzed using cell culture and flow cytometry. RESULTS Two insertion/deletions were found on the RA risk haplotype in BLK, and the reduction in BLK expression associated with the risk haplotype was confirmed in primary B lymphocytes. Carriers of the RA-associated haplotype had evidence of lower basal B cell receptor (BCR) signaling activity, yet their B cells were hyperactivatable, with enhanced up-regulation of CD86 after BCR crosslinking and greater T cell stimulatory capacity. The number of isotype-switched memory B cells was also significantly increased in subjects carrying the risk haplotype. CONCLUSION A major mechanism underlying the BLK association with autoimmune disease involves lowered thresholds for BCR signaling, enhanced B cell-T cell interactions, and altered patterns of isotype switching.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrew Shih
- Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York
| | - Wentian Li
- Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York
| | - Mark Curran
- Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Springhouse, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Annette T Lee
- Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York
| | - Betty Diamond
- Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York
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The SLE variant Ala71Thr of BLK severely decreases protein abundance and binding to BANK1 through impairment of the SH3 domain function. Genes Immun 2016; 17:128-38. [PMID: 26821283 DOI: 10.1038/gene.2016.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Revised: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The B-lymphocyte kinase (BLK) gene is associated genetically with several human autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus. We recently described that the genetic risk is given by two haplotypes: one covering several strongly linked single-nucleotide polymorphisms within the promoter of the gene that correlated with low transcript levels, and a second haplotype that includes a rare nonsynonymous variant (Ala71Thr). Here we show that this variant, located within the BLK SH3 domain, is a major determinant of protein levels. In vitro analyses show that the 71Thr isoform is hyperphosphorylated and promotes kinase activation. As a consequence, BLK is ubiquitinated, its proteasomal degradation enhanced and the average life of the protein is reduced by half. Altogether, these findings suggest that an intrinsic autoregulatory mechanism previously unappreciated in BLK is disrupted by the 71Thr substitution. Because the SH3 domain is also involved in protein interactions, we sought for differences between the two isoforms in trafficking and binding to protein partners. We found that binding of the 71Thr variant to the adaptor protein BANK1 is severely reduced. Our study provides new insights on the intrinsic regulation of BLK activation and highlights the dominant role of its SH3 domain in BANK1 binding.
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Abstract
Significant advances have been made in understanding the genetic basis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) in recent years. Genomewide association and other large-scale genetic studies have identified 30 largely immunity-related genes which are significantly associated with SSc. We review these studies, along with genomewide expression studies, proteomic studies, genetic mouse models, and insights from rare sclerodermatous diseases. Collectively, these studies have begun to identify pathways that are relevant to SSc pathogenesis. The findings presented in this review illustrate how both genetic and genomic aberrations play important roles in the development of SSc. However, despite these recent discoveries, there remain major gaps between current knowledge of SSc, a unified understanding of pathogenesis, and effective treatment. To this aim, we address the important issue of SSc heterogeneity and discuss how future research needs to address this in order to develop a clearer understanding of this devastating and complex disease.
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Contribution of Genetic Factors to Sjögren's Syndrome and Sjögren's Syndrome Related Lymphomagenesis. J Immunol Res 2015; 2015:754825. [PMID: 26550578 PMCID: PMC4624885 DOI: 10.1155/2015/754825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to summarize the current evidence related to the contributory role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and SS-related lymphoma. Genes within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus previously considered conferring increased susceptibility to SS development have been also revealed as important contributors in recent genome wide association studies. Moreover, genetic variations outside the MHC locus involving genes in type I interferon pathway, NF-κB signaling, B- and T-cell function and methylation processes have been shown to be associated with both SS and SS-related lymphoma development. Appreciating the functional implications of SS-related genetic variants could provide further insights into our understanding of SS heterogeneity, allowing the design of tailored therapeutic interventions.
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Bossini-Castillo L, López-Isac E, Martín J. Immunogenetics of systemic sclerosis: Defining heritability, functional variants and shared-autoimmunity pathways. J Autoimmun 2015. [PMID: 26212856 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2015.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a clinically heterogeneous connective tissue disorder of complex etiology. The development of large-scale genetic studies, such as genome-wide association studies (GWASs) or the Immunochip platform, has achieved remarkable progress in the knowledge of the genetic background of SSc. Herein, we provide an updated picture SSc genetic factors, offering an insight into their role in pathogenic mechanisms that characterize the disease. We review the most recent findings in the HLA region and the well-established non-HLA loci. Up to 18 non-HLA risk factors fulfilled the selected criteria and they were classified according to their role in the innate or adaptive immune response, in apoptosis, autophagy or fibrosis. Additionally, SSc heritability has remained as a controversial question since twin studies provided low SSc heritability estimates. However, we have recalculated the lower bond of narrow sense SSc heritability using GWAS data. Remarkably, our results suggest a greater influence of genetics on SSc than previously reported. Furthermore, we also offer a functional classification of SSc-associated SNPs and their proxies, based on annotated data, to provide clues for the identification of causal variants in these loci. Finally, we explore the genetic overlap between SSc and other autoimmune diseases (ADs). The vast majority of SSc risk loci are shared with at least one additional AD, being the overlap between SSc and systemic lupus erythematous the largest. Nevertheless, we found that an important portion of SSc risk factors are also common to rheumatoid arthritis or primary biliary cirrhosis. Considering all these evidences, we are confident that future research will be successful in understanding the relevant altered pathways in SSc and in identifying new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Bossini-Castillo
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC), Parque Tecnológico de La Salud (PTS), Granada, Spain.
| | - Elena López-Isac
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC), Parque Tecnológico de La Salud (PTS), Granada, Spain
| | - Javier Martín
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC), Parque Tecnológico de La Salud (PTS), Granada, Spain.
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Pattanaik D, Brown M, Postlethwaite BC, Postlethwaite AE. Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2015; 6:272. [PMID: 26106387 PMCID: PMC4459100 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic scleroderma (SSc) is one of the most complex systemic autoimmune diseases. It targets the vasculature, connective tissue-producing cells (namely fibroblasts/myofibroblasts), and components of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Clinical and pathologic manifestations of SSc are the result of: (1) innate/adaptive immune system abnormalities leading to production of autoantibodies and cell-mediated autoimmunity, (2) microvascular endothelial cell/small vessel fibroproliferative vasculopathy, and (3) fibroblast dysfunction generating excessive accumulation of collagen and other matrix components in skin and internal organs. All three of these processes interact and affect each other. The disease is heterogeneous in its clinical presentation that likely reflects different genetic or triggering factor (i.e., infection or environmental toxin) influences on the immune system, vasculature, and connective tissue cells. The roles played by other ubiquitous molecular entities (such as lysophospholipids, endocannabinoids, and their diverse receptors and vitamin D) in influencing the immune system, vasculature, and connective tissue cells are just beginning to be realized and studied and may provide insights into new therapeutic approaches to treat SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debendra Pattanaik
- Department of Medicine, Division of Connective Tissue Diseases, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis, TN , USA ; Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Memphis, TN , USA
| | - Monica Brown
- Section of Pediatric Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis, TN , USA
| | - Bradley C Postlethwaite
- Department of Medicine, Division of Connective Tissue Diseases, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis, TN , USA
| | - Arnold E Postlethwaite
- Department of Medicine, Division of Connective Tissue Diseases, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis, TN , USA ; Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Memphis, TN , USA
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42
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Genetics of systemic sclerosis. Semin Immunopathol 2015; 37:443-51. [DOI: 10.1007/s00281-015-0499-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease that occurs in a genetically susceptible host. Genetic studies performed so far reveal that multiple genetic loci contribute to disease susceptibility in SSc. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current knowledge of genetics in SSc by exploring the observational evidence, the different genetic studies, and their modalities as well as the most relevant genes discovered by these. The importance of gene expression variation and the different mechanisms that govern it, including the recently discovered field of epigenetics, are also explored, with an emphasis on microRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Salazar
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunogenetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, MSB 5.270, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Maureen D Mayes
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunogenetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, MSB 5.270, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Wu YY, Georg I, Díaz-Barreiro A, Varela N, Lauwerys B, Kumar R, Bagavant H, Castillo-Martín M, El Salem F, Marañón C, Alarcón-Riquelme ME. Concordance of increased B1 cell subset and lupus phenotypes in mice and humans is dependent on BLK expression levels. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 194:5692-702. [PMID: 25972485 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1402736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Polymorphisms in the B lymphoid tyrosine kinase (BLK) gene have been associated with autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, with risk correlating with reduced expression of BLK. How reduced expression of BLK causes autoimmunity is unknown. Using Blk(+/+) , Blk(+/-) , and Blk(-/-) mice, we show that aged female Blk(+/-) and Blk(-/-) mice produced higher anti-dsDNA IgG Abs and developed immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis, compared with Blk(+/+) mice. Starting at young age, Blk(+/-) and Blk(-/-) mice accumulated increased numbers of splenic B1a cells, which differentiated into class-switched CD138(+) IgG-secreting B1a cells. Increased infiltration of B1a-like cells into the kidneys was also observed in aged Blk(+/-) and Blk(-/-) mice. In humans, we found that healthy individuals had BLK genotype-dependent levels of anti-dsDNA IgG Abs as well as increased numbers of a B1-like cell population, CD19(+)CD3(-)CD20(+)CD43(+)CD27(+), in peripheral blood. Furthermore, we describe the presence of B1-like cells in the tubulointerstitial space of human lupus kidney biopsies. Taken together, our study reveals a previously unappreciated role of reduced BLK expression on extraperitoneal accumulation of B1a cells in mice, as well as the presence of IgG autoantibodies and B1-like cells in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Yu Wu
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104;
| | - Ina Georg
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada 18016, Spain
| | - Alejandro Díaz-Barreiro
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada 18016, Spain
| | - Nieves Varela
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada 18016, Spain
| | - Bernard Lauwerys
- Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; and
| | - Ramesh Kumar
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Harini Bagavant
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | | | - Fadi El Salem
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Concepción Marañón
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada 18016, Spain
| | - Marta E Alarcón-Riquelme
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, Health Sciences Technology Park, Granada 18016, Spain;
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Mahoney JM, Taroni J, Martyanov V, Wood TA, Greene CS, Pioli PA, Hinchcliff ME, Whitfield ML. Systems level analysis of systemic sclerosis shows a network of immune and profibrotic pathways connected with genetic polymorphisms. PLoS Comput Biol 2015; 11:e1004005. [PMID: 25569146 PMCID: PMC4288710 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare systemic autoimmune disease characterized by skin and organ fibrosis. The pathogenesis of SSc and its progression are poorly understood. The SSc intrinsic gene expression subsets (inflammatory, fibroproliferative, normal-like, and limited) are observed in multiple clinical cohorts of patients with SSc. Analysis of longitudinal skin biopsies suggests that a patient's subset assignment is stable over 6-12 months. Genetically, SSc is multi-factorial with many genetic risk loci for SSc generally and for specific clinical manifestations. Here we identify the genes consistently associated with the intrinsic subsets across three independent cohorts, show the relationship between these genes using a gene-gene interaction network, and place the genetic risk loci in the context of the intrinsic subsets. To identify gene expression modules common to three independent datasets from three different clinical centers, we developed a consensus clustering procedure based on mutual information of partitions, an information theory concept, and performed a meta-analysis of these genome-wide gene expression datasets. We created a gene-gene interaction network of the conserved molecular features across the intrinsic subsets and analyzed their connections with SSc-associated genetic polymorphisms. The network is composed of distinct, but interconnected, components related to interferon activation, M2 macrophages, adaptive immunity, extracellular matrix remodeling, and cell proliferation. The network shows extensive connections between the inflammatory- and fibroproliferative-specific genes. The network also shows connections between these subset-specific genes and 30 SSc-associated polymorphic genes including STAT4, BLK, IRF7, NOTCH4, PLAUR, CSK, IRAK1, and several human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes. Our analyses suggest that the gene expression changes underlying the SSc subsets may be long-lived, but mechanistically interconnected and related to a patients underlying genetic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Matthew Mahoney
- Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hannover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Jaclyn Taroni
- Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hannover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Viktor Martyanov
- Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hannover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Tammara A. Wood
- Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hannover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Casey S. Greene
- Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hannover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Patricia A. Pioli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hannover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Monique E. Hinchcliff
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Michael L. Whitfield
- Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hannover, New Hampshire, United States of America
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The effect of inversion at 8p23 on BLK association with lupus in Caucasian population. PLoS One 2014; 9:e115614. [PMID: 25545785 PMCID: PMC4278715 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To explore the potential influence of the polymorphic 8p23.1 inversion on known autoimmune susceptibility risk at or near BLK locus, we validated a new bioinformatics method that utilizes SNP data to enable accurate, high-throughput genotyping of the 8p23.1 inversion in a Caucasian population. Methods: Principal components analysis (PCA) was performed using markers inside the inversion territory followed by k-means cluster analyses on 7416 European derived and 267 HapMaP CEU and TSI samples. A logistic regression conditional analysis was performed. Results: Three subgroups have been identified; inversion homozygous, heterozygous and non-inversion homozygous. The status of inversion was further validated using HapMap samples that had previously undergone Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays with a concordance rate of above 98%. Conditional analyses based on the status of inversion were performed. We found that overall association signals in the BLK region remain significant after controlling for inversion status. The proportion of lupus cases and controls (cases/controls) in each subgroup was determined to be 0.97 for the inverted homozygous group (1067 cases and 1095 controls), 1.12 for the inverted heterozygous group (1935 cases 1717 controls) and 1.36 for non-inverted subgroups (924 cases and 678 controls). After calculating the linkage disequilibrium between inversion status and lupus risk haplotype we found that the lupus risk haplotype tends to reside on non-inversion background. As a result, a new association effect between non-inversion status and lupus phenotype has been identified ((p = 8.18×10−7, OR = 1.18, 95%CI = 1.10–1.26). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that both known lupus risk haplotype and inversion status act additively in the pathogenesis of lupus. Since inversion regulates expression of many genes in its territory, altered expression of other genes might also be involved in the development of lupus.
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Possible single-nucleotide polymorphism loci associated with systemic sclerosis susceptibility: a genetic association study in a Chinese Han population. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113197. [PMID: 25470816 PMCID: PMC4254283 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to confirm the association of RHOB and FAM167A-BLK gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to systemic sclerosis (SSc) in a Chinese Han population. Methods A total of 248 SSc patients and 251 healthy controls of Chinese Han ethnicity, which visited the department of dermatology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, were included in the study. Six selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the RHOB and FAM167A-BLK regions were selected as markers and were genotyped using a MassARRAY system, which is based on the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry technique. Results Three SNPs in the coding regions of the RHOB and FAM167A-BLK genes displayed an association with SSc: (1) rs1062292T, which is a newly discovered SNP in the RHOB gene (P = 0.03, odds ratio [OR] = 1.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05–2.50), (2) rs2736340T (P = 0.03, OR = 1.39, 95%CI = 1.03–1.85), and (3) rs13277113A (P = 0.04, OR = 1.34, 95%CI = 1.01–1.76), both in the FAM167A-BLK gene. Our results support previous findings that vaiants in the RHOB and FAM167A-BLK genes may be associated with susceptibility to SSc. However, the loci of the SNPs in RHOB region that displayed an association with SSc are quite different from the loci which were identified in studies of Caucasian populations. Conclusion Our results confirm that RHOB and FAM167A-BLK polymorphisms exist in Chinese Han SSc patients. Therefore, variants of the RHOB and FAM167A-BLK genes are promising genetic markers for SSc.
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Miceli-Richard C, Criswell LA. Genetic, genomic and epigenetic studies as tools for elucidating disease pathogenesis in primary Sjögren's syndrome. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2014; 10:437-44. [PMID: 24646085 DOI: 10.1586/1744666x.2014.901888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is characterized by lymphoid infiltration of lacrimal and salivary glands leading to xerophthalmia and xerostomia. pSS is a complex disease involving both genetic and environmental risk factors. Technological advances over the past 10 years have revolutionized genetics and genomics research enabling high-throughput characterization and analysis of DNA and RNA in patient samples on a genome-wide scale. Further, application of high-throughput methods for characterization of epigenetic variation, such as DNA methylation status, is increasingly being applied to AID populations and will likely further define additional risk factors for disease risk and outcome. Main results obtain in pSS through these various approaches are reviewed here.
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Jin J, Chou C, Lima M, Zhou D, Zhou X. Systemic Sclerosis is a Complex Disease Associated Mainly with Immune Regulatory and Inflammatory Genes. Open Rheumatol J 2014; 8:29-42. [PMID: 25328554 PMCID: PMC4200700 DOI: 10.2174/1874312901408010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2014] [Revised: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a fibrotic and autoimmune disease characterized clinically by skin and internal organ fibrosis and vascular damage, and serologically by the presence of circulating autoantibodies. Although etiopathogenesis is not yet well understood, the results of numerous genetic association studies support genetic contributions as an important factor to SSc. In this paper, the major genes of SSc are reviewed. The most recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are taken into account along with robust candidate gene studies. The literature search was performed on genetic association studies of SSc in PubMed between January 2000 and March 2014 while eligible studies generally had over 600 total participants with replication. A few genetic association studies with related functional changes in SSc patients were also included. A total of forty seven genes or specific genetic regions were reported to be associated with SSc, although some are controversial. These genes include HLA genes, STAT4, CD247, TBX21, PTPN22, TNFSF4, IL23R, IL2RA, IL-21, SCHIP1/IL12A, CD226, BANK1, C8orf13-BLK, PLD4, TLR-2, NLRP1, ATG5, IRF5, IRF8, TNFAIP3, IRAK1, NFKB1, TNIP1, FAS, MIF, HGF, OPN, IL-6, CXCL8, CCR6, CTGF, ITGAM, CAV1, MECP2, SOX5, JAZF1, DNASEIL3, XRCC1, XRCC4, PXK, CSK, GRB10, NOTCH4, RHOB, KIAA0319, PSD3 and PSOR1C1. These genes encode proteins mainly involved in immune regulation and inflammation, and some of them function in transcription, kinase activity, DNA cleavage and repair. The discovery of various SSc-associated genes is important in understanding the genetics of SSc and potential pathogenesis that contribute to the development of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxiao Jin
- University of Texas Medical School at Houston, USA ; Duke University, USA
| | - Chou Chou
- University of Texas Medical School at Houston, USA
| | - Maria Lima
- University of Texas Medical School at Houston, USA ; Rice University, USA
| | - Danielle Zhou
- University of Texas Medical School at Houston, USA ; Washington University, USA
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Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease of unclear aetiology. A multitude of genetic studies, ranging from candidate-gene studies to genome-wide association studies, have identified a large number of genetic susceptibility factors for SSc and its clinical phenotypes, but the contribution of these factors to disease susceptibility is only modest. However, in an endeavour to explore how the environment might affect genetic susceptibility, epigenetic research into SSc is rapidly expanding. Orchestrated by environmental factors, epigenetic modifications can drive genetically predisposed individuals to develop autoimmunity, and are thought to represent the crossroads between the environment and genetics in SSc. Therefore, in addition to providing a comprehensive description of the current understanding of genetic susceptibility underlying SSc, this Review describes the involvement of epigenetic phenomena, including DNA methylation patterns, histone modifications and microRNAs, in SSc.
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