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Gao ZX, He T, Zhang P, Hu X, Ge M, Xu YQ, Wang P, Pan HF. Epigenetic regulation of immune cells in systemic lupus erythematosus: insight from chromatin accessibility. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38943564 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2024.2375372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-dimensional autoimmune disease involving numerous tissues throughout the body. The chromatin accessibility landscapes in immune cells play a pivotal role in governing their activation, function, and differentiation. Aberrant modulation of chromatin accessibility in immune cells is intimately associated with the onset and progression of SLE. AREAS COVERED In this review, we described the chromatin accessibility landscapes in immune cells, summarized the recent evidence of chromatin accessibility related to the pathogenesis of SLE, and discussed the potential of chromatin accessibility as a valuable option to identify novel therapeutic targets for this disease. EXPERT OPINION Dynamic changes in chromatin accessibility are intimately related to the pathogenesis of SLE and have emerged as a new direction for exploring its epigenetic mechanisms. The differently accessible chromatin regions in immune cells often contain binding sites for transcription factors (TFs) and cis-regulatory elements such as enhancers and promoters, which may be potential therapeutic targets for SLE. Larger scale cohort studies and integrating epigenomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic data can provide deeper insights into SLE chromatin biology in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Xing Gao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Tian He
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao Hu
- Department of Epidemiology, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Teaching Center for Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Man Ge
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yi-Qing Xu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Teaching Center for Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hai-Feng Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Ng HL, Taylor RL, Cheng J, Abraham LJ, Quail E, Cruickshank MN, Ulgiati D. Notch signaling induces a transcriptionally permissive state at the Complement C3d Receptor 2 (CR2) promoter in a pre-B cell model. Mol Immunol 2020; 128:150-164. [PMID: 33129017 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
During mammalian lymphoid development, Notch signaling is necessary at multiple stages of T lymphopoiesis, including lineage commitment, and later stages of T cell effector differentiation. In contrast, outside of a defined role in the development of splenic marginal zone B cells, there is conflicting evidence regarding whether Notch signaling plays functional roles in other B cell sub-populations. Complement receptor 2 (CR2) modulates BCR-signaling and is tightly regulated throughout differentiation. During B lymphopoiesis, CR2 is detected on immature and mature B cells with high surface expression on marginal zone B cells. Here, we have explored the possibility that Notch regulates human CR2 transcriptional activity using in vitro models including a co-culture system, co-transfection gene reporters and chromatin accessibility assays. We provide evidence that Notch signaling regulates CR2 promoter activity in a mature B cell line, as well as the induction of endogenous CR2 mRNA in a non-expressing pre-B cell line. The dynamics of endogenous gene activation suggests additional unidentified factors are required to mediate surface CR2 expression on immature and mature B lineage cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Leng Ng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Australia
| | - Rhonda L Taylor
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jessica Cheng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Australia
| | - Lawrence J Abraham
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Quail
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Australia; School of Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mark N Cruickshank
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Australia
| | - Daniela Ulgiati
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Australia.
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Association of complement C3d receptor 2 genotypes with the acquisition of HIV infection in a trial of recombinant glycoprotein 120 vaccine. AIDS 2020; 34:25-32. [PMID: 31634193 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Complement C3d receptor 2 (CR2) is the main receptor for complement protein C3d and plays an important role in adaptive immune responses. CR2 genetic variants are associated with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus as well as to HIV-1 infection. In addition, CR2 function can be subverted by HIV-1 for an efficient entry into target cells; in a process known as antibody-dependent enhancement of viral infection. We sought to determine the association between CR2 gene variants with HIV-1 acquisition after vaccination with recombinant gp120 protein (Vax004 clinical trial). DESIGN AND METHODS This is a retrospective cross-sectional study, comprising male volunteers of European ancestry including infected (n = 273) and uninfected (n = 402) vaccinees and placebo, who were genotyped for three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CR2 gene region. RESULTS An interaction was observed between the baseline sexual behavior and the SNP rs3813946 for higher risk of infection in vacinees (interaction term P = 0.02). This SNP was associated with increased susceptibility to HIV-1 infection after vaccination in volunteers with low behavioral risk odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 5.5 (1.4-21.7) P = 0.006 but not vaccinees with high behavioral risk or volunteers given placebo (P = 0.7). Moreover, CR2 genotype was strongly associated with the rate of HIV-1 acquisition after vaccination in low-risk volunteers [hazard odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 3.3 (1.6-7.0), P = 0.001]. CONCLUSION The current study suggests that CR2 may play a role in HIV-1 acquisition after vaccination with rgp120 proteins.
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Association of Complement Receptor 2 Gene Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:9208035. [PMID: 27446959 PMCID: PMC4944048 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9208035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a complex and multifactorial disease that is influenced by a number of genetic factors in addition to environmental factors. Some autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are associated with the development of ONFH. Complement receptor type 2 (CR2) is membrane glycoprotein which binds C3 degradation products generated during complement activation. CR2 has many important functions in normal immunity and is assumed to play a role in the development of autoimmune disease. We investigated whether CR2 gene polymorphisms are associated with risk of ONFH in SLE patients. Eight polymorphisms in the CR2 gene were genotyped using TaqMan™ assays in 150 SLE patients and 50 ONFH in SLE patients (SLE_ONFH). The association analysis of genotyped SNPs and haplotypes was performed with ONFH. It was found that three SNPs, rs3813946 in 5′-UTR (untranslated region), rs311306 in intron 1, and rs17615 in exon 10 (nonsynonymous SNP; G/A, Ser639Asn) of the CR2 gene, were associated with an increased risk of ONFH under recessive model (P values; 0.004~0.016). Haplotypes were also associated with an increased risk (OR; 3.73~) of ONFH in SLE patients. These findings may provide evidences that CR2 contributes to human ONFH susceptibility in Korean SLE patients.
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Sousa H, Bastos MJ, Ribeiro J, Oliveira S, Breda E, Catarino R, Medeiros R. 5'UTR +24T>C CR2 is not associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma development in the North Region of Portugal. Oral Dis 2016; 22:280-4. [PMID: 26748973 DOI: 10.1111/odi.12436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We have analysed the association of the +24T>C polymorphism (rs3813946) in CR2, the cellular receptor for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), in the susceptibility for the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS A retrospective case-control study was developed with peripheral blood samples from 111 individuals with NPC and 608 healthy individuals (controls) from the North region of Portugal. The genotyping analysis was performed by allelic discrimination real-time PCR using a TaqMan(®) SNP Genotyping Assay. RESULTS The genotype distribution was 62.2% TT, 34.2% TC and 3.6% CC for NPC patients; and 65.0%, 30.6% and 4.4%, respectively, for controls. Our study showed no statistical association between the genotype distribution in controls and all types of NPC (P = 0.717); nevertheless, the analysis showed statistically significant differences (P = 0.038) regarding cases with well- or moderately differentiated types of NPC suggesting that +24CC/CT genotypes are associated with increased risk (OR = 4.16; 95% CI 1.28-15.7; P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study in Western populations to characterize the association of the CR2 +24T>C polymorphism in NPC development, and our results suggest that more studies are required to clarify the impact on NPC susceptibility in different populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Sousa
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Virology Service, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M J Bastos
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - J Ribeiro
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - S Oliveira
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - E Breda
- Otorhinolaryngology Service, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - R Catarino
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - R Medeiros
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Virology Service, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Abel Salazar Institute for the Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Health Sciences of Fernando Pessoa University, CEBIMED, Porto, Portugal.,Research Department, Portuguese League Against Cancer (Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro - Núcleo Regional do Norte), Porto, Portugal
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Taylor RL, Cruickshank MN, Karimi M, Ng HL, Quail E, Kaufman KM, Harley JB, Abraham LJ, Tsao BP, Boackle SA, Ulgiati D. Focused transcription from the human CR2/CD21 core promoter is regulated by synergistic activity of TATA and Initiator elements in mature B cells. Cell Mol Immunol 2016; 13:119-31. [PMID: 25640655 PMCID: PMC4711682 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2014.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2014] [Revised: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Complement receptor 2 (CR2/CD21) is predominantly expressed on the surface of mature B cells where it forms part of a coreceptor complex that functions, in part, to modulate B-cell receptor signal strength. CR2/CD21 expression is tightly regulated throughout B-cell development such that CR2/CD21 cannot be detected on pre-B or terminally differentiated plasma cells. CR2/CD21 expression is upregulated at B-cell maturation and can be induced by IL-4 and CD40 signaling pathways. We have previously characterized elements in the proximal promoter and first intron of CR2/CD21 that are involved in regulating basal and tissue-specific expression. We now extend these analyses to the CR2/CD21 core promoter. We show that in mature B cells, CR2/CD21 transcription proceeds from a focused TSS regulated by a non-consensus TATA box, an initiator element and a downstream promoter element. Furthermore, occupancy of the general transcriptional machinery in pre-B versus mature B-cell lines correlate with CR2/CD21 expression level and indicate that promoter accessibility must switch from inactive to active during the transitional B-cell window.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhonda L Taylor
- School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Centre for Genetic Origins of Health and Disease, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Mark N Cruickshank
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Mahdad Karimi
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Han Leng Ng
- School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Centre for Genetic Origins of Health and Disease, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Quail
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Kenneth M Kaufman
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - John B Harley
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Lawrence J Abraham
- School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Centre for Genetic Origins of Health and Disease, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Betty P Tsao
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Susan A Boackle
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Daniela Ulgiati
- School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Centre for Genetic Origins of Health and Disease, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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Li Q, Ge X, Xu X, Zhong Y, Qie Z. Comparison of the gene expression profiles between gallstones and gallbladder polyps. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2014; 7:8016-8023. [PMID: 25550845 PMCID: PMC4270579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/01/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gallstones and gallbladder polyps (GPs) are two major types of gallbladder diseases that share multiple common symptoms. However, their pathological mechanism remains largely unknown. The aim of our study is to identify gallstones and GPs related-genes and gain an insight into the underlying genetic basis of these diseases. METHODS We enrolled 7 patients with gallstones and 2 patients with GP for RNA-Seq and we conducted functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks analysis for identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs). RESULTS RNA-Seq produced 41.7 million in gallstones and 32.1 million pairs in GPs. A total of 147 DEGs was identified between gallstones and GPs. We found GO terms for molecular functions significantly enriched in antigen binding (GO:0003823, P=5.9E-11), while for biological processes, the enriched GO terms were immune response (GO:0006955, P=2.6E-15), and for cellular component, the enriched GO terms were extracellular region (GO:0005576, P=2.7E-15). To further evaluate the biological significance for the DEGs, we also performed the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. The most significant pathway in our KEGG analysis was Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction (P=7.5E-06). PPI network analysis indicated that the significant hub proteins containing S100A9 (S100 calcium binding protein A9, Degree=94) and CR2 (complement component receptor 2, Degree=8). CONCLUSION This present study suggests some promising genes and may provide a clue to the role of these genes playing in the development of gallstones and GPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanfu Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Hospital of BaodingBaoding 071051, China
| | - Xin Ge
- National Hepatobiliary and Enteric Surgery, Central South UniversityChangsha 410008, China
| | - Xu Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Hospital of BaodingBaoding 071051, China
| | - Yonggang Zhong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Hospital of BaodingBaoding 071051, China
| | - Zengwang Qie
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Hospital of BaodingBaoding 071051, China
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Ju J, Wang Y, Liu R, Zhang Y, Xu Z, Wang Y, Wu Y, Liu M, Cerruti L, Zou F, Ma C, Fang M, Tan R, Jane SM, Zhao Q. Human fetal globin gene expression is regulated by LYAR. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:9740-52. [PMID: 25092918 PMCID: PMC4150809 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Human globin gene expression during development is modulated by transcription factors in a stage-dependent manner. However, the mechanisms controlling the process are still largely unknown. In this study, we found that a nuclear protein, LYAR (human homologue of mouse Ly-1 antibody reactive clone) directly interacted with the methyltransferase PRMT5 which triggers the histone H4 Arg3 symmetric dimethylation (H4R3me2s) mark. We found that PRMT5 binding on the proximal γ-promoter was LYAR-dependent. The LYAR DNA-binding motif (GGTTAT) was identified by performing CASTing (cyclic amplification and selection of targets) experiments. Results of EMSA and ChIP assays confirmed that LYAR bound to a DNA region corresponding to the 5′-untranslated region of the γ-globin gene. We also found that LYAR repressed human fetal globin gene expression in both K562 cells and primary human adult erythroid progenitor cells. Thus, these data indicate that LYAR acts as a novel transcription factor that binds the γ-globin gene, and is essential for silencing the γ-globin gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Ju
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Ying Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Ronghua Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yichong Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Zhen Xu
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yadong Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yupeng Wu
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Ming Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Loretta Cerruti
- Department of Medicine, Monash University Central Clinical School, Prahran, VIC 3181, Australia
| | - Fengwei Zou
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Chi Ma
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Ming Fang
- Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Renxiang Tan
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Stephen M Jane
- Department of Medicine, Monash University Central Clinical School, Prahran, VIC 3181, Australia
| | - Quan Zhao
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
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Leffler J, Bengtsson AA, Blom AM. The complement system in systemic lupus erythematosus: an update. Ann Rheum Dis 2014; 73:1601-6. [PMID: 24845390 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-205287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The complement system plays a major role in the autoimmune disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the role of complement in SLE is complex since it may both prevent and exacerbate the disease. In this review, we explore the latest findings in complement-focused research in SLE. C1q deficiency is the strongest genetic risk factor for SLE, although such deficiency is very rare. Various recently discovered genetic associations include mutations in the complement receptors 2 and 3 as well as complement inhibitors, the latter related to earlier onset of nephritis. Further, autoantibodies are a distinct feature of SLE that are produced as the result of an adaptive immune response and how complement can affect that response is also being reviewed. SLE generates numerous disease manifestations involving contributions from complement such as glomerulonephritis and the increased risk of thrombosis. Furthermore, since most of the complement system is present in plasma, complement is very accessible and may be suitable as biomarker for diagnosis or monitoring of disease activity. This review highlights the many roles of complement for SLE pathogenesis and how research has progressed during recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonatan Leffler
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Subiaco, Australia
| | - Anders A Bengtsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Rheumatology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital Lund, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna M Blom
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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Kaskow BJ, Diepeveen LA, Proffitt JM, Rea AJ, Ulgiati D, Blangero J, Moses EK, Abraham LJ. Molecular prioritization strategies to identify functional genetic variants in the cardiovascular disease-associated expression QTL Vanin-1. Eur J Hum Genet 2013; 22:688-95. [PMID: 24045843 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2013.208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2013] [Revised: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 08/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
There is now good evidence that non-coding sequence variants are involved in the heritability of many common complex traits. The current 'gold standard' approach for assessing functionality is the in vitro reporter gene assay to assess allelic differences in transcriptional activity, usually followed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays to assess allelic differences in transcription factor binding. Although widely used, these assays have inherent limitations, including the lack of endogenous chromatin context. Here we present a more contemporary approach to assessing functionality of non-coding sequence variation within the Vanin-1 (VNN1) promoter. By combining 'gold standard' assays with in vivo assessments of chromatin accessibility, we greatly increase our confidence in the statistically assigned functional relevance. The standard assays revealed the -137 single nucleotide variant to be functional but the -587 variant to have no functional relevance. However, our in vivo tests show an allelic difference in chromatin accessibility surrounding the -587 variant supporting strong functional potential at both sites. Our approach advances the identification of functional variants by providing strong in vivo biological evidence for function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda J Kaskow
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Luke A Diepeveen
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - J Michael Proffitt
- Department of Genetics, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Alexander J Rea
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Daniela Ulgiati
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - John Blangero
- Department of Genetics, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Eric K Moses
- Centre for Genetic Origins of Health and Disease (GOHaD), University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Lawrence J Abraham
- 1] School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia [2] Centre for Genetic Origins of Health and Disease (GOHaD), University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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Cambier JC. Autoimmunity risk alleles: hotspots in B cell regulatory signaling pathways. J Clin Invest 2013; 123:1928-31. [PMID: 23619359 DOI: 10.1172/jci69289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmunity is the consequence of the combination of genetic predisposition and environmental effects, such as infection, injury, and constitution of the gut microbiome. In this edition of the JCI, Dai et al. describe the use of knockin technology to test the mechanism of action of a polymorphism in the protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor 22 (PTPN22) (LYP) that is associated with susceptibility to multiple autoimmune diseases. The function of this allele, and that of a disproportionate number of autoimmune disease risk alleles, suggests that inhibitory signaling pathways that maintain B lymphocyte immune tolerance may represent an Achilles' heel in the prevention of autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Cambier
- Integrated Department of Immunology, University of Colorado School of Medicine and National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, USA.
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12
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Fan Q, He JF, Wang QR, Cai HB, Sun XG, Zhou XX, Qin HD, Shugart YY, Jia WH. Functional polymorphism in the 5'-UTR of CR2 is associated with susceptibility to nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Oncol Rep 2013; 30:11-6. [PMID: 23612877 PMCID: PMC3729234 DOI: 10.3892/or.2013.2421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Accepted: 02/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a squamous cell cancer endemic in Southern China and Southeast Asia. It has been shown that inflammatory and immune responses during EBV infection contribute to the development of NPC. The complement receptor 2 (CR2) gene plays central roles during inflammatory and immune responses and, therefore, is a good candidate susceptibility gene for NPC. We performed PCR-based sequencing to identify multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the exon regions of the CR2 gene in a Cantonese population. Two SNPs were screened in 528 NPC patients and 408 normal individuals to perform a case-control study matched according to age, gender and residence. Furthermore, we cloned the entire 5′-UTR and entire CR2 promoter into a luciferase report system and compared the luciferase activities between the different allelic constructs. A SNP in the 5′-UTR of CR2 (24 T/C, rs3813946) showed a significant association (P<0.01) with NPC in the Cantonese population studied. The subjects were categorized into 2 age groups: group 1, age ≤45 years and group 2, age >45 years. In group 1, the allelic frequencies of 24 T/C in the patients were significantly different from those of the controls (P=0.0034). The odds ratio (OR=1.81) also indicated a higher risk of NPC in individuals who carried the minor allele C. All constructs exerted allelic differences on luciferase activities, but only the susceptible allele +24C construct showed increased activity. Our findings implicate CR2 as a susceptibility gene for NPC and suggest that enhanced CR2 expression may be involved in the oncogenesis and development of NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Fan
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, P.R. China
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