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Kristensen S, Hagelskjær AM, Cordtz R, Bliddal S, Mortensen AS, Nielsen CH, Feldt-Rasmussen U, Lauridsen KB, Dreyer L. Polyautoimmunity in Patients With Anticyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody-Positive and -Negative Rheumatoid Arthritis: a Nationwide Cohort Study From Denmark. J Rheumatol 2024; 51:350-359. [PMID: 38302173 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.2023-0907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare the prevalence and incidence of polyautoimmunity between anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP)-positive and anti-CCP-negative patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS In a nationwide register-based cohort study, patients with RA (disease duration ≤ 2 yrs) in the DANBIO rheumatology register with an available anti-CCP test in the Register of Laboratory Results for Research were identified. The polyautoimmunity outcome included 21 nonrheumatic autoimmune diseases identified by linkage between the Danish Patient Registry and Prescription Registry. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) was calculated by modified Poisson regression to estimate the prevalence at diagnosis in anti-CCP-positive vs anti-CCP-negative patients. The hazard ratio (HR) of polyautoimmunity within 5 years of entry into DANBIO was estimated in cause-specific Cox regression models. RESULTS The study included 5839 anti-CCP-positive and 3799 anti-CCP-negative patients with RA. At first visit, the prevalence of prespecified polyautoimmune diseases in the Danish registers was 11.1% and 11.9% in anti-CCP-positive and anti-CCP-negative patients, respectively (PR 0.93, 95% CI 0.84-1.05). The most frequent autoimmune diseases were autoimmune thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and type 1 diabetes mellitus. During a mean follow-up of 3.5 years, only a few (n = 210) patients developed polyautoimmunity (HR 0.6, 95% CI 0.46-0.79). CONCLUSION Polyautoimmunity as captured through the Danish National Patient Registry occurred in approximately 1 in 10 patients with RA at time of diagnosis regardless of anti-CCP status. In the years subsequent to the RA diagnosis, only a few and mainly anti-CCP-negative patients developed autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salome Kristensen
- S. Kristensen, MD, PhD, Center for Rheumatic Research Aalborg and Department of Rheumatology Aalborg University Hospital, and Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg;
| | - Amalie M Hagelskjær
- A.M. Hagelskjær, MD, A.S. Mortensen, BSc, Center for Rheumatic Research Aalborg and Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg
| | - René Cordtz
- R. Cordtz, MD, PhD, Center for Rheumatic Research Aalborg and Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, and DANBIO, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup
| | - Sofie Bliddal
- S. Bliddal, MD, PhD, Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen
| | - Anders S Mortensen
- A.M. Hagelskjær, MD, A.S. Mortensen, BSc, Center for Rheumatic Research Aalborg and Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg
| | - Claus H Nielsen
- C.H. Nielsen, MD, DMSc, Institute for Inflammation Research, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen
| | - Ulla Feldt-Rasmussen
- U. Feldt-Rasmussen, MD, DMSc, Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Clinical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen
| | - Karen B Lauridsen
- K.B. Lauridsen, MD, Center for Rheumatic Research Aalborg and Department of Rheumatology, and Department of Clinical Immunology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg
| | - Lene Dreyer
- L. Dreyer, MD, PhD, Center for Rheumatic Research Aalborg and Department of Rheumatology, Aalborg University Hospital, and Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, and DANBIO, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, and Clinical Cancer Research Unit, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
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Denvir B, Carlucci PM, Corbitt K, Buyon JP, Belmont HM, Gold HT, Salmon JE, Askanase A, Bathon JM, Geraldino-Pardilla L, Ali Y, Ginzler EM, Putterman C, Gordon C, Barbour KE, Helmick CG, Parton H, Izmirly PM. Prevalence of concomitant rheumatologic diseases and autoantibody specificities among racial and ethnic groups in SLE patients. FRONTIERS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024; 4:1334859. [PMID: 38516120 PMCID: PMC10956350 DOI: 10.3389/fepid.2024.1334859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Objective Leveraging the Manhattan Lupus Surveillance Program (MLSP), a population-based registry of cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and related diseases, we investigated the proportion of SLE with concomitant rheumatic diseases, including Sjögren's disease (SjD), antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS), and fibromyalgia (FM), as well as the prevalence of autoantibodies in SLE by sex and race/ethnicity. Methods Prevalent SLE cases fulfilled one of three sets of classification criteria. Additional rheumatic diseases were defined using modified criteria based on data available in the MLSP: SjD (anti-SSA/Ro positive and evidence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca and/or xerostomia), APLS (antiphospholipid antibody positive and evidence of a blood clot), and FM (diagnosis in the chart). Results 1,342 patients fulfilled SLE classification criteria. Of these, SjD was identified in 147 (11.0%, 95% CI 9.2-12.7%) patients with women and non-Latino Asian patients being the most highly represented. APLS was diagnosed in 119 (8.9%, 95% CI 7.3-10.5%) patients with the highest frequency in Latino patients. FM was present in 120 (8.9%, 95% CI 7.3-10.5) patients with non-Latino White and Latino patients having the highest frequency. Anti-dsDNA antibodies were most prevalent in non-Latino Asian, Black, and Latino patients while anti-Sm antibodies showed the highest proportion in non-Latino Black and Asian patients. Anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies were most prevalent in non-Latino Asian patients and least prevalent in non-Latino White patients. Men were more likely to be anti-Sm positive. Conclusion Data from the MLSP revealed differences among patients classified as SLE in the prevalence of concomitant rheumatic diseases and autoantibody profiles by sex and race/ethnicity underscoring comorbidities associated with SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Denvir
- Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Philip M. Carlucci
- Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kelly Corbitt
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jill P. Buyon
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - H. Michael Belmont
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Heather T. Gold
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jane E. Salmon
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Anca Askanase
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - Joan M. Bathon
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - Laura Geraldino-Pardilla
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - Yousaf Ali
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ellen M. Ginzler
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States
| | | | - Caroline Gordon
- Rheumatology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Kamil E. Barbour
- Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Charles G. Helmick
- Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Hilary Parton
- Division of Disease Control, Bureau of Communicable Disease, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, NY, United States
| | - Peter M. Izmirly
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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Yang S, Zhou J. Systemic lupus erythematosus and antineutrocytic cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis overlap syndrome presenting mainly with alveolar hemorrhage: A case report and literature review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e36356. [PMID: 38050315 PMCID: PMC10695521 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) are 2 different diseases that can manifest in the same person, which are known as SLE/AAV overlap syndrome. This overlap syndrome is difficult to diagnose, a high rate of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, and a poor prognosis. PATIENT CONCERNS A 52-year-old woman was diagnosed with SLE in 2019. She was readmitted to our hospital in October 2021 because of abdominal pain and melasma for 10 days. DIAGNOSES She had positive anti-dsDNA, decreased complement C3 and C4, fever, polyarthralgia, and hemolytic anemia. She was diagnosed as microscopic polyangiitis according to the American College of Rheumatology 2022 AAV classification criteria (she had 4 items: no nasal lesions, eosinophils < 1 × 109, negative c/PR3-ANCA antibodies, and positive p-ANCA antibodies. The score was 6 points). INTERVENTIONS The patient was treated with methylprednisolone 200 mg and cyclophosphamide 0.2 g immunosuppressive therapy. OUTCOMES After 2 months of follow-up, the patient's symptoms, including abdominal pain, melena, hematuria, and hemoptysis, resolved completely. And she underwent a reexamination of chest computed tomography and the results showed the previous exudation had been absorbed. LESSONS AAV should be considered in lupus patients with the above symptoms, especially the progressive decrease of hemoglobin. Relevant examinations are needed to confirm the diagnosis. Early diagnosis and accurate treatment of SLE/AAV overlap syndrome are beneficial to patients' better prognosis and control the treatment cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Yang
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Rheumatology Department, The Second People’s Hospital of Yibin City, Yibin, China
| | - Jin Zhou
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Rheumatology Department, The Second People’s Hospital of Yibin City, Yibin, China
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Chang SH, Choi Y. Gut dysbiosis in autoimmune diseases: Association with mortality. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1157918. [PMID: 37065187 PMCID: PMC10102475 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1157918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
To better understand the impact of gut dysbiosis on four autoimmune diseases [Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and multiple sclerosis (MS)], this review investigated the altered gut bacteria in each disease and the shared ones among the four diseases. The enriched gut bacteria shared by three of the four autoimmune diseases were Streptococcus, Prevotella, and Eggerthella, which are associated with autoantibody production or activation of Th17 cells in immune-related diseases. On the other hand, Faecalibacterium comprises depleted gut bacteria shared by patients with SLE, MS, and SS, which is associated with various anti-inflammatory activities. The indexes of gut dysbiosis, defined as the number of altered gut bacterial taxa divided by the number of studies in SLE, MS, RA, and SS, were 1.7, 1.8, 0.7, and 1.3, respectively. Interestingly, these values presented a positive correlation trend with the standardized mortality rates —2.66, 2.89, 1.54, and 1.41, respectively. In addition, shared altered gut bacteria among the autoimmune diseases may correlate with the prevalence of polyautoimmunity in patients with SLE, SS, RA, and MS, that is, 41 percent, 32.6 percent, 14 percent, and 1–16.6 percent, respectively. Overall, this review suggests that gut dysbiosis in autoimmune diseases may be closely related to the failure of the gut immune system to maintain homeostasis.
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Conundrum for Psoriasis and Thyroid Involvement. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054894. [PMID: 36902323 PMCID: PMC10003398 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Strategies concerning thyroid anomalies in patients confirmed with psoriasis, either on clinical level or molecular levels, and their genetic findings remain an open issue. Identification of the exact subgroup of individuals that are candidates to endocrine assessments is also controversial. Our purpose in this work was to overview clinical and pathogenic data concerning psoriasis and thyroid comorbidities from a dual perspective (dermatologic and endocrine). This was a narrative review of English literature between January 2016 and January 2023. We included clinically relevant, original articles with different levels of statistical evidence published on PubMed. We followed four clusters of conditions: thyroid dysfunction, autoimmunity, thyroid cancer, and subacute thyroiditis. A new piece of information in this field was the fact that psoriasis and autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATD) have been shown to be related to the immune-based side effects of modern anticancer drugs-namely, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICP). Overall, we identified 16 confirmatory studies, but with heterogeneous data. Psoriatic arthritis had a higher risk of positive antithyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb) (25%) compared to cutaneous psoriasis or control. There was an increased risk of thyroid dysfunction versus control, and hypothyroidism was the most frequent type of dysfunction (subclinical rather than clinical), among thyroid anomalies correlated with >2-year disease duration, peripheral > axial and polyarticular involvement. With a few exceptions, there was a female predominance. Hormonal imbalance included, most frequently, low thyroxine (T4) and/or triiodothyronine (T3) with normal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), followed by high TSH (only one study had higher total T3). The highest ratio of thyroid involvement concerning dermatologic subtypes was 59% for erythrodermic psoriasis. Most studies found no correlation between thyroid anomalies and psoriasis severity. Statistically significant odds ratios were as follows: hypothyroidism: 1.34-1.38; hyperthyroidism: 1.17-1.32 (fewer studies than hypo); ATD: 1.42-2.05; Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT): 1.47-2.09; Graves' disease: 1.26-1.38 (fewer studies than HT). A total of 8 studies had inconsistent or no correlations, while the lowest rate of thyroid involvement was 8% (uncontrolled studies). Other data included 3 studies on patients with ATD looking for psoriasis, as well as 1 study on psoriasis and thyroid cancer. ICP was shown to potentially exacerbate prior ATD and psoriasis or to induce them both de novo (5 studies). At the case report level, data showed subacute thyroiditis due to biological medication (ustekinumab, adalimumab, infliximab). Thyroid involvement in patients with psoriasis thus remained puzzling. We observed significant data that confirmed a higher risk of identifying positive antibodies and/or thyroid dysfunction, especially hypothyroidism, in these subjects. Awareness will be necessary to improve overall outcomes. The exact profile of individuals diagnosed with psoriasis who should be screened by the endocrinology team is still a matter of debate, in terms of dermatological subtype, disease duration, activity, and other synchronous (especially autoimmune) conditions.
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Santos-Moreno P, Arias-Aponte J, Rodríguez-Vargas GS, Nieto-Zambrano PD, Villarreal L, Ibatá L, Martinez S, Rubio-Rubio JA, Rodríguez P, Rojas-Villarraga A. Polyautoimmunity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: New insights from a cross-sectional study. J Transl Autoimmun 2023; 6:100187. [PMID: 36654852 PMCID: PMC9841268 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2022.100187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To assess the frequency of polyautoimmunity (PolyA) in a cohort of Colombian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to identify associated factors. Methods This is an analytical cross-sectional study in a specialized center., a comprehensive review of the medical records of SLE patients was performed from 2015 to 2020 in order to obtain demographic, clinical data, laboratory, and treatment information. Associations between PolyA, demographic, and characteristics of the disease were explored. Results A total of 463 patients were included in the analysis. The average age was 47.3 ± 15 years. Most of this population were female (87.4%), whom were diagnosed with SLE in a long-term SLE (10.6 ± 10.1 years). Out of the total patients, 34.7% were diagnosed with PolyA. Among the most frequent clinical criteria for SLICC, arthritis (65%), kidney impairment (39.5%), and alopecia (34.8%) were found. The most frequent SLE-associated PolyA were antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) (16.63% and 10.58%, respectively). PolyA-associated factors were age, xerophthalmia, central nervous system occlusion, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In contrast, renal impairment was significantly less frequent in PolyA patients after multivariate analysis. Conclusion The results have showed associated factors with PolyA like age, xerophthalmia, central nervous system occlusion, and deep vein thrombosis in this cohort. On the other hand, lupus nephritis was less frequent in patients with PolyA. This study provides a spotlight of a specific SLE population as real-life evidence for a better characterization of PolyA in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Santos-Moreno
- Scientific Direction, Biomab Center for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Bogotá, D.C., 110221, Colombia,Corresponding author.
| | - Julián Arias-Aponte
- Research Vice-rectory, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de La Salud-FUCS, Bogotá D.C, 111411, Colombia
| | | | | | - Laura Villarreal
- Medical Direction, Biomab Center for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Bogotá, D.C., 110221, Colombia
| | - Linda Ibatá
- Epidemiology, Biomab IPS, Bogotá, D.C, 110221, Colombia
| | | | - Jaime-Andrés Rubio-Rubio
- Research Institute, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de La Salud FUCS, Bogotá, D.C, 111411, Colombia
| | - Pedro Rodríguez
- Scientific Direction, Biomab Center for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Bogotá, D.C., 110221, Colombia
| | - Adriana Rojas-Villarraga
- Research Institute, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de La Salud FUCS, Bogotá, D.C, 111411, Colombia
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Ding Y, Cui M, Qian J, Wang C, Shen Q, Ren H, Li L, Zhang F, Zhang R. Calculation of Similarity Between 26 Autoimmune Diseases Based on Three Measurements Including Network, Function, and Semantics. Front Genet 2021; 12:758041. [PMID: 34858474 PMCID: PMC8632457 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.758041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are a broad range of diseases in which the immune response to self-antigens causes damage or disorder of tissues, and the genetic susceptibility is regarded as the key etiology of ADs. Accumulating evidence has suggested that there are certain commonalities among different ADs. However, the theoretical research about similarity between ADs is still limited. In this work, we first computed the genetic similarity between 26 ADs based on three measurements: network similarity (NetSim), functional similarity (FunSim), and semantic similarity (SemSim), and systematically identified three significant pairs of similar ADs: rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), myasthenia gravis (MG) and autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT), and autoimmune polyendocrinopathies (AP) and uveomeningoencephalitic syndrome (Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, VKH). Then we investigated the gene ontology terms and pathways enriched by the three significant AD pairs through functional analysis. By the cluster analysis on the similarity matrix of 26 ADs, we embedded the three significant AD pairs in three different disease clusters respectively, and the ADs of each disease cluster might have high genetic similarity. We also detected the risk genes in common among the ADs which belonged to the same disease cluster. Overall, our findings will provide significant insight in the commonalities of different ADs in genetics, and contribute to the discovery of novel biomarkers and the development of new therapeutic methods for ADs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjun Ding
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Department of Microbiology, WU Lien-Teh Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Mintian Cui
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jun Qian
- Department of Microbiology, WU Lien-Teh Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Chao Wang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Qi Shen
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hongbiao Ren
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Liangshuang Li
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Fengmin Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, WU Lien-Teh Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ruijie Zhang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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Gokuladhas S, Schierding W, Golovina E, Fadason T, O’Sullivan J. Unravelling the Shared Genetic Mechanisms Underlying 18 Autoimmune Diseases Using a Systems Approach. Front Immunol 2021; 12:693142. [PMID: 34484189 PMCID: PMC8415031 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.693142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases (AiDs) are complex heterogeneous diseases characterized by hyperactive immune responses against self. Genome-wide association studies have identified thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with several AiDs. While these studies have identified a handful of pleiotropic loci that confer risk to multiple AiDs, they lack the power to detect shared genetic factors residing outside of these loci. Here, we integrated chromatin contact, expression quantitative trait loci and protein-protein interaction (PPI) data to identify genes that are regulated by both pleiotropic and non-pleiotropic SNPs. The PPI analysis revealed complex interactions between the shared and disease-specific genes. Furthermore, pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that the shared genes co-occur with disease-specific genes within the same biological pathways. In conclusion, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that genetic risk loci associated with multiple AiDs converge on a core set of biological processes that potentially contribute to the emergence of polyautoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William Schierding
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- The Maurice Wilkins Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Evgeniia Golovina
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tayaza Fadason
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- The Maurice Wilkins Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Justin O’Sullivan
- Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- The Maurice Wilkins Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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