Down-Regulation-Resistant STAT4 Risk Haplotype Contributes to Lupus Nephritis Through CD4+ T Cell Interferon-γ Production.

OBJECTIVE: Variants in STAT4 are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune diseases. We undertook this study to investigate how disease-associated variants affect STAT4 expression, in particular in CD4+ T cells where STAT4 plays an essential role. METHODS: We compared Th1 differentiation between naive CD4+ T cells from healthy donors homozygous for the risk (R/R) or nonrisk (NR/NR) alleles. We analyzed epigenetic marks in STAT4 and evaluated the relevance of its third intron, assessed the consequences of Stat4 overexpression in vivo in mice, and analyzed the effects of the STAT4 genotype in patients with lupus nephritis. RESULTS: Naive CD4+ T cells from NR/NR healthy donors down-regulated STAT4 in response to interleukin-12 (IL-12). In contrast, cells from R/R healthy donors maintained high levels. R/R cells exhibited a higher abundance of transcriptionally active STAT4 and increased interferon-γ production. Accordingly, R/R healthy donors exhibited a stronger induction of local active enhancer marks. Genetic editing confirmed the presence of a negative regulatory region in the STAT4 third intron, where most of the SLE-associated STAT4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are located. In vivo forced expression demonstrated that increases in Stat4 levels in T cells enhanced glomerulonephritis in mice. Accordingly, the R/R genotype was associated with suboptimal response to treatment and with worse clinical outcomes in patients with proliferative lupus nephritis. CONCLUSION: The SLE-associated STAT4 haplotype correlates with an abnormal IL-12-mediated STAT4 transcriptional regulation. Carriers of the risk variant exhibit exaggerated CD4+ proinflammatory capacities that, in the context of SLE, contribute to more severe disease. R/R patients may benefit from blockade of the IL-12/STAT4 pathway.

The heterogeneity of systemic lupus erythematosus: Looking for a molecular answer / La heterogeneidad del lupus eritematoso sistémico: buscando una respuesta molecular

ABSTRACT The heterogeneity of SLE is a major limitation when designing clinical trials and understand ing the mechanisms of the disease. The analyses conducted before the new technologies for the identification of the single cell transcriptome focused on the detection of molecular patterns such as interferon signature in total blood or through the analysis of major sepa rate cell populations, such as CD4+ T cells. The analyses of molecular patterns have mainly focused on the transcriptome and DNA methylation changes. The first studies on single cell transcriptomics have now been published for mononuclear blood cells and tissues or the knowledge derived from them, total kidney, tubules and skin keratinocytes. The latter have defined patterns of nonresponse to treatment. However, much work still needs to be done to be able to use these methods in clinical practice.

RESUMEN La heterogeneidad del lupus es una limitante al momento de diseñar estudios clínicos, así como también para nuestra facultad de comprender los mecanismos de la enfermedad. Los análisis previos a las nuevas tecnologías para la detección del transcriptoma de célula única trabajaron en la identificación de patrones moleculares, como la firma del interferón en sangre total, o a través del análisis de poblaciones celulares principales separadas, como son las células T CD4+. Los análisis de patrones moleculares se han enfocado primordialmente en el transcriptoma y en los cambios de metilación del ADN. Ya se han publicado los primeros estudios de transcriptoma de célula única para células sanguíneas mononucleares y para tejidos, riñón total, túbulos y queratinocitos de piel. Estos últimos han definido patrones de no-respuesta al tratamiento. Aún falta mucho para que los métodos o los conocimientos derivados de los mismos sean de utilidad en la práctica clínica.

The Genomic Impact of European Colonization of the Americas.

The human genetic diversity of the Americas has been affected by several events of gene flow that have continued since the colonial era and the Atlantic slave trade. Moreover, multiple waves of migration followed by local admixture occurred in the last two centuries, the impact of which has been largely unexplored. Here, we compiled a genome-wide dataset of ∼12,000 individuals from twelve American countries and ∼6,000 individuals from worldwide populations and applied haplotype-based methods to investigate how historical movements from outside the New World affected (1) the genetic structure, (2) the admixture profile, (3) the demographic history, and (4) sex-biased gene-flow dynamics of the Americas. We revealed a high degree of complexity underlying the genetic contribution of European and African populations in North and South America, from both geographic and temporal perspectives, identifying previously unreported sources related to Italy, the Middle East, and to specific regions of Africa.

Effects of Amerindian Genetic Ancestry on Clinical Variables and Therapy in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To define whether Amerindian genetic ancestry correlates with clinical and therapeutic variables in admixed individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from Latin America. METHODS: Patients with RA (n = 1347) and healthy controls (n = 1012) from Argentina, Mexico, Chile, and Peru were included. Samples were genotyped for the Immunochip v1 using the Illumina platform. Clinical data were obtained through interviews or the clinical history. RESULTS: Percentage of Amerindian ancestry was comparable between cases and controls. Morning stiffness (p < 0.0001, OR 0.05), rheumatoid factor (RF; p < 0.0001, OR 0.22), radiographic changes (p < 0.0001, OR 0.05), and higher number of criteria were associated with lower Amerindian ancestry after Bonferroni correction. Higher Amerindian ancestry correlated only with weight loss (pBonferroni < 0.0001, OR 2.85). Increased Amerindian ancestry correlated with higher doses of azathioprine (p < 0.0001, OR 163.6) and sulfasalazine (p < 0.0001, OR 48.6), and inversely with methotrexate (p = 0.001, OR 0.35), leflunomide (p = 0.001, OR 0.16), and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (pBonferroni = 0.001, OR 0.37). Only the presence of RF and weight loss were modified after confounders adjustment. CONCLUSION: Amerindian ancestry protects against most major clinical criteria of RA, but regarding the association of RF with increased European ancestry, age, sex, and smoking are modifiers. Ancestry also correlates with the therapeutic profiles.

Genome-Wide Association Study in an Amerindian Ancestry Population Reveals Novel Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Risk Loci and the Role of European Admixture.

OBJECTIVE: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a strong genetic component. We undertook the present work to perform the first genome-wide association study on individuals from the Americas who are enriched for Native American heritage. METHODS: We analyzed 3,710 individuals from the US and 4 countries of Latin America who were diagnosed as having SLE, and healthy controls. Samples were genotyped with HumanOmni1 BeadChip. Data on out-of-study controls genotyped with HumanOmni2.5 were also included. Statistical analyses were performed using SNPtest and SNPGWA. Data were adjusted for genomic control and false discovery rate. Imputation was performed using Impute2 and, for classic HLA alleles, HiBag. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: The IRF5-TNPO3 region showed the strongest association and largest OR for SLE (rs10488631: genomic control-adjusted P [Pgcadj ] = 2.61 × 10(-29), OR 2.12 [95% CI 1.88-2.39]), followed by HLA class II on the DQA2-DQB1 loci (rs9275572: Pgcadj = 1.11 × 10(-16), OR 1.62 [95% CI 1.46-1.80] and rs9271366: Pgcadj = 6.46 × 10(-12), OR 2.06 [95% CI 1.71-2.50]). Other known SLE loci found to be associated in this population were ITGAM, STAT4, TNIP1, NCF2, and IRAK1. We identified a novel locus on 10q24.33 (rs4917385: Pgcadj = 1.39 × 10(-8)) with an expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) effect (Peqtl = 8.0 × 10(-37) at USMG5/miR1307), and several new suggestive loci. SLE risk loci previously identified in Europeans and Asians were corroborated. Local ancestry estimation showed that the HLA allele risk contribution is of European ancestral origin. Imputation of HLA alleles suggested that autochthonous Native American haplotypes provide protection against development of SLE. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that studying admixed populations provides new insights in the delineation of the genetic architecture that underlies autoimmune and complex diseases.

Genomic Insights into the Ancestry and Demographic History of South America.

South America has a complex demographic history shaped by multiple migration and admixture events in pre- and post-colonial times. Settled over 14,000 years ago by Native Americans, South America has experienced migrations of European and African individuals, similar to other regions in the Americas. However, the timing and magnitude of these events resulted in markedly different patterns of admixture throughout Latin America. We use genome-wide SNP data for 437 admixed individuals from 5 countries (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Argentina) to explore the population structure and demographic history of South American Latinos. We combined these data with population reference panels from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas to perform global ancestry analysis and infer the subcontinental origin of the European and Native American ancestry components of the admixed individuals. By applying ancestry-specific PCA analyses we find that most of the European ancestry in South American Latinos is from the Iberian Peninsula; however, many individuals trace their ancestry back to Italy, especially within Argentina. We find a strong gradient in the Native American ancestry component of South American Latinos associated with country of origin and the geography of local indigenous populations. For example, Native American genomic segments in Peruvians show greater affinities with Andean indigenous peoples like Quechua and Aymara, whereas Native American haplotypes from Colombians tend to cluster with Amazonian and coastal tribes from northern South America. Using ancestry tract length analysis we modeled post-colonial South American migration history as the youngest in Latin America during European colonization (9-14 generations ago), with an additional strong pulse of European migration occurring between 3 and 9 generations ago. These genetic footprints can impact our understanding of population-level differences in biomedical traits and, thus, inform future medical genetic studies in the region.

Novel association of acid phosphatase locus 1*C allele with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The red cell acid phosphatase (ACP1) gene, which encodes a low-molecular-weight phosphotyrosine phosphatase, has been suggested as a common genetic factor of autoimmunity. In the present study, we aim to investigate the possible association of ACP1 with the susceptibility of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A total of 1,546 SLE patients and 1,947 healthy individuals from 4 Caucasians populations were included in the present study. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in this study: rs10167992, rs11553742, rs7576247, and rs3828329. ACP1*A, ACP1*B, and ACP1*C codominant ACP1 alleles were determined using 2 of the SNPs and analyzed. After the meta-analysis test was performed, a significant association of rs11553742*T was observed (p(pooled) = 0.005, odds ratios = 1.37 [1.10-1.70]), retaining significance after multiple testing was applied (p(FDR) = 0.019). Our data indicate for first time the association of rs11553742*T with increased susceptibility in SLE patients.

Promoter insertion/deletion in the IRF5 gene is highly associated with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus in distinct populations, but exerts a modest effect on gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the genetic association of the promoter insertion/deletion (indel) in IRF5 gene with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in distinct populations and assessed its role in gene expression. METHODS: Four IRF5 polymorphisms were genotyped in 1488 SLE patients and 1466 controls. Gene expression was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR using RNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). RESULTS: The promoter indel and rs2070197 had independent genetic effects, which accounted for the association of rs2004640 and rs10954213. Gene expression analysis revealed that rs10954213 exerted the greatest influence on IRF5 transcript levels. CONCLUSION: We corroborated the association of the promoter indel with SLE in 5 different populations and revealed that rs10954213 is the main single-nucleotide polymorphism responsible for altered IRF5 expression in PBMC.

Evaluation of imputation-based association in and around the integrin-alpha-M (ITGAM) gene and replication of robust association between a non-synonymous functional variant within ITGAM and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

We recently identified a novel non-synonymous variant, rs1143679, at exon 3 of the ITGAM gene associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility in European-Americans (EAs) and African-Americans. Using genome-wide association approach, three other studies also independently reported an association between SLE susceptibility and ITGAM or ITGAM-ITGAX region. The primary objectives of this study are to assess whether single or multiple causal variants from the same gene or any nearby gene(s) are involved in SLE susceptibility and to confirm a robust ITGAM association across nine independent data sets (n = 8211). First, we confirmed our previously reported association of rs1143679 (risk allele 'A') with SLE in EAs (P = 1.0 x 10(-8)) and Hispanic-Americans (P = 2.9 x 10(-5)). Secondly, using a comprehensive imputation-based association test, we found that ITGAM is one of the major non-human leukocyte antigen susceptibility genes for SLE, and the strongest association for EA is the same coding variant rs1143679 (log(10)Bayes factor=20, P = 6.17 x 10(-24)). Thirdly, we determined the robustness of rs1143679 association with SLE across three additional case-control samples, including UK (P = 6.2 x 10(-8)), Colombian (P = 3.6 x 10(-7)), Mexican (P = 0.002), as well as two independent sets of trios from UK (P(TDT) = 1.4 x 10(-5)) and Mexico (P(TDT) = 0.015). A meta-analysis combing all independent data sets greatly reinforces the association (P(meta) = 7.1 x 10(-50), odds ratio = 1.83, 95% confidence interval = 1.69-1.98, n = 10 046). However, this ITGAM association was not observed in the Korean or Japanese samples, in which rs1143679 is monomorphic for the non-risk allele (G). Taken together along with our earlier findings, these results demonstrate that the coding variant, rs1143679, best explains the ITGAM-SLE association, especially in European- and African-derived populations, but not in Asian populations.

Study of functional variants of the BANK1 gene in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate 1 functional (rs17266594) and 2 potentially functional (rs10516487 and rs3733197) BANK1 variants, which were previously identified as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility markers, to test whether they are associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Four different cohorts were included in the study: 1,080 RA patients and 1,368 healthy controls from Spain, 278 RA patients and 568 healthy controls from Sweden, 288 RA patients and 287 healthy controls from Argentina, and 288 RA patients and 288 healthy controls from Mexico. Samples were genotyped for BANK1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using a TaqMan 5'-allele discrimination assay. Statistical analysis comparing allele and genotype distributions was performed with the chi-square test. RESULTS: We did not find a significant association between RA and the rs10516487 and rs17266594 BANK1 polymorphisms. However, there was an increase in the major alleles among RA patients. Similarly, for rs3733197, there was an increase in the major allele among patients in every cohort. Nevertheless, this skewing reached statistical significance in the Spanish (P = 0.01, odds ratio [OR] 1.17 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.03-1.32]) and Argentinean (P = 0.04, OR 1.31 [95% CI 1.00-1.72]) populations. We found a significant association of rs10516487 (P = 0.005, OR 1.15 [95% CI 1.04-1.28]) and rs3733197 (P = 0.0009, OR 1.17 [95% CI 1.07-1.29]) with RA in the pooled analysis. In a 3-SNP haplotype analysis, we found that the major TGG haplotype was significantly associated with RA (P = 0.005, OR 1.14 [95% CI 1.04-1.25]). In addition, we found a common CAA haplotype that was protective against RA (P = 0.0004, OR 0.82 [95% CI 0.74-0.92]). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that BANK1 SNPs and haplotypes may contribute to RA susceptibility with a low risk.

Genetic association of IRF5 with SLE in Mexicans: higher frequency of the risk haplotype and its homozygozity than Europeans.

The IRF5 gene was found to be strongly associated with SLE. We identified two functional polymorphisms and recently an insertion/deletion together with a tag SNP defining the risk haplotype in individuals of European ancestry. We now analyzed sets of Mexican patients with SLE. Three polymorphisms in the IRF5 gene were genotyped in two sets of Mexican individuals with SLE and controls as well as in families including a set of pediatric SLE patients. A set of healthy Mexican Indians was also typed. Genetic association with SLE was found for all three polymorphisms. The genetic association was very strong in the case-control analysis in both sets (for SNP rs2070197, combined P = 1.26 x 10(-21)) and in families (combined P = 0.000004). Compared to healthy individuals with European ancestry, the frequency of the risk haplotype in healthy Mexican individuals was significantly higher and even higher in the healthy Mexican Indian group. Further, a much higher frequency of the risk haplotype and of individual homozygote for it was found among Mexican SLE patients. The significantly higher frequency of homozygote individuals for the risk haplotype among Mexican SLE patients could be the result of genetic admixture, and suggests the possibility that IRF5 could be involved in the more active disease and organ involvement known to occur among Mexican SLE patients.

Argentine population genetic structure: large variance in Amerindian contribution.

Argentine population genetic structure was examined using a set of 78 ancestry informative markers (AIMs) to assess the contributions of European, Amerindian, and African ancestry in 94 individuals members of this population. Using the Bayesian clustering algorithm STRUCTURE, the mean European contribution was 78%, the Amerindian contribution was 19.4%, and the African contribution was 2.5%. Similar results were found using weighted least mean square method: European, 80.2%; Amerindian, 18.1%; and African, 1.7%. Consistent with previous studies the current results showed very few individuals (four of 94) with greater than 10% African admixture. Notably, when individual admixture was examined, the Amerindian and European admixture showed a very large variance and individual Amerindian contribution ranged from 1.5 to 84.5% in the 94 individual Argentine subjects. These results indicate that admixture must be considered when clinical epidemiology or case control genetic analyses are studied in this population. Moreover, the current study provides a set of informative SNPs that can be used to ascertain or control for this potentially hidden stratification. In addition, the large variance in admixture proportions in individual Argentine subjects shown by this study suggests that this population is appropriate for future admixture mapping studies.

Analysis of IRF5 gene functional polymorphisms in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Recent findings suggest that interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF-5) may play a crucial role in several cellular processes, including the transcription of genes for inflammatory cytokines. Two genetic variants of the IRF5 gene (rs2004640 in exon 1 and rs2280714 in the 3'-untranslated region) have been shown to exert functional modifications affecting IRF5 messenger RNA splicing and expression, and have been associated with genetic predisposition to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to analyze the possible contribution of the IRF5 gene to the predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Three case-control cohorts from Spain (724 RA patients and 542 healthy controls), Sweden (281 RA patients 474 healthy controls), and Argentina (284 RA patients and 286 healthy controls) were independently analyzed. Genotyping for IRF5 rs2004640 and rs2280714 was performed using a TaqMan 5' allele-discrimination assay. RESULTS: In the 3 cohorts studied, no statistically significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies of the rs2004640 and rs2280714 IRF5 polymorphisms were observed between RA patients and controls. Accordingly, haplotype analysis revealed that none of the IRF5 haplotypes was associated with genetic predisposition to RA. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the IRF5 functional polymorphisms analyzed do not seem to be implicated in genetic susceptibility to RA.

Chromosome 17p12-q11 harbors susceptibility loci for systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against intracellular components, the formation of immune complexes, and inflammation in various organs, typically the skin and kidney glomeruli. The etiology of the disease is not well understood but is most likely the result of the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. In order to identify susceptibility loci for SLE, we have performed genome scans with microsatellite markers covering the whole genome in families from Argentina, Italy, and Europe. The results reveal a heterogeneous disease with different susceptibility loci in different family sets. We have found significant linkage to chromosome 17p12-q11 in the Argentine set of families. The maximum LOD score was given by marker D17S1294 in combination with D17S1293, when assuming a dominant inheritance model (Z = 3.88). We also analyzed a repeat in the promoter region of the NOS2A gene, a strong candidate gene in the region, but no association was found. The locus on chromosome 17 has previously been identified in genetic studies of multiple sclerosis families. Several other interesting regions were found at 1p35, 1q31, 3q26, 5p15, 11q23 and 19q13, confirming previously identified loci for SLE or other autoimmune diseases.

Participation of the Bcl-2 and Fas molecules in experimental apoptosis of spleen B lymphocytes

Antecedentes. La homeostasis en el sistema inmune está basada en el equilibrio entre la generación de células y la muerte celular. Las fallas en los mecanismos para la eliminación de clonas B autoreactivas pueden contribuir a la generación de enfermedades autoinmunes: Objetivo. Estudiar la participación de Bcl-2 y Fas en la regulación de la muerte celular de linfocitos B. Métodos. Usamos dos cepas de ratones caracterizadas por tener mecanismos deficientes de apoptosis: 1) ratones transgénicos C57BL/6-Eµ-bcl-2-22 que expresan oncogen bcl-2 en las células B; 2) mutante C56BL/6-lpr/lpr que son incapaces de expresar una molécula Fas funcional. Ambas cepas desarrollan una enfermedad autoinmune similar al lupus eritematoso generalizado. Como control normal empleamos ratones de la cepa C57BL/6. Se indujo la apoptosis mediante tres diferentes tratamientos: dexametasona, choque térmico, y radicción. El número de células en apoptosis se midió con el método TUNEL. Resultados. Los porcientos (ñ DE) de células en apoptosis inducida fueron 13.5 ñ 2.6 por ciento; 6.0 ñ 1.9 por ciento, y 5.4 ñ 1.4 por ciento; para las cepas C57Bl/6, C57BL/6-lpr/lpryC57BL/6-Eµ-bcl-2-22 respectivamente. La mutación lpr fue más efectiva que el bcl-2 para inhibir la apoptosis inducida por radiación y por hipertermia pero lo contrario ocurrió en la apoptosis por dexametasona. Conclusión. Nuestros resultados muestran que mutación lpr y la sobre-expresión del oncogén bcl-2 confirmen resistencia a la apoptosis inducida por los tratamientos estudiados