Association of STAT4 with rheumatoid arthritis in the Korean population

SDMA attenuates renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis through inhibition of STAT4

BACKGROUND

Renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis is the hallmark of various chronic kidney diseases. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is an independent cardiovascular risk factor in patients with chronic kidney diseases, which is mostly excreted through renal tubules. However, the effect of SDMA on kidneys in a pathological condition is currently unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of SDMA in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis and explored its underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Mouse unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and unilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury (UIRI) models were established to study renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. SDMA was injected into kidneys through ureter retrogradely. TGF-β stimulated human renal epithelial (HK2) cells were used as an in vitro model and treated with SDMA. Signal transducer and activator of transcription-4 (STAT4) was inhibited by berbamine dihydrochloride or siRNA or overexpressed by plasmids in vitro. Masson staining and Western blotting were performed to evaluate renal fibrosis. Quantitative PCR was performed to validate findings derived from RNA sequencing analysis.

RESULTS

We observed that SDMA (from 0.01 to 10 µM) dose-dependently inhibited the expression of pro-fibrotic markers in TGF-β stimulated HK2 cells. Intrarenal administration of SDMA (2.5 µmol/kg or 25 µmol/kg) dose-dependently attenuated renal fibrosis in UUO kidneys. A significant increase in SDMA concentration (from 19.5 to 117.7 nmol/g, p < 0.001) in mouse kidneys was observed after renal injection which was assessed by LC-MS/MS. We further showed that intrarenal administration of SDMA attenuated renal fibrosis in UIRI induced mouse fibrotic kidneys. Through RNA sequencing analysis, we found that the expression of STAT4 was reduced by SDMA in UUO kidneys, which was further confirmed by quantitative PCR and Western blotting analysis in mouse fibrotic kidneys and renal cells. Inhibition of STAT4 by berbamine dihydrochloride (0.3 mg/ml or 3.3 mg/ml) or siRNA reduced the expression of pro-fibrotic markers in TGF-β stimulated HK2 cells. Furthermore, blockage of STAT4 attenuated the anti-fibrotic effect of SDMA in TGF-β stimulated HK2 cells. Conversely, overexpression of STAT4 reversed the anti-fibrotic effect of SDMA in TGF-β stimulated HK2 cells.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our study indicates that renal SDMA ameliorates renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis through inhibition of STAT4.

Type I interferon detection in autoimmune diseases: challenges and clinical applications

INTRODUCTION

Accumulating data highlights that the dysregulation of type I interferon (IFN) pathways plays a central role in the pathogenesis of several systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Advances in understanding the role of type I IFNs in these disorders can lead to targeted drug development as well as establishing potential disease biomarkers.

AREAS COVERED

Here, we summarize current knowledge regarding the role of type I IFNs in the major systemic, as well as organ-specific, autoimmune disorders, including prominent inflammatory CNS disorders like multiple sclerosis.

EXPERT OPINION

Type I IFN involvement and its clinical associations in a wide spectrum of autoimmune diseases represents a promising area for research aiming to unveil common pathogenetic pathways in systemic and organ-specific autoimmunity.

Association of the STAT4, CDKN1A, and IRF5 variants with risk of lupus nephritis and renal biopsy classification in patients in Vietnam

BACKGROUND

Lupus nephritis is a common complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, OMIM #15200) in the Asian population and a main contributor to mortality and morbidity. In this study, we evaluate the variants on three genes STAT4, CDKN1A, and IRF5 and their association with lupus nephritis.

METHOD

One hundred fifty-two SLE patients with confirmed lupus nephritis (through biopsy) and 76 healthy controls were recruited. Genotyping of SNPs on three gene STAT4, CDKN1A, and IRF5, phenotypic, and laboratory assessment were performed; renal biopsy and classification were carried out for the patient group.

RESULTS

Carriers of rs7582694 C alleles on STAT4 have higher risk of lupus nephritis (OR 2.0; 95% CI [1.14, 3.19]; p = 0.015), at higher risk of hematuria and higher serum level of dsDNA antibodies compared to controls (p < 0.05) and were more likely to have nephrotic histopathology grading of class III or higher. No association was observed for CDKN1A; and no variation was observed for the IRF5 gene in both the study and control group.

CONCLUSION

This study investigates the relationship between STAT4, CDKN1A, and IRF5 gene and SLE in a Vietnamese patient population. Patients with the C allele (STAT4) in rs7582694 were associated with a more severe disease phenotype.

The evolution in our understanding of the genetics of rheumatoid arthritis and the impact on novel drug discovery

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints and affects 1% of the population. Polymorphisms of genes that encode proteins that primarily participate in inflammation may influence RA occurrence or become useful biomarkers for certain types of anti-rheumatic treatment.Areas covered: The authors summarize the recent progress in our understanding of the genetics of RA. In the last few years, multiple variants of genes that are associated with RA risk have been identified. The development of new technologies and the detection of new potential therapeutic targets that contribute to novel drug discovery are also described.Expert opinion: There is still the need to search for new genes which may be a potential target for RA therapy. The challenge is to develop appropriate strategies for achieving insight into the molecular pathways involved in RA pathogenesis. Understanding the genetics, immunogenetics, epigenetics and immunology of RA could help to identify new targets for RA therapy. The development of new technologies has enabled the detection of a number of new genes, particularly genes associated with proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, B- and T-cell activation pathways, signal transducers and transcriptional activators, which might be potential therapeutic targets in RA.

The genetic pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapeutic insight of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. RA is a heterogeneous disorder caused by an abnormal autoimmune response triggered by the complex interactions of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to RA etiology. However, its underlying pathogenic mechanisms are yet to be fully understood. In this review, I provide an overview of the pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapeutic insight in the clinical management of RA in light of the recent updates to classification criteria and recent discoveries of genetic loci associated with susceptibility for RA.

Association Between STAT4 rs7574865 Polymorphism and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Debate Unresolved

Background:

STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism has been evidently associated with susceptibility to Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in European and Eastern Asian populations, whereas studies in other countries reported otherwise.

Objective:

We investigated the distribution of STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism in a group of Syrian RA patients.

Methods:

Eighty-one RA patients and forty healthy controls were enrolled and STAT4 rs7574865 was genotyped by direct sequencing. RA patients were stratified according to Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies (ACPA) status for analysis.

Results:

Minor T allele frequencies were 30.4%, 16.7%, and 23.8% in ACPA-positive RA patients, ACPA-negative RA patients, and healthy controls, respectively. No significant differences in STAT4 rs7574865 allele/genotype frequencies were found between ACPA-positive RA patients, ACPA-negative RA patients, and healthy controls (P>0.05).

Conclusion:

STAT4 rs7574865 TT genotype showed a potential impact on ACPA positivity in Syrian RA patients. However, STAT4 rs7574865 effect on RA onset and severity is minor compared to other genetic factors such as HLA-DRB1 shared epitope alleles.

[The influence of STAT4 rs7574865 (G/T) polymorphism on the risk of clinical and immunological phenotypes of systemic sclerosis in a Russian patient population: Results of a pilot study]

AIM

To examine the association of signal transducer and activator transcription 4 (STAT4) rs7574865 G/T polymorphism with a predisposition to systemic sclerosis (SSC) and associated clinical and autoimmune phenotypes in a Russian population.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 102 patients with SSC and 103 healthy individuals as controls were examined. STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism was investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The carriers of the T allele showed a statistically significant association with SSC, a diffuse form (DF), the presence of interstitial lung disease (ILD), cardiac injury (CI), and seropositivity for anti-topoisomerase I antibodies (ATA).

CONCLUSION

The findings results confirm the important role of STAT4 gene in the predisposition to SSC and its phenotypes, such as DF, ILD, CI, and ATA in the Russian population.

Association of STAT4 rs7574865 and PTPN22 rs2476601 polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis and non-systemically reacting antibodies in Egyptian patients

The aim of this study was to investigate association of protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22) rs2476601 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) rs7574865 polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptibility and to assess potential association with the status of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies, serum neopterin, and disease activity. RF, anti-CCP antibodies, and neopterin were assayed in serum of 100 unrelated RA patients and 114 controls. STAT4 rs7574865 G/T and PTPN22 rs2476601 C/T polymorphisms were genotyped by the TaqMan allelic discrimination method. The frequency of STAT4 variant allele was significantly higher in RA patients than in controls (p = 0.01), while the variant allele of PTPN22 was identified in only two RA patients, in a heterozygous form and in none of control subjects. The frequency of STAT4 variant allele carrier genotypes (GT+TT) was significantly higher among RA patients than in controls (43.7 vs. 10.5%, p = 0.02) and associated with RA under additive and dominant models. The frequency of RF and anti-CCP positivity was significantly higher among RA patients carrying T allele genotypes compared to patients carrying wild genotype (P = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). No significant associations between STAT4 variant and serum neopterin or disease activity parameters were identified. Our study confirmed the association of STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism with RA and was the first to indicate an association with RF and anti-CCP antibodies positivity. We also found PTPN22 rs2476601 has no role in susceptibility to RA in Egyptian patients.

STAT4 rs7574865 G/T polymorphism is associated with rheumatoid arthritis and disease activity, but not with anti-CCP antibody levels in a Mexican population

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease in whose etiology genetic factors are known to play an important role. Among the genes associated with RA, STAT4 could be an important factor in conducting helper T cells toward the pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 lineages. The aim of this study is to determine the association of the STAT4 polymorphism rs7574865 with RA, disease activity, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody levels in a Mexican population. Genotyping was carried out using the Taqman® system from Applied Biosystems in 140 patients with RA and 150 healthy subjects. Disease activity was evaluated by a rheumatologist using the DAS28 and Spanish-HAQ-DI instruments. Anti-CCP levels were determined by ELISA. Associations of the genotypes of rs7574865 with DAS28, HAQ, and anti-CCP antibody levels with RA were determined. Findings showed that the GT and TT genotypes and the T allele from rs7574865 were all associated as risk factors for RA, independently of their anti-CCP status. An association with moderate-to-high disease activity (DAS28 ≥ 3.2) was also found. Additionally, patients with the GT or TT genotypes showed lower HAQ values than those who carried the GG genotype. No differences in anti-CCP antibody levels or DAS28 and genotypes were found. This work supports the association of the STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism with RA and disease activity, but not with anti-CCP antibody levels in a Mexican population.

Association of PTPN22 rs2476601 and STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis: A meta-analysis update

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease with a complex genetic background. The genes encoding protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) have been reported to be associated with RA in several ethnic populations.

OBJECTIVES

This work aims to assess the association between PTPN22 rs2476601 and STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphisms with RA susceptibility through an updated meta-analysis of available case-control studies.

METHODS

A literature search of all relevant studies published from January 2007 up to December 2014 was conducted using Pubmed and Science Direct databases. The observed studies that were related to an association between PTPN22 rs2476601 and STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphisms with RA susceptibility were identified. Meta-analysis of the pooled and stratified data was done and assessed using varied genetic models.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven case-control studies with a total of 47 comparisons (29 for PTPN22 rs2476601 polymorphism and 18 for STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism) met our inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed an association between PTPN22 T allele, CT+TT and TT genotypes with RA susceptibility. Furthermore, The meta-analysis showed an association between STAT4 T allele, GT+TT and TT genotypes with RA susceptibility. Stratification of RA patients according to ethnic groups showed that PTPN22 T allele, CT+TT genotypes, STAT4 T allele and STAT4 GT+TT were significantly associated with RA in European, Asian, African subjects, while PTPN22 TT genotype was significantly associated with RA in European but not in Asian and African subjects and STAT4 TT genotype was significantly associated with RA in European and Asian but not in African subject. A subgroup analysis according to the presence or absence of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies revealed that the association between PTPN22 rs2476601 and STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphisms with RA susceptibility may not be dependent on RF and anti-CCP antibodies.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis demonstrated that PTPN22 rs2476601 and STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphisms confers susceptibility to RA in total subjects and in major ethnic groups. The association may not be dependent on RF and anti-CCP antibodies.

Immunochip identifies novel, and replicates known, genetic risk loci for rheumatoid arthritis in black South Africans

The aim of this study was to identify genetic variants associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk in black South Africans. Black South African RA patients (n = 263) were compared with healthy controls (n = 374). Genotyping was performed using the Immunochip, and four-digit high-resolution human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing was performed by DNA sequencing of exon 2. Standard quality control measures were implemented on the data. The strongest associations were in the intergenic region between the HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQA1 loci. After conditioning on HLA-DRB1 alleles, the effect in the rest of the extended major histocompatibility (MHC) diminished. Non-HLA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the intergenic regions LOC389203|RBPJ, LOC100131131|IL1R1, KIAA1919|REV3L, LOC643749|TRAF3IP2, and SNPs in the intron and untranslated regions (UTR) of IRF1 and the intronic region of ICOS and KIAA1542 showed association with RA (p < 5 × 10(-5)). Of the SNPs previously associated with RA in Caucasians, one SNP, rs874040, locating to the intergenic region LOC389203|RBPJ was replicated in this study. None of the variants in the PTPN22 gene was significantly associated. The seropositive subgroups showed similar results to the overall cohort. The effects observed across the HLA region are most likely due to HLA-DRB1, and secondary effects in the extended MHC cannot be detected. Seven non-HLA loci are associated with RA in black South Africans. Similar to Caucasians, the intergenic region between LOC38920 and RBPJ is associated with RA in this population. The strong association of the R620W variant of the PTPN22 gene with RA in Caucasians was not replicated since this variant was monomorphic in our study, but other SNP variants of the PTPN22 gene were also not associated with RA in black South Africans, suggesting that this locus does not play a major role in RA in this population.

Association of STAT4 rs7574865 with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus in Iranian population

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease with complex genetic inheritance that affecting different organs and systems. STAT4 has been newly identified as a susceptible gene in the development of SLE. According to recent studies, STAT4 has been associated with SLE in various populations. We investigated whether STAT4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with susceptibility and clinical features of SLE in Iranian patients. The study group comprised 280 patients with SLE and 281 sex-, age-, and ethnicity-matched healthy controls of Iranian ancestry. Two SNPs (rs7574865 and rs7601754) were genotyped using the TaqMan MGB Allelic Discrimination method. Our results showed a significant association between rs7574865 T allele (odds ratio (OR) = 1.50, 95 % CI = 1.18-1.92, P = 0.002) and susceptibility to SLE. The rs7574865TT genotype (P = 0.02, OR = 1.94, 95 % CI = 1.74-3.19) and GT genotype (P = 0.008, OR = 1.71, 95 % CI = 1.19-2.45) showed a significant association with the risk of SLE in the Iranian population. We concluded that STAT4 rs7574865 is associated with SLE susceptibility in the Iranian population and this SNP might be a factor in the pathogenesis of SLE. However, further studies are required to investigate the mechanism by which polymorphisms in this gene lead to SLE.

Rs7574865 polymorphism in signal transducers and activators of transcription 4 gene and rheumatoid arthritis: an updated meta-analysis of 28 case-control comparisons

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the present meta-analysis was to investigate whether the combined evidence shows an association between the STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism and RA.

METHODS

A systematic search of all relevant studies published through April 2013 was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, OVID, and ScienceDirect. The observational studies that were related to an association between the STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism and RA were identified. The association between the STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism and RA susceptibility was assessed using genetic models.

RESULTS

Seventeen case-control studies with a total of 28 comparisons (25 300 RA patients and 26 326 controls) met the inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis was conducted for genotype TT versus GT+GG, GT+TT versus GG, TT versus GG and T-allele. The meta-analysis showed an association between RA and the STAT4 rs7574865 TT genotype, GT+TT genotype and T-allele in all subjects. Stratification of RA patients according to ethnic group showed that the TT genotype, GT+TT genotype and T-allele were significantly associated with RA in Europeans, Asians, Africans and Latin Americans. A subgroup analysis according to the absence or presence of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies revealed that the association between the STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism and RA may be independent of the presence of RF and anti-CCP antibodies.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis demonstrated that the STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism confers susceptibility to RA in major ethnic groups. The association may not be dependent on the presence of RF and anti-CCP antibodies.

Association of autoimmune Addison's disease with alleles of STAT4 and GATA3 in European cohorts

Background

Gene variants known to contribute to Autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD) susceptibility include those at the MHC, MICA, CIITA, CTLA4, PTPN22, CYP27B1, NLRP-1 and CD274 loci. The majority of the genetic component to disease susceptibility has yet to be accounted for.

Aim

To investigate the role of 19 candidate genes in AAD susceptibility in six European case-control cohorts.

Methods

A sequential association study design was employed with genotyping using Sequenom iPlex technology. In phase one, 85 SNPs in 19 genes were genotyped in UK and Norwegian AAD cohorts (691 AAD, 715 controls). In phase two, 21 SNPs in 11 genes were genotyped in German, Swedish, Italian and Polish cohorts (1264 AAD, 1221 controls). In phase three, to explore association of GATA3 polymorphisms with AAD and to determine if this association extended to other autoimmune conditions, 15 SNPs in GATA3 were studied in UK and Norwegian AAD cohorts, 1195 type 1 diabetes patients from Norway, 650 rheumatoid arthritis patients from New Zealand and in 283 UK Graves' disease patients. Meta-analysis was used to compare genotype frequencies between the participating centres, allowing for heterogeneity.

Results

We report significant association with alleles of two STAT4 markers in AAD cohorts (rs4274624: P = 0.00016; rs10931481: P = 0.0007). In addition, nominal association of AAD with alleles at GATA3 was found in 3 patient cohorts and supported by meta-analysis. Association of AAD with CYP27B1 alleles was also confirmed, which replicates previous published data. Finally, nominal association was found at SNPs in both the NF-κB1 and IL23A genes in the UK and Italian cohorts respectively.

Conclusions

Variants in the STAT4 gene, previously associated with other autoimmune conditions, confer susceptibility to AAD. Additionally, we report association of GATA3 variants with AAD: this adds to the recent report of association of GATA3 variants with rheumatoid arthritis.

Association of STAT4 gene polymorphism with increased susceptibility of rheumatoid arthritis in a northern Chinese Han subpopulation

OBJECTIVE

Several studies have reported STAT4 polymorphism is strongly associated with increased susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, a study from China showed no association between STAT4 and RA susceptibility in a Chinese Han subpopulation. Since the northern Hans are known to be genetically different from the southern Hans, the aim of this study was to investigate the association of STAT4 polymorphism with RA in a large cohort of a northern Chinese Han subpopulation.

METHODS

640 RA patients and 662 healthy controls were enrolled. DNA samples were genotyped for STAT4 rs7574865 by direct sequencing. The association of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs7574865 with RA susceptibility was calculated and the relationship between rs7574865 polymorphism and RA subgroups stratified by clinical features was estimated.

RESULTS

We confirmed a significant association of STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism with RA susceptibility in northern Chinese Han population. The frequency of the minor T allele in RA was significantly higher than in healthy controls (35.2% vs. 31.1%; P = 0.029, OR 1.2 [95% CI 1.02-1.41]). There was also a significant difference in the distribution of the genotypes of SNP rs7574865 between RA patients and healthy controls (P = 0.02). Stratification analyses showed no associations between the genetic risk and clinical/serologic features, but a potential high frequency of TT genotype in a rheumatoid factor-negative subgroup, although it did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.084, OR 2.01 [95% CI 0.91-4.45]).

CONCLUSION

STAT4 rs7574865 is significantly associated with RA susceptibility in northern Chinese Han subpopulations. The genetic differences of Han subpopulations should be considered when genetic susceptibility for diseases is studied.

Genetics of the type I interferon pathway in systemic lupus erythematosus

Genetic studies of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been successful, identifying numerous risk factors for human disease. While the list is not yet complete, it is clear that important immune system pathways are represented, one of which being type I interferon (IFN). Circulating type I IFN levels are high in SLE patients and this IFN pathway activation is heritable in families with SLE. We summarize our current understanding of the genetics of the type I IFN pathway in SLE, with an emphasis on studies that demonstrate an impact of the SLE-risk alleles upon type I IFN pathway activation in SLE patients. These studies illustrate that variations in type I IFN pathway genes represent a common genetic feature of SLE. By understanding the genetic regulation of type I IFN, we may be able to intervene in a more personalized fashion, based upon the molecular dysregulation present in a given individual.

A redundant epistatic interaction between IRF5 and STAT4 of the type I interferon pathway in susceptibility to lupus and rheumatoid arthritis

Objective

K. K. and S.-K. C. are co-first authors, and C. K. and S.-C. B. are co-senior authors. Two transcription factors in the type I interferon pathway, IRF5 and STAT4, have been genetically associated with susceptibility to both systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aimed to determine whether these two genes interact with each other to affect the disease susceptibilities.

Methods

The genetic interactions between IRF5 and STAT4 polymorphisms in SLE and RA susceptibility were examined using the epistasis options in PLINK software. This study analyzes the genetic data from 2558 unrelated Korean participants including 589 SLE patients, 987 RA patients, and 982 controls.

Results

All 12 polymorphisms were individually associated with SLE susceptibility ( p = 2.49 × 10−8 to 0.00360). Among the three SLE-associated polymorphisms of IRF5, rs77571059, alternatively called CGGGG(3–4) indel, exhibited the lowest p value (4.60 × 10−5) and accounted for the observed associations of the other two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Among the nine SLE-associated SNPs of STAT4, rs16833215 exhibited the lowest p value (2.49 × 10−8) and accounted for all the other associations. These two polymorphisms, rs77571059 of IRF5 and rs16833215 of STAT4, interacted with each other for SLE susceptibility in a redundant manner (ORinteraction = 0.77, Pepistasis = 0.040). Furthermore, these two polymorphisms, which had been individually associated with RA susceptibility, also interacted for RA susceptibility in the same manner (ORinteraction = 0.75, Pepistasis = 0.014).

Conclusions

A redundant interaction between IRF5 and STAT4 polymorphisms was found in susceptibility to the type I interferon pathway-associated rheumatic autoimmune diseases, SLE and RA, calling for further studies on confirmation of these findings.

Association study of TLR-9 polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus in northern Chinese Han population

BACKGROUND

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease, with multiple genetic and environmental factors involving in its etiology. The toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) gene has been reported to have important roles in the development and progression of SLE. We performed a case-control study to investigate the effects of 4 SNPs in the TLR9 gene in the development of SLE in Northern Chinese population.

METHODS

Four SNPs including rs187084, rs5743836, rs352139 and rs352140 were genotyped using the SNaPshot® method. A group of 430 SLE patients were compared to 424 normal controls. Data were analyzed by SPSS 17.0 and HaploView v 4.1 software.

RESULTS

The frequency distributions of SNP rs351240 and haplotype H2 (TGCT) and H3 (CATT) were found to differ significantly between patient and control groups (p<0.05), while other SNPs and haplotypes showed no significant difference between the two cohorts (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results revealed that variations in the TLR9 gene are associated with SLE, indicating that TLR9 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE in the northern Chinese Han population.

Meta-analysis reveals an association of STAT4 polymorphisms with systemic autoimmune disorders and anti-dsDNA antibody

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) has been recently identified as a susceptibility gene for multiple autoimmune diseases. Here we performed a comprehensive analysis of the association between STAT4 and several different autoimmune disorders to identify potential common inflammatory principles behind this association. Our meta-analysis revealed that the STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism is associated with four autoimmune diseases with systemic pathology, including systemic lupus erythematosus (OR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.48 - 1.56, P<1.0 × 10(-16)), rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.21 - 1.33, P < 1.00 × 10(-16)), systemic sclerosis (OR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.27 - 1.50, P < 1.44 × 10(-14)), and primary Sjogren's syndrome (OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.01 - 1.73, P = 4.40 × 10(-2)), while no association was found with type I diabetes, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Furthermore, the stratified meta-analysis also demonstrate that the STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism is associated with the presence of autoantibodies with systemic reactivity (anti-ds-DNA antibodies) in SLE patients (OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.21 - 1.56, P = 1.12 × 10(-6)). However, no such specific association was seen in RA with regard to the presence of non-systemically reacting antibodies, including rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies. Taken together, these results suggest that STAT4 polymorphisms are associated with autoimmune diseases which are characterized by a systemic pathology and anti-dsDNA antibody.

Fc receptor-like 3 (FCRL3) -169 C/T polymorphism and systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis

Our aim was to determine whether the Fc receptor-like 3 (FCRL3) -169 C/T (rs7528684) polymorphism confers susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A meta-analysis was conducted on the associations between the FCRL3 -169 C/T polymorphism and the SLE. A total of nine sets of comparisons containing 3,628 patients and 6,490 controls were considered. The meta-analysis showed no association between the SLE and the FCRL3 -169 C allele in all study patients (odds ratio [OR] = 0.999, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 0.925-1.080, p = 0.986). Stratification by ethnicity indicated no association between the C allele and the SLE in neither Europeans nor Asians (OR = 1.058, 95 % CI = 0.925-1.250, p = 0.414; OR = 0.981, 95 % CI = 0.884-1.088, p = 0.715). Furthermore, analysis using the recessive model, the dominant model, and the homozygote contrast showed the same pattern for the C allele in European and Asian groups, showing no association between the FCRL3 -169 C/T polymorphism and the SLE. Even after excluding studies whose controls were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, we found that this did not materially affect the meta-analysis results. However, the single Latin American study did show an association between the FCRL3 polymorphism and the SLE under homozygote contrast (OR for CC vs. TT = 2.689, 95 % CI = 1.152-1.277, p = 0.022). This meta-analysis of published studies including 2,544 patients and 3,913 controls demonstrates that the FCRL3 -169 C/T polymorphism does not confer susceptibility to SLE in Europeans or Asians.

Association between polymorphism in STAT4 gene and risk of rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease, affecting 1% of the population worldwide. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) gene are suspected to have some relationship with the risk of RA. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the relationship between the polymorphism rs7574865 in STAT4 gene with RA and also examine whether the associations that have been reported in these studies differ between ethnic groups.

METHODS

We retrieved the relevant articles from PubMed, EMBASE and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. The odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) associated with the minor T allele of STAT4 rs7574865 SNP were extracted from the published studies and included in the analysis. Meta-analyses were performed on the total data set and separately for the major ethnic groups and RF and anti-CCP status. All analyses were performed using the Stata software.

RESULTS

Twenty-three articles were included in the present analysis. Meta-analysis showed an association between the STAT4 polymorphism and RA in all subjects (OR=1.299, 95%CI=1.230-1.371, P<0.001). Stratified analyses indicated that the STAT4 rs7574865 T allele was significantly associated with RA in both Caucasians and Asians, in both positive and negative RF patients versus controls, also significantly in the presence of anti-CCP, both positive and negative. As for genotypes of rs7574865 polymorphism, all the results were significant, no matter in total subjects or stratified analyses by ethnic groups or by RF and anti-CCP status.

CONCLUSION

Genetic polymorphism rs7574865 in STAT4 gene might be associated with RA susceptibility in total subjects, major ethnic groups and different status of anti-CCP or RF.

Abnormal genetic and epigenetic changes in signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Changes in the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) contribute to the development of a variety of autoimmune diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Moreover, epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, are considered a basis for differentiation of T helper cells and regulation of cytokines. In this study, we investigated the methylation status of STAT4 gene in IBD patients and the associations between its genetic and epigenetic alterations in IBD patients.

METHODS

Blood and colonic mucosa samples were obtained from Korean patients with IBD and healthy controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated, and total RNA and genomic DNA were isolated from the PBMCs and colon mucosa tissues. The mRNA level and DNA methylation status of the promoter were determined by real-time RT-PCR and pyrosequencing, respectively. The chosen SNPs (rs11889341, rs7574865, rs8179673, rs6752770, rs925847, rs10168266, rs10181656, and rs11685878) were genotyped using the TaqMan nuclease assay.

RESULTS

Elevated expression of STAT4 was observed in the colonic mucosa and PBMCs of IBD patients. IBD patients showed a lower degree of methylation of the STAT4 promoter than did the healthy controls. Moreover, a significant correlation between risk alleles and methylation status at -172 of the STAT4 promoter was observed, and mRNA levels of STAT4 in IBD patients were correlated inversely with the T-risk allele (rs7574865).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrated that the DNA methylation status of STAT4 is associated with genetic polymorphisms, providing insights into the interactions between genetic and epigenetic aberrances in STAT4 that contribute to the development of IBD.

Variants within STAT genes reveal association with anticitrullinated protein antibody-negative rheumatoid arthritis in 2 European populations

OBJECTIVE

STAT3 and 4 are, among other factors, critical for the interleukin 12 (IL-12)-mediated Th1 response, for transfer of IL-23 signals, and for survival and expansion of Th17 cells. We investigated the association of STAT3 and STAT4 polymorphisms with serologically distinct subgroups of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

A total of 41 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within STAT3 and STAT1-STAT4 loci were investigated in a Swedish cohort of 2043 RA cases and 1115 controls. Nine of the associated SNP were tested in a Spanish cohort of 1223 RA cases and 1090 controls.

RESULTS

Fourteen SNP in the STAT3 and STAT1-STAT4 loci were associated with anticitrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-negative RA in the Swedish cohort. Three of the SNP in STAT4 and 2 SNP in STAT3 remained associated with ACPA-negative RA after considering the Spanish results. In addition, rs7574865 and rs10181656, in STAT4, were associated with ACPA-positive RA in the Swedish study. One of these SNP, rs7574865, showed a similar pattern of the association in serologically distinct subgroups of RA in a metaanalysis of all 7 published studies.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that variants in STAT genes may contribute differentially to susceptibility to RA in seropositive and in seronegative patients.

Association of STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism with autoimmune diseases: a meta-analysis

The association between the signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) gene rs7574865 single nucleotide polymorphism and different autoimmune diseases remains controversial and ambiguous. We conducted this study to investigate whether combined evidence shows the association between STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism and autoimmune diseases. Comprehensive Medline search and review of the references were used to get the relevant reports published before September 2011. Meta-analysis was conducted for genotype T/T (recessive effect), T/T + G/T (dominant effect) and T allele in random effects models. 40 studies with 90 comparisons including 32 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 19 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 3 type 1 diabetes (T1D), 11 Systemeric Sclerosis (SSc), 4 inflammatory bowed diseases (IBD), 3 Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), 4 juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), 2 Primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), 1 Autoimmune thyroid diseases, 1 multiple sclerosis, 1 Psoriasis, 1 Wegener's granulomatosis, 1 Type 2 diabetes, and 1 giant cell arteritis disease were available for this meta-analysis. The overall odds ratios for rs7574865 T-allele significantly increased in SLE, RA, T1D, SSc, JIA, and APS (OR = 1.56, 1.25, 1.13, 1.34, 1.25, and 2.15, respectively, P < 0.00001) and in IBD-UC and pSS (OR = 1.11 and 1.33, respectively, P < 0.05). This meta-analysis demonstrates that the STAT4 rs7574865 T allele confers susceptibility to SLE, RA, T1D, SSc, JIA, APS, IBD-UC, and pSS patients, supporting the hypothesis of association between STAT4 gene polymorphism and subgroup of autoimmune diseases.

Interactions between IL17A, IL23R, and STAT4 polymorphisms confer susceptibility to intestinal Behcet's disease in Korean population

AIMS

Although polymorphisms in IL23R have recently been proposed to predispose to Behcet's disease (BD), associations between IL23R polymorphisms and intestinal BD have yet to be elucidated. We therefore performed a study to evaluate whether IL17A, IL23R, and STAT4 polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to intestinal BD in the Korean population.

MAIN METHODS

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the IL17A, IL23R, and STAT4 genes were analyzed using DNA sequencing, denaturing high performance liquid chromatography, and TaqMan genotyping assays.

KEY FINDINGS

Individual polymorphism analysis revealed that the TT genotype of IL17A rs8193036 (odds ratio (OR) 2.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.12-3.92), p=0.021), and GG+GT genotype of IL23R rs1884444 (OR 1.92, 95% CI (1.03-3.57), p=0.034) was associated with the development of intestinal BD. When these two genotypes were combined, the risk of BD increased compared to that of patients with no-risk or one-risk genotype (OR 2.21, 95% CI (1.13-4.34), p=0.021). Furthermore, statistically significant gene-gene interactions were observed between G149R in IL23R vs. rs11685878 in STAT4, rs2275913 in IL17A vs. rs7574865 in STAT4, and rs11889341 in STAT4 vs. rs2275913 in IL17A. The haplotypes of IL17A had a positive association with intestinal BD risks, whereas those of IL23R were protective for disease development.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our results indicate that the interaction of specific IL17A, IL23R, and STAT4 SNPs modulate susceptibility to intestinal BD in the Korean population, suggesting that the IL-17/23 axis plays a significant role in disease pathogenesis.

Anti-citrullinated fibronectin antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis are associated with human leukocyte antigen-DRB1 shared epitope alleles

Introduction

Fibronectin is one of the most abundant proteins present in the inflamed joint. Here, we characterized the citrullination of fibronectin in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and studied the prevalence, epitope specificity and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) association of autoantibodies against citrullinated fibronectin in RA.

Methods

Citrullinated residues in fibronectin isolated from RA patient synovial fluid were identified by mass spectrometry. The corresponding citrullinated and non-citrullinated peptides were synthesized and used to analyze the presence of autoantibodies to these peptides in RA sera and sera from other diseases and healthy controls by ELISA. The data were compared with risk factors like shared epitope HLA alleles and smoking, and with clinical features.

Results

Five citrullinated residues were identified in fibronectin from RA synovial fluid. RA sera reacted in a citrulline-dependent manner with two out of four citrullinated fibronectin peptides, one of which contains two adjacent citrulline residues, in contrast to non-RA sera, which were not reactive. The most frequently recognized peptide (FN-Cit_1035,1036, LTVGLTXXGQPRQY, in which × represents citrulline) was primarily targeted by anti-CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) 2-positive RA patients. Anti-FN-Cit_1035,1036 autoantibodies were detected in 50% of established anti-CCP2-positive RA patients and in 45% of such patients from a early arthritis clinic. These antibodies appeared to be predominantly of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) isotype and to be associated with HLA shared epitope alleles (odds ratio = 2.11).

Conclusions

Fibronectin in the inflamed synovia of RA patients can be citrullinated at least at five positions. Together with the flanking amino acids, three of these citrullinated residues comprise two epitopes recognized by RA autoantibodies. Anti-citrullinated fibronectin peptide antibodies are associated with HLA shared epitope alleles.

Influence of TRAF1/C5 and STAT4 genes polymorphisms on susceptibility and severity of rheumatoid arthritis in Egyptian population

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common cause of adult inflammatory arthritis. Recent genome-wide association scans have disclosed several single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with RA susceptibility. The aim of this study was to determine whether the polymorphisms of TRAF1/C5 (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor associated factor 1)/(complement component 5) and STAT4 (signal transducers and activators of transcription 4) confer susceptibility, activity and severity to RA in Egyptian populations. One hundred and seventy-two RA patients and 160 controls were enrolled in the study. Polymorphisms of TRAF1/C5 and STAT4 genes were determined using restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction. The TRAF1/C5 A and STAT4 T alleles were significantly associated with RA in Egyptian population. TRAF1/C5 A allele and STAT4 TT genotype were significantly associated with RA severity. In conclusion the mutant alleles or genotypes of both examined polymorphisms are associated with the development of RA in Egyptian population.

Evidence for the role of STAT4 as a general autoimmunity locus in the Korean population

BACKGROUND

Recently, the association of a common STAT4 haplotype with type 1 diabetes (T1D) as well as rheumatoid arthritis has been documented in Caucasians and Koreans. STAT4 is involved in the signalling of interleukin-12 and γIFN, as well as interleukin-23. To discover genes affecting the susceptibility of common autoimmune diseases, we studied the association of polymorphisms in STAT4 with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) as well as T1D in the Korean population.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms on the chromosome 2q (rs11889341, rs7574865, rs8179673, and rs10181656), which were found to associate with rheumatoid arthritis were examined for association in a Korean sample of 428 AITD, 418 T1D patients, and 1060 controls.

RESULTS

The minor alleles of all four single-nucleotide polymorphisms and the reconstructed STAT4 haplotypes conferred significant degree of risk for AITD (p=10(-2) to 10(-4)). Although we found a weak association of rs11889341 with T1D (p<0.05), the same haplotypes were not associated with T1D susceptibility. When we stratified T1D patients according to the age of onset, the minor alleles of all four single-nucleotide polymorphisms and the same haplotypes showed significant association with the susceptibility of T1D in the early-onset subgroup (p<0.01), not in the late-onset subgroup.

CONCLUSION

STAT4 alleles and the same haplotypes might influence cytokine signalling, and therefore the development of AITD as well as T1D. These results reinforce the influence of STAT4 gene as a general autoimmune gene.

Combined influence of genetic and environmental factors in age of rheumatoid arthritis onset

To study the combined effect of both genetic and environmental factors in the age of rheumatoid arthritis onset. Patients (n = 507). Shared epitope characterization was performed using Lifecodes HLA-SSO. Genotyping of protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor 22 (PTPN22) rs2476601 and signal transducers and activators of transcription 4 (STAT4) rs7574865 polymorphism was performed using fast real-time PCR System. Shared epitope, antibodies directed against cyclic citrulinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies and a higher level of education were associated with a younger age at disease onset (P = 0.033, P = 0.004 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Neither carriers of the minor allele of PTPN22 rs2476601 nor STAT4 rs7574 polymorphisms showed a significant association with a younger age at disease onset (P = 0.355, P = 0.065, respectively). We found an additive effect of the three genetic markers in the age at onset: subjects with three markers were associated with a disease onset 9.56, 8.61, and 6.41 years before than those with none, one, or two genetic markers (P = 0.004, P = 0.006 and P = 0.043, respectively). We also described the additive effect of shared epitope, anti-CCP antibodies, educational level, PTPN22, and STAT4 polymorphisms in age at onset. Patients with two, three, four, or five variables were associated with a significant younger age of disease onset (4.72 [0.05-9.38] years (P = 0.048), 9.56 [4.72-14.40] years (P < 0.0001), 12.74 [6.84-18.64] years (P < 0.0001), and 20.87 [10.40-37.17] years (P < 0.0001)). Risk factors for the development of rheumatoid arthritis are also associated, with an additive effect, with a younger age at disease onset.

Genetics of rheumatoid arthritis: GWAS and beyond

The study of complex genetics in autoimmune diseases has progressed at a tremendous pace over the last 4 years, as a direct result of the enormous gains made by genome wide association studies (GWAS). Novel genetic findings are continuously being reported alongside the rapid development of genetic technologies, sophisticated statistical analysis, and larger sample collections. It is now becoming clear that multiple genes contribute to disease risk in many complex genetic disorders including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and that there are common genetic risk factors that underlie a spectrum of autoimmune diseases. This review details the current genetic landscape of RA, and describes what GWAS has taught us in terms of missing heritability, subsets of disease, existence of genetic heterogeneity, and shared autoimmune risk loci. Finally, this review addresses the initial challenges faced in translating the wealth of genetic findings into determining the biological mechanisms that contribute to the relationship between genotype and phenotype. Unraveling the mechanism of how genes directly influence the cause of RA will lead to a better understanding of the disease and will ultimately have a direct clinical impact, informing the development of new therapies that can be utilized in the treatment of RA.

Genome-wide association study of rheumatoid arthritis in Koreans: population-specific loci as well as overlap with European susceptibility loci

OBJECTIVE

To perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in Koreans in order to identify susceptibility loci for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

We generated high-quality genotypes for 441,398 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 801 RA cases and 757 controls. We then tested 79 markers from 46 loci for replication in an independent sample of 718 RA cases and 719 controls.

RESULTS

Genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10(-08) ) was attained by markers from the major histocompatibility complex region and from the PADI4 gene. The replication data showed nominal association signals (P < 5 × 10(-02) ) for markers from 11 of the 46 replicated loci, greatly exceeding random expectation. Genes that were most significant in the replication stage and in the combined analysis include the known European RA loci BLK, AFF3, and CCL21. Thus, in addition to the previously associated STAT4 alleles, variants at these three loci may contribute to RA not only among Europeans, but also among Asians. In addition, we observed replication signals near the genes PTPN2, FLI1, ARHGEF3, LCP2, GPR137B, TRHDE, and CGA1. Based on the excess of small P values in the replication stage study, we estimate that more than half of these loci are genuine RA susceptibility genes. Finally, we systematically analyzed the presence of association signals in Koreans at established European RA loci, which showed a significant enrichment of European RA loci among the Korean RA loci.

CONCLUSION

Genetic risk for RA involves both population-specific loci as well as many shared genetic susceptibility loci in comparisons of Asian and European populations.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms at the TRAF1/C5 locus are associated with rheumatoid arthritis in a Han Chinese population

BACKGROUND

Genetic variants in TRAF1C5 and PTPN22 genes have been shown to be significantly associated with arthritis rheumatoid in Caucasian populations. This study investigated the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TRAF1/C5 and PTPN22 genes and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a Han Chinese population. We genotyped SNPs rs3761847 and rs7021206 at the TRAF1/C5 locus and rs2476601 SNP in the PTPN22 gene in a Han Chinese cohort composed of 576 patients with RA and 689 controls. The concentrations of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) were determined for all affected patients. The difference between the cases and the controls was compared using χ2 analysis.

RESULTS

Significant differences in SNPs rs3761847 and rs7021206 at TRAF1/C5 were observed between the case and control groups in this cohort; the allelic p-value was 0.0018 with an odds ratio of 1.28 for rs3761847 and 0.005 with an odds ratio of 1.27 for rs7021206. This significant association between rs3761847 and RA was independent of the concentrations of anti-CCP and RF. No polymorphism of rs2476601 was observed in this cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

We first demonstrated that genetic variants at the TRAF1/C5 locus are significantly associated with RA in Han Chinese, suggesting that TRAF1/C5 may play a role in the development of RA in this population, which expands the pathogenesis role of TRAF1/C5 in a different ethnicity.

Current advances in lupus genetic and genomic studies in Asia

The genetic components in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have long been established, however, it has been unclear for many years whether the same genetic risk factors for SLE are shared across different ethnic groups. Over the past few years, a number of genetic and genomic studies have been conducted in Asian populations to address this question. These studies have demonstrated that genetic heterogeneity does exist in SLE across different ethnic groups. With these studies, it has been established that a number of genes associated with SLE in Caucasians are also risk factors in Asians: HLA class II genes, STAT4, BANK1, BLK, IRF5, TNFSF4, ITGAM, etc., while there are also novel genetic risk factors identified by these studies in Asians, for instance, the ETS1 and WDFY4 in Chinese. For the genomic studies, the interferon signature has been confirmed as a major lupus molecular phenotype in Asians the same as in Caucasians; microRNA expression profiling and its novel role in regulating the interferon pathway has been first revealed in Asians. Further understanding of the function of lupus disease genes and delineating the key molecular pathway(s) will enhance the development of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for individualized clinical management for lupus patients.

Differential genetic associations for systemic lupus erythematosus based on anti-dsDNA autoantibody production

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a clinically heterogeneous, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibody formation. Previously published genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have investigated SLE as a single phenotype. Therefore, we conducted a GWAS to identify genetic factors associated with anti-dsDNA autoantibody production, a SLE-related autoantibody with diagnostic and clinical importance. Using two independent datasets, over 400,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were studied in a total of 1,717 SLE cases and 4,813 healthy controls. Anti-dsDNA autoantibody positive (anti-dsDNA +, n = 811) and anti-dsDNA autoantibody negative (anti-dsDNA -, n = 906) SLE cases were compared to healthy controls and to each other to identify SNPs associated specifically with these SLE subtypes. SNPs in the previously identified SLE susceptibility loci STAT4, IRF5, ITGAM, and the major histocompatibility complex were strongly associated with anti-dsDNA + SLE. Far fewer and weaker associations were observed for anti-dsDNA - SLE. For example, rs7574865 in STAT4 had an OR for anti-dsDNA + SLE of 1.77 (95% CI 1.57-1.99, p = 2.0E-20) compared to an OR for anti-dsDNA - SLE of 1.26 (95% CI 1.12-1.41, p = 2.4E-04), with p(heterogeneity)<0.0005. SNPs in the SLE susceptibility loci BANK1, KIAA1542, and UBE2L3 showed evidence of association with anti-dsDNA + SLE and were not associated with anti-dsDNA - SLE. In conclusion, we identified differential genetic associations with SLE based on anti-dsDNA autoantibody production. Many previously identified SLE susceptibility loci may confer disease risk through their role in autoantibody production and be more accurately described as autoantibody propensity loci. Lack of strong SNP associations may suggest that other types of genetic variation or non-genetic factors such as environmental exposures have a greater impact on susceptibility to anti-dsDNA - SLE.