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Mellati A, Soltani S, Kazemi T, Ahmadzadeh N, Akhtari M, Madreseh E, Jamshidi A, Farhadi E, Mahmoudi M. Determination of IL-23 receptor expression and gene polymorphism (rs1884444) in Iranian patients with ankylosing spondylitis. BMC Rheumatol 2024; 8:14. [PMID: 38605394 PMCID: PMC11007996 DOI: 10.1186/s41927-024-00383-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Through investigating genetic variations, it has been demonstrated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL-23 receptor (IL23R) gene have a critical role in the pathophysiology of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Here, we investigated whether the IL23R variant (rs1884444) is associated with AS in the Iranian population. METHODS AND MATERIAL In this research, we analyzed rs1884444 in a group of 425 patients with AS and 400 matched controls. For DNA extraction, the phenol/chloroform technique was utilized. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from the whole blood of 39 patients and 43 healthy controls and total RNA was extracted. Genotyping was performed by amplification-refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR method. Afterward, the expression level of IL23R was analyzed by the real-time quantitative (Q)-PCR method. RESULTS We observed no significant association between the distribution of alleles and genotypes of rs1884444 and susceptibility to AS. In addition, the expression level of IL23R did not differ between PBMCs from AS patients compared to the control group (P = 0.167). Furthermore, the relative expression level of IL23R was positively correlated with the BASDAI (P < 0.01) and BASFI (P < 0.05) scores of the patients. CONCLUSION It appears that IL23R polymorphism (rs1884444) and the level of gene expression might not contribute to the susceptibility to AS in the Iranian population. The correlation of IL23R expression with the level of BASDAI and BASFI scores in patients may be due to the role of the IL-23/IL-23R signaling cascade in inflammation and exert a critical role in the development of AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atiyeh Mellati
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, PO-Box: 5165683146, Iran
| | - Samaneh Soltani
- Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, PO-Box: 1476943313, Iran
| | - Tohid Kazemi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, PO-Box: 5165683146, Iran.
| | - Nooshin Ahmadzadeh
- Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, PO-Box: 1476943313, Iran
| | - Maryam Akhtari
- Tobacco Prevention and Control Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Madreseh
- Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, PO-Box: 1476943313, Iran
- Research Center For Chronic Inflammatory Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmadreza Jamshidi
- Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, PO-Box: 1476943313, Iran
| | - Elham Farhadi
- Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, PO-Box: 1476943313, Iran
- Research Center For Chronic Inflammatory Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Mahmoudi
- Rheumatology Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, PO-Box: 1476943313, Iran.
- Research Center For Chronic Inflammatory Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Agrawal P, Tote S, Sapkale B. Diagnosis and Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis. Cureus 2024; 16:e52559. [PMID: 38371049 PMCID: PMC10874590 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the axial bone and sacroiliac joints. Its etiology is complicated and involves genetic variables, demographic factors (age of onset, gender, ethnicity, family history), and environmental variables. It typically manifests in males in their third decade. Galen is credited with first recognizing it, according to historical traditions, but it was not until the 19th century that specific diagnostic criteria were developed. The human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) variation, around 20% of the genetic risk, is currently the most significant gene associated with AS susceptibility. Over 100 genes have been connected to AS susceptibility. Clinical signs of AS include stiffness and inflammation in the back, eye inflammation, aortitis (inflammation of the aorta), and spinal ankylosis that impacts posture and fatigue. The dagger sign and sacroiliitis on radiographs, in particular, are crucial for diagnosis. Early inflammatory alterations can be found using modern diagnostic tools such as MRI, and the HLA-B27 gene can help confirm the diagnosis. Overall, 80-95% of people with AS have the HLA-B27 marker. Furthermore, although non-specific, elevated inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, offer supporting evidence. Over time, treatment paradigms have seen significant change. First-line treatments such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are no longer the only options, even though disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and biologics, especially tumor necrosis factor blockers, have been developed. Physical therapy, which emphasizes consistent exercise, stretches, and posture maintenance, is extremely helpful in managing AS. Surgical interventions can be required in extreme situations. The significance of the interleukin 23/17 axis in the disease cascade has been demonstrated by recent research. Furthermore, a deeper comprehension of the genetic landscape, mainly the functions of non-HLA-B27 loci, may open the door for more specialized therapies. Early diagnosis and interdisciplinary therapies can improve patient outcomes and quality of life as our understanding of AS grows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parv Agrawal
- Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Sachin Tote
- Anatomy, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Bhagyesh Sapkale
- Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
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Khan MA. HLA-B*27 and Ankylosing Spondylitis: 50 Years of Insights and Discoveries. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2023; 25:327-340. [PMID: 37950822 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-023-01118-5] [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] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking discovery of a remarkably strong association between HLA-B*27 and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). RECENT FINDINGS In addition to HLA-B*27, more than 116 other recognized genetic risk variants have been identified, while epigenetic factors largely remain unexplored in this context. Among patients with AS who carry the HLA-B*27 gene, clonally expanded CD8 + T cells can be found in their bloodstream and within inflamed tissues. Moreover, the α and β chain motifs of these T-cell receptors demonstrate a distinct affinity for certain self- and microbial-derived peptides, leading to an autoimmune response that ultimately results in the onset of the disease. These distinctive peptide-binding and presentation characteristics are a hallmark of the disease-associated HLA-B*27:05 subtype but are absent in HLA-B*27:09, a subtype not associated with the disease, differing by only a single amino acid. This discovery represents a significant advancement in unraveling the 50-year-old puzzle of how HLA-B*27 contributes to the development of AS. These findings will significantly accelerate the process of identifying peptides, both self- and microbial-derived, that instigate autoimmunity. This, in return, will pave the way for the development of more accurate and effective targeted treatments. Moreover, the discovery of improved biomarkers, in conjunction with the emerging technology of electric field molecular fingerprinting, has the potential to greatly bolster early diagnosis capabilities. A very recently published groundbreak paper underscores the remarkable effectiveness of targeting and eliminating disease-causing T cells in a HLA-B*27 patients with AS. This pivotal advancement not only signifies a paradigm shift but also bolsters the potential for preventing the disease in individuals carrying high-risk genetic variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad A Khan
- Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Saad MA, Abdul-Sattar AB, Abdelal IT, Baraka A. Shedding Light on the Role of ERAP1 in Axial Spondyloarthritis. Cureus 2023; 15:e48806. [PMID: 38024089 PMCID: PMC10645460 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease affecting the axial skeleton (axSpA) and/or peripheral joints (p-SpA) and entheses. The disease's pathogenesis depends on genetic, immunological, mechanical, and environmental factors. Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) is a multifunctional enzyme that shapes the peptide repertoire presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ERAP1 that are associated with several autoimmune diseases, including axSpA. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the ERAP1 role in axSpA could make it a potential therapeutic target for this disease and offer greater insight into its impact on the immune system. Here, we review the biological functions and structure of ERAP1, discuss ERAP1 polymorphisms and their association with axSpA, highlight the interaction between ERAP1 and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27, and review the association between ERAP1 SNPs and axSpA clinical parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Saad
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) Hospital, Kuwait, KWT
| | - Amal B Abdul-Sattar
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, EGY
| | - Ibrahim T Abdelal
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, EGY
| | - Ahmed Baraka
- Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, EGY
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Brown AC, Cohen CJ, Mielczarek O, Migliorini G, Costantino F, Allcock A, Davidson C, Elliott KS, Fang H, Lledó Lara A, Martin AC, Osgood JA, Sanniti A, Scozzafava G, Vecellio M, Zhang P, Black MH, Li S, Truong D, Molineros J, Howe T, Wordsworth BP, Bowness P, Knight JC. Comprehensive epigenomic profiling reveals the extent of disease-specific chromatin states and informs target discovery in ankylosing spondylitis. CELL GENOMICS 2023; 3:100306. [PMID: 37388915 PMCID: PMC10300554 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2023.100306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common, highly heritable inflammatory arthritis characterized by enthesitis of the spine and sacroiliac joints. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have revealed more than 100 genetic associations whose functional effects remain largely unresolved. Here, we present a comprehensive transcriptomic and epigenomic map of disease-relevant blood immune cell subsets from AS patients and healthy controls. We find that, while CD14+ monocytes and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells show disease-specific differences at the RNA level, epigenomic differences are only apparent upon multi-omics integration. The latter reveals enrichment at disease-associated loci in monocytes. We link putative functional SNPs to genes using high-resolution Capture-C at 10 loci, including PTGER4 and ETS1, and show how disease-specific functional genomic data can be integrated with GWASs to enhance therapeutic target discovery. This study combines epigenetic and transcriptional analysis with GWASs to identify disease-relevant cell types and gene regulation of likely pathogenic relevance and prioritize drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C. Brown
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Carla J. Cohen
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- MRC WIMM Centre for Computational Biology, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Olga Mielczarek
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- Horizon Discovery (PerkinElmer) Cambridge Research Park, 8100 Beach Dr., Waterbeach, Cambridge CB25 9TL, UK
| | - Gabriele Migliorini
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Félicie Costantino
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- UVSQ, INSERM UMR1173, Infection et Inflammation, Laboratory of Excellence INFLAMEX, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
- Rheumatology Department, AP-HP, Ambroise Paré Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Alice Allcock
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Connor Davidson
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK
| | | | - Hai Fang
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Centre for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Alicia Lledó Lara
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Alice C. Martin
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Julie A. Osgood
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Anna Sanniti
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Giuseppe Scozzafava
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Matteo Vecellio
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK
- Centro Ricerche Fondazione Italiana Ricerca sull’Artrite (FIRA), Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza ONLUS, Via Ferruccio Giovannini 13, 56017 San Giuliano Terme (Pisa), Italy
| | - Ping Zhang
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Mary Helen Black
- Data Science, Population Analytics, Janssen R&D, Spring House, PA 19002, USA
| | - Shuwei Li
- Data Science, Population Analytics, Janssen R&D, Spring House, PA 19002, USA
| | - Dongnhu Truong
- Data Science, Population Analytics, Janssen R&D, Spring House, PA 19002, USA
| | - Julio Molineros
- Data Science, Population Analytics, Janssen R&D, Spring House, PA 19002, USA
| | - Trevor Howe
- Data Science, External Innovation, Janssen R&D, London W1G 0BG, UK
| | - B. Paul Wordsworth
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK
- National Institute for Health Research, Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford OX4 2PG, UK
| | - Paul Bowness
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK
- National Institute for Health Research, Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford OX4 2PG, UK
| | - Julian C. Knight
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- National Institute for Health Research, Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford OX4 2PG, UK
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Li D, Cao R, Dong W, Cheng M, Pan X, Hu Z, Hao J. Identification of potential biomarkers for ankylosing spondylitis based on bioinformatics analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2023; 24:413. [PMID: 37226132 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-023-06550-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to search for key genes in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, thus providing some theoretical support for future diagnosis and treatment of AS and further research. METHODS Gene expression profiles were collected from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/ ) by searching for the term "ankylosing spondylitis". Ultimately, two microarray datasets (GSE73754 and GSE11886) were downloaded from the GEO database. A bioinformatic approach was used to screen differentially expressed genes and perform functional enrichment analysis to obtain biological functions and signalling pathways associated with the disease. Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) was used to further obtain key genes. Immune infiltration analysis was performed using the CIBERSORT algorithm to conduct a correlation analysis of key genes with immune cells. The GWAS data of AS were analysed to identify the pathogenic regions of key genes in AS. Finally, potential therapeutic agents for AS were predicted using these key genes. RESULTS A total of 7 potential biomarkers were identified: DYSF, BASP1, PYGL, SPI1, C5AR1, ANPEP and SORL1. ROC curves showed good prediction for each gene. T cell, CD4 naïve cell, and neutrophil levels were significantly higher in the disease group than in the paired normal group, and key gene expression was strongly correlated with immune cells. CMap results showed that the expression profiles of ibuprofen, forskolin, bongkrek-acid, and cimaterol showed the most significant negative correlation with the expression profiles of disease perturbations, suggesting that these drugs may play a role in AS treatment. CONCLUSION The potential biomarkers of AS screened in this study are closely related to the level of immune cell infiltration and play an important role in the immune microenvironment. This may provide help in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of AS and provide new ideas for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxu Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong, Chongqing, China
- Orthopedic Laboratory of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong, Chongqing, China
| | - Ruichao Cao
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong, Chongqing, China
- Orthopedic Laboratory of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Dong
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong, Chongqing, China
- Orthopedic Laboratory of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong, Chongqing, China
| | - Minghuang Cheng
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong, Chongqing, China
- Orthopedic Laboratory of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaohan Pan
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong, Chongqing, China
- Orthopedic Laboratory of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhenming Hu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong, Chongqing, China
- Orthopedic Laboratory of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Hao
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong, Chongqing, China.
- Orthopedic Laboratory of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong, Chongqing, China.
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The Role of CD1 Gene Polymorphism in the Genetic Susceptibility to Spondyloarthropathies in the Moroccan Population and the Possible Cross-Link with Celiac Disease. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020237. [PMID: 36851115 PMCID: PMC9963915 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Spondyloarthropathies (SpA) are a group of chronic inflammatory disorders usually affecting the axial spine and asymmetrical peripheral joints. Strong evidence links genetic and environmental factors to SpA pathogenesis. The HLA-B27 is the most important genetic factor associated with SpA. Nevertheless, the involvement of other HLA and non-HLA loci has been also reported. Some patients with SpA may also manifest features of celiac disease (CeD), thus suggesting a genetic overlap across these autoimmune diseases. Recently, CD1 glycoproteins, a class of molecules able to bind and present non peptidic antigens to T cells, aroused interest for their contribution to the pathogenesis of CeD. Therefore, to evaluate whether functional polymorphisms of CD1A and E genes also influence susceptibility to SpA, we analyzed 86 patients from Morocco affected by SpA and 51 healthy controls, using direct sequencing analysis. An increase of CD1E*01/01 homozygous genotype (p = 0.046) was found in SpA, compared with controls. CD1E*01/01 genotype was associated particularly to patients with sacroiliac joints/spine/peripheral joints pain (p = 0.0068), while a decrease of CD1E*01/02 genotype was evidenced compared to controls (p = 0.0065). Results from haplotypes analysis demonstrated that CD1A*02-E*02 decreased the risk of SpA, while CD1A*02-E*01 increased risk to develop disease. Our data indicate a relationship between CD1 genes and susceptibility to SpA in the Moroccan population and suggest the existence of shared genetic risk loci across SpA and CeD that might be useful to explain common pathogenetic features and define novel therapeutic strategies.
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Genome-wide association study reveals ethnicity-specific SNPs associated with ankylosing spondylitis in the Taiwanese population. J Transl Med 2022; 20:589. [PMID: 36510243 PMCID: PMC9746141 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03701-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune disease affecting mainly spine and sacroiliac joints and adjacent soft tissues. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) are used to evaluate genetic associations and to predict genetic risk factors that determine the biological basis of disease susceptibility. We aimed to explore the race-specific SNP susceptibility of AS in Taiwanese individuals and to investigate the association between HLA-B27 and AS susceptibility SNPs in Taiwan. METHODS Genotyping data were collected from a medical center participating in the Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative (TPMI) in the northern district of Taiwan. We designed a case-control study to identify AS susceptibility SNPs through GWAS. We searched the genome browser to find the corresponding susceptibility genes and used the GTEx database to confirm the regulation of gene expression. A polygenic risk score approach was also applied to evaluate the genetic variants in the prediction of developing AS. RESULTS The results showed that the SNPs located on the sixth chromosome were related to higher susceptibility in the AS group. There was no overlap between our results and the susceptibility SNPs found in other races. The 12 tag SNPs located in the MHC region that were found through the linkage disequilibrium method had higher gene expression. Furthermore, Taiwanese people with HLA-B27 positivity had a higher proportion of minor alleles. This might be the reason that the AS prevalence is higher in Taiwan than in other countries. We developed AS polygenic risk score models with six different methods in which those with the top 10% polygenic risk had a fivefold increased risk of developing AS compared to the remaining group with low risk. CONCLUSION A total of 147 SNPs in the Taiwanese population were found to be statistically significantly associated with AS on the sixth pair of chromosomes and did not overlap with previously published sites in the GWAS Catalog. Whether those genes mapped by AS-associated SNPs are involved in AS and what the pathogenic mechanism of the mapped genes is remain to be further studied.
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No Evidence to Support a Causal Relationship between Circulating Adiponectin Levels and Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Bidirectional Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13122270. [PMID: 36553537 PMCID: PMC9778096 DOI: 10.3390/genes13122270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on previous observational studies, the causal association between circulating adiponectin (CA) levels and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) risk remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether CA levels are related to the risk of AS. We carried out a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to examine the causal correlation between CA levels and AS via published genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to CA levels were derived from a large GWAS that included 39,883 individuals of European descent. SNPs related to AS were obtained from the FinnGen consortium (2252 cases and 227,338 controls). The random-effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was the primary method utilized in our research. We also used four complementary approaches to improve the dependability of this study (MR-Egger regression, Weighted median, Weighted mode, and Simple mode). Random-effects IVW (odds ratio [OR], 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79-1.27, p = 0.984) and four complementary methods all indicated that genetically predicted CA levels were not causally related to the risk of AS. In reverse MR analysis, there is little evidence to support the genetic causality between the risk of AS and CA levels.
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Kenyon M, Maguire S, Rueda Pujol A, O'Shea F, McManus R. The genetic backbone of ankylosing spondylitis: how knowledge of genetic susceptibility informs our understanding and management of disease. Rheumatol Int 2022; 42:2085-2095. [PMID: 35939079 PMCID: PMC9548471 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-022-05174-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a seronegative, chronic inflammatory arthritis with high genetic burden. A strong association with HLA-B27 has long been established, but to date its contribution to disease aetiology remains unresolved. Recent insights through genome wide studies reveal an increasing array of immunogenetic risk variants extraneous to the HLA complex in AS cohorts. These genetic traits build a complex profile of disease causality, highlighting several molecular pathways associated with the condition. This and other evidence strongly implicates T-cell-driven pathology, revolving around the T helper 17 cell subset as an important contributor to disease. This prominence of the T helper 17 cell subset has presented the opportunity for therapeutic intervention through inhibition of interleukins 17 and 23 which drive T helper 17 activity. While targeting of interleukin 17 has proven effective, this success has not been replicated with interleukin 23 inhibition in AS patients. Evidence points to significant genetic diversity between AS patients which may, in part, explain the observed refractoriness among a proportion of patients. In this review we discuss the impact of genetics on our understanding of AS and its relationship with closely linked pathologies. We further explore how genetics can be used in the development of therapeutics and as a tool to assist in the diagnosis and management of patients. This evidence indicates that genetic profiling should play a role in the clinician’s choice of therapy as part of a precision medicine strategy towards disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Kenyon
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Sinead Maguire
- Department of Rheumatology, St James' Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anna Rueda Pujol
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Finbar O'Shea
- Department of Rheumatology, St James' Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ross McManus
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Feng R, Lu M, Liu L, Xu K, Xu P. Transcriptome-Wide Association Studies and Integration Analysis of mRNA Expression Profiles Identify Candidate Genes and Pathways Associated With Ankylosing Spondylitis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:814303. [PMID: 35619696 PMCID: PMC9128383 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.814303] [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: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to identify susceptibility genes and pathways associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by integrating whole transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) analysis and mRNA expression profiling data. AS genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data from the large GWAS database were used. This included data of 1265 AS patients and 452264 controls. A TWAS of AS was conducted using these data. The analysis software used was FUSION, and Epstein-Barr virus–transformed lymphocytes, transformed fibroblasts, peripheral blood, and whole blood were used as gene expression references. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed for the important genes identified via TWAS. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis based on the STRING database was also performed to detect genes shared by TWAS and mRNA expression profiles in AS. TWAS identified 920 genes (P <0.05) and analyzed mRNA expression profiles to obtain 1183 differential genes. Following comparison of the TWAS results and mRNA expression characteristics, we obtained 70 overlapping genes and performed GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of these genes to obtain 16 pathways. Via PPI network analysis, we obtained the protein interaction network and performed MCODE analysis to acquire the HUB genes. Similarly, we performed GO and KEGG analyses on the genes identified by TWAS, obtained 98 pathways after screening, and analyzed protein interactions via the PPI network. Through the integration of TWAS and mRNA expression analysis, genes related to AS and GO and KEGG terms were determined, providing new evidence and revealing the pathogenesis of AS. Our AS TWAS work identified novel genes associated with AS, as well as suggested potential tissues and pathways of action for these TWAS AS genes, providing a new direction for research into the pathogenesis of AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyang Feng
- Department of Joint Surgery, HongHui Hospital, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mengnan Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Joint Surgery, HongHui Hospital, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Joint Surgery, HongHui Hospital, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Department of Joint Surgery, HongHui Hospital, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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12
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Sheng N, Gao Y, Li H, Wang W, Geng L, Zhang B, Huang Q, Wang X, Sun L. The Associations of rs1799724 and rs361525 With the Risk of Ankylosing Spondylitis Are Dependent on HLA-B27 Status in a Chinese Han Population. Front Immunol 2022; 13:852326. [PMID: 35450075 PMCID: PMC9016113 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.852326] [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: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Human leucocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) is an important biomarker for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, delay in the diagnosis of AS is still common in clinical practice. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding gene of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) have been reported to be AS susceptibility loci. Our aim was to explore whether SNPs in TNFα could be used to improve the performance of HLA-B27 for predicting AS. Methods Five SNPs (rs1799964, rs1800630, rs1799724, rs1800629, and rs361525) spanning TNFα were genotyped by qPCR-Invader assay in 93 AS patients and 107 healthy controls for association analysis and linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis. Random forest algorithm was utilized to construct the predictive classifiers for AS. HLA-B was genotyped by PCR-sequence-based typing in a subset of the HLA-B27-positive subjects (38 AS patients and 5 healthy controls). Results The T allele of rs1799724 was verified to significantly increase the risk of AS (OR = 4.583, p < 0.0001), while the A allele of rs361525 showed an association with the reduced AS risk (OR = 0.168, p = 0.009). In addition, the rs1799964T-rs1800630C-rs1799724T-rs1800629G-rs361525G haplotype was significantly associated with a higher risk of AS (p < 0.0001). The optimal set of variables for classifiers to predict AS only consisted of HLA-B27. Strong associations with HLA-B27 status were found in both rs1799724 (p < 0.0001) and rs361525 (p = 0.001), and all the analyzed HLA-B27-positive subjects carried HLA-B*27:04 or HLA-B*27:05. Conclusion In the Chinese Han population, the minor allele T of rs1799724 could increase the risk of AS, while the minor allele A of rs361525 protects individuals from AS. However, the contributions of rs1799724 and rs361525 to AS risk were dependent on HLA-B27 status, suggesting the importance of taking the independence and specificity into consideration in AS susceptibility loci studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Sheng
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, China.,Clinical Medicine Research Center, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, China.,Department of Rheumatology, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingying Gao
- Department of Rheumatology, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Rheumatology, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenwen Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, China
| | - Linyu Geng
- Department of Rheumatology, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, China
| | - Qiang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Guiyang, China
| | - Xueqin Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, China
| | - Lingyun Sun
- Department of Rheumatology, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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13
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Cohen CJ, Davidson C, Selmi C, Bowness P, Knight JC, Wordsworth BP, Vecellio M. Disruption of c-MYC Binding and Chromosomal Looping Involving Genetic Variants Associated With Ankylosing Spondylitis Upstream of the RUNX3 Promoter. Front Genet 2022; 12:741867. [PMID: 35069677 PMCID: PMC8782160 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.741867] [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: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a common form of inflammatory spinal arthritis with a complex aetiology and high heritability, involving more than 100 genetic associations. These include several AS-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) upstream of RUNX3, which encodes the multifunctional RUNT-related transcription factor (TF) 3. The lead associated SNP rs6600247 (p = 2.6 × 10−15) lies ∼13kb upstream of the RUNX3 promoter adjacent to a c-MYC TF binding-site. The effect of rs6600247 genotype on DNA binding and chromosome looping were investigated by electrophoretic mobility gel shift assays (EMSA), Western blotting-EMSA (WEMSA) and Chromosome Conformation Capture (3C). Results: Interrogation of ENCODE published data showed open chromatin in the region overlapping rs6600247 in primary human CD14+ monocytes, in contrast to the Jurkat T cell line or primary human T-cells. The rs6600247 AS-risk allele is predicted to specifically disrupt a c-MYC binding-site. Using a 50bp DNA probe spanning rs6600247 we consistently observed reduced binding to the AS-risk “C” allele of both purified c-MYC protein and nuclear extracts (NE) from monocyte-like U937 cells. WEMSA on U937 NE and purified c-MYC protein confirmed these differences (n = 3; p < 0.05). 3C experiments demonstrated negligible interaction between the region encompassing rs6600247 and the RUNX3 promoter. A stronger interaction frequency was demonstrated between the RUNX3 promoter and the previously characterised AS-associated SNP rs4648889. Conclusion: The lead SNP rs6600247, located in an enhancer-like region upstream of the RUNX3 promoter, modulates c-MYC binding. However, the region encompassing rs6600247 has rather limited physical interaction with the promoter of RUNX3. In contrast a clear chromatin looping event between the region encompassing rs4648889 and the RUNX3 promoter was observed. These data provide further evidence for complexity in the regulatory elements upstream of the RUNX3 promoter and the involvement of RUNX3 transcriptional regulation in AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla J Cohen
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Oxford Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Connor Davidson
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Oxford Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Carlo Selmi
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Paul Bowness
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Oxford Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Julian C Knight
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - B Paul Wordsworth
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Oxford Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Matteo Vecellio
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Oxford Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy
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14
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Xu H, Yu H, Liu L, Wu H, Zhang C, Cai W, Hong X, Liu D, Tang D, Dai Y. Integrative Single-Cell RNA-Seq and ATAC-Seq Analysis of Peripheral Mononuclear Cells in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:760381. [PMID: 34880858 PMCID: PMC8647172 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.760381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Genetic studies on ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have identified more than 100 pathogenic genes. Building a bridge between these genes and biologically targeted therapies is the current research hotspot. Methods We integrated single-cell assaying transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (scATAC-seq) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to explore the key genes and related mechanisms associated with AS pathogenesis. Results We identified 18 cell types in peripheral mononuclear cells from patients with AS and normal controls and summarized the cell-type-specific abnormal genes by scRNA-seq. Interestingly, we found that the pathogenic gene NFKB involved in AS progression originated from CD8+ T cells. Moreover, we observed an abnormal tumor TNF pathway mediated by abnormal expression of TNF, NFKB, FOS, JUN, and JUNB, and scATAC-seq results confirmed the abnormal accessible binding sites of transcriptional factors FOS, JUN, and JUNB. The final magnetic bead sorting and quantitative real-time PCR(RT-qPCR) confirmed that NFKB, FOS, JUN, and JUNB in CD8+ T cells differed in the AS group. Conclusions Our results revealed a possible mechanism by which NFKB abnormally regulates FOS, JUN, and JUNB and drives AS progression, providing a novel perspective from a single cell point of view in AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huixuan Xu
- Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haiyan Yu
- Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lixiong Liu
- Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongwei Wu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cantong Zhang
- Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wanxia Cai
- Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoping Hong
- Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dongzhou Liu
- Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Donge Tang
- Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yong Dai
- Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases Research, Guilin Key Laboratory of Kidney, Diseases Research, 924st Hospital, Guilin, China
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