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Tarbell E, Jarvis JN. Using genetics, genomics, and transcriptomics to identify therapeutic targets in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. HGG ADVANCES 2025; 6:100424. [PMID: 40083163 PMCID: PMC11994403 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2025.100424] [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] [Received: 10/29/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2025] [Accepted: 03/10/2025] [Indexed: 03/16/2025] Open
Abstract
Despite progress in improving outcomes for oligoarticular and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), the field still faces considerable challenges. More than half of adults who have had JIA continue to have active disease and have developed functional limitations. Medication side effects are common and intrusive. Thus, the field continues to search for therapeutic agents that target specific aspects of disease pathobiology and will be accompanied by fewer and less intrusive side effects. We identified 28 candidate target genes that were associated with JIA according to Open Targets Genetics and were also differentially expressed in the CD4+ T cells of children with active JIA (when compared to healthy control subjects). Of the 28 candidates, the strongest new target to emerge was homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 1 (HIPK1), which suppresses T cell activation and is within the PTPN22 locus tagged by rs6679677. This locus includes an enhancer element that contacts the HIPK1 promoter, and HIPK1 shows decreased expression in JIA CD4+ T cells when compared to controls. Gene Ontology terms associated with HIPK1 were overrepresented among the differentially expressed genes between JIA and controls, and PML, a known coregulator of HIPK1, showed a similar suppressed gene expression profile. Two downstream transcription factors of HIPK1, TP53 and GATA4, showed enriched binding patterns near the promoters of JIA up-regulated genes. Taken together, these data suggest a pathogenic role for HIPK1 in JIA and make it a prime candidate for therapeutic modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Tarbell
- Enhanced Pharmacodynamics, LLC, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - James N Jarvis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Haley EK, Barshad G, He A, Rice E, Sudman M, Thompson SD, Crinzi EA, Jiang K, Danko CG, Jarvis JN. Using Functional Genomic Data in Monocytes/Macrophages and Genotyping to Nominate Disease-Driving Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Target Genes in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.19.608312. [PMID: 39229078 PMCID: PMC11370421 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.19.608312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Introduction GWAS have identified multiple regions that confer risk for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). However, identifying the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that drive disease risk is impeded by the SNPs' that identify risk loci being in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with hundreds of other SNPs. Since the causal SNPs remain unknown, it is difficult to identify target genes and use genetic information to inform patient care. We used genotyping and functional data in primary human monocytes/macrophages to nominate disease-driving SNPs on JIA risk haplotypes and identify their likely target genes. Methods We identified JIA risk haplotypes using Immunochip data from Hinks et al (Nature Gen 2013) and the meta-analysis from McIntosh et al (Arthritis Rheum 2017). We used genotyping data from 3,939 children with JIA and 14,412 healthy controls to identify SNPs that: (1) were situated within open chromatin in multiple immune cell types and (2) were more common in children with JIA than the controls (p< 0.05). We intersected the chosen SNPs (n=846) with regions of bi-directional transcription initiation characteristic of non-coding regulatory regions detected using dREG to analyze GRO-seq data. Finally, we used MicroC data to identify gene promoters interacting with the regulatory regions harboring the candidate causal SNPs. Results We identified 190 SNPs that overlap with dREG peaks in monocytes and126 SNPs that overlap with dREG peaks in macrophages. Of these SNPs, 101 were situated within dREG peaks in both monocytes and macrophages, suggesting that these SNPs exert their effects independent of the cellular activation state. MicroC data in monocytes identified 20 genes/transcripts whose promoters interact with the enhancers harboring the SNPs of interest. Conclusion SNPs in JIA risk regions that are candidate causal variants can be further screened using functional data such as GRO-seq. This process identifies a finite number of candidate causal SNPs, the majority of which are likely to exert their biological effects independent of cellular activation state in monocytes. Three-dimensional chromatin data generated with MicroC identifies genes likely to be influenced by these SNPs. These studies demonstrate the importance of investigations into the role of innate immunity in JIA.
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de Oliveira-Sobrinho RP, Appenzeller S, Holanda IP, Heleno JL, Jorente J, on behalf of the Rare Genomes Project Consortium, Vieira TP, Steiner CE. Genome Sequencing in an Individual Presenting with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:513. [PMID: 38674447 PMCID: PMC11049871 DOI: 10.3390/genes15040513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by arthritis with poorly known causes, including monogenic disorders and multifactorial etiology. 22q11.2 proximal deletion syndrome is a multisystemic disease with over 180 manifestations already described. In this report, the authors describe a patient presenting with a short stature, neurodevelopmental delay, and dysmorphisms, who had an episode of polyarticular arthritis at the age of three years and eight months, resulting in severe joint limitations, and was later diagnosed with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Investigation through Whole Genome Sequencing revealed that he had no pathogenic or likely-pathogenic variants in both alleles of the MIF gene or in genes associated with monogenic arthritis (LACC1, LPIN2, MAFB, NFIL3, NOD2, PRG4, PRF1, STX11, TNFAIP3, TRHR, UNC13DI). However, the patient presented 41 risk polymorphisms for juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Thus, in the present case, arthritis seems coincidental to 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, probably caused by a multifactorial etiology. The association of the MIF gene in individuals previously described with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and 22q11.2 deletion seems unlikely since it is located in the distal and less-frequently deleted region of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruy Pires de Oliveira-Sobrinho
- Genética Médica e Medicina Genômica, Departamento de Medicina Translacional, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil; (R.P.d.O.-S.); (I.P.H.); (J.L.H.); (J.J.); (T.P.V.)
| | - Simone Appenzeller
- Departamento de Ortopedia, Reumatologia e Traumatologia, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil;
| | - Ianne Pessoa Holanda
- Genética Médica e Medicina Genômica, Departamento de Medicina Translacional, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil; (R.P.d.O.-S.); (I.P.H.); (J.L.H.); (J.J.); (T.P.V.)
| | - Júlia Lôndero Heleno
- Genética Médica e Medicina Genômica, Departamento de Medicina Translacional, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil; (R.P.d.O.-S.); (I.P.H.); (J.L.H.); (J.J.); (T.P.V.)
| | - Josep Jorente
- Genética Médica e Medicina Genômica, Departamento de Medicina Translacional, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil; (R.P.d.O.-S.); (I.P.H.); (J.L.H.); (J.J.); (T.P.V.)
| | | | - Társis Paiva Vieira
- Genética Médica e Medicina Genômica, Departamento de Medicina Translacional, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil; (R.P.d.O.-S.); (I.P.H.); (J.L.H.); (J.J.); (T.P.V.)
| | - Carlos Eduardo Steiner
- Genética Médica e Medicina Genômica, Departamento de Medicina Translacional, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas 13083-888, SP, Brazil; (R.P.d.O.-S.); (I.P.H.); (J.L.H.); (J.J.); (T.P.V.)
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Avery CN, Russell ND, Steely CJ, Hersh AO, Bohnsack JF, Prahalad S, Jorde LB. Shared genomic segments analysis identifies MHC class I and class III molecules as genetic risk factors for juvenile idiopathic arthritis. HGG ADVANCES 2024; 5:100277. [PMID: 38369753 PMCID: PMC10918567 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2024.100277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a complex rheumatic disease encompassing several clinically defined subtypes of varying severity. The etiology of JIA remains largely unknown, but genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified up to 22 genes associated with JIA susceptibility, including a well-established association with HLA-DRB1. Continued investigation of heritable risk factors has been hindered by disease heterogeneity and low disease prevalence. In this study, we utilized shared genomic segments (SGS) analysis on whole-genome sequencing of 40 cases from 12 multi-generational pedigrees significantly enriched for JIA. Subsets of cases are connected by a common ancestor in large extended pedigrees, increasing the power to identify disease-associated loci. SGS analysis identifies genomic segments shared among disease cases that are likely identical by descent and anchored by a disease locus. This approach revealed statistically significant signals for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class III alleles, particularly HLA-A∗02:01, which was observed at a high frequency among cases. Furthermore, we identified an additional risk locus at 12q23.2-23.3, containing genes primarily expressed by naive B cells, natural killer cells, and monocytes. The recognition of additional risk beyond HLA-DRB1 provides a new perspective on immune cell dynamics in JIA. These findings contribute to our understanding of JIA and may guide future research and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecile N Avery
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
| | - Nicole D Russell
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Cody J Steely
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Aimee O Hersh
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - John F Bohnsack
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Sampath Prahalad
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA
| | - Lynn B Jorde
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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Huang HYR, Wireko AA, Miteu GD, Khan A, Roy S, Ferreira T, Garg T, Aji N, Haroon F, Zakariya F, Alshareefy Y, Pujari AG, Madani D, Papadakis M. Advancements and progress in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: A Review of pathophysiology and treatment. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e37567. [PMID: 38552102 PMCID: PMC10977530 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic clinical condition characterized by arthritic features in children under the age of 16, with at least 6 weeks of active symptoms. The etiology of JIA remains unknown, and it is associated with prolonged synovial inflammation and structural joint damage influenced by environmental and genetic factors. This review aims to enhance the understanding of JIA by comprehensively analyzing relevant literature. The focus lies on current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and investigations into the pathoaetiologies using diverse research modalities, including in vivo animal models and large-scale genome-wide studies. We aim to elucidate the multifactorial nature of JIA with a strong focus towards genetic predilection, while proposing potential strategies to improve therapeutic outcomes and enhance diagnostic risk stratification in light of recent advancements. This review underscores the need for further research due to the idiopathic nature of JIA, its heterogeneous phenotype, and the challenges associated with biomarkers and diagnostic criteria. Ultimately, this contribution seeks to advance the knowledge and promote effective management strategies in JIA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Ye Rim Huang
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Goshen David Miteu
- School of Biosciences, Biotechnology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, Caleb University Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Adan Khan
- Kent and Medway Medical School, Canterbury, Kent, UK
| | - Sakshi Roy
- School of Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Tomas Ferreira
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tulika Garg
- Government Medical College and Hospital Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Narjiss Aji
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Faaraea Haroon
- Faculty of Public Health, Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Farida Zakariya
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Zaria, Nigeria
| | - Yasir Alshareefy
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anushka Gurunath Pujari
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Djabir Madani
- UCD Lochlann Quinn School of Business and Sutherland School of Law, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marios Papadakis
- Department of Surgery II, University Hospital Witten-Herdecke, University of Witten-Herdecke, Wuppertal, Germany
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Jiang K, Fu Y, Kelly JA, Gaffney PM, Holmes LC, Jarvis JN. Comparison of the three-dimensional chromatin structures of adolescent and adult peripheral blood B cells: implications for the study of pediatric autoimmune diseases. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.11.557171. [PMID: 37745336 PMCID: PMC10515843 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.11.557171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Background/Purpose Knowledge of the 3D genome is essential to elucidate genetic mechanisms driving autoimmune diseases. The 3D genome is distinct for each cell type, and it is uncertain whether cell lines faithfully recapitulate the 3D architecture of primary human cells or whether developmental aspects of the pediatric immune system require use of pediatric samples. We undertook a systematic analysis of B cells and B cell lines to compare 3D genomic features encompassing risk loci for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), systemic lupus (SLE), and type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods We isolated B cells from healthy individuals, ages 9-17. HiChIP was performed using CTCF antibody, and CTCF peaks were identified. CTCF loops within the pediatric were compared to three datasets: 1) self-called CTCF consensus peaks called within the pediatric samples, 2) ENCODE's publicly available GM12878 CTCF ChIP-seq peaks, and 3) ENCODE's primary B cell CTCF ChIPseq peaks from two adult females. Differential looping was assessed within the pediatric samples and each of the three peak datasets. Results The number of consensus peaks called in the pediatric samples was similar to that identified in ENCODE's GM12878 and primary B cell datasets. We observed <1% of loops that demonstrated significantly differential looping between peaks called within the pediatric samples themselves and when called using ENCODE GM12878 peaks . Significant looping differences were even less when comparing loops of the pediatric called peaks to those of the ENCODE primary B cell peaks. When querying loops found in juvenile idiopathic arthritis, type 1 diabetes, or systemic lupus erythematosus risk haplotypes, we observed significant differences in only 2.2%, 1.0%, and 1.3% loops, respectively, when comparing peaks called within the pediatric samples and ENCODE GM12878 dataset. The differences were even less apparent when comparing loops called with the pediatric vs ENCODE adult primary B cell peak datasets.The 3D chromatin architecture in B cells is similar across pediatric, adult, and EBVtransformed cell lines. This conservation of 3D structure includes regions encompassing autoimmune risk haplotypes. Conclusion Thus, even for pediatric autoimmune diseases, publicly available adult B cell and cell line datasets may be sufficient for assessing effects exerted in the 3D genomic space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyu Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Yao Fu
- Genes and Human Disease Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Kelly
- Genes and Human Disease Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Patrick M. Gaffney
- Genes and Human Disease Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Lucy C. Holmes
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - James N. Jarvis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Program, University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Schmidt T, Dahlberg A, Berthold E, Król P, Arve-Butler S, Rydén E, Najibi SM, Mossberg A, Bengtsson AA, Kahn F, Månsson B, Kahn R. Synovial monocytes contribute to chronic inflammation in childhood-onset arthritis via IL-6/STAT signalling and cell-cell interactions. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1190018. [PMID: 37283752 PMCID: PMC10239926 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1190018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Monocytes are key effector cells in inflammatory processes. We and others have previously shown that synovial monocytes in childhood-onset arthritis are activated. However, very little is known about how they contribute to disease and attain their pathological features. Therefore, we set out to investigate the functional alterations of synovial monocytes in childhood-onset arthritis, how they acquire this phenotype, and whether these mechanisms could be used to tailorize treatment. Methods The function of synovial monocytes was analysed by assays believed to reflect key pathological events, such as T-cell activation-, efferocytosis- and cytokine production assays using flow cytometry in untreated oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (oJIA) patients (n=33). The effect of synovial fluid on healthy monocytes was investigated through mass spectrometry and functional assays. To characterize pathways induced by synovial fluid, we utilized broad-spectrum phosphorylation assays and flow cytometry, as well as inhibitors to block specific pathways. Additional effects on monocytes were studied through co-cultures with fibroblast-like synoviocytes or migration in transwell systems. Results Synovial monocytes display functional alterations with inflammatory and regulatory features, e.g., increased ability to induce T-cell activation, resistance to cytokine production following activation with LPS and increased efferocytosis. In vitro, synovial fluid from patients induced the regulatory features in healthy monocytes, such as resistance to cytokine production and increased efferocytosis. IL-6/JAK/STAT signalling was identified as the main pathway induced by synovial fluid, which also was responsible for a majority of the induced features. The magnitude of synovial IL-6 driven activation in monocytes was reflected in circulating cytokine levels, reflecting two groups of low vs. high local and systemic inflammation. Remaining features, such as an increased ability to induce T-cell activation and markers of antigen presentation, could be induced by cell-cell interactions, specifically via co-culture with fibroblast-like synoviocytes. Conclusions Synovial monocytes in childhood-onset arthritis are functionally affected and contribute to chronic inflammation, e.g., via promoting adaptive immune responses. These data support a role of monocytes in the pathogenesis of oJIA and highlight a group of patients more likely to benefit from targeting the IL-6/JAK/STAT axis to restore synovial homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Schmidt
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Alma Dahlberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Berthold
- Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Petra Król
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sabine Arve-Butler
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Emilia Rydén
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Seyed Morteza Najibi
- Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anki Mossberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders A. Bengtsson
- Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Kahn
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Infection Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Bengt Månsson
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Robin Kahn
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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