Pathogenic implications for autoimmune mechanisms derived by comparative eQTL analysis of CD4(+) versus CD8(+) T cells
PLOS GENETICS
Authors: Kasela, Silva; Kisand, Kai; Tserel, Liina; Kaleviste, Epp; Remm, Anu; Fischer, Krista; Esko, Tonu; Westra, Harm-Jan; Fairfax, Benjamin P.; Makino, Seiko; Knight, Julian C.; Franke, Lude; Metspalu, Andres; Peterson, Part; Milani, Lili
Abstract
Inappropriate activation or inadequate regulation of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells may contribute to the initiation and progression of multiple autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Studies on disease-associated genetic polymorphisms have highlighted the importance of biological context for many regulatory variants, which is particularly relevant in understanding the genetic regulation of the immune system and its cellular phenotypes. Here we show cell type-specific regulation of transcript levels of genes associated with several autoimmune diseases in CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells including a trans-acting regulatory locus at chr12q13.2 containing the rs1131017 SNP in the RPS26 gene. Most remarkably, we identify a common missense variant in IL27, associated with type 1 diabetes that results in decreased functional activity of the protein and reduced expression levels of downstream IRF1 and STAT1 in CD4(+) T cells only. Altogether, our results indicate that eQTL mapping in purified T cells provides novel functional insights into polymorphisms and pathways associated with autoimmune diseases.
Low Dose, Low Dose Rate Photon Radiation Modifies Leukocyte Distribution and Gene Expression in CD4(+) T Cells
JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH
Authors: Gridley, Daila S.; Rizvi, Asma; Xian Luo-Owen; Makinde, Adeola Y.; Pecaut, Michael J.
Abstract
A better understanding of low dose radiation effects is needed to accurately estimate health risks. In this study, C57BL/6 mice were gamma-irradiated to total doses of 0, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 Gy (Co-57; similar to 0.02 cGy/h). Subsets per group were euthanized at the end of irradiation (day 0) and on days 4 and 21 thereafter. Relative spleen mass and splenic white blood cell (WBC) counts, major leukocyte populations, and spontaneous DNA synthesis were consistently higher in the irradiated groups on day 0 compared to 0 Gy controls, although significance was not always obtained. In the spleen, all three major leukocyte types were significantly elevated on day 0 (P < 0.05). By day 21 post-irradiation the T, B, and natural killer (NK) cell counts, as well as CD4(+) T cells and CD4:CD8 T cell ratio, were low especially in the 0.01 Gy group. Although blood analyses showed no significant differences in leukocyte counts or red blood cell and platelet characteristics, the total T cells, CD4(+) T cells, and NK cells were increased by day 21 after 0.01 Gy (P < 0.05). Gene analysis of CD4(+) T cells negatively isolated from spleens on day 0 after 0.1 Gy showed significantly enhanced expression of Il27 and Tcfcp2, whereas Inha and Socs5 were down-regulated regulated by 0.01 Gy and 0.1 Gy, respectively (P < 0.05). A trend for enhancement was noted in two additional genes (Illr1 and Tbx2l) in the 0.1 Gy group (P < 0.1). The data show that protracted low dose photons had dose- and time-dependent effects on CD4(+) T cells after whole-body exposure.