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Immunogenic variants obtained by mutagenesis of mouse mastocytoma P815. VI. Occasional escape from host rejection due to antigen-loss secondary variants.

After mutagenesis of mouse mastocytoma P815, it is possible to obtain variant (tum-) clones that are almost always rejected by syngeneic DBA/2 mice. Most tum- clones express new variant-specific antigens that can be detected by cytolytic T cells (CTL). Occasionally, mice injected with tum- variants eventually develop progressive tumors. Cells from these tumors were analyzed for antigen expression with variant-specific and P815-specific CTL clones. Out of 13 tumors examined, 11 were composed of cells that had clearly lost a variant-specific antigenic determinant. These results indicate that tum- variants induce a specific host rejection response which usually results in complete elimination of the variant cells, but that occasional antigen-loss constitutes an important mechanism of escape. The loss of a variant-specific antigenic determinant from one tum- clone that had escaped rejection allowed the detection of a residual variant-specific determinant. This was demonstrated by isolating a new CTL clone that lysed both the original tum- clone and its antigen-loss variant, but not other P815 targets. Thus, some complex transplantation antigens can be separated into independent determinants by using antigen-loss variants.

Animals↗

Posttranscriptionally mediated decreases in folylpolyglutamate synthetase gene expression in some folate analogue-resistant variants of the L1210 cell. Evidence for an altered cognate mRNA in the variants affecting the rate of de novo synthesis of the enzyme.

L1210 cell variants resistant to edatrexate (EDX) were isolated by selection in vivo during therapy with this folate analogue. Among the variants selected, seven (L1210/EDX-4 to -7 and L1210/EDX-12 to -14) were found to exhibit 2-23-fold lower levels of folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS) activity compared with parental L1210 cells. Lower levels of FPGS activity in cell-free extract from these variants using EDX as substrate were characterized by the same relative decrease in value for Vmax with no change in apparent Km. The results of an analysis of FPGS activity in mixtures of variant and parental cell extract suggested that no endogenous inhibitors in the variant cells or stimulatory factors in parental cells accounted for the differences observed. Also, FPGS from variant and parental cells showed no difference in thermostability. Decreases in a 60-61-kDa protein as shown by immunoblotting with anti-FPGS peptide antibody were found to occur commensurately with the decrease in FPGS activity in cell extract from the variants compared with parental cells. However, no evidence was obtained for a difference in turnover of FPGS protein during measurement of the decay of FPGS activity in cycloheximide-treated variant and parental cells. In addition, Northern blotting of poly(A)+ RNA did not reveal any difference in the size or level of FPGS mRNA among these various cell types. Studies of in vitro translation of hybridization-selected FPGS mRNA from L1210 cells showed that both mitochondrial and cytosolic forms of FPGS were generated during the reaction. Moreover, FPGS mRNA from the variant cells was significantly less effective in mediating formation of the FPGS peptide product in a manner correlating with FPGS activity and protein found in the cytosol of the various cell types. These results suggest that FPGS gene expression in these variants is posttranscriptionally altered at the level of the cognate mRNA itself and that this alteration constitutively down-regulates the steady-state level of FPGS in these variants.

Aminopterin↗

Ligand specificity of the genetic variants of human alpha1-acid glycoprotein: generation of a three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship model for drug binding to the A variant.

Human alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) is a mixture of at least two genetic variants: the A variant and the F1 and/or S variant or variants, which are encoded by two different genes. In a continuation of previous studies indicating specific drug transport roles for each AAG variant according to its separate genetic origin, this work was designed to (1) determine the affinities of the two main gene products of AAG (i.e., the A variant and a mixture of the F1 and S variants) for 35 chemically diverse drugs and (2) to obtain meaningful 3D-QSARs for each binding site. Affinities were obtained by displacement experiments, leading to qualitative indications about binding site characteristics. In particular, drugs binding selectively to the A variant displayed some common structural features, but this was not seen for the F1*S variants. Three-dimensional QSAR analyses using the CoMFA method yielded a steric model for binding to the A variant, from which a simplified haptophoric model was derived. In contrast, no statistically sound model was found for the F1*S variants, possibly due (among other reasons) to an insufficient number of high affinity ligands in the set.

Alleles↗

Surfactant protein A2 (SP-A2) variants expressed in CHO cells stimulate phagocytosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa more than do SP-A1 variants.

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) enhances phagocytosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Two functional genes, SP-A1 and SP-A2, encode human SP-A. As we showed before, baculovirus-mediated insect cell-expressed SP-A2 enhances the association of P. aeruginosa with rat alveolar macrophages (rAMs) more than does SP-A1. However, true phagocytosis (internalization) was not shown, and insect cell derived proteins lack or are defective in certain mammalian posttranslational modifications that may be important for SP-A1 and SP-A2 activity and specificity. Here we used SP-A1 (6A(2), 6A(4)) and SP-A2 (1A(0), 1A(1)) allele variants expressed by CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) mammalian cells to study their effect on association and/or internalization of P. aeruginosa by rAMs and/or human AMs (hAMs) and to study if phagocytosis can be modulated differentially and/or more effectively by CHO cell-expressed SP-A variants than by insect-cell expressed SP-A variants. For cell association and internalization assessments, light microscopy and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analyses were used, respectively. We found the following for the first time. (i) SP-A2 variants enhanced phagocytosis (cell association and/or internalization) of P. aeruginosa more than SP-A1 variants did, and the cell association correlated with internalization. (ii) Differences in the activities of SP-A variants were observed in the following order: 1A(1)>1A(0)>6A(2)>6A(4). (iii) rAMs, although more active than hAMs, are an appropriate model, as SP-A2 variants exhibited activity higher than that seen for SP-A1 variants with either rAMs or hAMs. (iv) CHO cell-expressed SP-A was considerably more active than insect cell-expressed variants. We conclude that SP-A2 variants stimulate phagocytosis of P. aeruginosa more effectively than SP-A1 variants and that posttranslational modifications positively influence the phagocytic activity of SP-A.

Animals↗

Identification of a novel EYA4 likely pathogenic variant in a Chinese family with postlingual non-syndromic hearing loss and analysis of molecular epidemiology of EYA4 variants.

BACKGROUND: EYA4 variants are responsible for DFNA10 deafness. Due to its insidious onset and slow progression, hearing loss in autosomal dominant non-syndromic hearing loss (ADNSHL) is usually challenging to detect early in clinical settings, with limited intervention options. Genetic testing can aid in early detection of hearing loss, enabling timely intervention to reduce disability rates and improve the quality of life. METHODS: In this study, we report the case of a Chinese family with postlingual and progressive hearing loss that was passed down for four generations. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on DNA samples from the proband. Candidate variants identified in the proband and family members were confirmed via Sanger sequencing. In silico prediction tools and co-segregation analyses were used to assess the pathogenicity of identified variants. A literature review of known EYA4 variants was performed, analysing variant frequency, distribution characteristics across different populations, and genotype-phenotype correlations. RESULTS: We identified a novel EYA4 variant, c.1745_1748del (p.Glu582ValfsTer6), in a Chinese family with ADNSHL, and co-segregation with the family's phenotype was confirmed. The audiometry showed mid-to-high frequency downsloping hearing loss. To date, 52 pathogenic variants of EYA4 have been reported, with majority identified in Asian populations. Most observed are the missense and frameshift variants. CONCLUSIONS: A novel variant of EYA4 was identified in a Chinese family with postlingual hearing loss, contributing to the expanding spectrum of EYA4 variants. The audiological features of EYA4 variants are highly heterogeneous and often challenging to detect early in clinical settings. Our findings highlight the significance of genetic testing in patients presenting with postlingual hearing loss.

Humans↗

Human spleen cysteineproteinase inhibitor. Purification, fractionation into isoelectric variants and some properties of the variants.

The papain inhibitor from human spleen was purified by extraction in isotonic sucrose, acetone fractionation, papain-Sepharose affinity chromatography and gel filtration on Sephadex G-50. The purified inhibitor was fractionated by electrofocusing into four major isoelectric variants with pI values of 4.7, 5.0, 6.0 and 6.5. These variants can be classified into two groups: the acidic type, comprising the variants with pI 4.7 and 5.0, and the neutral type, comprising the variants with pI 6.0 and 6.5. The following properties distinguish the two types: 1. Immunological properties: antibodies raised against either of the neutral variants precipitated both of these, but not the acidic variants. The antiserum against the human epidermal cysteineproteinase inhibitor precipitated the acidic variants, but not the neutral variants. 2. Molecular size: two-dimensional electrophoresis of the purified inhibitor gave molecular weights of 11400 for the acidic variants and 12000 for the neutral variants. The pI 6.0 variant contained two compounds with molecular weights of 12000 and 12800. 3. Enzyme spectrum: human cathepsin B was inhibited by the acidic type, while the neutral type was a poor inhibitor. Both types inhibited cathepsin H, papain, ficin and bromelain, although the inhibition of bromelain did not exceed 70%. Human cathepsin D, bovine trypsin and chymotrypsin and porcine elastase were not inhibited by either type.

Aged↗

Development of RS1-specific ACMG/AMP variant classification criteria with pilot variant curation.

Gene-based therapies are being developed for retinal diseases, including RS1-related X-linked retinoschisis. Therefore it is essential to determine which variants are pathogenic and which are benign when enrolling patients. The Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) X-Linked Inherited Retinal Diseases (XLRD) Variant Curation Expert Panel (VCEP) brings together clinician scientists, molecular biologists, and geneticists to apply their expertise and review the clinical, genetic, population, and functional evidence for variants. American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) guidelines have been modified for RS1 to develop a highly systematic and conservative framework for evaluating variants. The curation process involves applying 28 different codes, each with 4 strength levels (very strong, strong, moderate, supporting) across different domains of phenotype, population data, computational assessment, functional impact, and segregation. With RS1-specific rules, a total of 54 pilot variants were tested. These included 47 variants in ClinVar. Of these 21 variants were re-classified: 2 likely pathogenic variants and one likely benign were changed to variants of uncertain significance and 4 previously unclassified variants were changed to pathogenic, likely pathogenic and likely benign. Other changes resolved conflicts or multiple classifications.

Humans↗

Classification of variants of reduced penetrance in high-penetrance cancer susceptibility genes: Framework for genetics clinicians and clinical scientists by CanVIG-UK (Cancer Variant Interpretation Group-UK).

PURPOSE: Current practice is to report and manage likely pathogenic/pathogenic variants in a given cancer susceptibility gene as though having equivalent penetrance, despite increasing evidence of intervariant variability in risk associations. Using existing variant interpretation approaches, largely based on full-penetrance models, variants in which reduced penetrance is suspected may be classified inconsistently and/or as variants of uncertain significance. We aimed to develop a national consensus approach for such variants within the Cancer Variant Interpretation Group UK (CanVIG-UK) multidisciplinary network. METHODS: A series of surveys and live polls were conducted during and between CanVIG-UK monthly meetings on various scenarios potentially indicating reduced penetrance. These informed the iterative development of a framework for the classification of variants of reduced penetrance by the CanVIG-UK Steering and Advisory Group working group. RESULTS: CanVIG-UK recommendations for amendment of the 2015 ACMG/AMP variant interpretation framework were developed for variants in which (A) active evidence suggests a reduced-penetrance effect size (eg, from case-control or segregation data) and (B) reduced penetrance effect is inferred from weaker/potentially inconsistent observed data. CONCLUSION: CanVIG-UK propose a framework for the classification of variants of reduced penetrance in high-penetrance genes. These principles, although developed for cancer susceptibility genes, are potentially applicable to other clinical contexts.

Humans↗

A novel variant in the SPTB gene underlying hereditary spherocytosis and a literature review of previous variants.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary spherocytosis (HS, MIM#612641) is one of the most common hereditary hemolytic disorders. This study aimed to confirm a novel variant's pathogenicity and reveal a patient's genetic etiology. METHODS: The clinical data of a patient with HS who underwent genetic sequencing at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were reviewed retrospectively. In silico prediction and in vitro minigene splicing reporter system were then conducted on the detected variant to analyze its intramolecular impact. A summary of the literature related to HS due to SPTB gene variants was also presented. RESULTS: A novel variant (c.301-2 A > G) in the SPTB gene (NM_001024858.4) was identified in the proband. Using Sanger sequencing, we conclusively confirmed that the inheritance of the variant could not be traced to the biological parents. The in vitro minigene assay revealed three different transcripts derived from the c.301-2 A > G variant: r.301_474del, r.301_306delCCAAAG, and r.301-1_301-57ins. Through a literature review, patients with HS who had been genotypically validated were summarized and the SPTB gene variant profile was mapped. CONCLUSION: We identified a splicing variant of the SPTB gene, thus confirming its aberrant translation. The novel variant was the probable genetic etiology of the proband with HS. Our findings expanded the variant spectrum of the SPTB gene, thus improving the understanding of the associated hereditary hemolytic disorders from a clinical and molecular perspective and contributing to the foundation of genetic counseling and diagnosis.

Humans↗

Immunogenic variants obtained by mutagenesis of mouse mastocytoma P815. V. H-2 associativity of variant-specific antigens.

By in vitro mutagenesis of mastocytoma P815, it is possible to obtain tumor cell variants that are rejected by syngeneic mice (tum-). Most of these variants carry new individual antigens and stimulate a specific cytolytic T cell (CTL) response in mixed leukocyte tumor cell culture (MLTC). The H-2 associativity of this response was examined for six different variants by measuring the inhibition of cell-mediated cytolysis by antibodies directed against products of the K or the D end of the H-2d complex. The lysis was either not inhibited (variants P91 and P116) or inhibited selectively by anti-Kd (variants P21, P32 and P198) or anti-Dd antibodies (variant P35). All these tum- variants expressed Kd and Dd antigens as measured by absorption of H-2 alloantisera. Long-term CTL clones can be obtained that are specific for individual tum- antigens. The pattern of H-2 associativity obtained with MLTC-derived CTL against four tum- variants was verified with CTL clones directed against the specific antigens of these variants. Concordant results were observed in all cases. In addition to CTL clones specific for tum- antigens, it is possible to isolate clones against a P815 tumor-associated antigen found on all P815 tum- variants. For these clones no clear associativity with either Kd or Dd products was found.

Animals↗

Detection of oestrogen receptor variants in endometrium, myometrium, leiomyoma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells: comparison to variants present in breast cancer.

Oestradiol has mitogenic and regulatory effects on various organs and cells, mediated mainly by its nuclear receptor (ER). The presence of aberrant ER forms in Oestrogen-dependent tumours has been discussed in correlation with tumour progression. ER variants, generated by alternative splicing, have been detected in human breast cancer, but also in normal mammary glands, therefore their role in tumorigenesis has been questioned. We have investigated, by the use of the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction amplification technique, the possible existence of ER variants in other normal oestrogen target organs and cells, such as uterus (myometrium and endometrium), in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in a benign uterus tumour (leiomyoma). We have detected variant ER in these samples and have compared the variant profile to that observed in breast cancer. All tissues and cells studied expressed both wild-type ER and variant species. Variant forms encompassed ER with deletions of exons 2, 5 and 7. Variants with exon 5 deleted were detected only in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in breast cancer. Variants with exons 2 and 7 deleted were present in all specimens tested. These results corroborate previous findings that the presence of ER variants is not a characteristic of breast cancer. The physiological significance and possible clinical relevance of the variant ER forms remain to be elucidated.

Base Sequence↗

Walker 256 tumor MHC class I expression during the shift from A variant to the immunogenic AR variant.

Novel tumor cell variants can be obtained by serially passaging tumor cells in different media and/or environments. Serial intraperitoneal (ip) passages of the Walker 256 tumor A variant was followed for studying the generation of its regressive AR variant. MHC class I molecule expression was assessed since variations in this molecule would explain changes in tumor cell immunogenicity and therefore, the shift from progressive A variant to the regressive AR variant. Within 25 ip passages all serial repetitions shifted from A to AR variant, which was characterized by a significant increase in red blood cell (RBC) osmotic fragility with marked spleen hypertrophy in the host. In one serial repetition AR tumor cells were rejected (ip passage number 36) and immunity against the AR and A variants was conferred. Flow cytometry analysis showed a significant increase in the number MHC class I positive cells in AR variant (n = 15, 14.21 +/- 1.32) compared with A variant (n = 10, 9.10 +/- 1.22). These data provide evidence that the generation of the AR variant could result from factors present in the ip environment leading to an increase in the number of Walker 256 MHC class I positive tumor cells, probably due to immune selection of MHC class I negative tumor cells.

Animals↗

Functional effect of the R110Q IL13 genetic variant alone and in combination with IL4RA genetic variants.

BACKGROUND: IL-13 is a key mediator of allergic asthma. IL-13 mediates its effects via its receptor, a heterodimer composed of IL-4R alpha and IL-13R alpha1. Polymorphic variants of both IL-13 and IL-4R alpha have been shown to be associated with atopy. OBJECTIVE: We examined the functional consequences of the Q110 IL-13 variant in vitro and in vivo to determine whether it displays enhanced functional activity compared with R110 IL-13, both in the context of I50Q551 IL-4R alpha and of the atopy-associated variant V50R551 IL-4R alpha. METHODS: We used a mouse cell line stably expressing human IL-4R alpha and IL-13R alpha1 that readily responds to human IL-4 and IL-13. For in vivo analyses, we used BALB/c mice. RESULTS: The Q110 IL-13 variant displayed significantly increased activity compared with R110 IL-13. Furthermore, mice treated with Q110 IL-13 variant displayed increased airways hyperresponsiveness relative to R110 IL-13. We then examined the functional consequences of Q110 IL-13 variant in combination with an atopy-associated variant of its receptor, IL-4R alpha (V50R551). Q110 IL-13 variant had increased activity on these cells as well, and, strikingly, the effect was greater than that observed in cells expressing I50Q551 IL-4R alpha. CONCLUSION: Either Q110 IL-13 variant or V50R551 IL-4R alpha variant has enhanced function alone, but the 2 together have a synergistic effect on IL-13-dependent gene induction. Our data demonstrate the importance of relatively small individual differences in gene products from common single nucleotide polymorphisms that may result in larger combined differences. Furthermore, a relatively modest change in function from a single nucleotide polymorphism can result in an important biological difference in vivo.

Animals↗

Creating an atlas of variant effects to resolve variants of uncertain significance and guide cardiovascular medicine.

Cardiovascular diseases are leading global causes of death and disability, often presenting as interrelated phenotypes of atherosclerotic vascular disease, heart failure and arrhythmias. Cardiovascular diseases arise from interactions between environmental factors and predisposing genotypes and include common Mendelian lipid disorders, cardiomyopathies and arrhythmia syndromes. The identification of a pathogenic variant through genetic testing can inform disease diagnosis, risk prediction, treatment and family screening. However, a major roadblock in genomic medicine is that for many variants, especially missense variants, we lack sufficient evidence to enable a definitive classification, and therefore these variants are deemed as 'variants of uncertain significance'. In this Review, we describe how multiplexed assays of variant effects can enable the functional assessment of nearly all coding variants in a target sequence, potentially offering a proactive approach to identifying the functional significance of gene variants that are observed later in a patient. We discuss validation, including the role of in silico variant effect predictors, and how multiplexed experimental methods are informing cardiovascular disease biology and ultimately resolving the problem of variants of uncertain significance at scale.

Humans↗

Comparison of variant-specific hybridization and single-strand conformational polymorphism methods for detection of mixed human papillomavirus type 16 variant infections.

PCR-based variant-specific hybridization (VSH) and single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analyses were compared for their capacities to detect mixed human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) variant infections within clinical specimens. The SSCP assay used in this comparison targets a 682-bp fragment that spans nucleotides 7445 to 222 within the HPV-16 genome. This fragment includes portions of the HPV-16 long control region and the E6 open reading frame and identifies three categories of SSCP patterns: those identical to the patterns of prototype HPV-16 (P), those identical to the patterns of Caski-derived HPV-16 (C), or those that are different from the P and C HPV-16 patterns and that are therefore classified as belonging to novel (N) HPV-16 variants. VSH targets the entire HPV-16 E6-coding region (nucleotides 56 to 640) and distinguishes previously described variant nucleotides at positions 109, 131, 132, 143, 145, 178, 286, 289, 350, 403, and 532. Clinical samples used in VSH and SSCP analyses were subjected to multiple independent amplification reactions. The resultant amplicons were cloned, and 14 to 78 clones per clinical specimen were evaluated by VSH. VSH detected an HPV-16 variant that represented at least 20% of the amplified HPV-16 variant population. In contrast, SSCP analysis detected HPV-16 variants that represented 36% of the amplified HPV-16 population. Comparison studies were conducted with mixed HPV-16 variant laboratory constructs. Again, VSH had a higher sensitivity than SSCP analysis in detecting mixed HPV-16 variant infections in these constructed amplicon targets. Accurate detection of HPV-16 variants may enhance our understanding of the natural history of HPV-16 infections.

Base Sequence↗

Association between a novel variant of the human type 2 deiodinase gene Thr92Ala and insulin resistance: evidence of interaction with the Trp64Arg variant of the beta-3-adrenergic receptor.

Thyroid hormone action is an important determinant of energy and glucose metabolism. T4 metabolism is regulated by the deiodinases of which type 2 is expressed in humans in skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue, where its transcription is stimulated by the beta-3 adrenergic pathway. We performed molecular scanning of the human type 2 deiodinase (DIO2) gene and evaluated a novel variant for associations with obesity and insulin resistance, assessing both the main effect and interaction with the Trp64Arg beta-3--adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) variant. Molecular scanning of DIO2 in 50 obese Caucasians demonstrated a Thr92Ala variant. Association studies in 972 nondiabetic patients, 135 of whom underwent euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps, showed that subjects with the Thr92Ala variant had lower glucose disposal rate (0.54 plus minus 0.02 mg center dot min(-1) center dot kg(-1) fat-free mass Ala92 homozygotes vs. 0.44 plus minus 0.02 Ala92 heterozygotes vs. 0.42 plus minus 0.04 Thr92 homozygotes, P = 0.0088). Association analysis of the entire group showed significant evidence for a synergistic effect between the Thr92Ala DIO2 and Trp64Arg ADRB3 variants on BMI (both variants 34.3 plus minus 0.9 kg/m(2) vs. neither variant 33.1 plus minus 0.4 kg/m(2), P = 0.04 for interaction). To our knowledge, Thr92Ala is the first description of a missense mutation of DIO2. This variant strongly associates with insulin resistance and, in subjects with the Trp64Arg ADRB3 variant, an increased BMI, suggesting an interaction between these two common gene variants.

Alanine↗

The ClinGen Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease Variant Curation Expert Panel: Specifications for classification of variants in ADA, DCLRE1C, IL2RG, IL7R, JAK3, RAG1, and RAG2.

PURPOSE: This collaborative study, led by the Clinical Genome Resource Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease Variant Curation Expert Panel (ClinGen SCID-VCEP), implemented and adapted the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics/Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP) guidelines for interpreting germline variants in genes with established relationships to SCID. The effort focused on the 7 most common SCID-related genes identified by SCID newborn screening in North America: ADA, DCLRE1C, IL2RG, IL7R, JAK3, RAG1, and RAG2. METHODS: The SCID-VCEP conducted a rigorous review of variants that involved database analyses, literature review, and expert feedback to derive gene-specific modifications to the ACMG/AMP guidelines. These specifications were validated using a pilot set of 90 variants. RESULTS: Of these 90 variants, 25 were classified as pathogenic, 21 as likely pathogenic, 14 as variants of uncertain significance, 18 as likely benign, and 12 as benign. Seventeen variants with conflicting classifications in ClinVar were successfully resolved. The criteria included modifications to 20 of the 28 original ACMG/AMP criteria specific to SCID-related genes. CONCLUSION: The SCID-specific variant curation guidelines developed by the SCID-VCEP will enhance the precision of SCID genetic diagnosis and provide a robust framework for interpreting variants in SCID-related genes, contributing to appropriate treatment of SCID.

Humans↗

Rare variant analysis of whole genome sequenced juvenile idiopathic arthritis multiplex pedigrees identifies rare variants in NOD2 and ACVR1.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a complex rheumatic disease that is influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Linkage and genome-wide association studies have identified genes that contribute to the risk of developing juvenile idiopathic arthritis but are limited in their ability to identify disease-risk variants of large effect. Penetrant, heritable risk variants can be detected in high-risk families, but such cases are uncommon due to the low prevalence of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This study utilizes whole-genome sequencing of 23 multiplex families, the largest such cohort to date, to discover variants and genes relevant to JIA pathogenesis. Pathogenic variants in NOD2 associated with Blau syndrome, an ultra-rare Mendelian inflammatory disorder, are the most recurrent variants in the cohort, consistent with previous reports that milder presentations of Blau syndrome are oftentimes misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis. For the first time, however, rare variants in ACVR1 and SMAD6, integral components of the Bone Morphogenic Protein pathway, are found to be associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Identified ACVR1 variants map to critical protein domains. AlphaFold modeling predicts that the ACVR1 interaction with its inhibitor OGT is disrupted by these variants, indicating that the patient-mutated protein has a gain-of-function phenotype. Drosophila melanogaster expressing either a wild-type or patient-mutated version of ACVR1 exhibit embryonic lethality, with the mutant exhibiting 1.4-fold greater lethality than wild-type. The combination of family-based cohorts for gene discovery, AI-based computational tools, and animal model studies for tests of variant function underscores shared disease pathogenesis between JIA and monogenic disorders of immunity and connective tissue.

Arthritis, Juvenile↗