Aberrant expression of shared master-key genes contributes to the immunopathogenesis in patients with juvenile spondyloarthritis

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Lovro Lamot
• Author: Fran Borovečki
• Author: Lana Tambić Bukovac
• Author: Mandica Vidović
• Author: Marija Perica
• Author: Kristina Gotovac
• Author: Miroslav Harjaček
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences

Abstract (english)

Association of juvenile spondyloarthritis (jSpA) with the HLA-B27 genotype is well established, but there is little knowledge of other genetic factors with a role in the development of the disease. To date, only a few studies have tried to find those associated genes by obtaining expression profiles, but with inconsistent results due to various patient selection criteria and methodology. The aim of the present study was to identify and confirm gene signatures and novel biomarkers in highly homogeneous cohorts of untreated and treated patients diagnosed with jSpA and other forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) according to ILAR criteria. For the purposes of the research, total RNA was isolated from whole blood of 45 children with jSpA and known HLA genotype, 11 children with oligo- and polyarticular forms of JIA, as well as 12 age and sex matched control participants without diagnosis of inflammatory disease. DNA microarray gene expression was performed in 11 patients with jSpA and in four healthy controls, along with bioinformatical analysis of retrieved data. Carefully selected differentially expressed genes where analyzed by qRT-PCR in all participants of the study. Microarray results and bioinformatical analysis revealed 745 differentially expressed genes involved in various inflammatory processes, while qRT-PCR analysis of selected genes confirmed data universality and specificity of expression profiles in jSpA patients. The present study indicates that jSpA could be a polygenic disease with a possible malfunction in antigen recognition and activation of immunological response, migration of inflammatory cells and regulation of the immune system. Among genes involved in these processes TLR4, NLRP3, CXCR4 and PTPN12 showed almost consistent expression in study patients diagnosed with jSpA. Those genes and their products could therefore potentially be used as novel biomarkers, possibly predictive of disease prognosis and response to therapy, or even as a target for new therapeutic approaches.

• Keywords (english): Adolescent; Arthritis, Juvenile / genetics; Arthritis, Juvenile / immunology; Carrier Proteins / genetics; Carrier Proteins / metabolism; Child; Female; Gene Expression; Gene Expression Profiling; Humans; Leukocytes / immunology; Male; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 12 / genetics; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 12 / metabolism; Receptors, CXCR4 / genetics; Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism; Toll-Like Receptor 4 / genetics; Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: PLoS ONE
• Numbering: vol. 9, no. 12, e115416
• p-ISSN: 1932-6203
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0115416
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:089562
• Publication: 2014-12-15
• Document URL: http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0115416
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-28 08:24:02