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Genome-wide profiling of target genes for the systemic lupus erythematosus-associated transcription factors IRF5 and STAT4
  1. Chuan Wang1,
  2. Johanna K Sandling1,
  3. Niklas Hagberg2,
  4. Olof Berggren2,
  5. Snaevar Sigurdsson1,
  6. Olof Karlberg1,
  7. Lars Rönnblom2,
  8. Maija-Leena Eloranta2,
  9. Ann-Christine Syvänen1
  1. 1Molecular Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
  2. 2Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
  1. Correspondence to Professor Ann-Christine Syvänen, Molecular Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 85, Sweden; ann-christine.syvanen{at}medsci.uu.se

Abstract

Background The transcription factors interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) are encoded by two of the strongest susceptibility genes for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Objective To investigate the target genes and functional roles of IRF5 and STAT4 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Methods Chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) was performed in PBMCs stimulated to activate IRF5 and STAT4. The expression of the target genes of IRF5 and STAT4 was investigated in a publicly available dataset generated from PBMCs from patients with SLE and healthy controls. The genomic regions bound by the transcription complexes mediated by IRF5 and STAT4 were examined for transcription factor binding motifs and SLE-associated sequence variants.

Results More than 7000 target genes for IRF5 and STAT4 were identified in stimulated PBMCs. These genes were enriched to functional pathways in the type I interferon system, and have key roles in the inflammatory response. The expression patterns of the target genes were characteristic for patients with SLE. The transcription factors high mobility group-I/Y, specificity protein 1, and paired box 4 may function cooperatively with IRF5 and STAT4 in transcriptional regulation. Eight of the target regions for IRF5 and STAT4 contain SLE-associated sequence variants.

Conclusions By participating in transcription complex with other co-factors, IRF5 and STAT4 harbour the potential of regulating a large number of target genes, which may contribute to their strong association with SLE.

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