The goal of this proposal is identify the genes that correspond to the lupus susceptibility loci Sle1a and Sle1c and to determine the molecular and functional mechanisms by which their NZW alleles contribute to autoimmunity. We have evidence from congenic recombinants that 3 genes located in the Sle1a region contribute to lupus pathogenesis, for which we have identified two strong positional candidates: Pbx1, a ubiquitous homeobox transcription factor for Sle1a-1, and Sh2d1b / Sh2d1c, two duplicated genes that encode for adaptor proteins of the SLAM molecules, for Sle1a-2. In addition, Fcgr2b has already been associated to lupus in patients and in the NZM2410 model. In parallel, we have shown that an autoreactive T cell phenotype maps to the centromeric portion of Sle1c that we named Sle1c-2 (Sle1c-1 being Cr2). The analysis of congenic recombinants has identified two positional candidates for Sle1c-2, Erssg (estrogen-related receptor 3) and Ush2a (Usherin). To characterize these candidate genes, we have three specific aims. 1: To characterize the NZW allele of candidate genes for Sle1a-1, Sle1a-2, and Sle1c-2. We will use SNP genotyping to better define the critical interval for each locus and determine the SNP haplotype distribution within and around the candidate genes. We will characterize the NZW alleles for the four candidate genes in term of sequence and expression polymorphisms, and splice isoforms distribution. 2: To determine the mechanisms by which Sle1a-1, Sle1a-2 and Sle1c-2 and Fcgr2bNZW contribute to autoimmunity. We will use the in vivo and in vitro assays that we have developed to analyze the autoimmune phenotypes of the whole Sle1a and Sle1c intervals on the Sle1a and Sle1c congenic recombinants to pinpoint the cellular compartments and dissect the molecular mechanisms by which Sle1a-1, Sle1a-2 and Sle1c-2 induce autoimmune phenotypes. In addition, we will perform experiments to further characterize how the NZW allele of Fcgr2b contributes to autoimmunity.3: To validate the contribution of candidate genes to the Sle1a-1, Sle1a-2 and Sle1c-2 phenotypes. We will use lentiviral vectors (LV) to validate the candidate genes by either restoring a normal phenotype in the Sle1a or Sle1c sub-congenics, or by inducing a Sle1a or Sle1c phenotype in B6 mice, with bone-marrow cells LV-transduced with either the resistance or susceptibility alleles. The phenotypes and cellular compartments characterized in Aim 2 will be used as read-outs for the effects of over-expression of resistance or susceptibility alleles. This combined approach will identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which Sle1a and Sle1c-2 contributes to lupus pathogenesis, which we predict will be novel pathways regulating T cell tolerance to nuclear antigens.This project proposes to identify 3 genes that contribute to systemic lupus erythematosus, more specifically to the loss of tolerance to nuclear antigens in a spontaneous mouse model. Genetic analyses have provided a short list of candidate genes that we propose to characterize at the molecular and functional levels. These genes represent potential risk factors for human SLE patients and/or new disrupted pathways that are involved in lupus pathogenesis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI045050-13
Application #
8260407
Study Section
Hypersensitivity, Autoimmune, and Immune-mediated Diseases Study Section (HAI)
Program Officer
Johnson, David R
Project Start
1999-06-01
Project End
2013-04-30
Budget Start
2012-05-01
Budget End
2013-04-30
Support Year
13
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$424,417
Indirect Cost
$127,742
Name
University of Florida
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
969663814
City
Gainesville
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
32611
Choi, Seung-Chul; Titov, Anton A; Abboud, Georges et al. (2018) Inhibition of glucose metabolism selectively targets autoreactive follicular helper T cells. Nat Commun 9:4369
Choi, Seung-Chul; Xu, Zhiwei; Li, Wei et al. (2018) Relative Contributions of B Cells and Dendritic Cells from Lupus-Prone Mice to CD4+ T Cell Polarization. J Immunol 200:3087-3099
Li, Wei; Titov, Anton A; Morel, Laurence (2017) An update on lupus animal models. Curr Opin Rheumatol 29:434-441
Niu, Yuxin; Sengupta, Mayami; Titov, Anton A et al. (2017) The PBX1 lupus susceptibility gene regulates CD44 expression. Mol Immunol 85:148-154
Yin, Yiming; Choi, Seung-Chul; Xu, Zhiwei et al. (2016) Glucose Oxidation Is Critical for CD4+ T Cell Activation in a Mouse Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. J Immunol 196:80-90
Li, Wei; Sivakumar, Ramya; Titov, Anton A et al. (2016) Metabolic Factors that Contribute to Lupus Pathogenesis. Crit Rev Immunol 36:75-98
Choi, Seung-Chul; Hutchinson, Tarun E; Titov, Anton A et al. (2016) The Lupus Susceptibility Gene Pbx1 Regulates the Balance between Follicular Helper T Cell and Regulatory T Cell Differentiation. J Immunol 197:458-69
Yin, Yiming; Choi, Seung-Chul; Xu, Zhiwei et al. (2015) Normalization of CD4+ T cell metabolism reverses lupus. Sci Transl Med 7:274ra18
Lu, Shun; Zeumer, Leilani; Sorensen, Heather et al. (2015) The murine Pbx1-d lupus susceptibility allele accelerates mesenchymal stem cell differentiation and impairs their immunosuppressive function. J Immunol 194:43-55
Xu, Zhiwei; Morel, Laurence (2015) Contribution of B-1a cells to systemic lupus erythematosus in the NZM2410 mouse model. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1362:215-23

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