Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, lupus) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder with a significant genetic component. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many associated genetic variants in SLE patients. Almost all are outside coding regions, in areas likely enriched for regulatory and transcriptionally functional variants. T follicular helper cells (Tfh) and germinal center B (GCB) cells are major contributors to systemic autoimmunity in SLE through their collaborative production of pathogenic autoantibodies and subsequent immune-complex mediated tissue injury. Our preliminary and published studies indicate that enhancers in Tfh and GCB cells and sites of occupancy by Bcl6 (B cell lymphoma 6), the canonical transcriptional repressor necessary for differentiation and function of these cell types, co-localize with gene variants associated with SLE. The goal of aim one of this revised application is to identify enhancer elements controlling gene expression programs in Tfh and GCB cells. We will define and correlate chromatin architecture, RNA polymerase II occupancy, and genomic organization with transcriptome analyses to identify enhancers in primary human Tfh and GCB cells. After enhancer identification and validation, we will integrate our data to identify and correlate cell-type specific enhancers with programs of gene expression. The goal of aim two is the identification of common regulatory networks mediated by Bcl6 and its transcriptional repressor, Blimp1 (B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1), in Tfh and GCB cells. Integration of transcriptome data, genomic organization, histone architecture, and Bcl6 and Blimp1 occupancy will provide us detailed knowledge of gene structure, function, and regulation controlled by these transcriptional repressors in Tfh and GCB cells. The regulation of groups of genes in these data sets will be compared and contrasted, allowing us to identify and characterize common regulatory networks controlled by the Blimp1-Bcl6 axis. The goal of aim three is the identification and characterization of functional genetic variants associated with SLE in Tfh and GCB cells. SLE-linked genetic variants will be integrated with transcriptome analyses, enhancer maps, Bcl6 and Blimp1 occupancy, chromatin accessibility assays, and genotype-specific gene expression to identify functional SNPs. Functional studies of relevant enhancers will be performed including in vivo gene editing studies in mice using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to genetically modify candidate regions in the murine genome to assess the regulatory effects of these elements in Tfh and GCB cell differentiation and function. Identification of functional genetic variants should facilitate development of novel therapeutic strategies for use in SLE patients.
The goal of this proposal is to understand how genetic influences contribute to the disease systemic lupus erythematosus, a poorly understood, yet relatively common autoimmune disorder. Understanding what genes contribute to clinical signs and symptoms in lupus may also help us better understand the problems faced by some patients with lupus and may provide insights into new treatments.
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