Detecting Genetic Associations betweenATG5and Lupus Nephritis bytrans-eQTL

Abstract

Objectives. Numerous loci were identified to perturb gene expression intrans. As elevatedATG5expression was observed in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the study was conducted to analyze the genome-wide genetic regulatory mechanisms associated withATG5expression in a Chinese population with lupus nephritis (LN).Methods. The online expression quantitative trait loci database was searched fortrans-expression single nucleotide polymorphisms (trans-eSNPs) ofATG5. Taggingtrans-eSNPs were genotyped by a custom-made genotyping chip in 280 patients and 199 controls. For positive findings, clinical information and bioinformation analyses were performed.Results. Fourtrans-eSNPs were observed to be associated with susceptibility to LN (P< 0.05), including ANKRD50 rs17008504, AGA rs2271100, PAK7 rs6056923, and TET2 rs1391441, while seven othertrans-eSNPs showed marginal significant associations (0.05 <P< 0.1). Correlations between thetrans-eSNPs andATG5expression and different expression levels ofATG5in SLE patients and controls were validated, and their regulatory effects were annotated. However, no significant associations were observed between different genotypes oftrans-eSNPs and severity or outcome of the patients.Conclusion. Using the new systemic genetics approach, we identified 10 loci associated with susceptibility to LN potentially, which may be complementary to future pathway based genetic studies.