1. Sequence variant affects GCSAML splicing, mast cell specific proteins, and risk of urticaria
- Author
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Ragnar P. Kristjansson, Gudjon R. Oskarsson, Astros Skuladottir, Asmundur Oddsson, Solvi Rognvaldsson, Gardar Sveinbjornsson, Sigrun H. Lund, Brynjar O. Jensson, Edda L. Styrmisdottir, Gisli H. Halldorsson, Egil Ferkingstad, Grimur Hjorleifsson Eldjarn, Doruk Beyter, Snædis Kristmundsdottir, Kristinn Juliusson, Run Fridriksdottir, Gudny A. Arnadottir, Hildigunnur Katrinardottir, Margret H. Snorradottir, Vinicius Tragante, Lilja Stefansdottir, Erna V. Ivarsdottir, Gyda Bjornsdottir, Bjarni V. Halldorsson, Gudmar Thorleifsson, Bjorn R. Ludviksson, Pall T. Onundarson, Saedis Saevarsdottir, Pall Melsted, Gudmundur L. Norddahl, Unnur S. Bjornsdottir, Thorunn Olafsdottir, Daniel F. Gudbjartsson, Unnur Thorsteinsdottir, Ingileif Jonsdottir, Patrick Sulem, and Kari Stefansson
- Subjects
Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Abstract Urticaria is a skin disorder characterized by outbreaks of raised pruritic wheals. In order to identify sequence variants associated with urticaria, we performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for urticaria with a total of 40,694 cases and 1,230,001 controls from Iceland, the UK, Finland, and Japan. We also performed transcriptome- and proteome-wide analyses in Iceland and the UK. We found nine sequence variants at nine loci associating with urticaria. The variants are at genes participating in type 2 immune responses and/or mast cell biology (CBLB, FCER1A, GCSAML, STAT6, TPSD1, ZFPM1), the innate immunity (C4), and NF-κB signaling. The most significant association was observed for the splice-donor variant rs56043070[A] (hg38: chr1:247556467) in GCSAML (MAF = 6.6%, OR = 1.24 (95%CI: 1.20–1.28), P-value = 3.6 × 10-44). We assessed the effects of the variants on transcripts, and levels of proteins relevant to urticaria pathophysiology. Our results emphasize the role of type 2 immune response and mast cell activation in the pathogenesis of urticaria. Our findings may point to an IgE-independent urticaria pathway that could help address unmet clinical need.
- Published
- 2023
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