MHC2TA is associated with differential MHC molecule expression and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and myocardial infarction.
Antigen presentation to T cells by MHC molecules is essential for adaptive immune responses. To determine the exact position of a gene affecting expression of MHC molecules, we finely mapped a previously defined rat quantitative trait locus regulating MHC class II on microglia in an advanced intercross line. We identified a small interval including the gene MHC class II transactivator (Mhc2ta) and, using a map over six inbred strains combined with gene sequencing and expression analysis, two conserved Mhc2ta haplotypes segregating with MHC class II levels. In humans, a -168A --> G polymorphism in the type III promoter of the MHC class II transactivator (MHC2TA) was associated with increased susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and myocardial infarction, as well as lower expression of MHC2TA after stimulation of leukocytes with interferon-gamma. We conclude that polymorphisms in Mhc2ta and MHC2TA result in differential MHC molecule expression and are associated with susceptibility to common complex diseases with inflammatory components.
Swanberg
Maria
M
Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Neuroimmunology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Lidman
Olle
O
Padyukov
Leonid
L
Eriksson
Per
P
Akesson
Eva
E
Jagodic
Maja
M
Lobell
Anna
A
Khademi
Mohsen
M
Börjesson
Ola
O
Lindgren
Cecilia M
CM
Lundman
Pia
P
Brookes
Anthony J
AJ
Kere
Juha
J
Luthman
Holger
H
Alfredsson
Lars
L
Hillert
Jan
J
Klareskog
Lars
L
Hamsten
Anders
A
Piehl
Fredrik
F
Olsson
Tomas
T
D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000235:genetics*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D051381:Rats; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000276:immunology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics*
D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; C083728:MHC class II transactivator protein; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators