Association of arthritis with a gene complex encoding C-type lectin-like receptors.
OBJECTIVE
To identify susceptibility genes in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to determine whether the corresponding human genes are associated with RA.


METHODS
Genes influencing oil-induced arthritis (OIA) were position mapped by comparing the susceptibility of inbred DA rats with that of DA rats carrying alleles derived from the arthritis-resistant PVG strain in chromosomal fragments overlapping the quantitative trait locus Oia2. Sequencing of gene complementary DNA (cDNA) and analysis of gene messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were performed to attempt to clone a causal gene. Associations with human RA were evaluated by genotyping single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the corresponding human genes and by analyzing frequencies of alleles and haplotypes in RA patients and age-, sex-, and area-matched healthy control subjects.


RESULTS
Congenic DA rats were resistant to OIA when they carried PVG alleles for the antigen-presenting lectin-like receptor gene complex (APLEC), which encodes immunoregulatory C-type lectin-like receptors. Multiple differences in cDNA sequence and mRNA expression precluded cloning of a single causal gene. Five corresponding human APLEC genes were identified and targeted. The SNP rs1133104 in the dendritic cell immunoreceptor gene (DCIR), and a haplotype including that marker and 4 other SNPs in DCIR and its vicinity showed an indication of allelic association with susceptibility to RA in patients who were negative for antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), with respective odds ratios of 1.27 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.06-1.52; uncorrected P = 0.0073) and 1.37 (95% CI 1.12-1.67; uncorrected P = 0.0019). Results of permutation testing supported this association of the haplotype with RA.


CONCLUSIONS
Rat APLEC is associated with susceptibility to polyarthritis, and human APLEC and DCIR may be associated with susceptibility to anti-CCP-negative RA.
Lorentzen
Johnny C
JC
Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, S-17176 Stockholm, Sweden. Johnny.Lorentzen@ki.se
Flornes
Line
L
Eklöw
Carina
C
Bäckdahl
Liselotte
L
Ribbhammar
Ulrica
U
Guo
Jian Ping
JP
Smolnikova
Marina
M
Dissen
Erik
E
Seddighzadeh
Maria
M
Brookes
Anthony J
AJ
Alfredsson
Lars
L
Klareskog
Lars
L
Padyukov
Leonid
L
Fossum
Sigbjörn
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005819:Genetic Markers; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
C423004:CLEC4A protein, human; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D005819:Genetic Markers; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic