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Genetic and Epigenetic Fine-Tuning of TGFB1 Expression Within the Human Osteoarthritic Joint

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Sarah RiceORCiD, Jack Roberts, Maria Tselepi, Abby Brumwell, Professor John LoughlinORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related disease characterised by articular cartilage degeneration. It has a large heritability and genetic screens have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) marking genomic risk loci. One such locus is marked by G>A SNP rs75621460, downstream of TGFB1. This gene encodes TGF-β1, the correct expression of which is essential for cartilage maintenance. We have used a combination of human patient samples (n=319) and a chondrocyte model to characterise the impact of rs75621460 in multiple articular joint tissues.Methods: Patient samples were genotyped and DNA methylation (DNAm) levels quantified by pyrosequencing. Gene reporter and electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to determine differential nuclear protein binding to the region. The functional impact of DNAm upon TGFB1 expression was tested using targeted epigenome editing.Results: We identified that rs75621460 is located within a TGFB1 enhancer, and that the OA risk A-allele alters transcription factor binding, decreasing enhancer activity. Protein complexes binding to A (but not G) induced DNAm at flanking CG-dinucleotides. Strong correlations were observed between patient DNAm levels and TGFB1 expression, the direction of which was opposing between cartilage and synovium. This demonstrated biological pleiotropy in the impact of the SNP within different tissues of the articulating joint.Conclusion: The OA risk SNP rs75621460 impacts TGFB1 expression by modulating the function of a gene enhancer. We propose a mechanism by which the SNP impacts enhancer function, providing novel biological insight into one mechanism of osteoarthritis genetic risk, which may facilitate the development of future pharmacological therapies.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Rice SJ, Roberts JB, Tselepi M, Brumwell A, Falk J, Steven C, Loughlin J

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Arthritis and Rheumatology

Year: 2021

Volume: 73

Issue: 10

Pages: 1866-1877

Print publication date: 01/10/2021

Online publication date: 24/03/2021

Acceptance date: 08/03/2021

Date deposited: 25/03/2021

ISSN (print): 2326-5191

ISSN (electronic): 2326-5205

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd

URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/art.41736

DOI: 10.1002/art.41736

PubMed id: 33760378


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
10641
20771VERSUS Arthritis (formerly Arthritis Research UK)
305815

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