Unraveling The Genetics of Shared Clinical and Serological Manifestations in Systemic Inflammatory Autoimmune Diseases

OBJECTIVES Systemic inflammatory autoimmune diseases (SIADs) such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (myositis) are complex conditions characterized by shared circulating autoantibodies and clinical manifestations, including skin rashes, among others. This study aimed at elucidating the genetics underlying these common features. METHODS We performed targeted DNA sequencing of coding and regulatory regions from ~1,900 immune‐related genes in a large SIAD cohort of 2,292 well‐characterized Scandinavian patients with SLE, pSS and myositis, as well as 1,252 controls. A gene‐based functionally‐weighted genetic score for aggregate testing of all genetic variants, including rare variants, was complemented by in‐silico functional analyses and in‐vitro reporter experiments. RESULTS Case‐control association analysis detected known and potentially novel genetic loci in agreement with previous genetic and transcriptomics findings linked to the SIAD autoimmune background. Intriguingly, case‐case comparisons between patient subgroups with and without specific autoantibodies revealed that the subgroups defined by ANA and anti‐dsDNA antibodies have unique genetic profiles reflecting their heterogeneity. When focusing on clinical features, we overall showed that DUSP1 protective genetic variants lead to increased gene expression and potentially to anti‐inflammatory effects on the SIAD‐associated skin phenotype. This is consistent with recent genetic findings on eczema and with the previously reported downregulation of the MAPK signaling‐related gene DUSP1 in other skin disorders. CONCLUSION Together, this suggests common molecular mechanisms potentially underlying overlapping clinical manifestations shared among different disorders and informs clinical heterogeneity, which could be translated to improve disease diagnostic and treatment, also in more generalized disease frameworks.