| 1. |
- Leonard, Dag, et al.
(författare)
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Coronary Heart Disease in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Is Associated With Interferon Regulatory Factor-8 Gene Variants
- 2013
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Ingår i: Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics. - : BMJ. - 1942-325X .- 1942-3268. ; 72:Suppl. 3, s. 270-270
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background- Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have increased morbidity and mortality in coronary heart disease (CHD). We asked whether there was a genetic influence on CHD in systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods and Results- The association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and CHD in 2 populations of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus was assessed. Patients were genotyped on a custom 12k Illumina Array. The allele frequencies were compared between patients with (n=66) and without (n=509) CHD. We found 61 SNPs with an association (P<0.01) to CHD, with the strongest association for 3 SNPs located in the interferon regulatory factor-8 (IRF8) gene. Comparison of the allele frequencies of these 61 SNPs in patients with (n=27) and without (n=212) CHD in the second study population revealed that 2 SNPs, rs925994 and rs10514610 in IRF8 (linkage disequilibrium, r(2)=0.84), were associated with CHD in both study populations. Meta-analysis of the SNP rs925994 gave an odds ratio of 3.6 (2.1-6.3), P value 1.9x10(-6). The identified IRF8 allele remained as a risk factor for CHD after adjustment for traditional CHD risk factors. The IRF8 risk allele was associated with the presence of carotid plaques (P<0.001) and increased intima-media thickness (P=0.01). By electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we show weaker binding of protein to the risk allele of the highly linked SNP rs11117415, and by flow cytometry, a reduced frequency of circulating B cells was detected in patients with the IRF8 risk allele. Conclusions- There is a considerable genetic component for CHD in systemic lupus erythematosus, with IRF8 as a strong susceptibility locus.
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| 2. |
- Svenungsson, Elisabet, et al.
(författare)
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A STAT4 risk allele is associated with ischaemic cerebrovascular events and anti-phospholipid antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus
- 2010
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Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 69:5, s. 834-840
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective To investigate whether the risk allele for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 4 (STAT4) gene, defined by the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs10181656(G), is associated with vascular events and/or presence of prothrombotic anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) in patients with SLE. Methods Two independent groups of unrelated patients with SLE of Swedish ethnicity (n=424 and 154) were genotyped, and occurrence of previous manifestations of ischaemic heart disease (IHD), ischaemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) and venous thromboembolic events (VTE) was tabulated. aPL values were measured by ELISA. Matched controls (n=492 and 194) were genotyped. Results The STAT4 risk allele was more frequent in patients with SLE with previous arterial events (combined OR (ORc)=1.5, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.0) compared to patients without such events. The association was mainly attributable to an accumulation of the risk allele among patients with ICVD (ORc=2.3, CI 1.6 to 3.3). There was no association with IHD or VTE. The presence of two or more aPLs was associated with the risk allele (ORc=1.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.0). In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses treatment for hypertension, at least one STAT4 risk allele, older age, IgG anti-cardiolipin antibodies and longer SLE duration remained independently associated with previous ICVD (p≤0.02 for all). Conclusion Patients with SLE with the STAT4 risk allele had a strikingly increased risk of ICVD, comparable in magnitude to that of hypertension. The results imply that a genetic predisposition is an important and previously unrecognised risk factor for ICVD in SLE, and that aPLs may be one underlying mechanism.
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| 3. |
- Dahlqvist, Johanna, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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A single-nucleotide deletion in the POMP 5' UTR causes a transcriptional switch and altered epidermal proteasome distribution in KLICK genodermatosis
- 2010
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Ingår i: American Journal of Human Genetics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0002-9297 .- 1537-6605. ; 86:4, s. 596-603
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- KLICK syndrome is a rare autosomal-recessive skin disorder characterized by palmoplantar keratoderma, linear hyperkeratotic papules, and ichthyosiform scaling. In order to establish the genetic cause of this disorder, we collected DNA samples from eight European probands. Using high-density genome-wide SNP analysis, we identified a 1.5 Mb homozygous candidate region on chromosome 13q. Sequence analysis of the ten annotated genes in the candidate region revealed homozygosity for a single-nucleotide deletion at position c.-95 in the proteasome maturation protein (POMP) gene, in all probands. The deletion is included in POMP transcript variants with long 5' untranslated regions (UTRs) and was associated with a marked increase of these transcript variants in keratinocytes from KLICK patients. POMP is a ubiquitously expressed protein and functions as a chaperone for proteasome maturation. Immunohistochemical analysis of skin biopsies from KLICK patients revealed an altered epidermal distribution of POMP, the proteasome subunit proteins alpha 7 and beta 5, and the ER stress marker CHOP. Our results suggest that KLICK syndrome is caused by a single-nucleotide deletion in the 5' UTR of POMP resulting in altered distribution of POMP in epidermis and a perturbed formation of the outermost layers of the skin. These findings imply that the proteasome has a prominent role in the terminal differentiation of human epidermis.
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| 4. |
- Dahlqvist, Johanna, 1979-
(författare)
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Genetic and Molecular Studies of Two Hereditary Skin Disorders
- 2011
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Monogenic disorders, i.e., disorders caused by mutations in a single gene, are rare and clinically heterogeneous conditions. Identification of the genetic cause of monogenic traits can bring new insights into molecular pathways and disease mechanisms. The aims of the present study were to identify the mutant genes in two autosomal recessive skin disorders and to characterize the functions of the mutated genes. In order to identify candidate genes for the two disorders whole-genome SNP analysis, homozygosity mapping and gene sequencing were used. Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) is a group of disorders characterized by extensive scaling and redness of the skin. A subgroup of ARCI patients (n=27) was selected based on specific ultrastructural aberrations in their skin, revealed by electron microscopy. Mutations were identified in the Ichthyin gene in 93% of the selected patients, indicating a strong association between mutant Ichthyin and the specific morphological abnormalities. Ichthyin mRNA levels were shown to increase during keratinocyte differentiation in cells from healthy and affected individuals. Electron microscopy revealed a localization of ichthyin protein to keratins and desmosomes in epidermis. Staining of epidermal lipids identified aberrant lipid aggregates in skin sections of patients with Ichthyin mutations, indicating a role for Ichthyin in epidermal lipid metabolism. In twelve KLICK syndrome patients with ichthyosis, palmoplantar keratoderma and keratotic striae on joints, a single-nucleotide deletion was identified in the 5’ region of the proteasome maturation protein (POMP) gene. The deletion caused an increase in the proportion of POMP transcripts with long 5’ UTR’s in patient keratinocytes. Immunohistochemical analysis of differentiated skin cell layers revealed aberrant expression of POMP, proteasome subunits and the skin protein filaggrin in patients. CHOP expression, associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress, was increased in the same layers. siRNA silencing of POMP in cell cultures reduced proteasome subunit levels and induced expression of CHOP. The results indicate that the mutation in KLICK patients causes POMP and proteasome insufficiency with subsequent cellular stress. This study conclusively contributes to the understanding of epidermal physiology and the pathogenesis of two inherited skin diseases.
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| 5. |
- Dahlqvist, Johanna, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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Ichthyin/NIPAL4 localizes to keratins and desmosomes in epidermis and Ichthyin mutations affect epidermal lipid metabolism
- 2012
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Ingår i: Archives of Dermatological Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0340-3696 .- 1432-069X. ; 304:5, s. 377-386
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) is a group of disorders characterized by abnormal desquamation of the skin and a disrupted epidermal water barrier. Ichthyin/NIPAL4 gene mutations have been identified in a subgroup of ARCI patients, but the role of ichthyin in epidermis remains elusive. In order to obtain new insights concerning the characteristics of ichthyin and the ARCI pathogenesis, we studied the expression and localization of ichthyin and related epidermal components in cultured keratinocytes and skin sections from patients with Ichthyin mutations and healthy controls. We observed an up-regulation of Ichthyin mRNA levels after in vitro differentiation of keratinocytes from both a patient with Ichthyin mutations and controls. Confocal and electron microscopy analyses of immunolabeled skin sections revealed that ichthyin localizes to desmosomes and keratins in both patients with mutant Ichthyin and controls, with an increased immunolabeling in patients. Nile red lipid analysis of skin sections exposed intra-cellular lipid accumulations in cells of the granular and cornified layers in patients but not in controls, consistent with the pathognomonic lipid membrane structures previously identified in epidermis from patients. Our combined findings indicate that ichthyin is associated with keratins and desmosomes in epidermis and is involved in lipid metabolism, possibly through processing of lamellar bodies. These results provide new clues to the understanding of the epidermal water barrier and the pathogenesis in ARCI.
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| 6. |
- Dahlqvist, Johanna, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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siRNA silencing of proteasome maturation protein (POMP) activates the unfolded protein response and constitutes a model for KLICK genodermatosis
- 2012
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 7:1, s. e29471-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Keratosis linearis with ichthyosis congenita and keratoderma (KLICK) is an autosomal recessive skin disorder associated with a single-nucleotide deletion in the 5'untranslated region of the proteasome maturation protein (POMP) gene. The deletion causes a relative switch in transcription start sites for POMP, predicted to decrease levels of POMP protein in terminally differentiated keratinocytes. To investigate the pathophysiology behind KLICK we created an in vitro model of the disease using siRNA silencing of POMP in epidermal air-liquid cultures. Immunohistochemical analysis of the tissue constructs revealed aberrant staining of POMP, proteasome subunits and the skin differentiation marker filaggrin when compared to control tissue constructs. The staining patterns of POMP siRNA tissue constructs showed strong resemblance to those observed in skin biopsies from KLICK patients. Western blot analysis of lysates from the organotypic tissue constructs revealed an aberrant processing of profilaggrin to filaggrin in samples transfected with siRNA against POMP. Knock-down of POMP expression in regular cell cultures resulted in decreased amounts of proteasome subunits. Prolonged silencing of POMP in cultured cells induced C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) expression consistent with an activation of the unfolded protein response and increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The combined results indicate that KLICK is caused by reduced levels of POMP, leading to proteasome insufficiency in differentiating keratinocytes. Proteasome insufficiency disturbs terminal epidermal differentiation, presumably by increased ER stress, and leads to perturbed processing of profilaggrin. Our findings underline a critical role for the proteasome in human epidermal differentiation.
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| 7. |
- Dahlqvist, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Complex magnetism in nanolaminated Mn2GaC
- 2014
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- We have used first-principles calculations and Heisenberg Monte Carlo simulations to search for the magnetic ground state of Mn2GaC, a recently synthesized magnetic nanolaminate. We have, independent on method, identified a range of low energy collinear as well as non-collinear magnetic configurations, indicating a highly frustrated magnetic material with several nearly degenerate magnetic states. An experimentally obtained magnetization of only 0.29 per Mn atom in Mn2GaC may be explained by canted spins in an antiferromagnetic configuration of ferromagnetically ordered sub-layers with alternating spin orientation, denoted AFM[0001]. Furthermore, low temperature X-ray diffraction show a new basal plane peak appearing upon a magnetic transition, which is consistent with the here predicted change in inter-layer spacing for the AFM[0001] configuration.
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| 8. |
- Dahlqvist, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Correlation between magnetic state and bulk modulus of Cr2AlC
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Applied Physics. - : American Institute of Physics (AIP). - 0021-8979 .- 1089-7550. ; 113:21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The effect of magnetism on the bulk modulus (B0) of M2AlC (M = Ti, V, and Cr) has been studied using first principles calculations. We find that it is possible to identify an energetically favorable magnetic Cr2AlC phase without using any adjustable parameter, such as the Hubbard U. Furthermore, we show that an in-plane spin polarized configuration has substantially lower B0 as compared to the non-magnetic model. The existences of local magnetic moments on Cr atoms considerably improve agreement between theory and experiment regarding trends in B0 for M2AlC phases.
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| 9. |
- Dahlqvist, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Magnetic ground state of Cr2AlC, Cr2GaC, and Cr2GeC from first-principles interplay of spin configurations and strong electrons correlation
- 2014
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- We have studied the interplay between spin configuration and electron correlations approximations as well as their influence on calculated lattice parameters, magnetic moments, and bulk modulus of the nanolaminated MAX phase materials Cr2AlC, Cr2GaC, and Cr2GeC. By considering non-, ferro- and, and five different antiferromagnetic configurations, we show the importance of including a broad range of magnetic states in search for the ground state. Our calculations show that when electron correlation is treated on the level of the generalized gradient approximation or with an additional Hubbard U interaction term up to a value of 1 eV, the magnetic ground state of Cr2AC (A=Al, Ga, Ge) is in-plane antiferromagnetic with finite Cr local moments and calculated lattice parameters and bulk modulus close to experimentally reported values.
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| 10. |
- Dahlqvist, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Magnetic nanoscale laminates with tunable exchange coupling from first principles
- 2011
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Ingår i: Physical Review B. Condensed Matter and Materials Physics. - : American Physical Society. - 1098-0121 .- 1550-235X. ; 84:22
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The M(n+1)AX(n) (MAX) phases are nanolaminated compounds with a unique combination of metallic and ceramic properties, not yet including magnetism. We carry out a systematic theoretical study of potential magnetic MAX phases and predict the existence of stable magnetic (Cr(1-x)Mn(x))(2)AlC alloys. We show that in this system ferromagnetically ordered Mn layers are exchange coupled via nearly nonmagnetic Cr layers, forming an inherent structure of atomic-thin magnetic multilayers, and that the degree of disorder between Cr and Mn in the alloy can be used to tune the sign and magnitude of the coupling.
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