Differential Effects of Environmental and Genetic Factors on T and B Cell Immune Traits.
Authors | |
Abstract | Effective immunity requires a complex network of cellular and humoral components that interact with each other and are influenced by different environmental and host factors. We used a systems biology approach to comprehensively assess the impact of environmental and genetic factors on immune cell populations in peripheral blood, including associations with immunoglobulin concentrations, from ∼500 healthy volunteers from the Human Functional Genomics Project. Genetic heritability estimation showed that variations in T cell numbers are more strongly driven by genetic factors, while B cell counts are more environmentally influenced. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping identified eight independent genomic loci associated with leukocyte count variation, including four associations with T and B cell subtypes. The QTLs identified were enriched among genome-wide association study (GWAS) SNPs reported to increase susceptibility to immune-mediated diseases. Our systems approach provides insights into cellular and humoral immune trait variability in humans. |
Year of Publication | 2016
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Journal | Cell Rep
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Volume | 17
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Issue | 9
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Pages | 2474-2487
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Date Published | 2016 Nov 22
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ISSN | 2211-1247
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DOI | 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.10.053
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PubMed ID | 27818087
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PubMed Central ID | PMC5130901
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Links | |
Grant list | 322698 / European Research Council / International
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