Project description:To test the contribution of distinct ST-DC populations to either autoimmunity and inflammation or sustained disease remission, we evaluated the phenotypes of their blood precursors in a human model of disease flare following treatment withdrawal in RA patients in disease remission (the BioRRA study, (Baker et al., 2019)). We investigated the frequency and phenotype of PB DC2 and PB-DC3 of RA patients (n=12) in sustained clinical and ultrasound remission achieved with cDMARDs (Baker et al., 2019) by carrying out, and analysing single cell sequencing data at baseline remission levels, and upon endpoint after treatment withdrawal. We identified that PB DCs differ transcriptionally, but not proportionally, at the baseline of patients who sustain remission, versus those who go on to flare, and at endpoint. We propose that the transcriptomic profile of these peripheral blood DCs could be used as a biomarker of flare in remission RA patients.
Project description:Genomic DNA from 191 asy1/+ Col x Ler F2 individuals was extracted using CTAB and used to generate sequencing libraries as described (Lawrence et al, 2019 Current Biology). Sequencing data was analysed to identify crossovers using the TIGER pipeline as previously described (Rowan et al, 2015 G3 (Bethesda); Yelina et al, 2015 Genes & Dev; Lawrence et al, 2019 Current Biology).