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Tristetraprolin/ZFP36 Regulates the Turnover of Autoimmune-Associated HLA-DQ mRNAs

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Pisapia 
Hamilton 
Farina 
D’Agostino 
Barba 

Abstract

HLA class II genes encode highly polymorphic heterodimeric proteins functioning to present antigens to T cells and stimulate a specific immune response. Many HLA genes are strongly associated with autoimmune diseases as they stimulate self-antigen specific CD4+ T cells driving pathogenic responses against host tissues or organs. High expression of HLA class II risk genes is associated with autoimmune diseases, influencing the strength of the CD4+ T-mediated autoimmune response. The expression of HLA class II genes is regulated at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Protein components of the RNP complex binding the 3′UTR and affecting mRNA processing have previously been identified. Following on from this, the regulation of HLA-DQ2.5 risk genes, the main susceptibility genetic factor for celiac disease (CD), was investigated. The DQ2.5 molecule, encoded by HLA-DQA105 and HLA-DQB102 alleles, presents the antigenic gluten peptides to CD4+ T lymphocytes, activating the autoimmune response. The zinc-finger protein Tristetraprolin (TTP) or ZFP36 was identified to be a component of the RNP complex and has been described as a factor modulating mRNA stability. The 3′UTR of CD-associated HLA-DQA105 and HLA-DQB102 mRNAs do not contain canonical TTP binding consensus sequences, therefore an in silico approach focusing on mRNA secondary structure accessibility and stability was undertaken. Key structural differences specific to the CD-associated mRNAs were uncovered, allowing them to strongly interact with TTP through their 3′UTR, conferring a rapid turnover, in contrast to lower affinity binding to HLA non-CD associated mRNA.

Description

Keywords

celiac disease, Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA), RNA binding protein, RNA stability, RNA structure

Journal Title

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2073-4409

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Sponsorship
Regione Campania (PO FESR 2014-2020 “SATIN”)
University of Cambridge. (Project from Centre for Trophoblast Research)