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CARD14 alterations in Tunisian patients with psoriasis and further characterization in European cohorts
M Ammar1, C T Jordan2, L Cao2
1Laboratoire de Génétique d'Immunologie et de Pathologies Humaines, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
Insights
Rare CARD14 gene mutations are linked to psoriasis in Tunisia. Novel variants were identified, offering insights into the genetic underpinnings of this chronic inflammatory skin disease.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Dermatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition.
- Gain-of-function mutations in CARD14 are associated with psoriasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate CARD14 variants in Tunisian psoriasis patients.
- Expand knowledge of CARD14 variants in European populations.
Main Methods:
- Resequencing of CARD14 coding exons in Tunisian and European psoriasis patients and controls.
- Functional evaluation of novel variants on NF-κB signaling.
Main Results:
- Significant enrichment of rare CARD14 variants in Tunisian psoriasis cases.
- Identification of three novel variants (p.Gly117Ser, p.Arg69Trp, p.Glu197Lys) in Tunisian cases.
- Functional analysis revealed altered NF-κB signaling by novel CARD14 variants, including one case of generalized pustular psoriasis.
Conclusions:
- CARD14 variants contribute to psoriasis in the Tunisian population.
- Novel CARD14 variants provide functional insights into psoriasis pathogenesis.
- Genetic basis of psoriasis in Tunisia and Europe is further elucidated.
Background:
Rare highly penetrant gain-of-function mutations in caspase recruitment domain family, member 14 (CARD14) can lead to psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin and other organs.
Objectives:
To investigate the contribution of rare CARD14 variants to psoriasis in the Tunisian population and to expand knowledge of CARD14 variants in the European population.
Methods:
CARD14 coding exons were resequenced in patients with psoriasis and controls from Tunisia and Europe, including 16 European cases with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP). Novel variants were evaluated for their effect on nuclear factor (NF)-κB signalling.
Results:
Rare variants in CARD14 were significantly enriched in Tunisian cases compared with controls. Three were collectively found in 5% of Tunisian cases, and all affected the N-terminal region of the protein harbouring its caspase recruitment domain or coiled-coil domain. These variants were c.349G>A (p.Gly117Ser), c.205C>T (p.Arg69Trp) and c.589G>A (p.Glu197Lys). c.589G>A (p.Glu197Lys) led to upregulation of NF-κB activity in a similar manner to that of previously described psoriasis-associated mutations. p.Arg69Trp led to sevenfold downregulation of NF-κB activity. One Tunisian case harboured a c.1356+5G>A splice alteration that is predicted to lead to loss of exon 9, which encodes part of the coiled-coil domain. No cases of GPP harboured an interleukin-36RN mutation, but one of 16 cases of GPP with a family history of psoriasis vulgaris harboured a c.1805C>T (p.Ser602Leu) mutation in CARD14.
Conclusions:
These observations provide further insights into the genetic basis of psoriasis in the Tunisian population and provide functional information on novel CARD14 variants seen in cases from Tunisia and other populations.
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