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Genomewide analysis of copy number variants in alopecia areata in a C entral E uropean cohort reveals association with MCHR 2
Author(s) -
Fischer Johannes,
Degenhardt Franziska,
Hofmann Andrea,
Redler Silke,
Basmanav F. Buket,
HeilmannHeimbach Stefanie,
Hanneken Sandra,
Giehl Kathrin A.,
Wolff Hans,
Moebus Susanne,
Kruse Roland,
Lutz Gerhard,
Blaumeiser Bettina,
Böhm Markus,
Garcia Bartels Natalie,
BlumePeytavi Ulrike,
Petukhova Lynn,
Christiano Angela M.,
Nöthen Markus M.,
Betz Regina C.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/exd.13123
Subject(s) - alopecia areata , genetics , copy number variation , biology , pathogenesis , gene duplication , genome wide association study , candidate gene , gene , medicine , genotype , immunology , single nucleotide polymorphism , genome
Alopecia areata ( AA ) is a common hair loss disorder of autoimmune aetiology, which often results in pronounced psychological distress. Understanding of the pathophysiology of AA is increasing, due in part to recent genetic findings implicating common variants at several genetic loci. To date, no study has investigated the contribution of copy number variants ( CNV s) to AA , a prominent class of genomic variants involved in other autoimmune disorders. Here, we report a genomewide‐ and a candidate gene‐focused CNV analysis performed in a cohort of 585 patients with AA and 1340 controls of C entral E uropean origin. A nominally significant association with AA was found for CNV s in the following five chromosomal regions: 4q35.2, 6q16.3, 9p23, 16p12.1 and 20p12.1. The most promising finding was a 342.5‐kb associated region in 6q16.3 (duplications in 4/585 patients; 0/1340 controls). The duplications spanned the genes MCHR 2 and MCHR 2‐ AS 1 , implicated in melanin‐concentrating hormone ( MCH ) signalling. These genes have not been implicated in previous studies of AA pathogenesis. However, previous research has shown that MCHR 2 affects the scale colour of barfin flounder fish via the induction of melanin aggregation. AA preferentially affects pigmented hairs, and the hair of patients with AA frequently shows a change in colour when it regrows following an acute episode of AA . This might indicate a relationship between AA , pigmentation and MCH signalling. In conclusion, the present results provide suggestive evidence for the involvement of duplications in MCHR 2 in AA pathogenesis.