Abstract
The functional consequences of trait associated SNPs are often investigated using expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping. While trait-associated variants may operate in a cell-type specific manner, eQTL datasets for such cell-types may not always be available. We performed a genome-environment interaction (GxE) meta-analysis on data from 5,683 samples to infer the cell type specificity of whole blood cis-eQTLs. We demonstrate that this method is able to predict neutrophil and lymphocyte specific cis-eQTLs and replicate these predictions in independent cell-type specific datasets. Finally, we show that SNPs associated with Crohn's disease preferentially affect gene expression within neutrophils, including the archetypal NOD2 locus.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 1005223 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | PLoS genetics |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May-2015 |
Keywords
- ACTIVE CROHNS-DISEASE
- GENE-EXPRESSION
- WIDE ASSOCIATION
- DNA METHYLATION
- VARIANTS
- HETEROGENEITY
- BLOOD