# Association of genetic variants with extravascular complications and cytokine production in Takayasu arteritis: a cross-sectional study

## TL;DR

This study explores how genetic variations in a specific region of chromosome 21 are linked to inflammation and complications in Takayasu arteritis patients.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific genetic variants and their role in cytokine production and comorbidities in Takayasu arteritis.

## Key findings

- Genetic variants in the chr21q22 region are associated with IBD and SpA comorbidities in TAK patients.
- Elevated IL-17C levels were found in TAK patients with chr21q22 SNP accumulation.
- IL-17C stimulation increased IL-6 and TNF-α-producing cells in patients with SNP accumulation.

## Abstract

Genetic variants in the chromosome 21q22 (chr21q22) region are shared among patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and spondyloarthritis (SpA), contributing to specific macrophage inflammation. This study aims to clarify the impact of this region on the clinical and molecular phenotypes of TAK.

In this cross-sectional study, 71 TAK patients from Keio University Hospital were included. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the chr21q22 region were identified through genomic DNA sequencing in 25 patients and serum proteome analysis was conducted in 17 patients. Interleukin-17C (IL-17C)-induced cytokine production was measured via whole blood cytometry by time of flight (CyTOF) in five patients with chr21q22 SNP accumulation and five without.

Among the 71 patients, 11% had IBD and 8.5% had SpA. Complications of IBD and SpA were strongly associated with chr21q22 SNP accumulation such as rs2242944, rs9808651 and rs2836882. Serum proteomic analysis revealed significantly elevated levels of IL-17C in TAK patients with chr21q22 SNP accumulation. IL-17C stimulation of whole blood from patients with chr21q22 SNP accumulation resulted in increased IL-6- and TNF-α-producing cells compared with those without SNP accumulation.

SNPs in the chr21q22 region and elevated IL-17C levels may contribute to the pathophysiology of TAK–IBD–SpA comorbidity. These insights advance our understanding of the genetic and inflammatory mechanisms underlying extravascular complications in TAK.