The incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) is markedly increased in women. Both sex hormones and X chromosomes might contribute to this sex bias. The dosage of X-linked genes is equilibrated between men and women due to the inactivation of one X chromosome (XCI) in female cells. However, XCI is incomplete, leading to increased expression of some X-linked genes.
It will be investigated whether higher levels of TLR7 expression, arising from the escape of X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) are linked to increased risk of developing autoimmunity specifically in women. This will be achieved by exploring the relevance of TLR7 XCl escape to the pathophysiology of SLE and SSc by assessing the functions of key human immune cell subsets implicated in disease development, in relationship to the dose of TLR7 (one copy or two copies) expressed in each cell subset.
Representative of the Swiss SLE (Lupus-Suisse.ch) and SSc (sclerodermie.ch) patient organizations have reviewed the present proposal and have provided a feedback. It is foreseen that the results will be discussed annually with these representative and upon completion, the study results will be presented at meetings of interested patients’ organizations.