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Cell type-specific and disease-associated eQTL in the human lung

Natri, H. M.; Del Azodi, C. B.; Peter, L.; Taylor, C. J.; Chugh, S.; Kendle, R.; Chung, M.-i.; Flaherty, D. K.; Matlock, B. K.; Calvi, C. L.; Blackwell, T. S.; Ware, L. B.; Bacchetta, M.; Walia, R.; Shaver, C. M.; Kropski, J. A.; McCarthy, D. J.; Banovich, N. E.

2023-03-21 genomics
10.1101/2023.03.17.533161 bioRxiv
Show abstract

Common genetic variants confer substantial risk for chronic lung diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Defining the genetic control of gene expression in a cell-type-specific and context-dependent manner is critical for understanding the mechanisms through which genetic variation influences complex traits and disease pathobiology. To this end, we performed single-cell RNA-sequencing of lung tissue from 67 PF and 49 unaffected donors. Employing a pseudo-bulk approach, we mapped expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) across 38 cell types, observing both shared and cell type-specific regulatory effects. Further, we identified disease-interaction eQTL and demonstrated that this class of associations is more likely to be cell-type specific and linked to cellular dysregulation in PF. Finally, we connected PF risk variants to their regulatory targets in disease-relevant cell types. These results indicate that cellular context determines the impact of genetic variation on gene expression, and implicates context-specific eQTL as key regulators of lung homeostasis and disease.

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