Profiling of 27 type 2 diabetes GWAS loci using next-generation (NG) capture C in a human beta-cell model

Most type 2 diabetes association signals are due to variants that impact gene regulation but identifying the genes they impact is challenging. We generated interaction profiles at 27 T2D GWAS loci using next-generation (NG) capture C in a human beta-cell model ( EndoC-betaH1) and contrasted our maps with public Hi-C/promoter capture Hi-C maps in EndoC-betaH1 cells or human islets.

Type: Other
Archiver: European Genome-Phenome Archive (EGA)

1 Dataset 1 Publication

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Dataset ID	Description	Technology	Samples
EGAD50000000517	Resolving causal genes for type 2 diabetes at loci implicated by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) requires integrating functional genomic data from relevant cell types. Chromatin features in endocrine cells of the pancreatic islet are particularly informative and recent studies leveraging chromosome conformation capture (3C) with Hi-C based methods have elucidated regulatory mechanisms in human islets. However, these genome-wide approaches are less sensitive and afford lower resolution than methods that target specific loci. Methods: To gauge the extent to which targeted 3C further resolves chromatin-mediated regulatory mechanisms at GWAS loci, we generated interaction profiles at 23 loci using next-generation (NG) capture-C in a human beta cell model (EndoC-βH1) and contrasted these maps with Hi-C maps in EndoC-βH1 cells and human islets and a promoter capture Hi-C map in human islets. Results: We found improvements in assay sensitivity of up to 33-fold and resolved ~3.6X more chromatin interactions. At a subset of 18 loci with 25 co-localised GWAS and eQTL signals, NG Capture-C interactions implicated effector transcripts at five additional genetic signals relative to promoter capture Hi-C through physical contact with gene promoters. Conclusions: High resolution chromatin interaction profiles at selectively targeted loci can complement genome- and promoter-wide maps.	NextSeq 500	15

Publications	Citations
Inferring causal genes at type 2 diabetes GWAS loci through chromosome interactions in islet cells. Torres JM, Sun H, Nylander V, Downes DJ, van de Bunt M, McCarthy MI, Hughes JR, Gloyn AL. Wellcome Open Res 8: 2023 165	0