SNP rs9277336 Controls the ACTN4-HLA-DPA1 Axis and Pulmonary Endothelial Pathophenotypes in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

HLA-DPA1-related SNP rs9277336 is linked to increased PAH risk and binds ACTN4 in an allele-specific fashion. HLA-DPA1 transcript is decreased in PAH lung endothelial cells and controlled by ACTN4. ACTN4 differential binding may cause HLA-DPA1-mediated immune dysfunction. The purpose of this specific experiment is to determine the downstream effects of ACTN4 and HLA-DPA1 downregulation, specifically looking at overlaps between the two conditions. Human PAECs were treated with siRNA against ACTN4, HLA-DPA1, or a negative control.