While many genetic variants have been associated with risk for human diseases, how these variants affect gene expression in various cell types remains largely unknown. To address this gap, the <a href="https://dice-database.org/">DICE</a> [Database of Immune Cell Expression, Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) and Epigenomics] project was established. Considering all human immune cell types and conditions studied, we identified cis-eQTLs for a total of 12,254 unique genes, which represent 61% of all protein-coding genes expressed in these cell types. Strikingly, a large fraction (41%) of these genes showed a strong cis-association with genotype only in a single cell type. We also found that biological sex is associated with major differences in immune cell gene expression in a highly cell-specific manner. These datasets will help reveal the effects of disease risk-associated genetic polymorphisms on specific immune cell types, providing mechanistic insights into how they might influence pathogenesis.

Impact of Genetic Polymorphisms on Human Immune Cell Gene Expression

Impact of Genetic Polymorphisms on Human Immune Cell Gene Expression

Promoter-interacting expression quantitative trait loci are enriched for functional genetic variants

Single-cell eQTL analysis of activated T cell subsets reveals activation and cell type–dependent effects of disease-risk variants

COVID-19 genetic risk variants are associated with expression of multiple genes in diverse immune cell types