Figure 3

The NRF1-SIRT7 transcriptional signature is altered in PB CD34⁺ progenitors. (A) A table indicating the predicted TF binding sites (Toppgene™ software) based on the DEG input list. In the SLE PB versus BM comparison the NRF1 and LXR TFs were identified, while in the Healthy PB versus BM comparison, AP1 (JUN) and CEBPB were identified along those with unknown TF bindings site motifs. (B) Heatmaps of SIRT7 and NRF1 expression in SLE PB and SLE BM, along with 310 DEG that are affected by NRF1 expression. (C) Heatmaps of JUN expression in Healthy PB and Healthy BM, along with 265 DEG that are affected by JUN expression. (D) Real-time PCR graphs for NRF1 (ENST00000353868.5, ENST00000393230.6 isoforms) and SIRT7 (ENST00000575360.5, SIRT7-209, non-sense mediated decay) in all four groups. The expression of NRF1 was not statistically different in any of the four groups, albeit there was a trend of lower expression in the SLE PB. In contrast, SIRT7 expression was vastly and significantly elevated in PB CD34⁺ progenitors, in comparison to BM CD34⁺ progenitors. One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni’s posthoc test, *p < 0.05, n = 3–6.