Genetics of gene expression in primary immune cells identifies cell type–specific master regulators and roles of HLA alleles

Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) are the genetic units of gene expression variation. Julian Knight and colleagues report an analysis of cell type–specific eQTLs from positively purified primary monocytes and B cells. Among the trans-acting eQTLs identified, they report new master regulators of gene expression, as well as autoimmune disease associations to specific HLA alleles.