This suggests that the ability to interpret functionality of GWAS loci is highly dependent on the tissue where gene expression is being interrogated and its relevance to the trait of interest. Indeed, we observe a significant enrichment of immunity-related GWAS signals among high RTC scoring cis-eQTLs in LCLs (P = 6.6×10−5, Fisher’s exact test), much more so than in the other two tissues (adipose P = 0.003, skin P=0.013). Likewise, disease eQTLs detected in adipose and skin samples explain associations with biologically relevant traits (Supplementary Table 7). For example, in adipose we discover regulatory effects potentially explaining associations with triglycerides (rs230413021 - ATP13A1, rs439401 21- APOE)or birth weight (rs900400 22- TIPARP) while in skin, associations with melanoma (rs91087323-ASIP) and skin sensitivity to sun (rs180500724 - DBNDD1) stand out.
