HLA-DPB1 gene polymorphism and multiple sclerosis: a large case-control study in the southwest of France

The polymorphism at the HLA-DPB1 locus has been characterized in a large number of patients with multiple sclerosis (n = 112) and in healthy controls (n = 115). Both patients and controls lived in the southwest of France (in the Pyrénées Atlantiques) and had similar ethnic background. The typing procedure involved the selective amplification of the second exon of the DPB1 locus by polymerase chain reaction, followed by hybridization of the amplified DNA with 14 sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes. Individual alleles were identified by the pattern of hybridization of the different probes. The distribution of the DPB1 alleles was not significantly different in multiple sclerosis patients and controls (p = 0.11). This does not corroborate the reported association of multiple sclerosis with the primed lymphocyte typing (PLT)-defined DPw4 specificity and is not in favour of a role played by polymorphic residues of the DP molecule in susceptibility to multiple sclerosis.     

Differential Regulation of RGS-2 by Constant and Oscillating PTH Concentrations

PTH has diverse effects on bone metabolism: anabolic when given intermittently, catabolic when given continuously. The cellular mechanisms underlying the varying target cell response are not clear yet. PTH induces RGS-2, a member of the Regulator of G-protein Signaling protein family, via cAMP/PKA, and inactivates PKC-mediated signaling. To investigate intracellular signaling pathways with different PTH concentration-time patterns, we treated UMR 106-01 osteoblast-like cells in a perfusion system. PTH was administered intermittently (4 min/h, 10⁻⁷ M) or continuously at an equivalent cumulative dose (6.6 × 10⁻⁹ M). cAMP was measured using radioimmunoassay, mRNA levels using real-time rtPCR and ribonuclease protection assay, and protein levels using Western immunoblotting. A single PTH pulse transiently increased cAMP levels by 2000% ± 1200%. In contrast to continuous PTH exposure, cAMP induction remained unchanged with intermittent PTH, ruling out desensitization of the PTH receptor. In continuously perfused cells, RGS-2 abundance was three to five times higher than in cells intermittently exposed to PTH for up to 12 h. MKP-1 and -3 were significantly less induced with pulsatile PTH; exposure-mode-dependent differences in MMP-13 and IGFBP-5 were small. Pulsatile but not continuous PTH administration prevents PTHrP receptor desensitization and accumulation of RGS-2 in osteoblasts, which should preserve PKC-dependent signaling.     

RENIN GENE POLYMORPHISM ASSOCIATED WITH ALDOSTERONE RESPONSIVENESS TO THE RENINANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM IN PATIENTS WITH ALDOSTERONE-PRODUCING ADENOMAS

1. Aldosterone levels in patients with unilateral aldosterone-producing adenomas may be responsive or unresponsive to the renin-angiotensin system, with the former often previously misdiagnosed as bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. 2. In tumours from patients in the responsive subgroup, renin mRNA is expressed in greater amounts than in tumours from patients in the unresponsive subgroup, or in normal adrenals. 3. We compared the frequency of four renin gene polymorphisms in peripheral blood DNA from the two subgroups and found significant associations between BglI, TaqI and HinfI restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) and aldosterone responsiveness. 4. Allelic variation in the constitutive renin gene was associated with a specific cause of hypertension.     

浅谈基因治疗的现状及其面临的困境

基因治疗将在未来的疾病治疗中扮演重要的角色，然而这一新颖的技术却面临着诸多问题，本文论述了基因治疗的发展现状及其所面临的技术难题。     

Genetic contributions to Parkinson's disease

Sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the loss of midbrain dopamine neurons and Lewy body inclusions. It is thought to result from a complex interaction between multiple predisposing genes and environmental influences, although these interactions are still poorly understood. Several causative genes have been identified in different families. Mutations in two genes [α-synuclein and nuclear receptor-related 1 (Nurr1)] cause the same pathology, and a third locus on chromosome 2 also causes this pathology. Other familial PD mutations have identified genes involved in the ubiquitin–proteasome system [parkin and ubiquitin C-terminal hydroxylase L1 (UCHL1)], although such cases do not produce Lewy bodies. These studies highlight critical cellular proteins and mechanisms for dopamine neuron survival as disrupted in Parkinson's disease. Understanding the genetic variations impacting on dopamine neurons may illuminate other molecular mechanisms involved. Additional candidate genes involved in dopamine cell survival, dopamine synthesis, metabolism and function, energy supply, oxidative stress, and cellular detoxification have been indicated by transgenic animal models and/or screened in human populations with differing results. Genetic variation in genes known to produce different patterns and types of neurodegeneration that may impact on the function of dopamine neurons are also reviewed. These studies suggest that environment and genetic background are likely to have a significant influence on susceptibility to Parkinson's disease. The identification of multiple genes predisposing to Parkinson's disease will assist in determining the cellular pathway/s leading to the neurodegeneration observed in this disease.     

RNA干扰及其在胶质瘤基因治疗中的应用

RNA干扰（RNA interference。RNAi）是双链RNA（double—stranded RNA，dsRNA）降解特异性靶基因转录出的mRNA。从而抑制靶蛋白表达的现象。自从二十世纪九十年代发现RNAi这一现象以来，RNAi已被广泛应用于研究基因功能、信号转导通路和基因治疗等方面。随着分子生物学、分子遗传学等学科的发展．发现了许多与肿瘤发生、发展和预后密切相关的基因。经过大量临床前期试验表明，针对特异性靶基因的小干扰RNA（short／small interfering RNA．siRNA）治疗胶质瘤是行之有效的。为基因治疗胶质瘤提供了新的思路。[第一段]     

反义AKT2 RNA抑制U251胶质瘤细胞生长的体内外研究

目的 研究反义AKT2RNA对U251人脑胶质瘤细胞在体内外的生长抑制效用。方法 将逆转录病毒pLXSN为载体的反义AKT2构建体转染U251人脑胶质瘤细胞系，应用蛋白印记确定基因转染前后AKT2的表达水平。流式细胞法与Matrigel基质生长实验评价肿瘤细胞转染前后的增殖活性。进一步应用裸鼠皮下荷瘤模型观察脂质体介导pLXSN、pLXSN-AS-AKT2基因治疗对U251细胞生长抑制作用。在28d的观察期内定期测量皮下肿瘤体积，对肿瘤标本应用免疫组化的方法进行AKT2和胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）表达比较。结果 脂质体介导pLXSN-AS-AKT2可显著抑制U251细胞AKT2表达。与对照组和pLXSN转染组比较，细胞周期分析结果表明AK—AKT2转染组进入S期的细胞数减少了8．5％～8．9％，而进入G0＋G1期细胞则增加了7．9％～8．6％。Matrigel基质生长实验显示对照组和pLXSN转染组细胞呈正常形态贴壁生长，而AS～AKT2转染组细胞不能贴壁生长，呈团块状簇集生长。裸鼠皮下荷瘤模型实验显示pLXSN-AS-AKT2显著抑制皮下肿瘤生长，组织病理学分析显示AS-AKT2转染组AKT2表达下降而GFAP表达上调。结论 体内外实验证明反义AKT2方法在抗胶质瘤增殖方面作用重要，AKT2可作为基因治疗胶质瘤的优选靶标。     

载脂蛋白E基因多态性与脑梗死的相关性分析

目的　探讨载脂蛋白 E基因多态性与脑梗死的关系。方法　通过聚合酶链反应 -限制性片段长度多态性 (PCR- RFL P)分析结合 DNA直接银染技术检测 6 6例脑梗死 (CI)患者的载脂蛋白 E(Apo E)基因型 (其中家系中有明确脑梗死先证者的家族聚集性脑梗死 (FMACI)亚组 2 6例 ,家系中无脑卒中史的非家族聚集性脑梗死 (NF-MACI)亚组 4 0例 ) ,并与 90例健康对照组比较 ,同时检测血脂、脂蛋白 (a) [L P(a) ]及部分载脂蛋白。结果　脑梗死组ε3/4基因型频率明显高于对照组 (P<0 .0 1) ,ε3/3基因型频率明显低于对照组 (P<0 .0 1) ;两脑梗死亚组之间的ε3/4/ε3/3基因型频率虽有上升 /下降趋势 ,但未发现明显的统计学差异 ;FMACI组高密度脂蛋白 (HDL )水平明显低于 NFMACI组 (P<0 .0 5 )。结论　 Apo E基因多态性与脑梗死的发生有关 ,ε4等位基因是脑梗死的易感因子 ,ε3等位基因对脑梗死的发生有保护作用 ;Apo E基因多态性和 HDL水平双重作用于家族聚集性脑梗死的发生。     

Polymorphism in the promoter region of the apolipoprotein AI gene associated with differences in apolipoprotein AI levels: The European Atherosclerosis Research Study

The effect associated with the substitution of adenine (A) for guanidine (G) in the promoter region of the apolipoprotein AI gene (?75 bp) with plasma apo AI and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels was investigated in the European Atherosclerosis Research Study (EARS). This is a study of healthy offspring (cases) of fathers who had suffered premature myocardial infarction (MI) before age 55 years (n = 565) and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 1,078) from 12 European countries, divided into 5 regions based on geography and language. The frequency of the polymorphism was not significantly different among the regions and the relative frequency of the rare A allele was similar in cases and controls (0.159 vs. 0.142) combining data from all regions. Individuals with one or more A allele had significantly higher plasma apo AI levels (P < 0.05) than individuals homozygous for the G allele. This effect was consistent in all regions. The data were analyzed separately in males and females. In females, those with one or more A allele had significantly higher apo AI levels (P = 0.05) than individuals homozygous for the G allele, and this raising effect of the A allele was greater in cases than controls for both apo AI (5.23% vs. 1.56%) and HDL (4.48% vs. 1.89%). In males, the A allele was associated with higher levels of apo AI and HDL, but the effect was much smaller and the differences did not reach statistical significance. In the females, where the effect of the A allele was strongest, the effect on apo AI associated with genotype was evident in non-smokers, and individuals with one or two A alleles had 3.6% higher apo AI and 3.14% higher HDL levels than individuals homozygous for the G allele. However, in the female smokers the raising effect of the A allele was greatly reduced (0.56%). Thus genetic variation in the promoter region of the apo AI gene is associated with differences in apo AI and HDL levels in healthy individuals throughout Europe, but the effect is modulated by gender, environmental factors such as smoking, and a family history of MI.