Association of a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region of leukemia inhibitory factor receptor gene with low bone mineral density in adult women

Background:   Osteoporosis is believed to result from the interaction among multiple environmental and genetic determinants that regulate bone-mineral density (BMD).
Methods:   To investigate a potentially predisposing genetic factor in the onset of osteoporosis, we looked for a possible association between BMD in adult Japanese women and known polymorphisms in the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor gene (LIFR).
Results:   An association analysis of chromosomes from 384 volunteer subjects revealed significant correlation between the −603T > C variant of LIFR and radial BMD ( r  = 0.11, P  = 0.032) in this test population. Comparisons of mean values of adjusted radial BMD among separate genotypic groups implied an allelic dosage effect, because homozygous carriers of T alleles of that SNP had the highest adjusted BMDs (0.403 ± 0.054 g/cm²); women homozygous for the C-allele had the lowest (0.373 ± 0.042 g/cm²), and heterozygous individuals had intermediate scores (0.394 ± 0.056 g/cm²).
Conclusion:   This polymorphism in LIFR may be an important determinant of predisposition to postmenopausal osteoporosis.     

Enhancement of dentate gyrus neurogenesis, dendritic and synaptic plasticity and memory by a neurotrophic peptide

Pharmacological enhancement of hippocampal neurogenesis is a therapeutic approach for improvement of cognition in learning and memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Here we report the development of an 11-mer peptide that we designed based on a biologically active region of the ciliary neurotrophic factor. This peptide, Peptide 6, induced proliferation and increased survival and maturation of neural progenitor cells into neurons in the dentate gyrus of normal adult C57BL6 mice. Furthermore, Peptide 6 increased the MAP2 and synaptophysin immunoreactivity in the dentate gyrus. Thirty-day treatment of the mice with a slow release bolus of the peptide implanted subcutaneously improved reference memory of the mice in Morris water maze. Peptide 6 has a plasma half life of over 6 h, is blood-brain barrier permeable, and acts by competitively inhibiting the leukemia inhibitory factor signaling. The fact that Peptide 6 is both neurogenic and neurotrophic and that this peptide is effective when given peripherally, demonstrates its potential for prevention and treatment of learning and memory disorders.     

白血病抑制因子受体在婴幼儿血管瘤组织中的表达及意义

目的:探讨白血病抑制因子受体(LIFR)在婴幼儿血管瘤增殖、消退中的作用。方法:应用SP免疫组织化学方法检测LIFR与CD133、Ki67在血管瘤52例(按Takahashi等的标准分类,其中增生期A组30例,消退期B组22例)、血管畸形16例、正常包皮皮肤15例中的表达水平。所有资料应用软件包进行统计分析,P<0.05具有统计学意义。结果:增殖期血管瘤组LIFR、CD133、Ki67表达水平分别高于消退期血管瘤组、血管畸形组及正常皮肤组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01);消退期血管瘤组LIFR、CD133、Ki67阳性细胞率与血管畸形及正常皮肤组织相比,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。LIFR与CD133、Ki67在血管瘤组织中表达的阳性率有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:①LIFR的表达与血管瘤的增殖与退化过程有着密切关系;②CD133表达阳性的细胞参与了血管瘤的发生与发展过程;③LIFR与CD133、Ki67三者在小儿血管瘤的发生、发展过程中可能具有相互调节和协同的作用。     

Novel Long Non-coding RNA lncAMPC Promotes Metastasis and Immunosuppression in Prostate Cancer by Stimulating LIF/LIFR Expression

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Non‐truncating LIFR mutation: causal for prominent congenital pain insensitivity phenotype with progressive vertebral destruction?

We present a Qatari family with two children who displayed a characteristic phenotype of congenital marked pain insensitivity with hypohidrosis and progressive aseptic destruction of joints and vertebrae resembling that of hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies (HSANs). The patients, aged 10 and 14, remained of uncertain genetic diagnosis until whole genome sequencing was pursued. Genome sequencing identified a novel homozygous C65S mutation in the LIFR gene that is predicted to markedly destabilize and alter the structure of a particular domain and consequently to affect the functionality of the whole multi‐domain LIFR protein. The C65S mutant LIFR showed altered glycosylation and an elevated expression level that might be attributed to a slow turnover of the mutant form. LIFR mutations have been reported in Stüve–Wiedemann syndrome (SWS), a severe autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia often resulting in early death. Our patients share some clinical features of rare cases of SWS long‐term survivors; however, they also phenocopy HSAN due to the marked pain insensitivity phenotype and progressive bone destruction. Screening for LIFR mutations might be warranted in genetically unresolved HSAN phenotypes.     

Stüve–Wiedemann syndrome: long‐term follow‐up and genetic heterogeneity

Jung C, Dagoneau N, Baujat G, Le Merrer M, David A, Di Rocco M, Hamel B, Mégarbané A, Superti‐Furga A, Unger A, Munnich A, Cormier‐Daire V. Stüve–Wiedemann syndrome: long‐term follow‐up and genetic heterogeneity. Stüve–Wiedemann syndrome (SWS, OMIM 601559) is a severe autosomal recessive condition caused by mutations in the leukemia inhibitory receptor (LIFR) gene. The main characteristic features are bowing of the long bones, neonatal respiratory distress, swallowing/sucking difficulties and dysautonomia symptoms including temperature instability often leading to death in the first years of life. We report here four patients with SWS who have survived beyond 36 months of age with no LIFR mutation. These patients have been compared with six unreported SWS survivors carrying null LIFR mutations. We provide evidence of clinical homogeneity of the syndrome in spite of the genetic heterogeneity.     

Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome and related bent bone dysplasias

Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS) is a severe congenital skeletal dysplasia associated with life threatening dysautonomic manifestations. Newborns affected with this condition exhibit distinctive shortening and bowing of the long bones with reduced bone volume. The majority of affected newborns die early due to neuromuscular complications namely hyperthermia, apnea, and swallowing difficulties. In this review, we provide an overall picture on the clinical, including long-term management, molecular and cellular aspects of SWS and discuss briefly other related bent bone dysplasias.