TERT启动子突变、ATRX表达水平在人脑胶质瘤病人预后评估中的作用

目的 探讨端粒酶逆转录酶(TERT)启动子突变、α-地中海贫血伴智力低下综合征基因(ATRX)表达水平在人脑胶质瘤病人预后评估中的价值.方法 回顾性分析2016年6月～2018年6月手术治疗的102例人脑胶质瘤的临床资料.术后检测脑胶质瘤组织TERT启动子突变及ATRX表达情况.所有病人术后随访2年.结果 102例中,...     

人脑胶质瘤IDH1突变状态与MGMT启动子甲基化、P53和TERT突变相关性

目的 探讨脑胶质瘤异柠檬脱氢酶1（IDH1）突变与O6-甲基鸟嘌呤-DNA甲基转移酶 （MGMT）启动子甲基化状态、P53和端粒酶逆转录酶（TERT）突变之间的相关性。方法 收集2016年6月至2017年9月手术切除并经病理诊断为胶质瘤标本72例（WHO Ⅱ级14例,Ⅲ级19例,Ⅳ级39例）。采用PCR荧光探针法检测MGMT基因启动子甲基化状态,毛细管电泳法检测基因IDH1、P53、TERT突变情况;采用列联系数分析IDH1突变与MGMT基因启动子甲基化、P53、TERT突变状态的相关性。采用多因素Logistic回归分析检验IDH1突变的相关因素。结果 72例中,IDH1突变率为29.2%,MGMT启动子甲基化率为47.2%,P53突变率为41.4%,TERT突变率为50%。相关性分析发现IDH1突变与MGMT启动子甲基化（列联系数=0.44;P<0.001）、P53突变（列联系数=0.32;P<0.05）均有显著相关性,但与TERT启动子突变无明显相关性（P>0.05）。IDH1野生型胶质瘤中MGMT启动子甲基化与TERT启动子基因突变具有相关性（列联系数=0.28,P<0.05）。IDH1突变型胶质瘤中MGMT启动子甲基化与P53基因突变具有相关性（列联系数=0.27,P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析,结果显示病人年龄、MGMT启动子甲基化是IDH1突变独立相关因素（P<0.05）。结论 胶质瘤IDH1突变可能与MGMT启动子甲基化、P53和TERT突变之间存在复杂的相互调节作用。     

DNA hypermethylation of the alpha synuclein promoter in patients with alcoholism

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the DNA methylation pattern within the alpha synuclein promoter region is altered in intoxicated and early abstinence patients with alcoholism undergoing alcohol withdrawal. We observed a significant increase of the alpha synuclein promoter DNA methylation in patients with alcoholism which was significantly associated with their elevated homocysteine levels. No significant differences of the promoter DNA methylation within a control gene (presenilin-1) in alcoholics and controls were found. The present results hint to a gene specific DNA promoter hypermethylation within the alpha synuclein gene. Since hypermethylation of DNA is an important epigenetic factor in the down regulation of gene expression and since alpha synuclein has been linked to craving these findings may explain the reduced value of craving under alcohol drinking conditions.     

Maternal autoantibodies are associated with abnormal brain enlargement in a subgroup of children with autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is very heterogeneous and multiple subtypes and etiologies likely exist. The maternal immune system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of some forms of ASD. Previous studies have identified the presence of specific maternal IgG autoantibodies with reactivity to fetal brain proteins at 37 and 73 kDa in up to 12% of mothers of children with ASD. The current study evaluates the presence of these autoantibodies in an independent cohort of mothers of 181 preschool-aged male children (131 ASD, 50 typically developing (TD) controls). We also investigated whether ASD children born to mothers with these autism-specific maternal IgG autoantibodies exhibit a distinct neural phenotype by evaluating total brain volume using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Of the 131 ASD children, 10 (7.6%) were born to mothers with the 37/73 kDa IgG autoantibodies (ASD-IgG). The mothers of the remaining ASD children and all TD controls were negative for these paired autoantibodies. While both ASD groups exhibited abnormal brain enlargement that is commonly observed in this age range, the ASD-IgG group exhibited a more extreme 12.1% abnormal brain enlargement relative to the TD controls. In contrast, the remaining ASD children exhibited a smaller 4.4% abnormal brain enlargement relative to TD controls. Lobar and tissue type analyses revealed that the frontal lobe is selectively enlarged in the ASD-IgG group and that both gray and white matter are similarly affected. These results suggest that maternal autoantibodies associated with autism spectrum disorder may impact brain development leading to abnormal enlargement.     

A familial Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) stop-gain mutation associated with agenesis of the corpus callosum,mild intellectual disability and facial dysmorphism

BackgroundAgenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) is a relatively common brain malformation in children with developmental disabilities, caused by mutations in many genes. These genetic causes are characterized by their extreme heterogeneity with more than 300 causative genes identified to date.Case reportWe describe two new cases from a three-generation family with ACC and a de novo mutation of the sonic hedgehog (SHH) gene. The affected family members had mild intellectual disability, broad forehead, and widely spaced eyes. A next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach revealed a stop-gain mutation (NM_000193.2:c.1300_1301insA p.Trp434Ter) of the SHH gene; it is the first family to report ACC associated with a single SHH gene mutation.ConclusionACC with mild intellectual disability and facial dysmorphism may be caused by a mutation in SHH, but further research investigating the genotype-phenotype correlation of SHH mutations is required.     

Paraoxonase 1 gene promoter polymorphisms are associated with the extent of stenosis in coronary arteries

HDL-associated paraoxonase1 (PON1) is believed to be an important anti-oxidative enzyme in the retardation of atherosclerosis. In this study, we determined haplotypes of three SNPs within the PON1 gene promoter to elucidate association of functional sites with coronary artery disease (CAD). We applied a direct haplotyping procedure through ARMS (Amplification Refractory Mutation System) and RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) analysis techniques. The haplotypes of the G(− 907)C, A(− 162)G and C(− 107)T polymorphisms within the 5' region of the PON1 gene were determined in 99 patients and 66 controls who were evaluated angiographically for the presence and extent of stenosis in coronary arteries. The genotype and haplotype distributions had significant differences between patient subgroups (One-, Two- and Three-vessel disease) but not between the patient and control groups. Multivariate analyses suggested decreased arylesterase activity is the most important independent factor in the CAD severity. The increase of high activity variants [G(− 907) and C(− 107)] within the two-allelic haplotypes was reversely associated with the extent of stenosis in coronary arteries. However, we could not determine the independent involvement each of the C(− 107)T and G(− 907)C polymorphisms on the extent of stenosis. We found no significant association between the A(− 162)G polymorphism and the extent of stenosis in vessels. The study indicated the association of polymorphic variations within the PON1 gene promoter haplotypes with the serum arlyesterase activity. The arlyesterase activity was also associated with the extent of stenosis in coronary arteries but not with primary development of atherosclerosis.     

TrkA expression is associated with an elevated level of apoptosis in classic medulloblastomas

Medulloblastomas represent the most common central nervous system malignancies in children. Despite intensive modality treatment with craniospinal irradiation and multiple drug chemotherapy, their prognosis remains dismal. In the present study, we examined the potential roles of cellular differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis in 21 pediatric patients with newly diagnosed classic medulloblastomas treated by conventional radiation therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, S‐100, synaptophysin, TrkA and TrkC, and the proliferation index of MIB‐1 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and the apoptotic index was determined using terminal deoxytransferase‐mediated deoxyuridine‐5′‐triphosphate nick‐end labeling assay. The prognostic value of these biological markers was also assessed. Immunoreactive glial fibrillary acidic protein, S‐100, synaptophysin, TrkA and TrkC were observed in seven (33%), four (19%), 12 (57%), 14 (67%) and 11 (52%) of the 21 cases, respectively. TrkA expression was positively correlated with the MIB‐1 staining index (P = 0.0228) and the apoptotic index (P = 0.0058). None of the immunohistochemical markers was found to be of value in predicting the prognosis. Although the present small sample size does not provide sufficient power to discount biological variables as prognostic markers, it was the well‐established clinical prognostic factors, i.e. tumor stage and extent of surgery, that stood out as the most important predictors of survival. The close association between apoptosis and TrkA expression is consistent with in vitro data demonstrating the capacity of the NGF/TrkA signaling pathway to increase medulloblastoma apoptotic cell death, suggesting that this pathway may yield alternative therapeutic targets for novel therapies.     

Elevated serum levels of C-reactive protein are associated with more severe psychopathology in a subgroup of patients with schizophrenia

The present study examined the hypothesis that elevated serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) would be associated with more severe clinical symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Twenty-six inpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were enrolled. Serum levels of CRP were measured, and each patient was assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Subjects with CRP levels above the normal range (CRP>0.50 mg/dl, elevated CRP group, N=5) scored significantly higher than those with CRP levels in the normal range (CRP相似文献   

Deimination level and peptidyl arginine deiminase 2 expression are elevated in astrocytes with increased incubation temperature

Astrocytes respond to environmental cues, including changes in temperatures. Increased deimination, observed in many progressive neurological diseases, is thought to be contributed by astrocytes. We determined the level of deimination and expression of peptidyl arginine deiminase 2 (PAD2) in isolated primary astrocytes in response to changes on either side (31°C and 41°C) of the optimal temperature (37°C). We investigated changes in the astrocytes by using a number of established markers and accounted for cell death with the CellTiter‐Blue assay. We found increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, ALDH1L1, and J1‐31, resulting from increased incubation temperature and increased expression of TSP1, S100β, and AQP4, resulting from decreased incubation temperature vs. optimal temperature, suggesting activation of different biochemical pathways in astrocytes associated with different incubation temperatures. Mass spectrometric analyses support such trends. The PAD2 level was increased only as a result of increased incubation temperature with a commensurate increased level of deimination. Actin cytoskeleton and iso[4]LGE, a lipid peroxidase modification, also showed an increase with higher incubation temperature. Altogether, these results suggest that temperature, as an environmental cue, activates astrocytes in a different manner on either side of the optimal temperature and that increase in deimination is associated only with the higher temperature side of the spectrum. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Self-reported experiences of everyday discrimination are associated with elevated C-reactive protein levels in older African-American adults

Self-reported experiences of “everyday” discrimination have been linked to indices of cardiovascular disease and overall mortality and findings have been particularly pronounced for African-American populations. However, the biological mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear. C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, is a known correlate of cardiovascular and other health outcomes and has also been linked to several psychosocial processes. To our knowledge, no studies have examined the association between experiences of discrimination and CRP. We examined the cross-sectional association between self-reported experiences of discrimination and CRP in a sample of 296 older African-American adults (70% female, mean age = 73.1). Experiences of discrimination were assessed with the 9-item everyday discrimination scale and CRP was assayed from blood samples. In linear regression models adjusted for age, sex and education, experiences of discrimination were associated with higher levels of CRP (B = .10, p = .03). This association remained significant after additional adjustments for depressive symptoms (B = .10, p = .04), smoking, and chronic health conditions (heart disease, diabetes, hypertension) that might influence inflammation (B = .11, p = .02). However, results were attenuated when body mass index (BMI) was added to the model (B = .09, p = .07). In conclusion, self-reported experiences of everyday discrimination are associated with higher levels of CRP in older African-American adults, although this association is not completely independent of BMI.     

SLC22A18基因启动子甲基化与胶质瘤SLC22A18表达的关系

目的 探讨胶质瘤中SLC2218基因肩动子甲基化与其表达的关系.方法 选取上海交通大学医学院附属第三人民医院神经外科自2006年9月至2009年6月、武汉大学中南医院神经外科自2002年9月至2005年6月间手术切除的胶质瘤标本30例,另选10例行内减压术颅脑损伤患者的正常脑组织作为对照.采用甲基化特异性聚合酶链反应(MSP)检测标本中SLC22A18基因启动子甲基化的状态,RT-PCR和Westem blotting分别检测SLC22A18 mRNA和蛋白的表达.体外培养胶质瘤U251细胞于含2 μmol/L去甲基化药物5-aza-2-deoxycytidine的培养液(实验组1中,同时设普通培养液作对照,培养3、5、7 d后进行细胞计数并应用Western blotting检测SLC22A18蛋白的表达.结果 MSP检测结果显示15例胶质瘤组织出现甲基化,对照脑组织均表现出非甲基化;15例甲基化胶质瘤组织中SLC22A18 mRNA、蛋白的表达明显低于对照脑组织.培养5、7 d实验组U251细胞计数少于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).培养7 d Western blotting检测结果发现实验组细胞SLC22A18蛋白的表达明显高于对照组.结论 SLC22A18基因启动子甲基化导致其表达下调;去甲基化药物能恢复U251细胞SLC22A18的表达,并抑制U251细胞增殖.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the relationship between aberrant methylation of SLC22A18 gene promoter and SLC22A18 expression in human glioma. Methods Thirty patients with glioma and 10 patients with craniocerebral injury performed decompression were chosen in our study;their tissue samples were prepared. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was used to detect the methylation status of SLC22A18 gene promoter;and Western blotting and RT-PCR were employed to measure the protein and mRAN expressions of SLC22A18 in these tissue samples. U251 cells were cultured in vitro with demethylating agent 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (experimental group, 2μmol/L) and common medium (control group), resepectively;the re-expression of SLC22A18 in U251 cells was measured by Western blotting and cell growth suppression induced by 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine was also observed 3, 5 and 7 d after the culture. Results The methlylation of SLC22A18 gene promoter existed in glioma tissues of 15 patients (50%) but that did not exist in the tissues of patients with craniocerebral injury. The protein and mRAN expressions of SLC22A18 in the tissue samples of these 15 patients were significantly decreased as compared with those in patients with craniocerebral injury (P<0.05);cell counting of U251 cells in the experimental group on the 5th and 7th d of culture was significantly decreased as compared with that of those in the control group (P<0.05). On the 7ht d of culture, Western blotting indicated that the protein b expression level of SLC22A18 in the experimental group was obviously higher than that in the control group. Conclusion The aberrant methylation of SLC22A18 gene promoter plays a key role in down-regulating SLC22A18 expression, and demethylation agents can restore the SLC22A18 expression and suppress the growth of U251 cells.