Single nucleotide polymorphisms in VEGF gene are associated with an increased risk of osteosarcoma

We aimed to assess whether the five common SNPs can affect the risk of osteosarcoma, and its association with demographic characteristics of osteosarcoma. 165 osteosarcoma patients and 330 cancer-free controls were enrolled into our study. Five common SNPs in VEGF gene, -2578C/A (rs699947), -1156G/A (rs1570360), +1612G/A (rs10434), +936C/T (rs3025039) and -634G/C (rs2010963), were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Conditional logistic regression analyses found that individuals with AA genotype and A allele of rs699947 were associated with an increased risk of osteosarcoma. Individuals with GG genotype and G allele of rs2010963 were associated with an increased risk of osteosarcoma. By stratified analysis, AA genotype of rs699947 was associated with an increased risk of osteosarcoma in those with shorter age, males and a family history of cancer, and GG genotype of rs2010963 was correlated with an increased risk of osteosarcoma in those with shorter age, females and a family history of cancer. Our study suggests that rs699947 and rs2010963 polymorphisms may play a role in the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We performed this study to better elucidate the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) polymorphisms and coronary heart disease (CHD). Eligible articles were searched in PubMed, Medline, Embase, Scopus and CNKI. A total of 24 studies containing 6489 CHD patients and 5664 control subjects were analyzed. Our overall and subgroup analyses suggested that rs699947 polymorphism was significantly associated with CHD susceptibility in both Caucasians and Asians, rs1570360 polymorphism was significantly associated with CHD susceptibility in Caucasians, and rs3025039 polymorphism was significantly associated with CHD susceptibility in Asians. Besides, rs3025039 polymorphism was significantly correlated with the number of affected coronary arteries, while rs699947 and rs2010963 polymorphisms were significantly correlated with poor collateral circulation in CHD patients. Overall, our findings indicate that VEGF rs699947, rs1570360, and rs3025039 polymorphisms may affect CHD susceptibility. Moreover, VEGF rs699947 and rs2010963 polymorphisms may serve as genetic biomarkers of poor collateral circulation after myocardial ischemia.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms (rs699947, rs833061, and rs2010963) and psoriatic risk in South Indian Tamils

Background

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a pro-angiogenic factor, is involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Being highly polymorphic, several SNPs of VEGF have been reported to be associated with increased risk of psoriasis.

Vascular endothelial growth factor A and cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients

To determine the contribution of the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) rs2010963 (-634 G>C) and rs1570360 (-1154 G>A) polymorphisms to the risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease in a series of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Six hundred sixty-one patients fulfilling the 1987 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for RA, seen at the rheumatology outpatient clinics of the Hospital Xeral-Calde, Lugo, and the Hospital San Carlos, Madrid, Spain, were studied. Patients were genotyped for the VEGFA rs2010963 (-634 G>C) and rs1570360 (-1154 G>A) polymorphisms using predesigned TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping assay (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Also, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DRB1 genotyping was performed using molecular-based methods. Clinical histories of the patients were reviewed for the presence of CV events that were considered to be present if the patient had ischemic heart disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular accident, or peripheral arteriopathy. Also, a subgroup of patients without the history of CV events was assessed for the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis manifested by the presence of endothelial dysfunction by brachial artery reactivity (n = 126) and increased carotid artery intima-media thickness (n = 105) using high resolution Doppler ultrasonography. No significant association between the VEGFA rs2010963 and the rs1570360 polymorphisms (neither isolated nor joined as allelic combinations) with clinically evident CV disease was found in this series of patients with RA. It was also the case when we examined the contribution of these polymorphisms to the development of subclinical atherosclerosis. VEGFA polymorphisms do not seem to exert a significant influence on the risk of CV disease in patients with RA.     

VEGF C-634G polymorphism is associated with protection from isolated ventricular septal defect: case-control and TDT studies

The ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart defect and no candidate susceptibility gene has been identified. Endocardial cushion and outflow septal morphogenesis, malalignment of which induces VSD, have been suggested to be mediated by the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Three single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants in promoter and 5'-UTR region of the VEGF gene, C-2578A (rs699947), G-1154A (rs1570360) and G-634C (rs2010963), were reported to alter its expression. We assessed the association in a Chinese population between these SNPs and VSD using a double approach: case-control and TDT designs. Among the three SNPs, only -634C allele was less frequently present in 222 patients compared to 352 controls (odds ratio: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59-0.97, X(2)=5.06, P=0.024, not significant after a Bonferroni correction). This was significantly less transmitted to VSD patients (trios: 142) (odds ratio: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.25-0.62, X(2)=8.11, df=1, P=0.004, corrected P=0.024). A similar result was observed for haplotype -2578C/-1154G/-634C allele in both studies (in TDT: X(2)=7.51, df=1, P=0.006, corrected P=0.048). All these associations for the first time demonstrated that -634C allele was in a significant protective association against VSD, suggesting that VEGF dysregulation was involved in the pathological processes of VSD.     

Association of ABCB1 and VEGFA gene polymorphisms with breast cancer susceptibility and prognosis

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Several ABCB1 and VEGFA gene polymorphisms, such as ABCB1-G1199 T/A (rs2229109), VEGFA -634 G > C (rs2010963), VEGFA 2578 C > A (rs699947) and VEGFA 7 C > T (rs25648) have been associated with risk of BC and clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between these gene polymorphisms and BC risk and prognosis.A retrospective case-control study was conducted, including 84 BC cases and 119 controls of Spanish (European, Caucasian) origin. ABCB1-G1199 T/A (rs2229109), VEGFA -634 G > C (rs2010963), VEGFA 2578 C > A (rs699947) and VEGFA 7 C > T (rs25648) gene polymorphisms were analysed by TaqMan®.The genotypic logistic regression model adjusted by aged revealed no association with any of the polymorphisms and BC risk, although the C-allele of VEGFA 2578 C > A showed a trend to higher BC risk in the allelic and recessive models (p = 0.055 and 0.054, respectively). There was no influence of these gene polymorphisms on overall survival (OS). The univariate Cox model showed that carriers of the A-allele for VEGFA 2578 C > A tended to have longer OS compared to CC patients (CC vs A-allele Hazard ratio (HR): 2.08; CI95 % = 0.96–4.49; p = 0.0587). There was no association between the gene polymorphisms analysed and disease-free survival (DFS). The univariate Cox model showed a trend toward a longer DFS in patients carrying ABCB1-G1199 T/A GG genotype compared to those with A-allele (GG vs A-allele HR: 0.43; CI95 % = 0.18–1.03; p = 0.0612).No influence of ABCB1-G1199 T/A (rs2229109), VEGFA -634 G > C (rs2010963), VEGFA 2578 C > A (rs699947) and VEGFA 7 C > T (rs25648) gene polymorphisms on risk of developing BC was found in our study. There was no association between the polymorphisms studied and DFS and OS.     

Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of CDH13 gene with metabolic syndrome among ethnic Han ChineseCSCD

Objective: To assessthe association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the T-cadherin (CDH13) gene with metabolic syndrome (MS) among ethnic Han Chinese. Methods: Genotypes of 6 SNPs(rsll646213, rsl2596316, rs3865188, rsl2444338, rsl2051272, and rs7195409) of the CDH13 gene among 453 patients with MS and 526 controls were determined with a TaqMan method, and their association with MS was assessed. Results: For 5 SNPs (rsll646213, rs3865188, rsl2444338, rsl2051272, and rs7195409), no difference was found in allelic and genotypic frequencies of the CDH13 gene between the two groups. Comparing with rsl2596316 (AA+GG) genotype, rsl2596316 AG genotype has significantly increased the risk of MS(P = 0.01, OR=1.38, 95%CI: 1.07-1.78), though no association was found between particular alleles of the rsl2596316 with MS. There was no difference in the frequencies of rsll646213-rsl2596316-rs3865188-rsl2444338-rsl2051272 haplotype between the two groups(P>0.05). Conclusion: No association was found between the five SNPs (rsll646213, rs3865188, rsl2444338, rsl2051272 and rs7195409) of the CDH13 gene with the MS, while the rsl2596316AG genotype of the CDH13 gene is associated with the susceptibility to MS among ethnic Han Chinese. © 2018 West China University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.     

Association between promoter polymorphisms of vascular endothelial growth factor gene and sporadic Alzheimer's disease among Northern Chinese Han

Increasing evidences suggest that polymorphisms within the promoter region of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene may elevate the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In Northern Chinese Han, we found three polymorphisms in the VEGF promoter: −2578C/A (rs699947), −2549I/D (rs35569394) and −1154G/A (rs1570360). A strong linkage disequilibrium was detected between −2578C/A and −2549I/D. After adjusting the data by gender, age and the APOE?4 status using logistic regression, the −1154G/G genotype was found to increase the risk for sporadic AD (SAD) by 1.4-folds. In the subgroup of APOE?4 non-carriers, the −1154G allele and −2549D/−1154G haplotype were observed to be significantly higher in the 279 SAD patients than in the 317 healthy individuals. The present study provides the evidence that the −1154G allele and the −2549D/−1154G haplotype may be associated with the development of SAD in the individuals without APOE?4 allele.     

不同海拔高度低氧环境差异对EPAS1基因多态性的影响

目的 研究不同海拔高度的低氧环境差异对内皮PAS蛋白1基因(endothelial PAS domain protein 1,EPAS1)的选择作用.方法 选取西藏藏族58名(居住海拔约3700米)、青海藏族47名(居住海拔约3100米)、云南藏族43名(居住海拔约2500米)、山东汉族47名(居住海拔约50米)的4个不同海拔高度的群体,应用限制性片段长度多态性-聚合酶链反应技术检测EPAS1基因的14个单核苷酸多态性位点.结果 在4个群体中,山东汉族、云南藏族与西藏藏族、青海藏族在大部分位点的等位基因频率、基因型频率以及单倍型频率的差异具有统计学意义;但在山东汉族与云南藏族之间的差异无统计学意义.结论 海拔高度不同引起的低氧环境差异有可能对基因EPAS1有选择作用.     

Genetic study of two single nucleotide polymorphisms within corresponding microRNAs and susceptibility to tuberculosis in a Chinese Tibetan and Han population

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are thought to play important roles in the pathogenesis of diseases. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within miRNAs can change their characteristics via altering their target selection and/or expression, resulting in functional and/or phenotypic changes. We decided to investigate the genetic association with pulmonary tuberculosis with 2 nucleotide variations within corresponding microRNAs regulating the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediating signal pathway. MiRNAs potentially regulating the TLR-mediating signal pathway were predicted via bioinformatics. Finally, 2 SNPs, rs2910164 G>C and rs3746444 T>C within miR-146a and miR-499, were selected as candidates in accordance with some criteria. SNPs were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and validated by sequencing to demonstrate their association with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in 337 PTB cases and 738 healthy controls, including 318 Tibetan and 757 Han individuals. Bioinformatics databases were searched to support the association between miRNAs and PTB. There was no association between rs3746444 and PTB risk (p = 0.118) in the Han population, but subjects carrying the C allele exhibited decreased PTB risk (odds ratio [OR] = 0.403 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.278-0.583]). However, there was an association between rs3746444 and PTB in the Tibetan population, and individuals carrying the C allele exhibited increased PTB risk (OR = 1.870 [95% CI 1.218-2.871]). A polymorphism (rs2910164 G>C) indicated an association with PTB risk in both Tibetan (p = 0.031) and Han (p = 0.000) populations. However, the role of the G allele of rs2910164, like the C allele in rs3746444, differed in the Tibetan (OR = 1.509, p < 0.05) and Han (OR = 0.575, p < 0.05) groups. This is the first report to suggest that a genetic association with pulmonary tuberculosis with SNPs within the corresponding miRNAs potentially regulates the TLR signal pathway. It is interesting that both the G allele (rs2910164) and the C allele (rs3746444) play different roles in 2 populations. Further functional analysis of the SNP and its impact on mRNA targets is required to confirm the relationship between genotype and phenotype.     

VEGFA variants as prognostic markers for the retinopathy in pseudoxanthoma elasticum

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare autosomal recessive ectopic mineralization disorder, characterized by skin, eye and cardiovascular symptoms. The most devastating ocular complication is choroidal neovascularization, which is thought to be mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, a molecule encoded by the VEGFA gene. As early detection and treatment is essential to preserve vision, prioritization of patients at risk is crucial, but impossible because of wide phenotypic variability and a lack of genotype-phenotype correlations for PXE. This study aimed to validate the previously suggested association of five single nucleotide VEGFA variants (rs13207351, rs833061, rs699947, rs25648 and rs1413711) with a severe PXE retinopathy in an independent cohort. Direct Sanger sequencing was performed in 100 PXE patients, with a mild (56) or severe (44) PXE retinopathy. The inclusion criteria for severe retinopathy were a unilateral best-corrected visual acuity of <5/10 and/or the need for anti-angiogenic treatment. We found a significant association of three of five variants and borderline missed significance for one. These data further suggest the VEGFA gene to be a modifier gene for the PXE retinopathy. Hereby, we provide the necessary evidence to implement these variants in ocular risk stratification and individualized patient follow-up.     

高原红细胞增多症患者及藏,汉族正常人血氧解离曲线的对比测定

用同时测定血氧分压和血氧饱和度法直接测定了藏、汉族及高原红细胞增多症患者的血氧解离曲线。结果发现高原红细胞增多症患者较正常藏、汉族的血氧解离曲线明显右移,而藏、汉族间无明显差异。提示高原红细胞增多症者个体的血红蛋白与氧的亲和力特征可能与其血氧解离曲线的右移有关而与民族无关。     

Globus pallidus lesions associated with high mountain climbing

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) occurs commonly in hikers who are rapidly exposed to high altitude environments. Despite the numerous reports of AMS, few studies have reported pallidal lesions associated with altitude sickness. A previously healthy 49-yr-old Korean patient, after ascent to 4,700 m, suffered symptoms consistent with AMS. After returning home, the patient showed changes in personality characterized by abulia, indifference, and indecisiveness. T2 weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging showed high signal lesions involving bilateral globus pallidus. Our case suggests that globus pallidus injury should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with personality or cognitive change after recovery from AMS.     

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Polymorphisms May Predict the Risk of Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease following Allogeneic Transplantation: Preventive Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene on Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease

Microvessel injury is associated with the development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), whereas high levels of posttransplantation vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have a protective effect on severe acute GVHD (aGVHD) and transplantation-related mortality. The current study aimed to determine the impact of VEGFA gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the risk of aGVHD after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism, 4 VEGFA SNPs— -2578 C>A (rs699947), -460 T>C (rs833061), +405 G>C (rs2010963), and +936 C>T (rs3025039)—were analyzed in 98 recipients. Strong linkage disequilibrium was noted among loci -2578, -460, and +405, but not among these loci and locus +936. Accordingly, 4 haplotypes were generated based on the genotypes of -2578, -460, and +405: CTC (47.9%), CTG (26.7%), ACG (24.2%), and CCC (1.0%). The group with low VEGF production (ie, +936CT genotype and 2 copies of the ACG haplotype) had a higher incidence of aGVHD. Significant associations were found between the risk of grade 2-4 aGVHD and the +936 CT (P = .006), -2578 AA (P = .003), and -460 CC (P = .002) genotypes and the ACG haplotype (P = .003). No association between the VEGFA SNPs and chronic GVHD was observed. The VEGFA SNPs might predict a lower risk of aGVHD. Our findings suggest that VEGF may have a protective role in the pathogenesis of aGVHD.     

Analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) functional variants in rheumatoid arthritis

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important pro-angiogenic mediators related to inflammation-associated synovial angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to asses the role of -1154 G-->A (rs1570360) and -634 G-->C (rs2010963) VEGF gene functional variants with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The population under study was composed of a total of 753 unrelated RA patients and 801 healthy controls. The VEGF -1154 G-->A and -634 G-->C polymorphism genotyping was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction technology, using TaqMan 5' allelic discrimination assay. No evidence of association was observed between the -1154 G-->A and the -634 G-->C VEGF polymorphisms, or inferred VEGF haplotypes with RA susceptibility or clinical manifestations. Our results suggest that the analyzed VEGF promoter polymorphisms may not play a relevant role in RA pathogenesis in our population.     

中国北方汉族人群中载脂蛋白M基因多态性分布特征及连锁不平衡分析

目的研究中国北方汉族人群中载脂蛋白M基因（apolipoprotein M,APOM）多态性分布特征及其连锁不平衡关系。方法采用PCR扩增基因组DNA直接测序法结合PCR-限制性片段长度多态方法对330名中国北方汉族健康人群的APOM基因单核苷酸多态性（single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP）进行分析。结果中国北方汉族人APOM基因存在1号内含子rs805264位点、5号内含子rs707922位点及rs707921位点3个多态位点,不同种族及地区APOM基因SNP差异有统计学意义。APOM基因rs805264位点、rs707922位点及rs707921位点SNP在中国北方汉族人群中呈现明显的连锁不平衡,主要有G-G-C、A-T-A两种单体型。结论APOM基因SNP在中国北方汉族人群中存在显著连锁不平衡。     

HTRA1基因单核苷酸多态性与类风湿性关节炎的关联性研究

目的 探讨HTRA1基因单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphisms,SNPs)和类风湿性关节炎(rheumatoid arthritis,RA)及其患者血清类风湿因子(rheumatoid factor,RF)、C反应蛋白((C-reactive protein, CRP)之间的相关性.方法 采用Snapshot法测定344例RA患者和288名正常健康人HTRA1基因5个SNPs(rs2014307、rs2248799、rs2300433、rs714816、rs2268356)位点基因型,终点散射比浊法测定RA患者血清RF和CRP水平.结果 RA组HTRA1基因SNPs(rs2014307、rs2248799、rs2300433、rs714816、rs2268356)基因型与正常对照组间差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05),单倍型分析也显示H豫A1基因RA组与正常对照组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),RA患者HTRA1基闪SNPs位点(rs2014307、rs2248799、rs714816、rs2268356)不同基因型之间血清RF水平比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),而rs2300433位点基因型(AA+AG)组的RF水平明显高于GG组((P<0.05).结论 已分析的与HTRA1基因相关的5个SNPs与中国汉族人种RA遗传易感性不相关,HTRA1基因rs2300433位点不同基因型RA患者体内RF水平有差别,HTRA1基因表达的丝氨酸蛋白酶可能参与了RA患者RF的表达.     

Acute mountain sickness and physiological stress during intermittent exposure to high altitude

The effect of intermittent exposure to high altitude (4200 m) hypoxia on symptomatology of acute mountain sickness (AMS) was observed, and the relationship between AMS and stress hormone excretion was examined among shift workers at the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) facility and a control group of sea level residents. Some of the shift workers experienced AMS during their first day at altitude, but had recovered after 5 days residence at altitude. Upon acute exposure to altitude, none of the shift workers reported severe cases of AMS after 5 days residence at sea level, but some reported severe cases after 45 residence at sea level, thus providing some evidence for a 'carry over' of acclimatization for a 5 day period. Reported symptomatology at sea level was predictive of 24 h. excretion rates of adrenaline and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids at high altitude. No good predictors of symptomatology of AMS at high altitude were found using sea level measures alone.