Nitric oxide synthase polymorphisms and asthma phenotypes in Chinese children

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) is a key factor for balancing T-helper type 1/T-helper type 2 immunity. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) genes have been associated with atopy and exhaled NO concentrations in Caucasians. We investigated the association between asthma traits and genetic polymorphisms in neuronal NO synthase (NOS1) and endothelial NO synthase (NOS3) in Chinese children. METHODS: Asthmatic children between 5 and 18 years of age and non-allergic controls were recruited. Plasma total IgE was measured by microparticle immunoassay, whereas allergen-specific IgEs were measured by fluorescent enzyme immunoassay. Fractional exhaled NO concentration (FeNO) was measured by a chemiluminescence analyser. NOS1 C5266T and NOS3 G894T were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism, and (AAT)n polymorphism in intron 20 of NOS1 was determined by GeneScan analysis. RESULTS: The mean (SD) ages of 295 asthmatics and 174 controls were 11.1 (3.8) years and 11.6 (4.0) years, respectively (P=0.162). NOS1 C5266T and NOS3 G894T were not associated with asthma, atopy or FeNO. However, significantly more subjects with T/T in NOS1 C5266T had increased plasma total IgE as compared with those with C/T or C/C (P=0.017). This SNP was also associated with sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (P=0.049). Among asthmatic patients, log-transformed plasma total IgE levels were significantly higher among those homozygous for 5266T of NOS1 [mean (SD): 2.84 (0.44) for T/T, 2.68 (0.42) for C/T, 2.59 (0.69) for C/C; P=0.021]. This study found a significant inter-ethnic difference in the allele frequencies of AAT repeats, and this polymorphism was associated with high plasma total IgE levels (P=0.044) but not FeNO (P=0.158). NOS3 G894T was not associated with any asthma or atopy phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: NOS1 C5266T and AAT repeats affect plasma IgE concentrations in Chinese children. On the other hand, neither NOS1 nor NOS3 SNP was associated with FeNO or the risk of having asthma.     

A polymorphism in the coding region of interleukin-13 gene is associated with atopy but not asthma in Chinese children

BACKGROUND: Interleukin (IL)-13 is an important cytokine secreted from type 2 helper T lymphocytes. It is essential for modulating IgE synthesis by human B cells. Previous studies showed that polymorphisms in the IL-13 gene were associated with serum total IgE or allergic asthma. The relationship of this marker with sensitization to individual aeroallergens has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: We tested whether a polymorphism in the coding region of the IL-13 gene is associated with asthma and atopy in asthmatic children in Hong Kong. METHODS: We used restriction fragment length polymorphism to detect R130Q genotype in Chinese children with asthma and control subjects. Serum total IgE was measured by microparticle immunoassay and specific IgE to common aeroallergens was measured using fluorescent enzyme immunoassay. Pulmonary function studies were performed using spirometry. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-seven patients and 54 control children were recruited. Their mean serum total IgE concentrations were 994 kIU/L and 473 kIU/L, respectively (P < 0.0001). Atopy as defined by > or = 1 positive RAST was found in 141 patients and 32 control children. The GlnGln form of the R130Q polymorphism in the IL-13 gene was associated with serum total IgE (P = 0.005) as well as specific IgE to Der p 1 (P = 0.021), mixed cockroaches (P = 0.03) and dog (P = 0.003) but not with physician-diagnosed asthma (P = 0.621). In addition, the R130Q polymorphism did not correlate with subjective or objective indicators of asthma severity in our patients. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the R130Q polymorphism of the IL-13 gene is associated with elevated serum total and allergen-specific IgE but not asthma in Chinese children.     

Prevalence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms in patients with atopic asthma

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common multifactorial disease, the aetiology of which is attributable to both environmental and genetic factors. The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) gene has been implicated in asthma pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated associations of 27 base-pair tandem repeat polymorphism in intron 4 and the Glu298Asp (G894T) variant of the NOS3 gene with atopic asthma in a Czech population. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the NOS3 genotypes in subjects with atopic asthma (n = 163) and random controls (n = 209). RESULTS: The NOS3 allele or genotype distributions did not differ significantly between the control and asthma groups. However, the common genotype (bb) of the NOS3 polymorphism in intron 4 was found to be significantly associated with total IgE levels (P = 0.006), specific IgE levels for feathers (P = 0.0002) and a positive skin prick test for hay (P = 0.004). In one atopic patient, we identified an additional 27-bp repeat in the NOS3 gene (NOS3c), which occurred in heterozygous combination with the NOS3b allele (NOS3b/c genotype). In addition, we describe a new polymorphism (A5495G) in the NOS3 gene, which was in almost complete linkage disequilibrium with the NOS3 repeat polymorphism in intron 4. The Glu298Asp variant was not associated with asthma and/or related atopic phenotypes in our study. CONCLUSION: Neither the NOS3 'b' allele nor the NOS3 'b/b' genotype showed any general association with atopic asthma, but they were associated with atopy-related phenotypes. We conclude that the NOS3 gene polymorphisms may act as disease modifiers in atopic asthma phenotype in our population.     

一氧化氮合酶3基因多态性与复发性早期自然流产的关系

目的探讨一氧化氮合酶3(nitric oxide synthase 3,NOS3)基因第4内含子27bp数目可变串联重复序列(variable number of tandem repeat,VNTR)多态性和第7外显子894(G/T)多态性与复发性早期自然流产(recurrent early spontaneous abortion,RESA)的相关性。方法选取140例RESA患者和140名健康妇女,应用聚合酶链反应-琼脂糖凝胶电泳法检测NOS3基因第4内含子VNTR多态性,聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析技术检测第7外显子894(G/T)多态性。结果RESA组aa ba基因型频率和a等位基因频率与正常对照组相比差异有统计学意义(χ2=4.51,P<0.05;χ2=4.29,P<0.05)。与bb基因型相比,携带a等位基因的妇女与RESA显著相关(OR为1.8,95%CI:1.04~3.24)。RESA组TT GT基因型频率和T等位基因频率与正常对照组相比差异无统计学意义(χ2=1.16,P>0.05;χ2=1.12,P>0.05)。与GG基因型相比,携带T等位基因的妇女与RESA无相关。结论NOS3基因第4内含子27bp数目可变的串联重复序列多态性与复发性自然流产密切相关,NOS3基因第7外显子894G/T多态性与RESA无明显相关性,a等位基因是RESA重要的遗传易感基因。     

Association of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) polymorphisms and Alzheimer's disease in Chinese

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2, encoded by the gene prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2, PTGS2) is a key enzyme in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. The prostaglandins produced by COX-2 are involved in inflammation and pain response in different tissues in the body. Enhanced COX-2 expression had been found in regions of brains from patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we proceeded to test the hypothesis that polymorphisms of the PTGS2 gene predispose to AD. IVS5−275 T>G and Ex10+837 T>C in addition to three tagging SNPs from HapMap database, which provided a comprehensive coverage of genetic variations in the PTGS2 gene in Chinese were genotyped among 257 AD patients and 244 age-matched healthy Chinese subjects. Genetic associations were analyzed by χ²-test and haplotypes analysis. Although the previously reported protective polymorphism (rs20417, −765 G/C) for AD in PTGS2 gene was not polymorphic in the Chinese population, SNPs in both the promoter (−2319 G>T) and 3′ region (Ex10+837 T>C) of PTGS2 were associated with the risk of AD (p = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively). Carriers of Ex10+837 T allele had a 1.5-fold increase in the risk of AD. This study suggested that PTGS2 gene was a predisposition gene and arachidonic acid metabolism might be involved in the pathogenesis of AD. It provided further evidence to support a role of inflammation in the development and progression of AD.     

CASP3基因单核苷酸多态性与中国儿童川崎病的相关性研究

目的 分析半胱氨酸蛋白酶3基因(caspase-3,CASP3)多态性与中国儿童川崎病(Kawasakidisease,KD)临床表型的潜在相关性,以寻找中国儿童KD发生发展的高风险分子标记.方法 采用病例对照研究,实验组包括238例KD患儿,对照组包含年龄与性别组成匹配的364名非KD儿童.同时应用聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性与DNA测序技术,对研究对象的CASP3基因包括功能性单核苷酸多态位点(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)rs113420705在内的3个多态位点进行基因分型,分别比较KD组与对照组、继发与不继发冠状动脉损伤(coronary artery lesions,CALs)以及静脉注射免疫球蛋白(intravenous immunoglobulin,IVIG)治疗敏感与抗性情况下这些SNP位点等位基因与基因型频率.结果 KD组中rs113420705的T等位基因频率与该等位基因携带者频率均显著高于对照组.在3种常见的单倍型中,2种包含SNP rs113420705风险等位基因的单倍型更常见于KD患者组.3个SNP位点的等位基因、基因型与次等位基因携带者频率在继发与不继发CALs患者组,以及IVIG治疗敏感与不敏感患者组之间差异均无统计学意义.结论 CASP3基因rs113420705与中国人群川崎病的发生存在显著的相关性,提示该SNP的风险等位基因有希望成为判断中国儿童川崎病易患性的分子遗传标记.CASP3基因风险单倍型的证实为该基因在KD发生中的作用提供了新的证据.     

Gene polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and angiotensin-converting enzyme in patients with asthma

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide, including that produced by endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS), may regulate vascular and airway tone in the lungs and may influence various aspects of airway homeostasis. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is expressed at high levels in the lungs and plays a role in the metabolism of angiotensin II, bradykinin, and substance P, all of which are potentially involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. An insertion-deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene has been shown to be associated with enzyme activity levels of ACE. To examine the possible involvement of the ecNOS and/or ACE genes as the genetic basis of bronchial asthma, we investigated whether there was any association between bronchial asthma and polymorphisms of the ecNOS and/or ACE genes. METHODS: A total of 310 patients with bronchial asthma and 121 healthy subjects took part in this study. The ecNOS and ACE genotypes were determined in all subjects by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: 1) The distribution of one genotype (bb) of ecNOS was significantly higher in the asthma group than in the control population. 2) The ACE genotype distribution was not significantly different between the control and the asthma groups. 3) In asthmatic patients, the ACE and ecNOS genotype distribution did not differ significantly among groups of patients with different severities of asthma. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that polymorphisms of the ecNOS gene, but not the ACE gene, may be associated with the development of asthma. However, the severity of asthma may not be influenced by polymorphisms of the ecNOS and ACE genes.     

Constitutive nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms and house dust mite respiratory allergy in an Algerian patient group

Genetic polymorphisms in neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1) and calmodulin-dependent endothelial NOS (NOS3) genes are known to influence the course of allergic respiratory disorders. We investigated the role of NOS1 -84 G-->A and NOS3 -786 T-->C, 894 G-->T and 27 base pair (bp) repeat polymorphisms in 125 patients suffering from asthma and/or rhinitis and monosensitized against Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpter) and 111 controls from Algeria. We found a higher frequency of the -786 C NOS3 allele in patients than in controls [corrected P value (Pc) = 0.04], especially in female cases (Pc = 0.02) and that the 'ab' genotype of the 27-bp polymorphism was significantly associated with specific immunoglobulin E production against Dpter (P = 0.006). This study brings further support for the participation of NOS3 gene polymorphism in the pathogenesis of respiratory allergic disorders.     

NURR1基因多态性与帕金森病的关联研究

目的 了解NURR1基因多态性与四川地区散发性帕金森病之间的相关性.方法 采用病例-对照研究,应用聚合酶链反应、等位基因特异性、限制性片段长度多态性对四川地区汉族人群241例帕金森病患者和236名正常对照NURR1基冈启动子区的c.-2922(C)2-3及第6内含子的ⅣS6+18imG多态位点进行关联分析.结果 IVS6+18insG位点帕金森病组3G/3G,3G/2G,2G/2G基因型频率与对照组相比差异无统计学意义(X2=3.733,P=0.155).进一步按发病年龄分层后发现,50岁以前发病的帕金森病患者基因型频率与对照组之间差异有统计学意义(X2=6.545,P=0.038).发病年龄＜50岁的帕金森病组患者3G/2G基因型频率显著高于对照组(54.12%vs 38.14%),并且与其他两组基因型合并相比差异有统计学意义(X2=6.537,P=0.011;OR=1.913,95%CI:1.159～3.158).c.-2922(C)2-3位点帕金森病组与对照组相比3C/3C,3C/2C及2C/2C基因型频率差异无统计学意义(P=0.766).结论 本研究结果提示NURR1基因ⅣS6+18insG多态可能与本组人群早发性帕金森病的遗传易感性相关;未发现c.-2922(C)2-3位点多态性与本组人群帕金森病的遗传易感性相关.     

5-羟色胺转运体基因多态性与支气管哮喘及抑郁症易感性的研究

目的 检测5-羟色胺转运体(5-hydroxytryptamine transporter,5-HTT)基因的两种多态性(5-HTTLPR及Stin2),以探讨哮喘合并抑郁症的分子遗传学机制.方法 收集成人哮喘患者156例,采用汉密尔顿抑郁量表(Hamilton depression scale,HAMD)进行抑郁评分,将哮喘组分为哮喘合并抑郁组(HAMD≥8分)和单纯哮喘组(HAMD<8分).另设立两组对照,即抑郁症组(n=508)和健康对照组(n=433).采集所有受试者外周血,应用聚合酶链反应方法,扩增包括5-HTTLPR或Stin2多态区域的5-HTT基因片段,在琼脂糖凝胶电泳后使用全自动凝胶数码成像及分析系统分析扩增目的 基因片段.结果 Stin2多态性的基因型频率分布和等位基因频率分布显示,具有Stin2.12/Stin2.10基因型或Stin2.10等位基因型的男性发生哮喘的风险明显增加(Stin2.12/Stin2.10:OR=2.291,95%CI:1.195,4.390;Stin2.10:OR=1.942,95%CI:1.069-3.527),而5-HTTLPR的基因型和等位基因频率分布在哮喘(包括哮喘合并抑郁组和单纯哮喘组)或按性别分层的哮喘与健康对照之间的差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05).结论 5-HTT基因Stin2多态位点可能在男性哮喘发病中发挥一定作用,该结果支持哮喘与抑郁之间可能存在一定遗传学发病机制相关性的假设.     

Beta2-ADR haplotypes/polymorphisms associate with bronchodilator response and total IgE in grass allergy

Association and linkage studies of beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2-ADR) polymorphisms in relation to the expression of asthmatic phenotypes and immune regulatory mechanisms have shown inconsistent results. In order to analyse the relevance of particular combinations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or haplotypes of beta2-ADR gene to bronchial asthma, bronchodilator response and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) we determined by direct DNA sequencing five SNPs (in positions: -47, -20, 46, 79, 252) in a group of 180 Caucasian subjects (110 patients with grass allergy and 70 nonatopic controls). The eight different beta2-ADR haplotypes were identified, with three the most common of them representing 92% of the studied cohort. Significantly higher (pcor = 0.0045) bronchodilator response was observed in patients with homozygotic genotype 46A/A in comparison with respective homo- and hetero-zygotes. There was no significant difference in bronchodilator response when beta2-ADR haplotypes were analysed. Significantly higher (pcor = 0.0005) total IgE levels were found in patients with beta2-ADR haplotype -47T/-20T/46A/79C/252G and homozygotic carriers of 46A (pcor = 0.0015) and 79C (pcor = 0.003) genotypes. No significant associations were found in regards to asthmatic phenotype and atopy. These results indicate that depending on phenotype studied, either an individual beta2-ADR SNP or beta2-ADR haplotype might affect disease manifestation.     

Association of group‐specific component exon 11 polymorphisms with bronchial asthma in children and adolescents

Several studies have investigated the association of Group‐specific Component (GC) gene, also known as vitamin D‐binding protein (VDBP), and various respiratory disorder susceptibility with conflicting results. In this sense, we aimed to investigate whether rs7041 and rs4588 variants confer susceptibility to bronchial asthma in a sample of an Egyptian population and to elucidate by in silico analysis the structural and functional impact of these variants. Group‐specific Component polymorphisms rs7041 and rs4588 were genotyped in 192 Egyptian children and adolescents (96 with asthma and 96 healthy controls) by TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assay. The rs7041 GG genotype showed a significantly elevated frequency among patients under codominant, dominant, recessive and allelic models where the patient group had greater carriage rate of G allele [OR 2.15, CI 95% (1.32‐3.50; P = 0.002)], while rs4588 CA and AA genotypes were found to be protective genotypes with controls showing a greater carriage rate of A allele [OR 0.52, CI 95% (0.30 ‐ 0.90; P = 0.02)]. Three haplotype allele combinations were identified with frequencies of GC (44.3%), TC (31.3%) and TA (24.5%) in the total study population. GC haplotype was shown to be more frequent in controls, while TC and TA haplotypes were more predominant in the patient group. Only rs7041 variant showed a significant association with family history and pubertal status. In conclusion, both study GC variants could be implicated in childhood bronchial asthma pathogenesis; rs7041 GG genotype and G allele increased asthma risk while rs4588 AA genotype and A allele conferred protection in the study population.     

CSPG2和HSPG2基因单核苷酸多态性与中国汉族人颅内动脉瘤的相关性研究

目的 分析CSPG2和HSPG2基因单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)与中国汉族散发颅内动脉瘤的相关性.方法 采用病例-对照关联研究方法,收集颅内动脉瘤患者537例以及年龄和性别匹配的正常对照1071名的外周血样各5 mL并提取基因DNA.通过聚合酶链式反应扩增目的DNA,用单碱基延伸(SNaPshot)法进行SNP分型.选取文献报道的CSPG2和HSPG2基因的两个标签SNPs位点rs251124和rs3767137,分析其与汉族散发颅内动脉瘤发病的关联性.结果 CSPG2和HSPG2基因的两个标签SNPs位点rs251124和rs3767137的基因型均满足Hardy-Weinberg平衡.CSPG2rs251124的等位基因频率在患者组与对照组之间差异无统计学意义(P=0.22);HSPG2 rs3767137的等位基因频率在两组之间亦差异无统计学意义(P=0.26),但其相应的OR值大于1(OR=1.12;95％CI=0.92～1.37).患者组与对照组rs251124、rs3767137的基因型频率均差异无统计学意义(P=0.46,0.53).结论 未发现CSPG2和HSPG2基因rs251124、rs3767137 SNPs与中国人颅内动脉瘤发病的相关性.     

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk in Serbian population

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified over 46 SNPs associated with human prostate cancer (PCa). Some studies have shown correlation of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) NOS3 gene polymorphisms with the risk and/or progression of PCa. This study aimed to evaluate the association of NOS3 gene polymorphisms (−786T>C, −764A>G, −714G>T, −690C>T, −649G>A and 894G>T) with PCa risk and progression. 150 patients with PCa, 150 patients with BPH and 100 age-matched healthy controls were recruited in this study. Genotyping of promoter polymorphisms was performed by bi-directional DNA sequencing, and for 894G>T by RFLP analysis. There was no significant association between the alleles and genotypes of these genetic variants and PCa risk. For −786T>C polymorphism, we found that C allele is associated with absence of metastases, assuming dominant genetic model (P = 0.049; OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.25–1.00). It was found that, compared with NOS3 −690C>T variant CC genotype, CT and TT genotypes confer decreased risk of developing metastases (dominant model, P = 0.015, OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.07–0.88) and show association with low clinical tumour stage, compared with stages T₃ and T₄ (dominant model, P = 0.046, OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.04–1.02). Genetic variants −764A>G, −714G>T, −649G>A were not detected in our study group. There is evidence of an inverse correlation of the NOS3 894G>T minor allele with high serum PSA (>20 ng/ml) (dominant model, P = 0.013, OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.17–0.82). Our results suggest that NOS3 gene polymorphisms are genetic susceptibility factors for the progression of PCa and patient outcome.     

eotaxin-3基因多态性与变应性哮喘的相关性

目的研究eotaxin-3基因多态性与变应性哮喘的相关性。方法用聚合酶链反应-单链构象多态性-四引物聚合酶链反应-限制性酶切的方法对湖北地区汉族成人eotaxin-3＋77C／T和＋2497T／G单核苷酸多态性与哮喘易感性、嗜酸性粒细胞（eosinophil，EOS）计数以及血浆总IgE水平的相关性进行了分析。结果eotaxin-3＋2497位哮喘组与对照组G等位基因的频率，哮喘组IgE浓度及EOS数量差异有统计学意义，P值分别为0．01l、0．021和0．029；＋77位哮喘组与对照组T等位基因的频率，哮喘组IgE浓度差异无统计学意义，P值分别为0．824和0．473；＋77位哮喘组EOS数量差异有统计学意义，P值为0．044。结论eotaxin-3＋2497T／G多态性与哮喘易感性、EOS数量及IgE水平相关，＋77位C／T基因多态性与哮喘EOS数量相关。     

P2X7基因多态性与中国汉族儿童结核病易感性的研究

目的探讨中国汉族儿童P2X7基因多态性与结核病易感性相关关系,以探讨P2X7基因在儿童结核病发病中的作用。方法病例组为2005年1月至2008年9月首都医科大学附属北京儿童医院收治的汉族结核病患儿;对照组为同期在儿外科行手术前体检的患儿。按照年龄等与病例组3：1进行匹配。扩增基因组DNAP2X7基因,应用限制性酶切片段长度多态性（PCR-RFLP）分析方法和碱基特异性PCR方法,分别对P2X7基因1513和-762位点多态性与儿童结核病易感性进行相关分析。结果病例组纳入96例,平均年龄（5.5±4.5）岁;对照组纳入384例,平均年龄（5.9±4.0）岁。P2X7基因1513位点A/C和C/C基因型分布,病例组（38.5%和8.3%）较对照组（31.0%和11.5%）比率增高,但差异无统计学意义（χ2=2.306,P=0.316）;1513C在病例组和对照组分布频率分别为27.6%和27.0%,差异无统计学意义（χ2=0.033,P=0.856）。-762位点C/C基因型在整体人群中的分布频率为56.5%,-762C在病例组和对照组中的分布频率分别为77.4%和71.7%,对照组和病例组各基因频率或基因型频率差异无统计学意义（χ2=4.742,P=0.093）。上述基因型和等位基因频率在肺结核亚组和肺外结核病亚组差异均无统计学意义。结论宿主P2X7基因1513位点A/C和-762位点T/C的转换可能与中国汉族儿童结核病易感性无相关性。因此,P2X7基因多态性与结核病发病以及是否为结核病易感性的影响因素有待进一步验证。