The MDR1 polymorphisms at exons 21 and 26 predict steroid weaning in pediatric heart transplant patients

Various polymorphisms of the MDR1 gene that encodes for P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a transmembrane pump, have been identified. A silent mutation C3435T in exon 26 and a G2677T mutation in exon 21 have been correlated with P-gp expression and function in humans. The objectives of this study were (a) to determine whether the MDR1 exon 21 and exon 26 polymorphisms were related to steroid weaning in a pediatric heart transplant (HTx) population, and (b) to determine whether an association exist between the MDR1 exon 21 and exon 26 polymorphisms in these patients. Sixty-nine pediatric HTx patients were studied. MDR1 genotyping was determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification, sequencing the DNA, and sequence evaluation using Polyphred software (University of Washington) to identify genotypes. The steroid dose at 1 year post-transplantation was recorded. For steroid weaning at one year post-HTx for MDR1 C3435T, 12 of 18 (67%) patients in the CC genotype were still on prednisone, whereas only 18 of 47 (38%) of the CT/TT group were still receiving prednisone (p = 0.04). Similar results were observed for the MDR1 G2677T genotyping and steroid weaning. Forty-three of 46 patients (93.5%) who have MDR1 C3435T allele also have a mutant G2677T allele (p < 0.001). We conclude that (a) a significantly larger number of MDR1 3435 CC HTx patients remain on steroids at 1 year after transplantation, and (b) the MDR1 C3435T genotype is associated with the G2677 genotype in pediatric HTx patients.     

Possible Prediction of the Efficiency of Chemotherapy in Patients with Lymphoproliferative Diseases Based on MDR1 Gene G2677T and C3435T Polymorphisms

Study of polymorphism in MDR1 gene exons 21 and 26 revealed that T2677T and T3435T alleles are not a factor predisposing to lymphoproliferative diseases, but they determine the efficiency chemotherapy. Individuals with T2677T and T3435T haplotypes are at highest risk of drug resistance. Association between genotypes G2677T and C3435T was detected in normal subjects and in patients with lymphoproliferative diseases.     

Association of ABCB1 gene polymorphisms and haplotypes with therapeutic efficacy of glucocorticoids in Chinese patients with immune thrombocytopenia

Resistance to glucocorticoids (GCs) remains a tricky problem complicating the therapy of ITP. Recently, ATP binding cassette gene B1 gene (ABCB1) was reported to be correlated with susceptibility and therapeutic efficacy of autoimmune diseases through P-glycoprotein (Pgp). We investigated three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ABCB1 and their haplotypes by PCR–RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) method in 471 ITP patients and 383 healthy controls, patients were further assigned into GCs-responsive and -non-responsive group according to the therapeutic effects of GCs. We observed a remarkable difference in genotypes of G2677T/A between GCs-responsive and non-responsive group, but not between patients and controls. A frequently expression of T/A allele within G2677T/A was recorded in GCs-responsive group. Furthermore, we found that some haplotypes (CGC, CTC/CAC, CTT/CAT, TGC, TGT, TTC/TAC and TTT/TAT, in the order of position 1236-2677-3435) were presented significantly differences between non-responsive and responsive group. No difference of C1236T and C3435T polymorphisms was observed between ITP and controls, and between the GCs-responsive and -non-responsive group. Our findings suggest that ABCB1 polymorphisms, as well as haplotypes derived from C1235T, G2677T/A and C3435T, are associated with inter-individual differences of GCs treatment in ITP.     

MDR1 polymorphisms (G2677T and C3435T) in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia

The human multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene encodes P-glycoprotein, which affects the pharmacokinetics of many drugs. We investigated whether common MDR1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (C3435T and G2677T) affect predisposition to B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). Genotyping was performed in 65 patients with CLL and in 70 controls using polymerase chain reaction—restriction fragment length polymorphism. We observed a higher frequency of carriers of 3435CT gene among B-CLL patients as compared to normal individuals (58.5 vs. 22.9 %, p?=?<0.001). The genotype 3435CT was associated with B-CLL [odds ratio = 4.8, 95 % confidence interval = 2.3–10.0]. Moreover, patient and control groups did not differ significantly regarding the MDR1 genotype (G2677T). Furthermore, no correlation was shown between the MDR1 (3435 or 2677) genotypes and clinical and laboratory data of patient group. These data indicate that MDR1 C3435T single-nucleotide polymorphism may carry an increased risk of developing B-CLL.     

MDR1基因多态性对肝癌肝移植预后的作用研究

目的：探讨多药耐药基因1(MDR1)多态性与肝细胞癌（HCC）肝移植预后的关系。方法：采用PCR-限制性片段长度多态性（PCR-RFLP）法检测50例HCC肝移植患者MDR1基因第1236位C→T(C1236T)、第2677位G→A/T（G2677A/T）和第3435位C→T（C3435T）的基因型，进而分析其与预后的关系。结果：MDR1 C1236T、G2677T、C3435T基因型对患者预后无明显影响，而2677A基因型与预后相关。Log-rank检验结果显示：MDR1 2677A携带型的无瘤生存率显著高于非携带型，是影响HCC肝移植术后无瘤生存率的因素之一（P<0.05）；多因素分析结果显示：MDR1 2677A携带情况是影响无瘤生存率的独立因素（RR=0.143，P<0.01）。结论：在MDR1 2677位点上A的携带情况是影响肝癌肝移植无瘤生存的独立因素。     

Genomic evidence for recent positive selection at the human MDR1 gene locus

The MDR1 multidrug transporter regulates the traffic of drugs, peptides and xenobiotics into the body as well as sensitive tissues like the brain, germ cells and the developing fetus. Hence, it may influence an individual's response to drugs as well as his/her susceptibility to complex diseases in which environmental factors, especially xenobiotics, play a role. Polymorphisms within this gene, especially single-nucleotide polymorphism e26/3435(C/T), have been variously associated with differences in MDR1 expression, function, drug response and disease susceptibility. Here, we report the detailed characterization of the haplotype and linkage disequilibrium architecture of the entire 200 kb of the MDR1 gene in five world populations, namely, Chinese, Malays, Indians, Caucasians and African-Americans. We observed varied haplotype diversity across the entire gene in the different populations. The major haplotype mh5, which contains the subhaplotype e12/1236T-e21/2677T-e26/3435T, is highly represented among the four non-African populations, while mh7, which contains the subhaplotype e12/1236C-e21/2677G-e26/3435C, accounts for over a third of African-American chromosomes. These observations are inconsistent with a simple population evolution model, but instead are suggestive of recent historical events that have maintained such long range linkage disequilibrium. Using a modified long-range haplotype test, we found statistically significant evidence of recent positive selection for the e21/2677T and e26/3435T alleles in the Chinese population, and for the e26/3435T allele in the Malay population. Interestingly, we also detected evidence for positive selection of the alternative allele e26/3435C in the African-American population. These data suggest that independent mutational events may have occurred on the mh5 and mh7 haplotypes of the MDR1 gene to confer positive selection in the non-African and African-American populations, respectively.     

MDR1 gene polymorphisms and phase 1 viral decay during HIV-1 infection: an adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group study

Human CD4+ T cells express P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the ATP binding cassette efflux transporter encoded by MDR1. A common MDR1 single-nucleotide polymorphism in exon 26 (C3435T), which is linked to an exon 21 polymorphism (G2677T/A) and reportedly alters expression, has been associated with greater CD4+ T-cell increases during antiretroviral therapy. P-gp overexpression prevents apoptosis and inhibits HIV-1 replication in model systems, suggesting a potential effect on T-cell turnover. This study explored relationships between MDR1 polymorphisms and phase 1 viral decay among 31 HIV-infected individuals initiating antiretroviral therapy. Position 3435 genotypes were CC in 7 (23%), CT in 14 (45%), and TT in 10 (32%). Position 2677 genotypes were GG in 8 (26%), GT in 18 (58%), and TT in 5 (16%). There was no significant relationship between allelic variants in either exon 26 or 21 and phase 1 or phase 2 viral decay, changes in lymphocyte subsets over time, or plasma trough ritonavir concentrations. It is concluded with 95% confidence that phase 1 viral decay differences between exon 26 TT and CC groups are unlikely to exceed 18%.     

Common germline MDR1/ABCB1 functional polymorphisms and haplotypes modify susceptibility to colorectal cancers with high microsatellite instability

Altered expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) encoded by the multidrug resistance (MDR1/ABCB1) gene, as well as somatic mutations and hypermethylation in the MDR1/ABCB1 gene, were identified in a proportion of previously untreated colorectal cancers (CRC) exhibiting high microsatellite instability (MSI-H), which suggested that MDR1/ABCB1 acts as a candidate gene contributing to the initiation and progression of MSI-H tumors. Here we report germline functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in the MDR1/ABCB1 gene, which could contribute to genetic risk or increase susceptibility to MSI-H cancers. We have confirmed disease association by comparing the MDR1/ABCB1 genotype, allele, and haplotype frequencies between healthy controls and patients with MSI-H tumors. In particular, carriers of the T/T genotype in exon 12 (1236 C→T) SNP and the T/T genotype in exon 21 (2677G→T) SNP were most significantly associated with a higher risk for developing MSI-H CRC compared to controls (P=0.01, OR=3.182 and P=0.005, OR=3.594, respectively). The most significant MSI-H–associated risk haplotypes include the most frequent haplotype H1 (T-C-T-T) defined by SNPs in exon 12, intron 13 (rs2235035), exon 21, and exon 26 (3435 C→T; P=0.004, OR= 0.476). Our results suggest that ABCB1/MDR1 is a novel low-penetrance gene for susceptibility to MSI-H tumors. The present study provides additional evidence for the role that the MDR1/ABCB1 gene plays in the initiation and progression of MSI-H CRC development. ©2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.     

Genotype and haplotype analysis of ABCB1 at 1236, 2677 and 3435 among systemic sclerosis patients

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) belongs to the group of systemic diseases of the connective tissue, which are characterized by a chronic autoimmune inflammatory process. P-glycoprotein, initially associated with the drug resistance in patients with cancer, becomes more and more often a subject of considerations in terms of its significance in the development of illnesses, including autoimmune diseases. The aim of the study was an attempt to answer the question whether there was a relationship between ABCB1 polymorphisms and morbidity of systemic sclerosis in a Polish population. The study was carried out in 61 patients with SSc and 100 healthy volunteers. Determination of polymorphisms C1236T and C3435T in ABCB1 was carried out with the PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism) method. The G2677T/A ABCB1 polymorphism was analysed with the allele-specific PCR method. No statistically significant differences were observed in the frequencies of ABCB1 genotypes and alleles between SSc patients and the control group. It was observed that haplotype 1236?C-2677?G-3435?T occurred in the group of patients with SSc statistically more frequently than in the group of healthy volunteers (25% vs. 15%; p?=?.032). Carriers of the haplotype demonstrated almost a twofold greater risk of SSc (OR?=?1.85; p?=?.032). No statistically significant correlations for the other nine haplotypes were found. Presented results concerning the relationship of ABCB1 polymorphisms with susceptibility to systemic sclerosis are the first ones that were obtained in a Polish population. They imply that single nucleotide polymorphisms do not affect the risk for SSc, but the 1236?C-2677?G-3435?T haplotype might increase this risk.     

浙江地区汉族人群caspase-8、-10基因四个单核苷酸多态性位点的单倍型研究

目的分析汉族人群caspase-8、-10基因的单核苷酸多态性（single nucleotide polymorphisins，SNPs）位点及其构成的单倍型，为研究caspase-8、-10基因与多基因复杂疾病的关联分析奠定基础。方法采用PCR、变性高效液相色谱技术和DNA测序技术检测caspase-10基因的第2．5外显子，caspase-8基因的第8-10外显子及其部分侧翼序列的多态性位点；分析配对位点的连锁不平衡关系，最大期望值法估算它们构成的单倍型。结果（1）caspase-10基因的第2、5外显子分别检出一个SNP位点A2823G和A12799G，其中A12799G是新发现的低信息度的SNP；caspase-8基因中检测到3个SNP位点A43466G、G51484A、G52951A，分别位于第8、9外显子和第9内含子；它们均未改变所编码蛋白的一级结构；（2）caspase-10基因中A2823G位点与caspase-8基因中3个位点间已达到连锁平衡，caspase-8基因中A43466G与G52951A、G51484A与G52951A也达到连锁平衡，连锁不平衡系数分别接近于0；只有A43466G与G51484A存在强的连锁不平衡，连锁不平衡系数接近于1；（3）caspase-10基因的A2823G位点与caspase-8基因的3个位点预计产生11种单倍型，其中A-2823／A-43466／G-51484／G-52951是主要单倍型，频率为0．381l，其次是A．2823／A-43466／G-51484／A-52951，频率为0．2536；这4个SNP位点联用，多态信息含量可达到0．7106。结论浙江地区汉族人群caspase-10、-8基因中的SNP位点至少处于3个不同的单倍型块；联合多个相邻的位点构成单倍型，可以弥补单个SNP信息度较低的不足。     

血管紧张素原基因的六种单核苷酸多态与原发性高血压的相关性

目的　研究血管紧张素原 (angiotensinogen,AGT)基因 6个位点的单核苷酸多态及其构成的单倍型与中国汉族人原发性高血压的相关性。方法　采用多重SNa Pshot反应 ,在 185例原发性高血压患者和185名健康对照者中 ,对 AGT基因启动子区域的 G- 2 17A、G- 15 2 A、A- 2 0 C、G- 6 A及第 2外显子的T174 M和 M2 35 T多态进行基因分型。结果　 6种单核苷酸多态的基因型分布及其等位基因频率在原发性高血压组和对照组中差异无显著性 (P>0 .0 5 )。单倍型分析提示由 - 15 2 A,- 2 0 C,- 6 A和 2 35 T等位基因构成的 H4单倍型在原发性高血压组中明显增加 ,与对照组相比差异有显著性 (P<0 .0 5 )。结论　AGT基因G- 15 2 A,A- 2 0 C,G- 6 A和 M2 35 T多态可能对中国汉族人原发性高血压的发病起了重要作用。     

Direct or indirect association in a complex disease: the role of SLC22A4 and SLC22A5 functional variants in Crohn disease

A common haplotype spanning 250 kb on chromosome 5q31 is strongly associated with Crohn disease (CD). Recently, two functional variants within the SLC22A4 and SLC22A5 genes at this locus (IBD5), L503F (c.1507C > T) and G-207C (c.-207G > C), have been proposed to contribute directly to susceptibility to CD. However, extensive linkage disequilibrium at the IBD5 locus has complicated efforts to distinguish causal variants from association of the general risk haplotype. We genotyped the SLC22A4 and SLC22A5 variants and other polymorphisms across the risk haplotype in four populations of European origin, and applied regression-based haplotype analysis to over 1,200 fully genotyped case-control pairs, modeling case/control status on the presence of one or more SNPs to test for conditional association and to identify risk haplotypes. We found highly significant association of SNPs at the IBD5 locus with Crohn disease in all populations tested. However, the frequencies of L503F and G-207C in individuals who did not carry the general IBD5 risk haplotype were not significantly different in cases and controls, with associated disease odds ratios (ORs) of 0.90 (95% CI, 0.57-1.40) and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.65-1.23), respectively. Haplotype analysis showed that addition of the SLC22A4 and SLC22A5 variants to a null model that included the background risk haplotype did not significantly improve the model fit. In addition to the common risk haplotype, several rare haplotypes had an increased frequency in cases compared to controls. This study suggests that the molecular basis for Crohn disease susceptibility at the IBD5 locus remains to be defined, and highlights the challenge of the identification of causal variants in a complex disease in regions of extensive linkage disequilibrium.     

Association of PDCD1 polymorphisms with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

A regulatory single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) PD1.3G/A located on programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1) gene, was shown to be involved in susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Swedish, European American, and Mexican cases. However, association to childhood-onset SLE has not been analyzed. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of PDCD1 polymorphisms and haplotypes with susceptibility to childhood-onset SLE in Mexican population. Three PDCD1 SNPs, PD1.3G/A, PD1.5C/T, PD1.6G/A, were analyzed in 250 childhood-onset SLE Mexican patients and 355 healthy controls in a case-control association study. Polymorphisms were genotyped by TaqMan technology. Stratification analysis was performed on the SLE cohort to investigate the SNP association with renal disorder. In addition, haplotypes were constructed with these three SNPs. The PD1.3A allele was significantly associated to childhood-onset SLE (P=0.0019, odds ratio (OR) 2.73, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.35-5.56). The other PDCD1 SNPs did not show association. A total of 155 patients (62%) had nephritis, and no association was observed with PDCD1 SNPs. The ACG haplotype (PD1.3A, PD1.5C, PD1.6G) included almost all PD1.3A alleles, and it was more frequent in SLE patients (5.5%) than in controls (2.1%) (P=0.003; OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.37-5.46). The haplotype structure in Mexican controls was significantly different from those reported in Spanish and Swedish. Our results support association of the PD1.3A SNP to susceptibility of childhood-onset SLE in Mexican population and does not show association to lupus nephritis in this age group.     

Influence of ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of levosulpiride in healthy subjects

The purposes of this study were to clarify the involvement of P-glycoprotein in the absorption of levosulpiride in knockout mice that lack the Abcb1a/ 1b gene, and to evaluate the relationship between genetic polymorphisms in ABCB1 (exon 12, 21 and 26) and levosulpiride disposition in healthy subjects. The plasma and brain samples were obtained after oral administration (10 μg/g) of levosulpiride to abcb1a/1b(−/−) and wild-type mice (n=3∼6 at each time point). The average brain-to-plasma concentration ratio and blood-brain barrier partitioning of levosulpiride were 2.3- and 2.0-fold higher in Abcb1a/1b(−/−) mice than in wild-type mice, respectively. A total of 58 healthy Korean volunteers receiving a single oral dose of 25 mg levosulpiride participated in this study. The subjects were evaluated for polymorphisms of the ABCB1 exon 12 C1236T, exon 21 G2677A/T (Ala893Ser/Thr) and exon 26 C3435T using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism. The PK parameters (AUC_0–4h, AUC_0–∞ and C_max.) of ABCB1 2677TT and 3435TT subjects were significantly higher than those of subjects with at least one wild-type allele (P<0.05). The results indicate that levosulpiride is a P-glycoprotein substrate in vivo, which is supported by the effects of SNPs 2677G>A/T in exon 21 and 3435C>T in exon 26 of ABCB1 on levosulpiride disposition.     

Two SNPs of ATP-binding cassette B1 gene on the risk and prognosis of colorectal cancer

We conducted a case-control study to investigate the role of ABCB1 C3435T and G2677T/A in the susceptibility and prognosis of colorectal cancer patients. A total of 316 patients with colorectal cancer and 316 controls were collected between January 2009 and January 2011. Genotyping of ABCB1 C3435T and G2677T/A was conducted by the methods of Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Conditional logistic regression analysis showed that subjects carrying CT and CC genotypes of ABCB1 C3435T were more frequently observed in colorectal cancer patients when compared with controls, and the adjusted ORs were 1.62 (1.05-2.52) and 2.05 (1.25-3.36), respectively. By Cox regression analysis, we found that the TT genotype of ABCB1 C3435T was significantly associated with shorter PFS and OS in patients with colorectal cancer when compared with CC genotype, with adjusted HR (95% CI) of 2.57 (1.14-6.04) and 2.54 (1.05-6.61), respectively. We found that the ABCB1 C3435T polymorphism could affect the susceptibility and clinical outcome of colorectal cancer patients.     

Association of cytochrome P450 1B1 haplotypes with head and neck cancer risk

Genetic polymorphisms have been reported in several cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes, including CYP1B1 which metabolically activates procarcinogens present in tobacco to carcinogenic intermediates. This study used a case–control approach in North Indian population to determine associations between genetic variants in CYP1B1 and risk of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC). We examined the genotype and haplotype frequencies at various single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including SNPs previously reported in the promoter region and intron 1 of CYP1B1 in Caucasians. Using cycle sequencing, 9 SNPs were identified in the promoter region, intron 1, and exons 2 and 3. Haplotype analysis revealed that 5 SNPs (those in the promoter region, intron, and Arg48Gly and Ala119Ser in exon 2) were in strong linkage disequilibrium (LD). Cases with the T–A–T–G–T haplotype were significantly associated with increased risk of HNSCC. Interestingly, qRT‐PCR studies revealed a significant increase in mRNA expression of CYP1B1 in peripheral blood isolated from cases with the T–A–T–G–T haplotype compared with cases with the C–G–C–C–G haplotype, and in cases compared to controls for both main haplotypes. The data thus provide evidence that CYP1B1 haplotypes could be more effective in predicting HNSCC risk. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 58:443–450, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Polymorphisms in multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene are associated with refractory Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis

We used coding and noncoding polymorphisms evenly spaced across the ABCB1/MDR1 gene to perform association analysis in Slovenian patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and to obtain haplotype structure and patterns of linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the MDR1 gene. A disease association study was performed in 307 IBD patients, including 144 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 163 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), and 355 healthy controls. Here we report an association between MDR1 alleles, polymorphisms and haplotypes and refractory CD patients, who do not respond to standard therapy, including patients who develop fistulas. We also report an association with UC and MDR1 polymorphisms in a Slovenian population. Haplotypes significantly associated with diseases were defined by single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exons 12 (1236 C>A), 21(A893S), and 26 (3435 C>T). In addition, two intronic SNPs in LD with the disease haplotype, one in intron 13 (rs2235035) and another in intron 16 (rs1922242), were significantly associated with refractory Crohn (P=0.026, odds ratio (OR) 2.7 and P=0.025, OR 2.8, respectively), as well as with UC (P=0.006, OR 1.8 and P=0.026, OR 1.9, respectively). Our results suggest that MDR1 is a potential target for therapy in refractory CD patients and in patients with UC.     

Candidate gene approach in association studies: would the factor V Leiden mutation have been found by this approach?

A re-emerging strategy in the search for disease susceptibility genes is the evaluation of candidate genes, which are thought to play a role in disease pathogenesis. Candidate genes are screened for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a case-control study. The factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation (1691G --> A in the F5 gene) is an important risk factor for venous thrombosis. We asked ourselves whether the FVL mutation would have been found using the candidate gene approach in the absence of prior knowledge of the haplotype structure of the F5 gene. We typed four SNPs in the F5 gene in the Leiden Thrombophilia study, that is, promoter (99930G --> A), exon 13 (55907A --> G), exon 16 (42855A --> G), and intron 19 (37833T --> G). These SNPs were known to have different population frequencies, making their presence in distinct haplotypes likely. None of these SNPs has previously been associated with venous thrombotic risk. Subsequently we derived haplotypes. One haplotype was clearly more frequent in patients than controls (GAAT; 20 versus 9%), suggesting that a polymorphism in or near the F5 gene in this haplotype is associated with an increased thrombotic risk. If we had sequenced the F5 gene in patients homozygous for this haplotype, in order to locate the possible causal polymorphism, we would have found that 16 (76%) patients were homozygous or heterozygous for a missense mutation in exon 10 (1691G --> A), which predicts the replacement of Arg506 by Gln in one of the cleavage sites for activated protein C, a mutation that we now know as the FVL mutation.     

Haplotype association of IL-8 gene with Behcet's disease

Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a CXC chemokine that recruits and activates inflammatory cells, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Behcet's disease (BD). To investigate the association of the genetic polymorphism of IL-8 and BD, we genotyped IL-8 -845 T/C, -738 T/A, -353 A/T, -251 A/T, +293 G/T, +678 T/C and receptors CXCR-1 +2607 G/C and CXCR-2 +785 C/T polymorphisms in 119 Korean patients with BD and 119 age- and sex-matched healthy blood donors. Then, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes were analyzed between patients and controls. There were no SNPs associated with BD. However, the frequency of haplotype TAT inferred from SNPs, IL-8 -353 A/T, -251 A/T and +678 T/C, was significantly higher in patients with BD than controls (5.9 vs 0.0%, P = 0.0001), as was haplotype ATC (6.7 vs 0.0%, P < 0.0001). The haplotype difference was still valid in human leukocyte antigen-B51-negative subjects. In conclusion, we found a significant difference in the distribution of IL-8 gene haplotypes between patients with BD and healthy controls. These results suggest that the genetic polymorphisms of proinflammatory chemokine IL-8 can contribute to the pathogenesis of BD.     

Influence of CYP3A5 and ABCB1 gene polymorphisms and other factors on tacrolimus dosing in Caucasian liver and kidney transplant patients

Tacrolimus is a substrate of cytochrome P4503A (CYP3A) enzymes as well as of the drug transporter ABCB1. We have investigated the possible influence of CYP3A5 and ABCB1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and other factors (e.g. albumin, hematocrit and steroids) on tacrolimus blood levels achieved in a population of Caucasian liver (n=51) and kidney (n=50) transplant recipients. At 1, 3 and 6 months after transplantation, tacrolimus doses (mg/kg/day) and trough blood levels (C0) were recorded and the weight-adjusted tacrolimus dosage (mg/kg/day) was calculated. Polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used for genotyping CYP3A5*1 and *3 [6986A>G] as well as ABCB1 at exons 21 [2677G>T/A] and 26 [3435C>T] in both liver transplant donors and recipients and in kidney transplant recipients. Of the 152 subjects studied, 84.9% showed a CYP3A5*3/*3 genotype. The total frequency of the allelic variant *3 was 93%. For the G2677T/A and C3435T polymorphisms the total frequencies of the allelic variants T/A and T were 44.7 and 46.7%, respectively. At 1, 3 and 6 months after transplantation the dose-adjusted C0 levels were significantly lower in patients with one copy of the *1 allele compared to those homozygous for the *3 allele. In the case of liver transplant patients the tacrolimus dose requirements were dominantly influenced by the polymorphisms of the CYP3A5 gene in the donors. With regard to the ABCB1 SNPs, in general they did not show any appreciable influence on tacrolimus dosing requirements; however, kidney transplant recipients carrying the 2677T/A allele required significantly higher daily tacrolimus doses than subjects homozygous for the wild-type allele. Identification of CYP3A5 single nucleotide polymorphisms prior to transplantation could contribute to evaluate the appropriate initial dosage of tacrolimus in the patients.