MEFV mutations in Tunisian patients suffering from familial Mediterranean fever

OBJECTIVES: To identify the frequency and distribution of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) gene (MEFV) mutations in Tunisian patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was performed in the Genetic Department of Tunis University Hospital. A clinical diagnosis of FMF was made according to published criteria. Mutation screening of the MEFV gene was performed in the Human Genetic Laboratory of the "Faculté de Medecine de Tunis" for 8 mutations including the 5 most common known mutations M694V, V726A, M694l, M680l, and E148Q. The tests performed were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction-digestion for M694V, V726A, M680l, R761H, E148Q; amplification refractory mutation system for A744S, M694l; and PCR-electrophoresis assay for l692del. RESULTS: Of the 139 unrelated patients investigated, 61 (44%) had 1 or 2 mutations. In 78 (56%) probands no mutation was identified: 28 patients were homozygous; 16 were compound-heterozygous; 2 had complex alleles; and 17 had only 1 identifiable mutation. Of the mutations, M680l, M694V, M694l, V726A, A744S, R761H, l692DEL, and E148Q accounted for 32, 27, 13, 5, 3, 1, 1, and 18%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The profile of the MEFV gene mutations in the Tunisian population is concordant with other Arab populations but with some differences. M680l is the most common mutation, while V726A, the commonest mutation among Arabs, is rare in our population.     

Identification of NOD2/CARD15 mutations in Malaysian patients with Crohn's disease

OBJECTIVE: The NOD2/CARD15 gene has been identified as an important susceptibility gene for Crohn's disease (CD) but the three common disease predisposing mutations (DPM) found in developed countries have not been identified in Asian populations. The aim of our study was to look for the DPM in our multiracial population and to discover whether there were any differences in the three major ethnic groups; Malay, Chinese and Indian. METHODS: Blood samples from consecutive CD patients and healthy controls were obtained and analyzed for the three common mutations (R702W, G908R, 1007fs) but in addition to this, we also looked for the SNP5 and JW1 variants which are associated with CD in Ashkenazi Jews. A polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) technique was used to identify the mutations, which was confirmed by sequencing. The baseline socio‐demography and clinical characteristics of the CD patients were recorded. RESULTS: Overall 45 patients (three Malays, 15 Chinese, 26 Indians and one other) with confirmed CD and 300 controls were recruited. The three common DPM were not observed in either the CD patients or the controls. Neither the SNP5 nor the JW1 mutation was found in any of the controls. However, the SNP5 mutation was identified in six (13.3%) Indian CD patients and the JW1 mutation in eight CD patients who are different from those carrying the SNP5 mutation: one Malay (33.3%), two Chinese (13.3%), one other (Portuguese) and four Indians (15.4%). The presence of SNP5 was strongly associated with CD in the Indian population and that of JW1 was strongly associated with CD overall and in each of the major ethnic groups. There was a trend towards a younger age of onset and stricturing disease in patients carrying the JW1 mutation. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the presence of novel DPM in the NOD2/CARD15 gene in Asian patients with CD.     

Prevalence of mutations of the NOD2/CARD15 gene and relation to phenotype in Spanish patients with Crohn disease

Background: We assessed the prevalence of R702W, G908R, and L1007fs coding mutations in the NOD2/CARD15 gene and the genotype–phenotype relation in Spanish patients with Crohn disease. Methods: A cohort of 204 unrelated patients with Crohn disease and 140 healthy controls were studied. The phenotype was established before commencement of genotyping. Genotyping of the R702W, G908R, and L1007fs gene polymorphisms of NOD2/CARD15 was performed by two independent laboratories using different techniques. In the case of discordant results, specific sequencing of DNA strands was performed. Results: At least one mutation was present in 32.8% of patients compared to 10.7% in controls (OR?=?4.08, 95% CI 2.21 to 7.50). In patients with Crohn disease, the frequency of R702W, G908R, and L1007fs carriers was 13.7%, 8.3%, and 14.2%, respectively. Compound heterozygotes and homozygotes occurred in 3.4% and 2.9% of patients and in none of the controls. The correlation of genotype–Vienna classification showed a significant association with ileal disease (RR?=?1.61, 95% CI 1.21–2.15, P?=?0.001) and an inverse association with colonic localization (RR?= 0.29, 95% CI 0.11–0.80, P?=?0.007). There was a significant association between G908R carriership and previous appendectomy, surgical interventions, and stricturing behavior. A gene‐dosage effect on phenotypic characteristics was not observed. Conclusions: In a Spanish population from Madrid, mutations of the NOD2/CARD15 gene were a marker of susceptibility to Crohn disease and were associated with ileal disease. Carriers of the G908R mutation showed a stricturing disease behavior, history of appendectomy, and surgical interventions over the course of the disease.     

Polymorphisms in interleukin-10 gene according to mutations of NOD2/CARD15 gene and relation to phenotype in Spanish patients with Crohn＇s disease

AIM:To examine the contribution of interleukin-10(IL-10)gene polymorphisms to Crohn's disease(CD)phenotype,and the possible genetic epistasis betweenIL-10 gene polymorphisms and CARD15/NOD2 genemutations.METHODS:A cohort of 205 Spanish unrelated patientswith Crohn's disease recruited from a single centerwas studied.All patients were rigorously phenotypedand followed-up for at least 3 years(mean time,12.5years).The clinical phenotype was established prior togenotyping.RESULTS:The correlat on of genotype-Viennaclassification groups showed that the ileocolonic locationwas significantly associated with the-1082G allele in theNOD2/CARD15 mutation-positive patients(RR=1.52,95%CI,1.21 to 1.91,P=0.008).The multivariate analysisdemonstrated that the IL-10 G14 microsatellite allelein the NOD2/CARD15 mutation positive patients wasassociated with two risk factors,history of appendectomy(RR=2.15,95%CI=1.1-4.30,P=0.001)and smokinghabit at diagnosis(RR=1.29,95%CI=1.04-4.3,P=0.04).CONCLUSION:In Spanish population from Madrid,inCD patients carrying at least one NOD2/CARD15 mutation,the-1082G allele is associated with ileocolonic disease and the IL-10G14 microsatellite allele is associated withprevious history of appendectomy and smoking habit atdiagnosis.These data provide further molecular evidencefor a genetic basis of the clinical heterogeneity of CD.     

The spectrum of familial Mediterranean fever gene mutations in Arabs: report of a large series

OBJECTIVES: To identify the frequency and distribution of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) gene (MEFV) mutations in Arab patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was performed in the pediatric FMF clinic of Jordan University Hospital over a period of 4 years. Patients were referred by their physicians for diagnosis, management, genetic study, and counseling. A diagnosis of FMF was made according to published criteria. Screening for 5 mutations, namely M694V, V726A, M694I, M680I, and E148Q, was performed by amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) for the first 4 and by restriction endonuclease testing for E148Q. RESULTS: Of the 407 unrelated patients investigated, 239 (59%) had 1 or 2 mutations and 168 (41%) had none of the studied mutations detected. Of those with mutations, 92 were homozygous, 53 were compound heterozygotes, 3 had complex alleles, and 91 patients had only 1 identifiable mutation. Of the mutations, M694V, V726A, M694I, M680I, and E148Q accounted for 38, 26, 14, 10 and 13%, respectively. Twelve of our patients developed the protracted febrile myalgia syndrome (PFMS) of whom 5 (42%) were homozygous for M694V. Only 2 developed chronic renal failure, both of whom were homozygous for M694V and were not on colchicine prophylaxis. However, 43 patients had a family history of chronic renal failure, and 15 (35%) were homozygous for M694V. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that the 5 MEFV mutations are well distributed in Arabs. They also show that M694V is the most common mutation in Arab patients with FMF and seems to have an association with the development of amyloidosis and the PFMS. The high frequency of V726A, and the unique high frequency of M694I in Arabs compared with 3 other ethnic groups, are confirmed.     

克罗恩病CARD15/NOD2基因突变的研究

目的 发现与中国人克罗恩病（CD）发病相关的单核苷酸多态性（SNP）及其与临床特点的关系.方法 临床资料完整的CD、溃疡性结肠炎（UC）患者及健康体检者各30例.提取人血白细胞基因组DNA,PCR扩增NOD2基因第4、8、11外显子,纯化后直接测序.结果 5例CD患者有SNP改变,其中2例为P268S,1例为R459R,2例为P268S和R459R,而在UC患者和健康人中各检测到1例R459R.所有研究对象未发现R702W、G908R及3020insC改变.CD有4例P268S,与UC和健康体检者比较差异有统计学意义（χ^2=8.037,P＜0.05）.4例P268S CD患者病变均在回肠（χ^2=9.231,P=0.01）,发病年龄小于20岁（χ^2=10.769,P＜0.01）,并发肠腔狭窄而需手术（χ^2=7.972,P＜0.01）,2例有P268S和R459R的患者病情较重,多次复发.结论 P268S可能是CARD15/NOD2基因中与中国人CD相关的SNP,与患者发病年龄、病变部位及肠腔狭窄明显相关,与患者性别及病变严重程度无关.     

NOD2/CARD15基因多态性与克罗恩病患者相关性研究

目的NOD2/CARD15基因是人类的第一个克罗恩病(CD)易感基因,其间的3个单核苷酸多态性(SNPs)与白种人CD有显著性相关,但与日本人无关。本研究旨在证实这3个SNPs是否与浙江地区人群的CD易感性有关。方法血样来自浙江地区32例CD患者,110例溃疡性结肠炎患者及292例健康对照者。通过PCRSSP方法直接检测野生型及NOD2/CARD15基因的3个多态性(Arg702Trp,Gly908Arg,Leu1007fsinsC)。结果没有发现1例CD患者纯合子或杂合子的SNPs突变,同样在溃疡性结肠炎患者和健康人中也未能检测到。结论本研究表明一些存在于特定人群的CD易感基因可能在其他人群中不存在,白种人CD患者相关的易感基因NOD2/CARD15常见的3个SNPs与浙江地区CD人群无关。     

CARD15/NOD2 Is Not a Predisposing Factor for Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Multiple factors are incriminated in the etiopathogeny of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants, including oral feeding, vascular abnormalities, increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, and inappropriate response of the intestinal barrier to bacterial microflora. CARD15/NOD2 is a gene recently recognized as important in the innate response to gut flora and is involved in Crohn's disease susceptibility. We thus tested its putative role in NEC. Ten children (seven boys and three girls) suffering from NEC who were admitted to Robert Debré hospital between 1999 and 2002 were retrospectively included in the study. Genetic screening of the 11 constant exons and the exon–intron junctions of CARD15/NOD2 by direct sequencing revealed no novel mutations of that gene in NEC patients. Furthermore, the three main mutations of CARD15/NOD2 (R702W, G908R, and 1007fs) associated with susceptibility to Crohn's disease were not found in these patients. Our results suggest that CARD15/NOD2 does not play a major role in genetic susceptibility to NEC. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Toll-like receptor 4 and NOD2／CARD15 mutations in Hungarian patients with Crohn＇s disease： Phenotype-genotype correlations

AIM: To determine common NOD2/CARD15 mutations and TLR4 D299G polymorphism in Hungarian patients with CD. METHODS: A total of 527 unrelated patients with CD (male/female: 265/262, age: 37.1 (SD 7.6) years) and 200 healthy subjects were included. DNA was screened for possible NOD2/CARD15 mutations by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (confirmed by direct sequencing). TLR4 D299G was tested by PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: NOD2/CARD15 mutations were found in 185 patients (35.1%) and in 33 controls (16.5%,P<0.0001). SNP8/R702W (10.8% vs 6%, P= 0.02), SNP13/3020insC (19.4% vs 5%, P<0.0001) and exon4 R703C (2.1% vs 0%, P= 0.02) mutations were more frequent in CD, while the frequency of SNP12/G908R was not increased. The frequency of TLR4 D299G was not different (CD: 9.9% vs controls: 12.0%). Variant NOD2/CARD15 allele was associated with an increased risk for CD (ORhet=1.71, 95%CI=1.12-2.6, P= 0.0001, ORtwo-risk alleles = 25.2, 95%CI =4.37- ,P<0.0001), early disease onset (carrier: 26.4 years vs non-carrier: 29.8 years, P=0.0006), ileal disease (81.9% (?) 69.5%, OR = 1.99, 95%CI = 1.29-3.08, P= 0.02, presence of NOD2/CARD15 and TLR4: 86.7% vs 64.8%), stricturing behavior (OR = 1.69,95%CI = 1.13-2.55, P= 0.026) and increased need for resection (OR=1.71, 95%CI: 1.13-2.62, P= 0.01), but not with duration, extra-intestinal manifestations, familial disease or smoking. TLR4 exhibited a modifier effect: age of onset in wt/TLR4 D299G carriers: 27.4 years vs NOD2mut/TLR D299G: 23 years (P = 0.06), in NOD2mut/wt: 26.7 years. CONCLUSION: These results confirm that variant NOD2/ CARD15 (R702W, R703C and 3020insC) alleles are associated with earlier disease onset, ileal disease, stricturing disease behavior in Hungarian CD patients. In contrast, although the frequency of TLR4 D299G polymorphism was not different from controls, NOD2/TLR4 mutation carriers tended to present at earlier age.     

Microarray analysis of circulating microRNAs in familial Mediterranean fever

Objectives: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease caused by mutations in MEFV. Mutations in exon 10 are associated with typical FMF phenotypes, whereas the pathogenic role of variants in exons 2 and 3 remains uncertain. Recent evidence suggests that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are potentially useful biomarkers in several diseases. Therefore, their expression was assessed in FMF.

Methods: The subjects were 24 patients with FMF who were between attacks: eight with exon 10 mutations (group A), eight with exon 3 mutations (group B), and eight without exon 3 or 10 mutations (group C). We also investigated eight cases of PFAPA as disease controls. Exosome-rich fractionated RNA was subjected to miRNA profiling by microarray.

Results: Using the expression patterns of 26 miRNAs, we classified FMF (groups A, B, and C) and PFAPA with 78.1% accuracy. In FMF patients, groups A and B, A and C, and B and C were distinguished with 93.8, 87.5, and 100% accuracy using 24, 30, and 25 miRNA expression patterns, respectively.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that expression patterns of circulating miRNAs differ among FMF subgroups based on MEFV mutations between FMF episodes. These patterns may serve as a useful biomarker for detecting subgroups of FMF.     

NOD2/CARD15 gene polymorphisms are not associated with collagenous colitis

Background Collagenous colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin. In some cases of collagenous colitis, histomorphological features are comparable to other inflammatory bowel diseases. Aim To assess functional NOD2/CARD15 polymorphisms for the susceptibility to collagenous colitis in a case-control study. Materials and methods Seventy-five patients with symptomatic collagenous colitis and 534 healthy blood donors were genotyped for SNP 8, 12, and 13 of the NOD2/CARD15 gene using TaqMan technology. Susceptibility to collagenous colitis was tested using Chi²-test comparing the carrier status of the rare allele. Results The carrier frequency of the rare allele in SNP 8, 12, and 13 was 9.5, 1.3, and 8.1% in patients with collagenous colitis and 8.9, 1.1, and 8.4% in healthy blood donors, respectively. There were no significant differences in allele-, genotype, and carrier frequency (p>0.05). Conclusion Our data suggest that functional polymorphisms in the NOD2/CARD15 gene might not be involved in the susceptibility to collagenous colitis.     

NOD2/CARD15基因突变与中国人克罗恩病相关性的研究

背景：近年多项研究证明NOD2／CARD15基因序列的单核苷酸多态性（SNP）与西方白种人克罗恩病（CD）明显相关．其中3个SNP（R702W、G908R和3020ins C）与CD的相关性尤为显著。目的：探讨NOD2／CARD15基因SNP与中国人CD发病的相关性及其与CD临床特点的关系。方法：选取临床资料完整的CD患者48例、溃疡性结肠炎（UC）患者和健康对照者各50例，提取人血白细胞基因组DNA，经聚合酶链反应（PCR）扩增NOD2基因全部12对外显子，纯化后直接测序，根据结果分析其突变与CD病变特点的关系。结果：CD组、UC组和健康对照组均未检出3个西方人常见的NOD2／CARD15基因多态性位点。CD组的P268S突变率显著高于UC组和健康对照组（P〈0．05）。5例P268S突变的CD患者病变均位于回肠（P〈0．01），4例发病年龄≤20岁（P〈0．01），且均并发肠腔狭窄（P〈0．01）。结论：中国人CD患者中存在NOD2／CARD15基因P268S突变，且与患者的发病年龄、病变部位和并发症相关，有必要对其功能作进一步探讨。     

CARD15/NOD2 polymorphisms do not explain concordance of Crohn''s disease in Swedish monozygotic twins

BACKGROUND: CARD15/NOD2 polymorphisms are associated with Crohn's disease. There is a high concordance for disease and disease phenotype in monozygotic twin pairs with Crohn's disease. AIM: We studied CARD15/NOD2 polymorphisms in a Swedish, population-based cohort of monozygotic twins with Crohn's disease to assess whether these variants explain disease concordance. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine monozygotic twin pairs (concordant n=9, discordant n=20) with Crohn's disease and 192 healthy controls were investigated for the CARD15/NOD2 variants Arg702Trp, Gly908Arg and Leu1007fsinsC. RESULTS: CARD15/NOD2 mutations were found in 5/38 (13%) twins with Crohn's disease, corresponding to a total allele frequency of 6.6%. Only 2/9 concordant twin pairs carried any of the variants and the remaining seven were wild type genotype. The total allele frequency was 4.4 times higher (95% confidence interval 1.0-21.5, p=0.06) in concordant twins than in discordant ones, 11.1% versus 2.5%. In healthy controls the total allele frequency was 2.6%. CONCLUSIONS: CARD15/NOD2 polymorphisms contribute but do not alone explain concordance of Crohn's disease in monozygotic twins and, at least in a Swedish population, other polymorphisms are required. The low occurrence of CARD15/NOD2 mutations in the study and other Northern European populations suggests that these variants are of less importance in Northern Europe.     

Familial Mediterranean fever gene mutations in the Southeastern region of Turkey and their phenotypical features

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurrent inflammatory attacks of serosal membranes. Several studies have focused on the differences between frequency of the mutations and their phenotypical manifestations. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether or not this phenotypical variation is associated with the existence of particular mutations. Twelve MEFV (Mediterranean fever) gene mutations were investigated in 119 patients suffering from FMF. Heterozygote M694V (21/119), heterozygote E148Q (21/119), homozygote M694V (17/119) and heterozygote V726A (12/119) mutations were the most common mutations. Patients were grouped according to the presence of the M694V mutation: group I was M694V/M694V, group II was M694V/others, and group III was other/other. Mean severity scores for the groups were 13.94 ± 4.10, 10.79 ± 3.01 and 8.31 ± 2.26, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between the mean severity scores of groups I and II (p = 0.029), groups I and III (p < 0.0001), and groups II and III (p < 0.0001). Diagnosis of amyloidosis was established in four (23%) patients of group I, and three (8%) patients of group II, but in none of the patients in group III. There was also a statistically significant difference between groups I and III (p = 0.046), but not between groups II and III (p = 0.083) and groups I and II (p = 0.317) in terms of amyloidosis development. In conclusion, we found a higher disease severity score and higher prevalence of amyloidosis in FMF patients who were M694V mutation carriers. Many ethnic groups live in Anatolia and more ethnic origin-based studies are needed to determine the real effect of these mutations on disease severity and amyloidosis.     

Fatigue in pediatric patients with familial Mediterranean fever

Abstract

Objectives: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is characterized by recurrent, self-limited attacks of fever with serositis involving the peritoneum, pleura and joints. Fatigue is a common problem in many pediatric rheumatic diseases; however, has not been evaluated systematically in FMF patients. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate fatigue and its possible allied factors in patients with FMF.

Methods: Patients with FMF, aged between 10 and 21 years, were assessed by completed validated fatigue questionnaire (Checklist Individual Strength-20). As a control group, patients with chronic rheumatic diseases and healthy children without any chronic disease were included.

Results: The study group comprised 111 patients with FMF, 54 with other chronic rheumatic diseases and 79 healthy subjects. While the CIS-20 total score and subscale scores (including subjective experience of fatigue) were similar between patients with FMF and those with other chronic rheumatic diseases (p?>?.05); both groups had significantly higher scores when compared with healthy subjects (p?<?.05). FMF patients with musculoskeletal complaints had significantly higher scores of subjective experiences of fatigue when compared to those without those complaints.

Conclusions: Fatigue is a common but unrecognized complaint in patients with FMF. Familial Mediterranean fever seems to be a chronic disease with inter attack ongoing complaints.     

P268S突变型NOD2/CARD15真核表达载体的构建及其体外表达

背景：NOD2/CARD15基因序列单核苷酸多态性（SNP）与欧美人群的克罗恩病（CD）明显相关．其中R702W、G908R和3020insC3个SNP位点与CD的相关性尤为显著。而13本、韩国以及我国香港和浙江地区的研究均未发现上述3个SNP的改变，但最近研究发现了可能与中国人CD相关的P268S突变。目的：构建P268S突变型NOD2／CARD15真核表达载体和体外转染体系，为研究突变型NOD2／CARD15的功能提供实验基础。方法：应用定点诱变技术构建P268S突变型NOD2／CARD15真核表达载体，以阳离子脂质体介导体外转染技术瞬时转染人胚肾细胞HEK293T．以蛋白质印迹法和逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT—PCR）检测HEK293T细胞NOD2／CARD15的表达。结果：经克隆、酶切、测序证实获得P268S突变型NOD2／CARD15基因，突变载体转入HEK293T细胞后，NOD2／CARD15有效表达。结论：成功构建了P268S突变型NOD2／CARD15真核表达载体，阳离子脂质体是人胚肾细胞有效的体外转染体系。     

Common MEFV mutation analysis in 36 Iranian patients with familial Mediterranean fever: clinical and demographic significance

Abstract

The aim of our study was to determine the spectrum of the 12 most common familial Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV) mutations in Iranian patients with heterogeneous ethnicity, using the familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) strip assay test. A total of 36 patients were diagnosed according to established clinical criteria. Genomic DNA from all patients was tested for 12 common mutations located in exon 2 (E148Q), 3 (P369S), 5 (F479L), 10 [M680I (G>C), M680I (G>A), I692del, M694V, M694I, K695R, V726A, A744S, R761H], respectively, using the FMF strip assay test. Of the 35 patients with mutations, ten were homozygote, 20 were compound heterozygote, and five were heterozygote. The most frequent genotype was M680I/M680I (6 patients, 16.7%). The most frequent mutation was M680I, followed by M694V, and V726A. The FMF strip assay test for common these 12 mutations was positive in 90.6% of alleles in this study, indicating that it appears to be an effective method for FMF mutation screening in Iranian patients.