<Emphasis Type="Italic">TPH2</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">TPH1</Emphasis>: Association of Variants and Interactions with Heroin Addiction

The tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene (TPH2) was resequenced at the 5′ upstream, coding, and 3′ downstream regions, including all 11 exons in 185 subjects. Twenty-three novel and 14 known variants were identified. In a cohort of 583 consecutively ascertained subjects, including normal volunteers and those with specific addictive diseases, six common TPH2 and one TPH1 variant were genotyped. Allele frequencies of three TPH2 variants and the TPH1 variant varied significantly among the four ethnic groups within the control subjects. Of these subjects, 385 who met heroin addiction or control criteria and were of Caucasian, African-American, or Hispanic ethnicity were examined for potential association with vulnerability to develop heroin addiction. At the two locus genotype level in Hispanics, the TPH1 rs1799913 variant was found to significantly interact with the TPH2 rs7963720 variant and heroin addiction (P = 0.022), and with the TPH2 rs4290270 variant and heroin addiction (P = 0.011). In the African-American group, a significant association of a specific TPH2 haplotype with heroin addiction also was found (SNPHAP, P = 0.004; PHASE P = 0.036). Edited by Tatiana Foroud.     

Identification of variants in cyclin D1 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">CCND1</Emphasis>) and B-Cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">BCL2</Emphasis>)

CCND1 is an important cell-cycle regulatory protein associated with cell proliferation, poor prognosis and recurrence in cancer, while BCL2 is an important anti-apoptotic protein that plays a vital role in the regulation of the life span by controlling the rate of apoptosis. Recent studies have shown that CCND1 and BCL2 may be responsible for the body mass and the regulation of various metabolic processes. In an effort to discover additional polymorphism(s), we scrutinized the genetic polymorphisms in the CCND1 and BCL2. By direct DNA sequencing in 24 individuals, we identified 22 sequence variants within the 16 kb of whole CCND1 gene: one in exon 4, 17 in introns and four in the 3 UTR region. We also found eight sequence variants within 7.5 kb exon–intron boundaries of BCL2 gene: one in promoter, three in exon 1, and four in the 3 UTR region. Haplotypes, their frequencies and linkage disequilibrium coefficients (|D| and r ²), among polymorphisms were estimated. Among identified variants, seven and six variants of CCND1 and BCL2 were genotyped in a larger series of subjects (n=320). Statistical analyses of CCND1 and BCL2 polymorphisms with two metabolic phenotypes revealed no significant association. The information concerning genetic polymorphisms of CCND1 and BCL2 might provide valuable information for future genetic studies of diseases.     

Association and interaction analyses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">NRG1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">ERBB4</Emphasis> genes with schizophrenia in a Japanese population

Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) is one of the most promising candidate genes for schizophrenia. A number of replication studies have been conducted, although the results were inconsistent and no susceptible variant has yet been identified. The inconsistency might be attributed to the ethnic difference in allele and haplotype frequencies. However, it is equally possible that one or more genes interacting with NRG1 may also be implicated in schizophrenia and attribute to the inconsistency. To test the hypothesis, we conducted an interaction analysis between NRG1 and one of its receptor’s (ERBB4) polymorphisms as well as the association analysis of the two genes associated with schizophrenia in Japanese. We observed no significant difference between patients and controls in allele frequencies or genotypic distributions of the 18 polymorphisms of the genes. The permutation test showed no significant differences in estimated haplotype frequencies between patients and controls, including the haplotype HAP_ICE. In the interaction analysis, significant interaction was observed between rs2919381 in NRG1 and rs7560730 in ERBB4 (P = 0.047, corrected). Thus, our results suggest the possibility that interaction between variants in NRG1 and ERBB4 might contribute to susceptibility for schizophrenia in a Japanese population. Further investigation may be necessary to confirm our results. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

杀伤细胞免疫球蛋白样受体(KIR)基因多态性与系统性红斑狼疮的关联性研究

目的 探讨杀伤细胞免疫球蛋白样受体（KIR）基因多态性与系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）的关联性。方法 采用序列特异性引物聚合酶链反应（SSP-PCR）法，分析93例SLE患者和123例无血缘关系的健康对照K／R基因位点的多态性。结果 SLE病例组KIR2DS1（P〈0．001）、KIR2DL2（P〈0．001）基因的阳性率较随机对照组显著升高。具有2个或2个以上活化性基因个体在SLE组（80．7％）较对照组（66．7％）明显增多，差异具有统计学意义（P=0．025）。SLE患者狼疮肾炎与非狼疮肾炎组K／R基因分布频率比较差异无统计学意义。按发病年龄分组后，SLE患者中不同发病年龄组间K／R基因频率分布比较差异无统计学意义。结论 KIR2DS1、KIR2DL2基因频率升高可能与SLE发病相关。     

Association of positional and functional candidate genes<Emphasis Type="Italic"> FGF1</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> FBN2</Emphasis>, and<Emphasis Type="Italic"> LOX</Emphasis> on 5q31 with intracranial aneurysm

We previously performed a genome-wide linkage study of intracranial aneurysm (IA) and found positive evidence of linkage at chromosomes 5q22–31, 7q11, and 14q22. In the present study, we focus on 5q31, where three candidate genes, fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1), fibrillin 2 (FBN2), and lysyl oxidase gene (LOX) lie, and evaluate associations with IA. Genomic DNAs were obtained from 172 IA patients and 192 controls. Association analysis was performed with ten, five, and four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in FGF1, FBN2, and LOX, respectively. A difference in allelic frequency was observed for only the SNP at intron 4 in FGF1 (χ²=4.44, df=1, P=0.035). Although a haplotype association was observed with the combination of ten SNPs in FGF1 (χ²=16.04, df=1, P=0.00006), significant haplotype associations were not observed when haplotypes were constructed with the three, two, and four SNPs in FGF1 according to the linkage disequilibrium structure. No associations of FBN2 and LOX with IA were detected in the present study.     

Ets-1在系统性红斑狼疮中的研究进展

系统性红斑狼疮(SCE)是一种典型的系统性自身免疫性疾病,其发病机制尚未明确,其中T、B细胞功能异常起着重要作用.转录因子Ets-1作为SLE的易感基因之一在淋巴细胞分化与细胞因子调节上起重要作用.Ets-1除影响B细胞分化和功能外,对T细胞的生存、增殖、发育和功能起重要作用.虽然Ets-1在SLE发病中的确切机制仍尚未明确,但越来越多的研究表明Ets-1在SLE的发生发展中起着重要作用.     

Ibp1p,a novel Cdc25-related phosphatase,suppresses<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Schizosaccharomyces pombe hsk1</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">cdc7</Emphasis>)

We report the identification of a novel Cdc25-like protein phosphatase, Ibp1, in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Ibp1 is closely related to the catalytic subunit of the Cdc25 dual-specificity phosphatases and has phosphatase activity in vitro. Over-production of catalytically active Ibp1 robustly suppresses a mutation in the replication initiation kinase Hsk1p, a member of the Cdc7 family of protein kinases and weakly suppresses mutation of Rad4/Cut5, a DNA polymerase -associated factor. Ibp1 is not required for viability, suggesting it may be a non-essential regulator of DNA replication or chromosome structure during S phase.Communicated by M. Yamamoto     

广西人群S100B基因多态性与系统性红斑狼疮的相关性研究

目的:探讨S100B基因rs9984765、rs2839356和rs2186358遗传多态性与系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)的相关性。方法:选取313例SLE患者作为病例组,年龄和性别匹配的396例正常人作为对照组,采用单碱基延伸PCR技术(SBE-PCR)和DNA测序法对S100B基因3个位点进行基因分型检测。结果:rs9984765和rs2186358位点的基因型和等位基因频率在SLE患者组和对照组间分布差异均无统计学显著性,而rs2839356位点的C等位基因在两组间比较差异有统计学意义(P=0. 040)。进一步分析rs2839356位点的等位基因与SLE患者临床表现的关系,发现rs2839356位点的C等位基因在伴有神经系统病变的SLE患者中高于不伴有神经系统病变的SLE患者(P=0. 023)。结论:在广西人群中,S100B基因rs9984765和rs2186358位点的基因多态性可能与SLE的遗传易感性无关,而携带rs2839356的C等位基因可能具有增加SLE及其并发神经系统病变的发病风险。     

Systematic assessment of the tagging polymorphisms of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">COL1A1</Emphasis> gene for high myopia

Reduced scleral collagen accumulation has been found in the development of myopia. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the type I collagen α-1 gene (COL1A1) may cause different susceptibilities to myopia. We conducted a case–control study to systematically examine COL1A1 as a candidate gene for high myopia. A case was defined as spherical refraction ≤−6 D and control ≥−1.5 D. The study comprised 471 cases and 623 controls, and ten tagging SNPs were genotyped. None of the SNPs reached the significant level of 0.05. Subset analysis on cases with a strong family history did not demonstrate significant results. We could not find an interaction between gene and near work. Exploratory analyses by changing the cutoff values to re-define cases and controls did not improve the results. Haplotype analysis did not yield significant association with myopia. This study failed to demonstrate COL1A1 as a significant risk factor for high myopia. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Associations between <Emphasis Type="Italic">eNOS</Emphasis> polymorphisms and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis

Objective  

To determine whether endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) polymorphisms confer susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).     

Functional polymorphisms in <Emphasis Type="Italic">XRCC</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">APE</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">1</Emphasis> contribute to increased apoptosis and risk of ulcerative colitis

Objective  

The present study was designed to investigate the role of X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) and apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) polymorphisms in apoptosis and the risk of ulcerative colitis (UC).     

Cross-reactivity of IgG anti-DNA-secreting B cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

This study is the first to analyze the cross-reactivity of in vivo activated B cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. A chamber ELIspot assay was used to determine whether lymphocytes secreting antibodies that bound to DNA or 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP)-keyhole limpet-hemocyanin (KLH) could simultaneously bind to the unrelated antigens actin or ovalbumin. IgM anti-DNA-, IgM anti-TNP-KLH- and IgG anti-TNP-KLH-secreting B cells from patients and controls showed similar levels of cross-reactivity (ranging from 6% to 23%, depending upon the antibody isotype and antigen pair examined). In general, IgG-producing cells were less cross-reactive than IgM producers from the same individual (on the average threefold, p < 0.001). In contrast, IgG anti-DNA-secreting B cells from lupus patients (i) showed no decrease in cross-reactivity when compared to IgM anti-DNA-secreting cells and (ii) were significantly more cross-reactive than control IgG anti-DNA-secreting cells and IgG anti-TNP-KLH secreting cells from patients (p < 0.001). The degree of IgG anti-DNA cross-reactivity correlated with disease activity (r = 0.52, p < 0.02). The implications of these findings with respect to repertoire expression and disease pathogenesis are discussed.     

Identification of novel polymorphisms in the<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Adam33</Emphasis> gene

Adam33 is a member of a family of genes that encode membrane-anchored proteins with a disintegrin and a metalloprotease domain and that are primarily expressed in lung fibroblasts and bronchial smooth muscle. The human Adam33 gene is located on chromosome 20p13, a region that has been linked to asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Recently, the polymorphisms in Adam33 have been found to be associated with asthma. In this study, we performed polymorphism scanning of the entire genomic region, including the promoter region of Adam33, by direct sequencing. We identified 16 novel polymorphisms in the Adam33 gene. Among these novel polymorphisms, three polymorphisms (−2154G→A, −753T→A, and −330C→T) were found to be in the promoter region and one polymorphism (13491 G→A) was located in 3' untranslated region of the Adam33 gene. Electronic Publication     

Association analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">PON2</Emphasis> genetic variants with serum paraoxonase activity and systemic lupus erythematosus

Background  

Low serum paraoxonase (PON) activity is associated with the risk of coronary artery disease, diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our prior studies have shown that the PON1/rs662 (p.Gln192Arg), PON1/rs854560 (p.Leu55Met), PON3/rs17884563 and PON3/rs740264 SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) significantly affect serum PON activity. Since PON1, PON2 and PON3 share high degree of structural and functional properties, in this study, we examined the role of PON2 genetic variation on serum PON activity, risk of SLE and SLE-related clinical manifestations in a Caucasian case-control sample.     

Serum levels of soluble programmed death-1 (sPD-1) and soluble programmed death ligand 1(sPD-L1) in systemic lupus erythematosus: Association with activity and severity

The programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway is an important host immunosuppression mechanism. Soluble PD-1 (sPD-1) and PD-L1 (sPD-L1) expression regulates co-inhibitory signals in autoimmune disorders. Here, we evaluated whether serum sPD-1 and sPD-L1 are involved in immune dysfunction and assessed its relationship with SLE. Blood samples were obtained from 130 patients with SLE and 44 healthy controls. Serum sPD-1 and sPD-L1 were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Relevant immune parameters were analysed. Both serum sPD-1 and sPD-L1 were significantly higher in the SLE patients than in the controls. A series of severe disease clinical manifestations and laboratory features such as presence of decreased complement component 3, complement component 4 and SLEDAI >8 were associated with elevated sPD-1 and sPD-L1. Our study suggests that abnormal sPD-1 and sPD-L1 expression may be involved in the imbalance of immune regulation in SLE.     

The combination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">ApoCIII</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">hepatic lipase</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">hormono sensitive lipase</Emphasis> gene polymorphisms suggests an association with susceptibility to gestational hypertension

Dyslipidemia and insulin resistance contribute to the endothelial cell dysfunction in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and increase the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The genes linking susceptibility to gestational hypertension (GH) and/or preeclampsia (PE) to the long-term risk of CVD are still unknown. We evaluated the potential association between 14 polymorphisms from six genes involved in lipid metabolism and insulin action and the risk of HDP: namely the lipoprotein lipase (LPL), hepatic lipase (LIPC), hormone sensitive lipase (LIPE), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), ApoCIII and ApoE gene polymorphisms. Overall, 169 women with HDP [proteinuria (PE) and gestational hypertension without proteinuria (GH)] and 169 controls matched for age and year of delivery were genotyped. Homozygosity of the −514T allele of the −514C > T polymorphism (LIPC gene) decreased the risk of GH (OR = 0.17, CI₉₅: 0.02–0.76), while there were more −60G carriers of the −60C > G LIPE gene polymorphism (OR = 3.51, CI₉₅:1.02–12.10) among GH cases, but not in PE cases. The common ApoCIII two-locus −482CC/3238CC genotype was lower in women with GH compared with controls (OR = 0.53, CI₉₅: 0.3–0.9). The combined frequency of at-risk genotypes was higher in cases of GH compared with controls [one at-risk genotype: OR = 3.38 (95% CI: 0.48–41.8); two or more at-risk genotypes: OR = 7.14 (95% CI: 1.21–92.3, P = 0.01)], suggesting a gene-dose effect. We conclude that the combined effect of LIPC, LIPE and ApoCIII gene polymorphisms may increase the likelihood of GH, but seemingly not of PE.     

Genetic interactions model among <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eotaxin</Emphasis> gene polymorphisms in asthma

Eotaxin family (Eotaxin 1,2 and 3) recruits and activates CCR3-bearing cells such as eosinophil, mast cells, and Th2 lymphocytes that play a major role in allergic disorders. We examined the polygenetic effects of the Eotaxin gene family in a Korean population. Gene–gene interactions were tested using a multistep approach with multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) method between asthmatics and normal controls. The overall best MDR model of the main effect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) included EOT2 + 1272A > G and EOT3 + 77C > T (model 1) [testing accuracy 0.597, cross-validation consistency (CVC) 10/10, P < 0.001]. The overall best MDR model of the SNPs with no main effects included EOT2 + 304C > A, EOT3 + 716A > G, and EOT3 + 1579G > A (model 2) (testing accuracy 0.616, CVC 10/10, P < 0.001). Model 3 was obtained by including the MDR variables for models 1 and 2. This new composite model predicted asthma with better accuracy than either model 1 or model 2 (testing accuracy 0.643, CVC 10/10, P < 0.001). The detection of statistical interaction models is one evidence of gene–gene interactions among Eotaxin genes, and this interaction is thought to influence the development of asthma. Although the models are limited to determining statistical interactions within a population, they may be useful for identifying groups at high risk of developing asthma.