The Polymorphisms K469E and G261R of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 and Susceptibility to Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Meta-Analysis

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore whether polymorphisms of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) are associated with susceptibility to Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: The authors conducted a meta-analysis on the associations between the polymorphisms K469E and G241R of ICAM-1 and susceptibility to CD and UC.

Results: A total of 8 studies with 801 patients with CD, 672 patients with UC, and 1,828 controls were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed no association between CD and the ICAM-1 469E allele among the subjects (OR?=?1.175, 95% CI?=?0.901–1.533, p?=?0.233). However, stratification by ethnicity indicated an association between the ICAM-1 469E allele and CD in Europeans (OR?=?1.425, 95% CI?=?1.013–2.002, p?=?0.042). Meta-analysis using the homozygosity also showed an association with CD in Europeans (OR?=?2.054, 95% CI?=?1.036–4.073, p?=?0.039). The meta-analysis revealed no association between UC and the ICAM-1 K469E polymorphism. No association between CD or UC and the ICAM-1 G241R polymorphism was observed.

Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrates that the ICAM-1 K469E polymorphism may be associated with susceptibility to CD in Europeans, but no association was found between ICAM-1 K469E and UC. In contrast, the G241R polymorphism was not found to be associated with susceptibility to either CD or UC.     

Synergistic effect of interleukin-6 promoter (IL6 -634C/G) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1 469K/E) gene polymorphisms on the risk of endometriosis in Japanese women

PROBLEM: Endometriosis is an immune-related, chronic inflammatory disease with a polygenic predisposition. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene promoter region polymorphism (-634C/G) and the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene 469K/E polymorphism are responsible in part for the genetic susceptibility to endometriosis. METHODS OF STUDY: The IL-6 -634C/G and ICAM-1 469K/E genotypes were determined in 202 patients with endometriosis and 236 control women by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: There were no differences in the IL-6 -634C/G or the ICAM-1 469K/E genotypes and allele frequencies between control women and endometriosis patients collectively, or between control women and each clinical subgroup of endometriosis patients. Interestingly, the frequency of ICAM-1 EE homozygotes who concomitantly carried the IL-6 -634G allele was significantly higher in patients with endometriosis (chi(2) = 6.458, P = 0.0396, d.f. = 2). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the IL-6 -634C/G and ICAM-1 469K/E polymorphisms synergistically affect the susceptibility for endometriosis in the Japanese population.     

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 polymorphisms in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by synovial proliferation and the accumulation of inflammatory cells in the affected joints. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is readily detected in RA synovial tissues and helps recruit inflammatory cells to the joint. ICAM-1 shows genetic polymorphisms at codons 241 (R241G) and 469 (K469E). In order to investigate the association between ICAM-1 gene polymorphisms and RA, we genotyped ICAM-1 R241G and ICAM-1 K469E polymorphisms in 143 Korean patients with RA, and in 138 healthy controls, by using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. No polymorphism of R241G was found in Korean subjects. However, the frequency of the K469 allele was found to be significantly lower in RA patients than in healthy controls. Allele frequency of K469 was lower in RA patient group, compared to that in healthy controls, regardless of the shared epitope status. Distribution of K469E allele frequencies was not different whether the patient had rheumatoid factor, radiographic erosion or extra-articular complications. In conclusion, this study shows lower frequency of the ICAM-1 K469E allele in Korean patients with RA than that in healthy controls.     

The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene polymorphism K469E in end-stage renal disease patients with cardiovascular disease

The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mediates interaction of activated endothelial cells with leukocytes. It plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. A functionally important polymorphism of the ICAM-1 gene, K469E, has been described. We investigated whether this polymorphism influences the risk of CVD in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The groups of 1016 ESRD patients and 824 healthy individuals were genotyped by PCR and allele specific oligonucleotide technique. The T allele of the K469E polymorphism was significantly more frequent in ESRD CVD+ patients than CVD- and controls (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.87-2.72 and 1.82, 95% CI 1.55-2.11, respectively). The TT genotype was also more frequent in CVD+ patients (OR 9.90, 95% CI 6.17-15.88 vs. CVD- subgroup). When patients were stratified according to clinical outcome of CVD, there was a tendency towards higher frequencies of the T allele and TT genotype in patients with myocardial infarction (OR for T allele 1, 57, 95% CI 1.12-2.18 vs. patients without MI). In the multivariate regression analysis the carrier status of T allele of K469E was an independent risk factor of susceptibility to CVD. Our data suggest that the ICAM-1 K469E polymorphism is associated with CVD in ESRD patients.     

Adulthood-onset celiac disease is associated with intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene polymorphism

Celiac disease (CD) is a multifactorial T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease characterized by gluten-triggered villous atrophy and malabsorption. Although human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes are strong susceptibility factors, non-HLA genes likely contribute to most of CD predisposition. The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene is a good candidate for CD predisposition because its encoded protein acts as an adhesion and costimulatory receptor. Two single-base polymorphisms (G/A in exon 4 encoding G241R, and A/G in exon 6 encoding K469E) were analyzed in 180 French Caucasian CD case patients (110 patients diagnosed before the age of 15 and 70 patients after the age of 18), and 212 French Caucasian healthy controls. The R241 allele frequency was increased in CD case patients compared with controls (14.2% vs. 5.4% respectively, p = 0.000015, odds ratio [OR] for the R241 allele = 2.9, 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.7-4.8). After stratifying for age of disease onset, the R241 variant mainly conferred predisposition to CD occurring during adulthood (OR = 4.2, 95% CI = 2.3-7.5, Pc = 0.000004 for adulthood-onset CD vs. R = 2.1, 95%, CI = 1.2-3.9, Pc = 0.0047 for childhood-onset CD). Position 241 of ICAM-1 maps to the binding site for the integrin Mac-1 and might modify the strength of interaction between endothelium and immune cells. If confirmed in independent datasets, these results may be of importance in at-risk individuals to distinguish rapid from delayed progression to clinical CD.     

细胞间黏附分子-1基因K469E多态性与广西壮族人群缺血性脑卒中的遗传易感性

目的探讨细胞间黏附分子-1(intercellular adhesion molecule-1, ICAM-1)基因多态性与广西地区壮族人群缺血性脑卒中(ischemic stroke,IS)的关系.方法采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性和DNA序列测定法检测205例IS及210名对照者 ICAM-1基因第6外显子K469E多态性,同时采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测IS和对照者血清ICAM-1水平. 结果 IS组ICAM-1血清水平显著高于对照组(P<0.01), ICAM-1基因K469E基因型频率和等位基因频率在IS组和对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),等位基因频率的相对风险分析发现,E等位基因携带者患IS的风险是K等位基因的1.424倍(OR=1.424,95%CI1.071～1.894),携带E等位基因的IS患者ICAM-1血清水平显著高于不携带者[(501.24±139.56)ng/ml vs(475.17±118.35)ng/ml, P<0.01]. 结论 ICAM-1基因K469E多态性与IS的发病具有相关性,E等位基因可能是广西地区壮族人群IS发病的遗传易感基因,携带E等位基因的个体可能通过促进 ICAM-1的高度表达进而增加IS的发病风险.     

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 gene polymorphisms in Beh?et's disease.

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene polymorphisms have been implicated in the susceptibility to inflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease. The expression of both soluble and tissue ICAM-1 is increased in Beh?et's disease (BD) but the contribution of ICAM-1 gene polymorphisms to this disease remains unknown. Associations with BD have been reported for genes within the MHC, including HLA-B51, TNF and MICA, but the role of non-MHC genes in BD remains largely unexplored. We have investigated the frequency of the R/G 241 and K/E 469 ICAM-1 gene polymorphisms in 83 patients with BD disease and 103 healthy controls, all of Palestinian and Jordanian descent, and demonstrated an association between BD and the ICAM-1 E469 allele (Pc = 0.046, OR = 2.1). Among patients, no association was found between the presence of ocular disease and ICAM-1 polymorphisms. While the functional correlate of this polymorphism remains unclear, this finding indicates that a genetic polymorphism in the ICAM-1 gene domain, which is independent of the MHC, may contribute to disease.     

Polymorphisms of the ICAM-1 Gene Are Associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Regardless of the p-ANCA Status

The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is of paramount importance for the initiation and propagation of various inflammatory conditions. An increased frequency of allele R241 of the ICAM-1 gene was previously described in p-ANCA-negative as compared to p-ANCA-positive ulcerative colitis and vice versa in Crohn's disease. One hundred sixteen healthy unrelated controls, 121 patients with ulcerative colitis, and 96 patients with Crohn's disease were genotyped for two polymorphisms of the ICAM-1 gene (R/G241, exon 4; and K/E469, exon 6), employing dot-blot hybridization and stratified according to their p-ANCA status. When compared with the control group the frequency of the allele R241 (P = 0.024) and the heterozygous genotype R/G241, P = 0.032) were significantly increased in ulcerative colitis, whereas the homozygous genotype G/G241 was found less frequently (P = 0.022). The heterozygous genotype K/E469 was observed less frequently (P = 0.001 and 0.037, resp.) than the homozygous genotype E/E469, which was more frequent in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (P = 0.002 and 0.012, respectively). Further significant differences concerning the allele or genotype distribution were not observed. After stratification for the p-ANCA status significant differences concerning the frequencies of both the R241 and the E469 alleles were not detected when p-ANCA-positive inflammatory bowel disease and p-ANCA-negative inflammatory bowel disease were compared. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are associated with polymorphisms of the ICAM-1 gene, which might therefore represent a functional candidate gene. However, the observed associations are independent of the p-ANCA status.     

细胞间黏附分子-1基因K469E多态性与类风湿性关节炎的关系

目的 探讨细胞间黏附分子-1(intercelluhr adhesion molecul-1,ICAM-1)基因K469E多态性与类风湿性关节炎(rheumatoid arthritis,RA)的关系.方法 对275例类风湿性关节炎患者和254名体检健康者作为对照组进行研究.采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性方法分析ICAM-1基因K469E的多态性.结果 RA组K469E位点KK、KE和EE基因型频率为0.535、0.411和0.054;健康对照组K469E位点KK、KE和EE基因型频率为0.512、0.437和0.051.RA组K469E基因型频率与健康对照组相比差异无统计学意义(x2=0.371,P=0.831).RA组K等位基因频率(0.74)与健康对照组(0.73)相比差异无统计学意义(x2=0.127,P=0.721,OR=1.051,95%CI为0.800～1.381),在RA组中KK+KE基因型频率与对照组相比,差异无统计学意义(P=0.863,OR=0.935,95%CI为0.436～2.005).结论 ICAM-1基因K469E多态性分布与RA的易感性无明显相关性.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the association of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 gene (ICAM-1)K469E polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Two hundred and seventy five patients with RA and 254 healthy individuals were collected and enrolled in the study. The K469E polymorphism of ICAM-1 gene was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results The genotype frequencies of KK, KE and EE of K469E polymorphism were 0. 535,0.411 and 0. 054 respectively in the RA patients, and 0. 512,0. 437 and 0. 051 respectively in the healthy individuals, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (x2 =0. 371,P=0. 831). The frequencies of the K469 allele were 0. 74 and 0. 73 in the RA patients and the controls respectively (x2 = 0. 127, P = 0. 721, OR = 1.051,95 % CI: 0. 800-1. 381 ). No significant difference was observed in KK+KE genotype frequencies between the two groups (P=0. 863), with an odds ratio of 0. 935 (95% CI: 0. 436-2.005). Conclusion The K469E polymorphism of the ICAM-1 gene was not associated with the susceptibility of rheumatoid arthritis.     

ICAM-1 polymorphisms and development of cutaneous malignant melanoma

Tumour growth in cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is mediated by cell adhesion molecules, including intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). ICAM-1 expression is associated with increasing Breslow thickness of vertical growth-phase tumours and, in patients with stage 1 disease, may be associated with disease free and patient survival. In this study we have investigated whether two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ICAM-1 gene encoding amino acid substitutions in codons 241 and 469 of the expressed ICAM-1 molecule are associated with susceptibility to and markers of prognosis (including tumour Breslow thickness) in CMM. A total of 164 CMM patients and 264 cancer-free controls were genotyped for these SNPs by the 5' nuclease assay for allelic discrimination (TaqMan). No genotypes showed any significant associations with CMM susceptibility, although there was a non-significant increase in frequency of the ICAM-1 469 AA genotype among CMM patients vs. controls (38.4% vs. 29.9%; P = 0.11). However, the ICAM-1 241 GG genotype was significantly decreased in frequency among patients with primary invasive tumours of greater Breslow thickness (72.5% vs. 91.2%; P = 0.013; OR = 0.25 (0.072-0.85)). These results provide no evidence for a role for the ICAM-1 codon 241 and 469 SNPs in determining susceptibility to CMM, but provide preliminary evidence that the role of ICAM-1 polymorphism in modulating tumour growth in CMM requires further investigation in a larger study group.     

Polymorphism in L-selectin, E-selectin and ICAM-1 genes in Asian Indian pediatric patients with celiac disease

Celiac disease (CD) follows an autoimmune course in which both genetic and environmental factors contribute to its development. A strong association with HLA class II molecules, predominantly HLA-DQ2, has been reported in most ethnic groups with CD. The aim of this study was to determine if genetic polymorphisms in L-selectin, E-selectin, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) have any correlation with CD. We investigated 5 mutations, namely F206L in L-selectin, S128R and L554F in E-selectin, and G241R and K469E in ICAM-1, in 37 North Indian pediatric patients with CD. A significant increase in allele frequencies of 128R of E-selectin and the associated genotype SR was observed in patients. No significant differences were observed in the F206L polymorphism of L-selectin, or the G241R and E469K polymorphisms in the ICAM-1 gene in CD. This study illustrates that selectin gene polymorphism might contribute to the genetic background of CD and invites further investigation relevant to understanding the mechanisms underlying the immunopathogenesis of this autoimmune disease.     

Association between Gly241Arg ICAM-1 gene polymorphism and serum sICAM-1 concentration in the Stanislas cohort

Intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), a cellular adhesion molecule that mediates the interaction of activated endothelial cells with leukocytes, is involved in various inflammatory and cardiovascular disorders. The relation between these markers and genetic polymorphism, however, remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study is to estimate the effect of a single-base polymorphism at codon 241 in exon 4 of ICAM-1 gene on serum sICAM-1 concentration in a healthy population, taking into account other biological determinants of sICAM-1 level. Serum sICAM-1 levels and the G/R241 polymorphism of the ICAM-1 gene were measured in a large healthy population consisting of 413 children aged 6-21 years and 363 adults aged 38-55 years extracted from the Stanislas cohort. The R241 allele was significantly associated with lower sICAM-1 levels and explained 3.4 and 1.9% of the sICAM-1 variability in children and adults, respectively. A codominant pattern contributed better to the model after adjustment for covariates as the RR homozygote effect was higher than that of the GR heterozygote. Moreover, significant independent associations were found between sICAM-1 and smoking, insulin resistance index (HOMA IR), interleukin-6 level, and alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase activities. In conclusion, this study revealed a significant association between the G/R241 ICAM-1 polymorphism and serum sICAM-1 levels, probably due to the impairment in binding of ICAM-1 to leukocyte integrin Mac-1 protein.     

细胞间黏附分子-1基因K469E多态性与冠心病关系的研究

目的：探讨细胞间黏附分子-1（ICAM-1）基因K469E多态性在冠心病及正常人群中的分布，初步分析其基因型及血清水平与冠心病的关系。方法：采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性（PCR—RFLP）技术和DNA序列测定法，检测了225例冠心病患者和230例对照者的ICAM-1基因K469E多态性，并用酶联免疫吸附试验检测了ICAM-1的血清水平。结果：冠心病组血清ICAM-1水平显著高于对照组（P〈0．01），ICAM-1基因型及等位基因的分布频率在冠心病组和对照组间比较差异具有显著性（P〈0．05），K等位基因携带者患冠心病的相对风险度是E等位基因的1．430倍（与对照组相比），而患心肌梗死的相对风险度是1．816倍（与心绞痛组相比）。结论：ICAM-1基因K469E多态性与冠心病的发生、发展及该疾病的严重程度密切相关，其中K等位基因可能是冠心病发病的遗传易感基因。     

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 genetic markers (+241G/A and +469A/G) in Iranian women with breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, the second-most leading cause of women's death after lung cancer. ICAM-1 is a cell adhesion molecule that belongs to the Ig-superfamily, with a glycoprotein structure playing a key role in leukocyte recruitment into inflammatory sites, as well as in leukocyte activation and effector function. Proteolytic cleavage of ICAM-1 results in the formation of a soluble form, sICAM-1, which is present in low-serum levels in healthy individuals but becomes elevated in inflammatory and malignant conditions. The ICAM1 gene is located on chromosome 19 and contains two well-known single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of +241G/A (G241R) and +469A/G (K469E). In this study, the frequencies of the two polymorphisms were investigated in breast cancer patients and healthy individuals. For G241R, we selected 276 breast cancer patients and 235 healthy sex-matched controls, and for K469E, 264 patients and 200 healthy sex-matched controls were chosen. The results of this study show that the frequency of the GA genotype was significantly higher in breast cancer patients in comparison to the control group (P = 0.007). In addition, the frequency of the R allele was significantly higher in breast cancer patients compared to controls (P = 0.008). However, both the genotype and allele frequency of K469E did not differ significantly between patients and controls. A significant difference was observed in the frequency of genotype combination A/G (+241 G/A and +469 A/G, respectively) between patients and controls (6.2 vs. 2.2%; ^*P = 0.007). These findings indicate that individuals carrying the A allele of the ICAM1 gene as well as the A/G haplotype may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.     

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 polymorphisms in Korean patients with Behcet s disease

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is expressed on vascular endothelial cells and its expression increases during the inflammatory response in patients with active Behcet's disease (BD). The ICAM1 gene mutations are associated with BD in Caucasians, but clinical features of the mutation phenotype are unknown. We analyzed ICAM1 polymorphisms in Korean BD patients to determine if there was an association between particular mutations and clinical symptoms. The prevalence of ICAM1R241G and ICAM1K469E polymorphisms was determined among 197 patients with BD and 248 healthy controls using BsrG1 and BstU1 PCR-RFLP. The frequency of both genotypes ICAM1469 * K/ * E and ICAM-1469 * E/ * E was significantly higher in BD patients compared with controls (66.0% vs 52.4%, p=0.004, OR=1.28, 95% CI 1.08-1.50) and the allele frequency of ICAM1469 * E was higher in patients with skin lesions (0.41), genital ulcers (0.41), vasculitis (0.43), ocular lesions (0.41) and arthritis (0.39) than in controls (0.31). Only one heterozygote, ICAM1241G/R, was detected in BD patients but the ICAM1241 * R mutation was not found in any of the 248 healthy controls. These results show that the ICAM1 mutation is associated with BD susceptibility, and is another genetic risk factor for BD among the Korean population.     

Expression of endothelial intercellular adhesion molecule-1 is determined by genotype: effects on efficiency of leukocyte adhesion to human endothelial cells

Two biallelic polymorphisms, previously described in the human intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 gene at codon 241 (glycine [G] to arginine [R] substitution) and codon 469 (glutamic acid [E] to lysine [K] substitution) have been associated with a number of diseases including myocardial infarction, transplant rejection, and diabetes. However, the functional significance of these polymorphisms has not been determined. ICAM-1 cell surface expression and ICAM-1-mediated leukocyte adhesion were investigated using Cos7 transfected with ICAM-1 polymorphic variants or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) of different ICAM-1 genotypes. There was significantly higher expression of surface ICAM-1 on Cos7 transfected with a plasmid encoding the GE (G241/E469) ICAM-1 variant or untreated HUVEC of GEGE (G241/E469 homozygous genotype). ICAM-1-mediated adhesion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to GE-Cos7 cells or TNF-treated GEGE HUVEC was significantly increased. However, there was no significant difference in adhesion of PBMC to recombinant ICAM-1 of each polymorphic variant plated onto plastic wells. We conclude that the GE genotype of ICAM-1 is associated with greater cell surface expression of ICAM-1, which in turn leads to greater adhesion of leukocytes. This may explain the previously described associations of ICAM-1 polymorphisms with chronic inflammatory disease.     

Identification of ICAM-1 polymorphism that is associated with protection from transplant associated vasculopathy after cardiac transplantation

Transplant associated coronary disease (TxCAD) is the main cause of late graft loss following cardiac transplantation. It is a multifactorial disease with immunologic and nonimmunologic components involved. This study was undertaken to analyze the gene polymorphism in adhesion molecules in donors and recipients and to investigate its potential association with the development of TxCAD. A total of 82 cardiac transplant patients, 96 donors and 101 UK controls, were genotyped retrospectively. Nine nucleotide polymorphisms in L-selectin, E-selectin, ICAM-1, and PECAM were analyzed using allele-specific PCR-SSP assay. Recipients were selected on the basis of the development of TxCAD: patients who had developed TxCAD within 2 years after transplantation, and patients who did not have TxCAD within 4.5-5 years after transplantation. All recipients received CyA and azathioprine as a primary immunosuppression. Associations were assessed by using Fisher's exact test. No association was found between E-selectin, L-selectin, and PECAM allele or genotype frequencies and TxCAD. However, the donors whose recipients did not develop TxCAD at first 2 years had a significant increase of ICAM-1 E-469 allele compared with donors, whose recipients developed TxCAD (63.8% vs 46.4%, p = 0.042) and to UK controls (63.8% vs 47%, p = 0.04). Moreover, we found that the decreased frequency of ICAM E469 allele was associated with the increased number of rejection episodes. The 469 E/K polymorphism is in exon 6 and results in a change from glutamic acid to lysine in Ig-like domain 5 of ICAM-1, which is thought to affect interactions with LFA-1 and adhesion of B-cells. Our data suggest the presence of allele E469 ICAM-1 in either donor or recipient is protective against allograft rejection in a transplant setting.     

Polymorphisms of the genes encoding the GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 in Korean women: no association with endometriosis

Endometriosis, one of the most common gynaecologic disorders, shows significantly elevated prevalence in industrial areas and there is also a possible genetic predisposition. Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are enzymes involved in the metabolism of many disease-causing carcinogens and mutagens that are present in human environments. An association between the incidence of endometriosis and the GST genotypes of patients has been suggested. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether the polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 are related to endometriosis. Blood samples were available from 259 controls and 194 patients with advanced endometriosis diagnosed by both pathology and laparoscopic findings. The proportion of the GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genotypes of the control group were comparable to other populations. There was no significant evidence that the distribution of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotype differed between the patients and the controls, with an allelic odds ratio (OR)=1.074 [95% confidence interval (CI)=0.737-1.564] and 1.239 (95% CI = 0.853-1.799), respectively. Also, there was no significant difference in the proportion of GSTP1 genotypes between the women with endometriosis and the control group with the OR = 0.823 (95% CI = 0.536-1.264). The higher risk alleles were contended as GSTM1, GSTT1 null mutation and GSTP1 Ile105Ile polymorphism. There was no significant increase in the risk of endometriosis as the number of higher risk alleles of the GST family increased. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genetic polymorphisms are not associated with the development of endometriosis in Korean women.     

Glutathione-S-transferase P1 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to endometriosis

BACKGROUND: Glutathione-S-tranferase (GST) is the part of the key phase II detoxifying enzyme system. Many studies have investigated the role of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms in endometriosis. Although GSTP1 was found to be one of the most abundant types of GST in genital system, there are insufficient data about the importance of the role of GSTP1 gene polymorphism in endometriosis. METHODS: This case-control study involved 150 patients with endometriosis and 150 controls. The frequency of GSTP1 single nucleotide polymorphisms was evaluated using PCR and melting curve analysis. RESULTS: The proportion of GSTP1 ile/ile tended to be higher in patients with endometriosis than control group, although the difference was not significant [odds ratio (OR)=1.53; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.95-2.46]. In contrast, GSTP1 val/val was significantly higher in control patients and seems protective for endometriosis (OR=0.10; 95% CI=0.02-0.42). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that GSTP1 polymorphism might modulate the risk of endometriosis with significantly decreased risk for GSTP1 val/val and marginally increased risk for GSTP1 ile/ile. Further studies on not only the disease processes but also normal distribution of the enzyme in female genital tract may provide better understanding about the role of GST types and their polymorphs in endometriosis.     

The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene K469E polymorphism is not associated with ischaemic heart disease: an investigation using family-based tests of association.

The possible role of the K469E polymorphism in the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene in the susceptibility to ischaemic heart disease (IHD) was investigated in a well-defined Irish population using two recently described family-based tests of association. One thousand and twelve individuals from 386 families with at least one member prematurely affected with IHD were genotyped for the ICAM-1 K469E polymorphism. Using the combined transmission disequilibrium test (TDT)/sib-TDT and the pedigree disequilibrium test (PDT), no association between the ICAM-1 K469E polymorphism and IHD was found. Our data demonstrate that, in an Irish population, the ICAM-1 K469E polymorphism is not associated with IHD.