小鼠同种异基因骨髓腔内骨髓移植促进早期造血功能重建

目的探讨同种异基因骨髓腔内骨髓移植(IBM-BMT)对小鼠早期造血功能重建的影响。方法将BALB/c小鼠骨髓单个核细胞(BMNCs)分别用胫骨骨髓腔内注射(IBMI)和尾静脉注射(IV)两种方法移植入经致死量60Coγ射线辐照后的60只C57BL/6小鼠。受鼠随机分为3组:骨髓腔内注射高和低剂量组(IBM1和IBM2组)、尾静脉注射组(IV组),每组20只。在骨髓移植后1、3、6和9d分别计数各组受鼠胫骨骨髓腔内有核细胞总数,并用流式细胞术检测供体植入水平(供体来源有核细胞总数、供体来源髓系细胞数)。结果于移植后6d,IBM1组和IBM2组注射侧胫骨骨髓腔内有核细胞总数、供体来源有核细胞总数、供体来源髓系细胞总数均明显高于IV组(P<0.05或P<0.01?。结论IBM-BMT较IV-BMT更能促进同种异基因骨髓移植后的早期造血功能重建。     

Innovative BMT methods for intractable diseases

We have recently established new bone marrow transplantation (BMT) methods for the treatment of intractable diseases. The methods include the perfusion method (PM) for the collection of bone marrow cells, and intra-bone marrow (IBM)–BMT for the direct injection of collected whole bone marrow cells into the bone marrow cavity. The PM, in comparison with the conventional aspiration method, can minimize the contamination of bone marrow cells (BMCs) with T cells from the peripheral blood. Therefore, without removing T cells, no graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) develops in the case of the PM. Since BMCs collected by the PM contain not only hemopoietic stem cells (HSCs) but also mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the injection of both cells directly into the bone marrow cavity (IBM–BMT) facilitates the engraftment of donor hemopoietic cells. In organ allografts with IBM–BMT, no graft failure occurs even if the radiation dose is reduced. In addition, IBM–BMT is applicable to regeneration therapy and various age-associated diseases such as osteoporosis, since it can efficiently recruit donor-derived normal MSCs. Finally, we show that IBM–BMT in conjunction with donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) can prevent GvHD but suppress tumor growth. We believe that this strategy heralds a revolution in the field of transplantation (BMT and organ allografts) and regeneration therapy. Presented at the First Robert A Good Society Symposium, St. Petersburg, FL 2006.     

Polymorphisms of myelin-associated glycoprotein gene are associated with schizophrenia in the Chinese Han population

Results of gene expression microarray and quantitative PCR studies have suggested abnormalities in the expression of myelin-related genes including myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) in schizophrenic patients. Research provides strong evidence for oligodendrocyte dysfunction in schizophrenics. In order to further assess the role of MAG in schizophrenia, we examined four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), namely rs2301600, rs3746248, rs720309 and rs720308, of this gene in Chinese schizophrenic patients (n=470) and healthy controls (n=470). The distribution of rs720309 T/A genotypes showed a strong association with schizophrenia (chi(2)=14.58, d.f.=2, P=0.0008). A haplotype constructed of rs720309-rs720308 also revealed a significant association with schizophrenia (chi(2)=11.914, d.f.=3, P=0.0084). Our findings of a significant associations between schizophrenia and the MAG gene suggest that this gene may be involved in susceptibility to schizophrenia in the Chinese Han population.     

Variants in the RAB3A gene are not associated with mental retardation in the Chinese population

Mental retardation is a common form of cognitive impairment among children. The underlying causes of mental retardation are extremely heterogeneous, and include significant genetic factors. The coexistence of neuropathology and cognitive deficits supports the view that mental retardation is a disorder of brain development and plasticity. Rab3A, a member of the Rab small G protein family, is a key molecule in modulating basal neurotransmission and contributes to synaptic plasticity. The RAB3A gene is located on chromosome 19p13.11, near a region shown by a linkage study to be involved in the etiology of mental retardation. Because of both its function and chromosomal location, RAB3A is a potential candidate susceptibility gene for mental retardation. To investigate the possible genetic contribution of the RAB3A gene, we performed a case-control association study focused on the Han population of northwestern China using four common SNPs in the gene (rs7259012, rs17683539, rs2271882, and rs874628). Pairwise linkage disequilibrium analysis showed that the four SNPs were in linkage disequilibrium. However, there were no significant differences of either allele or genotype frequencies at any of the SNPs nor any significant differences in haplotype distributions between cases and controls. In conclusion, we have found no evidence for RAB3A conferring susceptibility on mental retardation in the Han Chinese population.     

Variants in the FTO gene are associated with common obesity in the Belgian population

Three independent studies, of which two genome-wide scans, have reported an association between SNPs in the FTO (Fat mass and obesity associated) gene and obesity, in different European cohorts. We selected the SNPs with the strongest evidence for association from the first two studies and genotyped 1099 obese patients and 268 healthy control individuals. Both SNPs were significantly associated with obesity, enabling us to replicate earlier findings from Caucasian cohorts in a Belgian population sample.     

Tau-tubulin kinase-1 gene variants are associated with Alzheimer's disease in Han Chinese

Tau-tubuline kinase 1 (TTBK1) is a recently discovered brain-specific protein kinase involved in tau phosphorylation at AD-related sites. A recent large study has identified significant association of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2651206 and rs7764257) in the TTBK1 gene with late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) in Spanish. Here, we performed a case–control study to clarify whether the risk for LOAD might be influenced by these polymorphisms in a large Chinese cohort consisting of 400 patients and 388 healthy controls. The minor alleles of the rs2651206 polymorphism within TTBK1 was significantly associated with a reduced risk of LOAD (odds ratio/OR = 0.69, P = 0.011). Furthermore, rs2651206 polymorphism was still strongly associated with LOAD (OR = 0.72, P = 0.05) after adjusted for age, gender, and the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ?4 status. Haplotype analysis identified the TG haplotype, deriving from the two minor alleles, to decrease the risk of LOAD (OR = 0.78, P = 0.037). This study provides the evidence that variations in the TTBK1 gene may play an important role in the pathogenesis of sporadic LOAD in a Han Chinese population.     

Two polymorphisms in the TIM‐4 gene are associated with asthma in a Chinese Han population

The gene family of the T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain (TIM) proteins encodes cell surface receptors that are involved in the regulation of Th1‐ and Th2‐cell‐mediated immunity. TIM‐1 gene has been found to be associated with asthma in several populations. TIM‐4, the natural ligand for TIM‐1, may influence the susceptility to asthma.To investigate the association of the TIM‐4 gene polymorphisms with asthma in a Chinese Han population. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TIM‐4 gene, rs6882076, rs12658558 and rs4702747, were genotyped in 551 unrelated asthma patients and 549 healthy controls. We found that two SNPs of the TIM‐4 gene, rs6882076 and rs4702747, were associated with asthma susceptibility in our study population (with P‐values = 0.009 and 0.005 respectively). No association was observed between asthma and rs12658558. Our results suggest that TIM‐4 gene polymorphisms are associated with asthma in a Chinese Han population.     

Common variants near TERC are associated with leukocyte telomere length in the Chinese Han population

A recent genome-wide association study has identified an association between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and a locus at 3q26 that includes TERC. In order to evaluate the effects of the SNPs rs12696304 and rs16847897 near TERC in the population of mainland China, we conducted an association study of LTL focusing on these two candidate SNPs in a sample of 4016 Chinese Han individuals. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association of LTL with each SNP adjusted for age, gender and diabetes status. In the study, we confirmed the association of SNP rs12696304 and rs16847897 near TERC with LTL in the Chinese Han population (P ～ 4.5 × 10(-3) and 9.5 × 10(-5), respectively). Each copy of the major allele of rs12696304 and rs16847897 was associated with a shorter mean telomere length of 0.024 and 0.031 T/S respectively, which is equivalent to about 3 and 4 years of average age-related telomere attrition. Our short report confirmed the effects of SNPs near TERC on LTL in the Chinese Han population for the first time.     

Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms of IRF8 gene are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in Chinese Han population

Interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) has been shown to have diverse roles in the regulation of the immune system. Two recent studies had revealed the association between the single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs11644034 and rs2280381) of IRF8 and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a multiethnic population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the association could be replicated in a Chinese Han population. Genotypes were determined by a multiplex polymerase chain reaction–ligase detection reaction (PCR–LDR) in 358 patients and 357 geographically matched healthy controls. Significant differences in genotype frequency were found between SLE and control individuals (rs11644034: AA vs. GG, P = 0.014, odds ratio (OR) = 0.980, 95% confidence internal (CI): 0.964–0.996; rs2280381: CC vs. TT, P = 0.005, OR = 0.150, 95% CI: 0.033–0.676). Conditional logistic regression analysis showed that the association of rs2280381 remained significant (P adjusted = 0.028) after adjustment for rs11644034, but not vice versa (P adjusted = 0.361).When stratifying patients with SLE according to clinical subtypes, SNP rs2280381 was found to be associated with low complement in patients with SLE. However, SNP rs11644034 was not found to be associated with SLE clinical subgroups. Analysis of the haplotypes revealed that haplotype G‐T and G‐C were also significantly associated with SLE (P = 0.002 and P = 0.012, respectively). Our study indicated that the IRF8 gene polymorphisms might be associated with susceptibility to SLE and with disease‐related clinical manifestations in Chinese Han population.     

Copy number variations of the IL-22 gene are associated with ankylosing spondylitis: A case-control study in Chinese Han population

IL-22 provides a new insight into the mechanisms of autoimmunity, and copy number variations (CNVs) are associated with autoimmune diseases. This study aims to explore the association of IL-22 gene CNVs with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) susceptibility. The copy numbers of IL-22 gene (2 fragments: IL-22_1, IL-22_2) were examined by AccuCopy? methods in a cohort of 649 AS patients and 628 controls. Association of IL-22 CNVs and AS susceptibility was analyzed, and AS risk was estimated by Odds Ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and the Benjamini-Hochberg method was applied to regulate the false discovery rate (FDR). We found one copy of IL-22 gene was significantly associated with AS [OR = 0.345, 95%CI (0.144, 0.827), P = 0.013, P_FDR = 0.026] in the IL-22_2 fragment, and this association still exist after adjustment of age and sex [OR = 0.344, 95%CI (0.143, 0.825), P = 0.017, P_FDR = 0.034]. In the stratification analysis by gender, the statistical difference was detected in males in the IL-22_2 fragment [OR = 0.306, 95%CI (0.121, 0.778), P = 0.009, P_FDR = 0.018; adjusted OR = 0.306, 95%CI (0.120, 0.777), P = 0.013, P_FDR = 0.026]. We suggest that IL-22 CNVs are associated with AS and that lower copy number might be a protective factor for AS, especially in male patients.     

Polymorphisms in the DUSP10 gene are associated with sex-specific colorectal cancer risk in a Han population

Aims and background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is common, especially in developed countries. CRC is a multifactorial disease influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. In this study, we investigated the role of genetic polymorphisms in the dual specificity protein phosphatase 10 (DUSP10) gene especially in sex-specific. Methods: We selected nine DUSP10 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (tSNPs) previously reported to be associated with colorectal cancer risk of in a case-control study from Xi’an city of China. Results: In females, three SNPs were associated with decreased CRC risk: rs11118838, rs12724393, and rs908858. However, in males, only one SNP, rs908858, was associated with decreased CRC risk. Using a log-additive model, the rs11118838 “C” allele and the rs12724393 “G” allele were associated with decreased CRC risk in females, while the rs908858 “G” allele was associated with decreased CRC risk in both females and males. In addition, haplotype analysis also found “CG” and “CCT” were associated with the decreased CRC risk in females. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that DUSP10 polymorphisms influence the risk of developing CRC in Han Chinese and emphasize that sex should be considered in the design and analysis of health studies and biomedical research.     

The association of SERPINE2 gene with COPD in a Chinese Han population

Purpose

Polymorphisms of several candidate genes have been studied and associated with the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). One such candidate is the SERPINE2 (Serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade E member 2) gene.

Materials and Methods

To assess whether the SERPINE2 gene is associated with COPD in a Chinese Han population. Samples were collected from a Chinese Han population and analyzed for the association of single nucleotide polymor phisms (SNPs) or haplotypes of SERPINE2 gene with COPD in a case-control study. Three SNPs including rs840088 G/A in intron 1, rs1438831 A/G in 5'' upstream sequence and rs3795879 G/A in intron 3 were detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction fragment length polymorphism technique in 409 COPD subjects and 411 controls. Genotyping of the SREPINE2 polymorphisms at positions rs840088, rs1438831and rs3795879 was performed.

Results

We found that none of the rs840088G/A, rs1438831G/A and rs3795879 G/A polymorphisms were associated with the disease. The p-values were 0.630, 0.208 and 0.398 respectively.

Conclusion

Our data suggested that there was no significant association between SERPINE2 polymorphism and COPD susceptibility in the Chinese Han population.     

Genetic polymorphisms and haplotype structures of HSPA5 gene in the Han population of Southern China

The heat shock 70 kDa protein 5 ( HSPA5 ) gene is known to be involved in stress-associated diseases. In this study, the promoter, exons, 3' untranslated region (3'UTR), and subtotal introns of the HSPA5 gene were sequenced in a sub-population of 161 healthy Han Chinese. Nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including a new one (-86bp T > A from the estimated translation start site) were found and 15 haplotypes (frequencies > 1%) were inferred. Polymorphisms rs391957 and rs11355458 were completely linked in our population (r ² = 1.00). Using this information, fellow scientists may be able to decrease the number of SNPs to be genotyped in future disease case-control studies.     

Routine applications of DNA fingerprinting with the oligonucleotide probe (CAC)5/(GTG)5

The use of DNA fingerprinting with synthetic oligonucleotides is illustrated for practical applications familiar in clinical diagnostics: pre- and postnatal zygosity determination and the monitoring of bone marrow transplantation. A simple method for non-radioactive detection is described which may be interesting for many diagnostic laboratories.     

Cannabinoid type-1 receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with central obesity in a Southern Brazilian population

The CB1 cannabinoid receptor and its endogenous ligands, the endocannabinoids, are involved in energy balance control, stimulating appetite and increasing body weight in wasting syndromes. Different studies have investigated the relationship between polymorphisms of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) gene and obesity with conflicting results. In the present study, we investigated the 1359G/A (rs1049353), 3813A/G (rs12720071) and 4895A/G (rs806368) polymorphisms in the CNR1 gene in a Brazilian population of European descent. To verify the association between these variants and obesity-related traits in this population, 756 individuals were genotyped by PCR-RFLP methods. The 4895G allele was associated with waist to hip ratio (WHR) (P = 0.014; P = 0.042 after Bonferroni correction). An additive effect with the GAA haplotype was associated with WHR (P = 0.028), although this statistical significance disappeared after Bonferroni correction (P = 0.084). No significant association was observed between the genotypes of the 1359G/A and 3813A/G polymorphisms and any of the quantitative variables investigated. Our findings suggest that CNR1 gene polymorphism is associated with central obesity in this Brazilian population of European ancestry.     

Genetic polymorphisms of G protein-coupled receptor 65 gene are associated with ankylosing spondylitis in a Chinese Han population: A case-control study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the association between two tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs68177277 and rs11624293) of G protein-coupled receptor 65 (GPR65) gene and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) susceptibility in a Chinese Han population.Methods673 patients with AS diagnosed according to the modified New York criteria and 679 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited. SNP genotyping for rs68177277 and rs11624293 polymorphisms were performed using the SNPscan technique. Disease activity was assessed by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI).ResultsGenotype and allele distribution of rs11624293 but not rs68177277 were significantly different between AS and controls (p = 0.004 and p = 0.002). Compared to the wild-type T/T genotype and T allele at rs11624293, the frequencies of C/T genotype and C allele were significantly higher in AS than controls after adjusting for age and gender (OR = 1.527, 95%CIs: 1.190–1.958; OR = 1.515, 95%CIs: 1.183–1.942, respectively). Dominant and co-dominant model of rs11624293 were predictive of AS susceptibility. In AS patients, the genotype of rs11624293 was significantly associated with BASFI scores in those with low disease activity (BASDAI < 4, p = 0.007).ConclusionsThe results of our study suggest that rs11624293 polymorphism of GPR65 gene is associated with the susceptibility and severity of AS in Chinese Han population.     

Surfactant protein B gene polymorphisms is associated with risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in Chinese Han population

Objective: To investigate the relationship between Surfactant protein B (SP-B) gene polymorphisms and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) development in preterm infants of China Han ethnic population. Methods: SP-B gene polymorphisms were studied in 134 neonates who were born at < 32 weeks of gestation, with the diagnosis of BPD and in a control group of 168 preterm infants without BPD. Genotyping for SP-B was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing. Results: In this study, three of the SNP genotypes, -18C/A, 1580C/T and 4564T/C were common identified in SP-B gene. The -18C/A genotype was found to be significantly associated with BPD (χ² = 10.741, P < 0.01), with P < 0.01 for the dominant model (OR = 1.712, 95% CI = 1.228-2.3894) and the allelic model (OR = 1.787, 95% CI = 1.276-2.502). The 1580C/T genotype was found to be associated with BPD (χ² = 7.014, P < 0.05), with P < 0.05 for the dominant model (OR = 0.752, 95% CI = 0.593-0.954) and P < 0.01 for the allelic model (OR = 0.706, 95% CI = 0.548-0.909). The 4564T/C genotypes and alleles were found not to be associated with BPD (χ² = 3.399 and 3.227, P > 0.05). Conclusion: SP-B -18C/A and 1580C/T polymorphisms are associated with BPD. The 1580C/T polymorphism was protective while the -18C/A polymorphism increased the risk for BPD. SP-B 4564T/C polymorphism is not associated with BPD.     

Missense variants in CR1 are associated with increased risk of Alzheimer' disease in Han Chinese

Complement receptor 1 (CR1) has been considered to play an important role in late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) pathogenesis. To explore the correlation between the CR1 gene and LOAD, a 2-step design study was conducted in our Northern Han Chinese population. We first sequenced the promoter, exons, the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions and exon–intron boundaries of CR1 in a small sample (n = 100). This allowed us to identify a total of 22 variants. In addition, 6 missense variants within the CR1 gene were selected to be genotyped in a total of 2292 individuals. Only 2 SNPs (rs116806486, Thr→Ala; rs6691117, Ile→Val) were significantly associated with an increased risk of LOAD. After strati?cation by APOE ε4–carrying status, significance was observed in APOE ε4 non-carriers for rs116806486 and in APOE ε4 carriers for rs6691117. Logistic analysis revealed that the rs116806486 polymorphism remained associated with LOAD in a dominant model, whereas the rs6691117 polymorphism was associated with LOAD in additive and recessive models but not in a dominant model after adjusting for sex, age at onset, and APOE ε4 status. Examination of the haplotypes identified the risk of a 3-SNP (rs2274567, rs3737002, and rs6691117) haplotype “ATG” in CR1 was associated with an increased risk for LOAD. These findings provide the evidence that missense variants in the CR1 gene may be involved in LOAD pathologic process in Han Chinese.