CTLA-4 +49 A/G and −318 C/T polymorphisms and susceptibility to multiple sclerosis: a meta-analysis

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore whether cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) +49 A/G, and ?318?C/T polymorphisms confer susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: A meta-analysis of the associations between the CTLA-4 +49?A/G and ?318?C/T polymorphisms and MS.

Results: A total of 23 separate comparisons from 19 studies of the CTLA-4 +49 A/G polymorphism and 10 comparisons (8 studies) of the CTLA-4 ?318?C/T polymorphism were considered. Meta-analysis showed no association between MS and the CTLA-4 +49G allele in the analysis of all study subjects (OR?=?1.026, 95% CI?=?0.967–1.089, p?=?0.395). Stratification by ethnicity indicated no association between the CTLA-4 +49G allele and MS in Caucasians, Asians, or Arabs. Meta-analysis showed no association between RA and the CTLA-4 ?318C allele in all study subjects (OR?=?0.909, 95% CI?=?0.704–1.175, p?=?0.467). In addition, meta-analysis stratified by ethnicity revealed no association between MS and the CTLA-4 ?318 C/T polymorphism in Caucasian, Asian, or Arab populations.

Conclusions: This meta-analysis of published studies did not find an association between the CTLA-4 +49?A/G and ?318?C/T polymorphisms and susceptibility to MS in Caucasian, Asian, and Arab populations.     

基质金属蛋白酶-2和-9基因多态性与结直肠癌的相关性

目的探讨基质金属蛋白酶（matrix metalloproteinase，MMP）-2和-9基因启动子区多态性与结直肠癌的关系。方法应用变性高效液相色谱法和限制性片段长度多态性分析方法分别检测126例结直肠癌患者和126名正常对照者的MMP-2—1306C/T和MMP-9—1562C／T多态性，分析其基因型与结直肠癌发病风险及临床病理参数的相关性。结果MMP-2—1306C／C基因型频率在结直肠癌组中显著高于对照组（P〈0．05），与CT＋TT基因型携带者比较，CC基因型携带者患结直肠癌的风险约增加2倍（OR：1．959；95％CI：1．055～3．637）。而且在结直肠癌中，MMP-2—1306C／T多态性与肿瘤的浸润深度之间差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05），CC基因型的肿瘤更容易浸润到外膜。MMP-9—1562C／T多态性的基因型及等位基因频率在结直肠癌组和对照组间的分布差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论MMP-2—1306C／T多态性可能与中国人群结直肠癌的遗传易感性相关，且CC基因型的肿瘤更易浸润到外膜。     

Polymorphisms in the matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 and the risk of human adenomyosis

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) may contribute to the development of adenomyosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter regions of MMP-2 (-1306C/T and -735C/T) and TIMP-2 (-418G/C) genes were related to the risk of adenomyosis development. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay in 180 adenomyosis patients and 324 frequency-matched control women in a Chinese population. There were significant differences in allele frequencies and genotype distributions of the MMP-2 -1306C/T polymorphism between patients and control women (P = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively). The frequency of C allele in patients (92.2%) was significantly higher than in the controls (87.0%) (P = 0.01). Compared with the C/T+T/T genotypes, the C/C genotype could significantly increase the risk of adenomyosis development, with an odds ratio of 1.83 (95% CI = 1.13-2.96). However, no statistically significant difference was found in allele frequencies and genotype distributions of MMP-2 -735C/T and TIMP-2 -418G/C SNPs between the two groups (all P values > 0.05). Two polymorphisms of MMP-2 displayed linkage disequilibrium (D' = 0.74). The haplotype analysis suggested no significant association of four haplotypes with the risk of adenomyosis development. Our results indicated an association of MMP-2 -1306C/T polymorphism with the risk of adenomyosis, suggesting a potential role in adenomyosis development in North Chinese women.     

Meta-Analysis of Associations Between Interleukin-10 Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Vasculitis

Objective: This study determined whether interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to vasculitis.

Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted of the associations between the IL-10 -1082 G/A, -819 C/T, and -592 C/A polymorphisms and the haplotype of the IL-10-1082 G/A, -819 C/T, -592 C/A polymorphisms and vasculitis.

Results: A total of 21 comparative studies involving 4121 patients and 5504 controls were considered in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed no association between the IL-10-1082 G allele and vasculitis in all study subjects (OR?=?0.927, 95% CI?=?0.780–1.102, p?=?0.389). However, disease-specific meta-analysis showed an association between Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG) and the IL-10-1082 G allele (OR?=?0.729, 95% CI?=?0.547–0.971, p?=?0.031). Meta-analysis revealed an association between vasculitis and the IL-10-819 C allele (OR?=?0.804, 95% CI?=?0.706–0.916, p?=?0.001) in all study subjects and Behcet’s disease (BD) (OR?=?0.724, 95% CI?=?0.679–0.781, p?<?1.0?×?10^?9). Meta-analysis of the IL-10-592 C allele showed an association with vasculitis in all study subjects (OR?=?0.805, 95% CI?=?0.619–0.938, p?=?0.005) and BD (OR?=?0.718, 95% CI?=?0.661–0.781, p?<?1.0?×?10^?9). Meta-analysis of the IL-10 haplotype revealed an association between the GCC haplotype and vasculitis in Europeans (OR?=?1.239, 95% CI?=?1.105–1.513, p?=?0.035).

Conclusions: This meta-analysis showed that IL-10 polymorphisms are associated with vasculitis susceptibility, especially in WG and BD.     

Meta-Analysis of the Relationship between TNF-α (−308G/A) and IL-10 (−819C/T) Gene Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Dengue

Objective: This study determined whether tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to dengue.

Methods: a systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted of the associations between the TNF-α (?308G/A) and IL-10 (?819C/T) polymorphisms and dengue.

Results: A total of eight case-controls studies involving 384 individuals with symptomatic dengue, 571 individuals with dengue hemorrhagic fever, and 995 healthy controls were considered in the meta-analysis. There was no significant association between TNF-α (?308G/A) and IL-10 (?819C/T) polymorphism and dengue in overall population. However, stratifying meta-analysis by groups, the meta-analysis revealed association between the TNF-α ?308 G/G (OR: 1.62, CI: 1.02–2.57, p = 0.04) genotype and allele G (OR: 1.62, CI: 1.04–2.55, p = 0.03) that confers susceptibility to symptomatic dengue, while the TNF-α ?308 G/A genotype (OR: 0.69, CI = 0.39–0.99, p = 0.04) and allele A (OR: 0.64, CI: 0.41–1.00, p = 0.05) confers protection to symptomatic dengue. No difference was observed for the TNF-α (?308) and IL-10 (?819C/T) polymorphisms in the comparisons of hemorrhagic dengue versus control and hemorrhagic dengue versus symptomatic dengue.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that TNF-α (?308) polymorphism is associated with dengue symptomatic susceptibility.     

Meta-analysis reveals PTPN22 1858C/T polymorphism confers susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis in Caucasian but not in Asian population

The PTPN22 1858C/T polymorphism is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, reports from the Asian populations are conflicting in nature and lacks consensus. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between the PTPN22 1858C/T polymorphism and RA in Asian and Caucasian subjects by carrying out a meta-analysis of Asian and Caucasian data. A total of 27?205 RA cases and 27?677 controls were considered in the present meta-analysis involving eight Asian and 35 Caucasian studies. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) were performed for the allele, dominant, and recessive genetic model. No statistically significant association was found between the PTPN22 1858C/T polymorphism and risk of RA in Asian population (allele genetic model: OR?=?1.217, 95% confidence interval (CI)?=?0.99–1.496, p value 0.061; dominant genetic model: OR?=?1.238, 95% CI?=?0.982–1.562, p value 0.071; recessive genetic model: OR?=?1.964, 95% CI?=?0.678–5.693, p value 0.213). A significant association with risk of RA in Caucasian population suggesting that T–– allele does confer susceptibility to RA in this subgroup was observed (allele genetic model: OR?=?1.638, 95% CI?=?1.574–1.705, p value p value p value PTPN22 1858C/T polymorphism is not associated with RA risk in Asian populations. However, our meta-analysis confirms that the PTPN22 1858C/T polymorphism is associated with RA susceptibility in Caucasians.     

Influence of variations across the MMP-1 and -3 genes on the serum levels of MMP-1 and -3 and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and are strongly associated with levels of inflammation. To understand the relationship between MMP-1 and -3 variants and MMP levels in RA, we investigated the genotypic and haplotypic relationships of the MMP-1 and -3 genes with circulating levels of these MMPs. The genotypes of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1799750 (1G/2G, MMP-1 promoter), rs495366 (G/A, intergene), rs679620 (A/G, MMP-3 coding region) and rs3025058 (5A/6A, MMP-3 promoter) were determined in 430 RA patients. Each polymorphism was associated with serum levels of MMP-1 (P trend <0.0001 for each SNP), with haplotype 1G-G-A-5A associated with the highest level. The intergenic and MMP-3 SNPs were associated with MMP-1 levels independent of the MMP-1 promoter SNP. The MMP-3 SNPs were associated with serum MMP-3 level (P trend <0.0001 for each SNP), and were each associated with mean time-averaged disease activity (DAS28) in patients followed up for 2 years (P=0.003). Our findings indicate that several closely linked polymorphisms in the MMP-1-MMP-3 loci have an important role in determining the circulating levels of these MMPs in RA, and that MMP-3 polymorphism is associated with the level of disease activity over time.     

MMP-2和TIMP-2基因多态性与子宫内膜异位症和子宫腺肌病发病风险的关联研究

目的 探讨基质金属蛋白酶-2(matrix metalloproteinase-2,MMP-2)和金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂-2(tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2,TIMP-2)基因启动子区单核苷酸多态性与子宫内膜异位症和子宫腺肌病发病风险的关系.方法 采用PCR-限制性片段长度多态方法检测298例子宫内膜异位症患者(内异症组)、180例子宫腺肌病患者(腺肌病组)和324名对照妇女(对照组)MMP-2和TIMP-2基因型频率的分布.结果 MMP-2-1306C/T多态的基因型和等位基因频率分布在子宫内膜异位症组与对照组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);但在腺肌病组和对照组间MMP-2-1306C/T多态的基因型和等位基因频率分布均有明显的差异(P＜0.05);与CT+TT基因型相比,CC基因型明显增加腺肌病的发病风险,OR值为1.83(95%CI:1.13～2.96).MMP-2-735C/T多态的基因型和等位基因频率分布在3组间均未发现明显差异(P＞0.05);统计学分析显示MMP-2基因的2个多态性位点间存在着连锁不平衡(D'=0.74),但4种单倍型频率在3组之间分布差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).TIMP-2-418G/C多态的等位基因频率分布在3组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),但CC基因型频率在子宫内膜异位症组患者中为0.7%,与对照组(3.7%)比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 MMP-2-1306C/T多态C等位基因的存在可明显增加腺肌病的发病风险,但与子宫内膜异位症的发病风险无关;MMP-2-735C/T和77MP-2-418G/C多态与子宫内膜异位症和腺肌病的发病风险无明显关联.     

Polymorphisms in the promoter regions of the matrix metalloproteinases-7, -9 and the risk of endometriosis and adenomyosis in China

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may contribute to the development of endometriosis. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the polymorphisms in the promoters of MMP-7 (181A/G) and MMP-9 (1562C/T) on the risk of occurrence of endometriosis and adenomyosis. We genotyped 219 patients (143 women with endometriosis, 76 women with adenomyosis) and 160 control women in North China. There was a significant difference in frequency of the MMP-7 genotype between endometriosis and controls (P = 0.01) and also between adenomyosis and controls (P = 0.01). The frequency of the G allele in two groups of patients (7.3 and 7.9%) was significantly higher than in the controls (2.8%) (P = 0.01 and 0.01, respectively). Compared to the A/A genotype, the genotype with the -181G allele showed a significantly increased susceptibility to both diseases, with adjusted odds ratio of 2.62 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.17-5.87] for endometriosis and 3.14 (95% CI = 1.26-7.81) for adenomyosis. However, the overall genotype and allelotype distribution of the MMP-9 in the two case groups were not different from that of controls. We conclude that MMP-7-181A/G polymorphism has a potential to be a susceptibility factor for endometriosis and adenomyosis while MMP-9-1562C/T polymorphism may not provide a useful marker to predict susceptibility to endometriosis and adenomyosis, at least in women from North China.     

Association between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 polymorphisms and MMP-2 levels in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

We examined whether two functional polymorphisms (g.-1306C>T and g.-735C>T) in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 gene are associated with preeclampsia (PE) or gestational hypertension (GH), and whether they modify MMP-2 or tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 plasma concentrations in these hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. We studied 130 healthy pregnant (HP), 130 pregnant with GH, and 133 pregnant with PE. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood and genotypes for g.-1306C>T and g.-735C>T polymorphisms were determined by Real Time-PCR, using Taqman allele discrimination assays. Haplotypes were inferred using the PHASE program. Plasma MMP-2 and TIMP-2 concentrations were measured by ELISA. The main findings were that pregnant with PE have higher plasma MMP-2 and TIMP-2 concentrations than HP (P<0.05), although the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios were similar (P>0.05). Moreover, pregnant with GH have elevated plasma MMP-2 levels and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios compared to HP (P<0.05). While MMP-2 genotypes and haplotypes are not linked with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, MMP-2 genotypes and haplotypes are associated with significant alterations in plasma MMP-2 and TIMP-2 concentrations in preeclampsia (P<0.05). Our findings may help to understand the relevance of MMP-2 and its genetic polymorphisms to the pathophysiology of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. It is possible that patients with PE and the MMP-2 haplotype combining the C and T alleles for the g.-1306C>T and g.-735C>T polymorphisms may benefit from the use of MMPs inhibitors such as doxycycline. However, this possibility remains to be determined.     

Matrix metalloproteinase-2, -9, -12, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 gene polymorphisms and cutaneous expressions in patients with Behçet's disease

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) induce leukocyte migration into inflammation sites that lead to either promotion or repression of inflammation by activating or inactivating cytokines. An increased level of MMP-9 and a decreased level of MMP-2 have been observed in Beh?et's disease (BD). This study was performed to analyze the relationship between MMP-2, -9, -12 and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) promoter polymorphisms in developing BD. The expression of MMP-2 and -9 was also evaluated in the skin of BD. The MMPs and TIMP-2 polymorphisms were confirmed by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 251 BD and 312 controls. Cutaneous expression of MMP-2 and -9 in 17 BD patients with erythema nodosum (EN) or EN-like lesion was compared with 14 patients with idiopathic EN by immunohistochemical stains. The frequency of MMP-2-1575*G/*G and MMP-2-735*C/*C genotypes was shown to be lower in BD, whereas MMP-9-1562*C/*C was significantly higher in BD compared with the controls. The frequency of common haplotype MMP-2-1575*G -735*C was significantly lower in BD patients than in controls (P = 0.0046, permutation P = 0.009). No significant differences were observed between BD and controls in the allele and genotype frequencies of MMP-12-82A>G or TIMP-2-418G>C polymorphisms. The tissue expression of MMP-2, shown by immunohistochemistry, was significantly lower in BD compared with the controls. However, the expression of MMP-9 was significantly higher in BD. These results suggest that MMP-2 and -9 could each modulate the development of BD in opposite directions. Major genotypes of the MMP-2-1575*G/*G and MMP-2-735*C/*C and the common MMP-2-1575*G -735*C haplotype may provide some protection against development of BD, while MMP-9-1562*C/*C may promote the disease. The reciprocal expression of MMP-2 and -9 in the skin tissue of BD was also confirmed.     

RANTES Gene Polymorphisms Are Not Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Atopic Dermatitis: A Meta-Analysis

Background: A few recent studies have suggested that regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) polymorphisms (-403 G/A, -28C/G) are associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and atopic dermatitis (AD). However, there still existed studies that did not confirm this correlation. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationships of RANTES and RA and AD using a meta-analysis. Methods: Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases were systemically searched. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers, and pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Results: Eight studies were enrolled, including a total of 548 RA cases and 493 controls of -403G/A, 305 RA cases and 303 controls of -28C/G, and 705 AD cases and 578 controls of -403G/A in this meta-analysis. In RA, the overall OR and 95% CI of -403A were 1.41, 1.10–1.82 (p = 0.391) and 2.18, 1.30–3.66 (p = 0.335) in dominant and recessive models, respectively. The overall OR and 95% CI of -28G in RA were 1.35, 0.91–2.01 (p = 0.707) and 3.32, 1.29–8.52 (p = 0.559) in dominant and recessive models, respectively. Moreover, the overall OR and 95% CI of -403A in AD were 1.38, 1.08–1.76 (p = 0.421) and 1.06 and 0.65–1.72 (p = 0.361) in dominant and recessive models, respectively. Conclusions: This meta-analysis showed that RANTES -403G/A and -28C/G were not associated with RA and AD.     

IL1β, IL18, NFKB1 and IFNG gene interactions are associated with severity of rheumatoid arthritis: A pilot study

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease which can lead to progressive and functional disability. Literature data suggest that some inflammatory proteins are dysregulated in RA patients and its genetic polymorphisms may contribute to the aetiology and pathogenesis of disease in different ethnic groups. Polymorphisms in IL1β, IL18, NFKB1 and IFNG genes were studied in different populations with RA, but the analysis indicated contradictory results. Thereby, we hypothesised that polymorphisms in these genes could have a combined effect on susceptibility to and severity of disease. We evaluated the +3953?C/T IL1β (rs1143634), –137?G/C IL18 (rs187238), –94 ins/del ATTG NFKB1 (rs28362491) and +874?T/A IFNG (rs2430561) polymorphisms in the northeastern Brazilian population. Peripheral blood samples were collected and DNA extraction was conducted. The polymorphisms were evaluated by RFLP and ARMS–PCR. An association was observed in rs1143634 which showed a protective effect against development of RA in carriers of the T allele (OR?=?0.58; 95% CI 0.36–0.92; p?=?.020). In addition, we found an association among genotypes of the rs1143634 with the HAQ index (p?=?.021) and rs2430561 with DAS28 (p?=?.029) and CDAI (p?=?.029). In relation to combined effects of these SNPs (C/C to rs1143634, G/G to rs187238, I/I to rs28362491 and AA to rs2430561) we found a significant association with decreased functional disability (HAQ index p?<?.001) and ESR (p?=?.034), indicating a lower disease activity in carriers of these genotypes. GLM analysis confirmed these associations (HAQ (F?=?5.497; p?<?.001) and ESR (F?=?2.727; p?=?.032)). Our analysis indicated that in the studied population +3953?C/T IL-1β (rs1143634), –137?G/C IL-18 (rs187238), –94 ins/del ATTG NFKB1 (rs28362491) and +874?T/A IFNG (rs2430561) polymorphisms can together contribute to RA severity although they do not individually influence the disease.     

The association between interleukin-6 polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether the functional interleukin-6 (IL-6) promoter ?174 G/C and ?572 G/C polymorphisms confer susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in ethnically different populations.

Methods

Meta-analysis was conducted on the associations between these IL-6 polymorphisms and RA.

Results

A total of nine studies involving 3,851 subjects (RA 2,053 and controls 1,798) were considered in this study and ethnicity-specific meta-analysis was performed on European subjects. In all study subjects, meta-analysis revealed a trend toward to an association between RA and the IL-6 ?174 G allele (odds ratio [OR]?=?0.699, 95?% confidence interval [CI]?=?0.463–1.054, p?=?0.088). Stratification by ethnicity indicated a significant association between RA and the IL-6 ?174 G/C polymorphism in Europeans using the dominant (OR?=?0.329, 95?% CI?=?0.155–0.699, p?=?0.004) and recessive (OR?=?0.823, 95?% CI?=?0.679–0.997, p?=?0.047) models. Meta-analysis of the IL-6 ?572 G/C polymorphism showed no association between RA and the IL-6 ?572 G allele in all study subjects (OR?=?1.641, 95?% CI?=?0.613–4.397, p?=?0.324).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis shows that the IL-6 ?174 G/C polymorphism may confer susceptibility to RA in Europeans.     

The effect of gender and genetic polymorphisms on matrix metalloprotease (MMP) and tissue inhibitor (TIMP) plasma levels in different infectious and non‐infectious conditions

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are increased in different infections due to their role in controlling immune responses and are regulated by tissue inhibitors (TIMPs). Different MMP promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) induce changes in MMP genes, mRNA and protein expression. Gender might also modify MMP plasma levels. In order to determine the weight of these variables on MMP secretion we studied MMP‐1, ‐2, ‐3, ‐8, ‐9, ‐10, ‐13 and TIMP‐1, ‐2, ‐4 plasma levels in 90 patients with severe bacterial sepsis, 102 with anti‐retroviral (ARV)‐treated HIV monoinfection, 111 with ARV‐treated HIV–hepatitis C virus (HCV) co‐infection and 86 non‐infected controls (45 stroke and 41 trauma patients). MMP‐1(‐1607 1G/2G), MMP‐3(‐1612 5A/6A), MMP‐8(‐799C/T), MMP‐9(‐1562 C/T) and MMP‐13(‐77A/G) SNPs were genotyped. MMP‐3 plasma levels were significantly higher in men than in women in each diagnostic group, and MMP‐3 SNP allele 6A carriers also had higher levels than allele 5A carriers, an effect that was magnified by sepsis. Independent predictors of higher MMP‐3 levels were male gender (P = 0·0001), MMP‐3(‐1612 5A/6A) SNP (P = 0·001), higher levels of TIMP‐4 (P = 0·004) and MMP‐8 (P = 0·006) and lower levels of MMP‐1 (P = 0·03) by multivariate analysis. No strong associations with gender or SNPs were observed for other MMPs or TIMPs. In conclusion, male gender and MMP‐3(‐1612 5A/6A) 6A allele carriage increased MMP‐3 plasma levels significantly, especially in patients with severe bacterial sepsis. This confounding gender effect needs to be addressed when evaluating MMP‐3 plasma levels in any infectious or non‐infectious condition.     

Genetic polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinase 12 and 13 genes are implicated in endometriosis progression

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may contribute to endometriosis.We tested whether eight functional polymorphisms of these genescould modify the risk of endometriosis. METHODS: In this case–control study, 227 endometriosis and 241controls were genotyped for MMP1 –1607 1G/2G, MMP2 –1575G/A (MMP2.1), –1306 C/T (MMP2.2), MMP3 –1612 5A/6A,MMP7 –153 C/T (MMP7.1), –181 A/G (MMP7.2), MMP12–82 A/G and MMP13–77 A/G. Association between MMPgenotypes and superficial (SUP), deep infiltrating (DIE) andendometriomas (OMA) was tested for each polymorphism separately,using unconditional logistic regression and then for combinedgenotypes, using the combination test. RESULTS: When considering all cases, MMP2 polymorphisms were found tobe significant, mainly due to DIE (P = 0.023). A small differencebetween SUP and controls was found for MMP7.2 (P = 0.032) andMMP12 (P = 0.035), in the absence of correction for multipletesting. Using the combination test, the best association whencomparing SUP with controls was obtained for MMP12–MMP13(P = 0.004) for the combined genotype A/G–A/A (odds ratio= 27.60, 95% confidence interval: 2.80–272.40). CONCLUSIONS: These data show a potential role for MMP12 –82 A/G andMMP13 –77 A/G combined polymorphisms in superficial endometriosis.As no association was found with deep infiltrating endometriosis,this combination of polymorphisms might protect from a morein-depth penetration of tissues.     

Lactase genetic polymorphisms and coeliac disease in children: a cohort study

Background: Lactase activity declines during childhood in the majority of human populations leading to adult-type hypolactasia (AtH). C/T-13910 and G/A-22018 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been suggested to be associated with AtH in different human populations. Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune condition characterized by damage to intestinal cells leading to ultimate deterioration.

Aim: This study investigated the association between coeliac disease (CD) and SNPs leading to AtH in children from North India.

Subjects and methods: Intestinal biopsies and saliva samples were obtained from 52 children with CD diagnosis and 102 control subjects. Biopsies were assayed for disaccharidase activities and samples were genotyped for given SNPs.

Results: Prevalence of C/C and G/G genotypes of AtH was almost equal in the CD and control group. The CD group had low lactase activity compared to the control group, irrespective of genotype at C/T -13910 and G/A -22018 SNPs (p?p?Conclusion: There appears to be no significant correlation between C/T -13910 or G/A -22018 SNPs of AtH and CD. Children with C/C or G/G genotype of AtH may not be at greater risk of CD.     

Interaction between matrix metalloproteinase 3 and the epsilon4 allele of apolipoprotein E increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease in Finns

Polymorphisms affecting the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), i.e. proteolytic enzymes that degrade intercellular material, have been found at position -1607 (1G/2G) in MMP1 and at -1171 (5A/6A) in MMP3. Interestingly, elevated levels of MMP1 and MMP3 have been observed in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and those of tissue inhibitors of MMPs in the cerebrospinal fluid of AD and Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, suggesting a role for MMPs in these disorders. The aim was to investigate a possible association between the afore-mentioned MMP1 and MMP3 polymorphisms and the risk of developing AD or PD. The polymorphisms were genotyped in 97 AD, 52 PD and 101 control patients. We found an interaction between MMP3*5A and APOE 4 alleles (P < 0.0001) which increases the risk of AD (OR: 23.7, 95% CI: 5.8-144.9, P < 0.0001) compared to those who possess neither MMP3*5A nor APOE 4. In conclusion, our finding suggests that the MMP3 gene, especially together with APOE 4, may contribute to the development of AD.     

Associations between interleukin 17A and 17F polymorphisms and asthma susceptibility: A meta-analysis

Owing to their role in inflammatory reactions and immunological responses as well as their chromosomal location, interleukin (IL) 17A and 17F are regarded as candidate causal genes associated with asthma. The aim of this study was to determine whether IL17 polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to asthma. We used the PubMed/Medline and Embase databases to search for studies reporting IL17 polymorphisms in patients with asthma and healthy controls. Meta-analyses were conducted to determine the associations between IL17A rs8193036 (−737C/T), rs2275913 (−197G/A), rs3819024 (A/G), rs3748067 (C/T), and rs4711998 (A/G) and IL17F rs763780 (7488A/G), rs2397084 (T/C), rs1889570 (C/T), rs11465553 (G/A), and rs1266828 (T/C) polymorphisms and asthma susceptibility. A total of 20 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Our results revealed the IL17A rs8193036 CC genotype was associated with asthma susceptibility (odds ratio [OR] = 1.490, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.027–2.161, p = .036). However, stratification by ethnicity indicated no association between this polymorphism and asthma in European and Asian subjects. Furthermore, no association was found between this polymorphism and asthma using the allele contrast, dominant or homozygous contrast models. No evidence of an association was found between any of the other IL17A and IL17F polymorphisms and asthma susceptibility in this meta-analysis. This meta-analysis showed that, among the studied polymorphisms, only the CC genotype of IL17A rs8193036 is associated with asthma susceptibility.