Inhibitors of kB-like gene polymorphisms in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of inhibitor of kB-like (IkBL) gene polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Taiwan. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-nine patients with RA and 110 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/direct sequencing was used to determine the polymorphisms of IkBL -421 8T/9T, -324 C/G, -262 A/G, and -62 A/T. PCR/restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to determine the IkBL +738 T/C polymorphisms. RESULTS: The genotype distribution of IkBL -421 was significantly different between DR4(+) RA patients and DR4(+) controls (p = 0.02). The allele frequency of IkBL -421 8T was significantly higher in DR4(+) RA patients than in DR4(+) controls (p = 0.004, OR = 7.2, 95% CI = 1.7-29.2). The allele carriage frequency of IkBL -421 8T also tended to be increased in DR4(+) RA patients in comparison with DR4(+) controls (p = 0.07, OR = 14.6, 95% CI = 1.4-147.0). We also found that the allele frequency of IkBL -62 T was significantly higher in RA patients than in controls (p = 0.04, OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.1). The allele carriage frequency of IkBL -62 T tended to be increased in RA patients (p = 0.08, OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.0-3.0). The estimated haplotype frequency of IkBL -421 8T/-62 T tended to be increased in RA patients compared with controls (p = 0.07, OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0-2.0). CONCLUSION: The IkBL -62 T may be associated with the development of RA in Taiwan. The IkBL -421 8T may also be related to susceptibility to RA in HLA-DR4(+) individuals. This study shows that the estimated haplotype IkBL -421 8T/-62 T tends to be associated with susceptibility to RA in Taiwan.     

The -159 C-->T polymorphism of CD14 is associated with nonatopic asthma and food allergy

BACKGROUND: CD14, the receptor for LPS, plays an important role in innate immunity. A polymorphism in the promotor for CD14, -159 C-->T, has been implicated in atopy. OBJECTIVE: We explored the relationship of this polymorphism with both atopic and nonatopic asthma, as well as with food allergy. METHODS: Patients with asthma and food allergy were recruited along with nonatopic, nonasthmatic control subjects. The -159 C-->T polymorphism was genotyped by using the PCR-based RFLP assay. RESULTS: The -159 T allele was more common among patients with nonatopic asthma and food allergy than among control subjects (chi(2) = 6.03, P =.01 and chi(2) = 4.94; P =.03, respectively). Patients with food allergy had a 4-fold increased odds of having the TT genotype versus carriers of the C allele compared with control subjects (odds ratio [OR] = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.5-10.3), whereas patients with nonatopic asthma had a 3-fold increased odds of having the TT genotype (OR = 3.1 [95% CI = 1.1-9.1]). Controlling for sex differences between groups did not alter this relationship, which remained significant for patients with food allergy (OR = 3.7 [95% CI = 1.4-10.1]) or nonatopic asthma (OR = 2.7 [95% CI = 0.9-8.0]). We performed a stratified analysis, limited to white patients, to reduce population stratification. The relationship with the TT genotype was stronger in white patients with nonatopic asthma (OR = 4.4 [95% CI = 1.3-14.8]) and patients with food allergy (OR = 5.1 [95% CI = 1.6-16.2]), even adjusting for sex differences (OR = 3.9 [95% CI = 1.1-13.5] and OR = 4.6 [95% CI = 1.4-14.8], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The TT genotype of -159 C-->T CD14 is associated with nonatopic asthma and food allergy, particularly in white subjects. Thus CD14 is a candidate gene specifically for nonatopic asthma and not for asthma in general. This indicates that atopic and nonatopic asthma might be distinct conditions in their genetic predisposition, despite the fact that they are very similar once they have been established.     

Inducible nitric oxide synthase gene (NOS2A) haplotypes and the outcome of hepatitis C virus infection

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is an important molecule involved in the host defense against infectious agents. iNOS is encoded by the NOS2A gene and well-defined haplotypes exist with respect to this gene. We examined whether these haplotypes were associated with the outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 619 Caucasian patients from seven European liver centres. We observed five major haplotypes: (-277A)+(-1026G)+(-1659C): haplotype 1; (-277G)+(-1026T)+(-1659C): haplotype 2; (-277G)+(-1026G)+(-1659C): haplotype 3; (-277G)+(-1026T)+(-1659T): haplotype 4; and (-277A)+(-1026T)+(-1659C): haplotype 5. Distributions of these haplotypes are comparable with those of previous studies. Homozygotes for haplotype 2 or those with haplotypes 2/4 were more likely than those with the 1/1 (wild type) combination to have self-limiting infections (odds ratios (OR)=3.43; 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 1.10-8.0; P=0.0206 and OR=5.15; 95% CI: 1.32-14.32; P=0.0018, respectively). Conversely, carriage of haplotype 1 was associated with the lack of self-limiting disease (OR=0.48; 95% CI: 0.27-0.83; P=0.009). The effect was mainly among males (OR=0.41; 95% CI: 0.182-0.942; P=0.031 for males, and OR=0.55; 95% CI: 0.24-1.37; P=0.136 for women). Carriage of haplotype 1 was not associated with initial response (P=0.268) or sustained response (P>0.171). Combinations of haplotypes 1/4 were more likely to respond to interferon monotherapy in comparison of initial responders to nonresponders (OR=2.25; 95% CI: 1.05-5.68; P=0.0275).     

Hyperhomocysteinemia, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677TT genotype, and the risk for schizophrenia: a Dutch population based case-control study.

Evidence for an involvement of aberrant homocysteine metabolism in the aetiology of schizophrenia is limited and controversial. A case-control study was performed to quantify the risk of schizophrenia in the presence of elevated homocysteine concentrations or homozygosity for the 677C --> T polymorphism (677TT) in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in subjects of Dutch ancestry. We determined the 677C --> T MTHFR genotype distribution in 254 well-defined patients and 414 healthy controls. Plasma homocysteine concentrations were measured in 62 patients with schizophrenia and 432 control subjects. When homocysteine concentrations were stratified into quartiles of the control distribution, we calculated an increased risk for schizophrenia in the fourth and third quartile versus the lowest quartile [odds ratio (OR) = 3.3; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-9.2, and OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.2-8.0, respectively]. A significant dose-response relation of increasing homocysteine levels and increasing risk for schizophrenia was observed (P = 0.036). The 677TT genotype was associated with an OR of 1.6 [95% CI: 0.96-2.8] of having schizophrenia. Heterozygosity for the T allele compared to 677CC subjects accounted for an OR of 1.3 [95% CI: 0.91-1.8]. Elevated homocysteine levels and the MTHFR 677TT genotype are associated with an increased risk for schizophrenia. These observations support a causal relation between disturbed homocysteine metabolism and schizophrenia.     

Caspase 9 promoter polymorphisms and risk of primary lung cancer

Caspase-9 (CASP-9) is an initiator CASP in the apoptosome-driven apoptosis pathway and plays an important role in the development and progression of cancer. Polymorphisms in the promoter region of the CASP-9 gene may influence the promoter activity of this gene, thereby modulating susceptibility to lung cancer. To test this hypothesis, we examined the association of four polymorphisms [-1263A>G, -905T>G, -712C>T and -293_-275delCGTGAGGTCAGTGCGGGGA (-293del)] in the CASP-9 promoter with the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population. The CASP-9 genotypes were determined in 432 lung cancer patients and 432 healthy controls that were frequency-matched for age and gender. The -1263 GG genotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk of lung cancer compared with the -1263 AA genotype or combined -1263 AA+AG genotype [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=0.64, 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=0.42-0.98, P=0.04 and adjusted OR=0.67, 95% CI=0.46-0.97, P=0.01, respectively]. For the -712C>T polymorphism, individuals with at least one -712T allele were at a significantly increased risk of lung cancer compared with those harboring the -712 CC genotype (adjusted OR=1.42, 95% CI=1.06-1.89, P=0.02). Consistent with the results of genotype analyses, the -1263G/-712C (G-C) haplotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk of lung cancer [adjusted OR=0.59, 95% CI=0.47-0.75, P and Bonferroni corrected P (Pc)<0.001]. Moreover, the risk of lung cancer decreased in a dose-dependent manner as the number of the G-C haplotypes increased (adjusted OR=0.60, 95% CI=0.45-0.81, P=0.0007 and Pc=0.0014 for the G-C heterozygotes and adjusted OR=0.34, 95% CI=0.17-0.68, P=0.0023 and Pc=0.0046 for the G-C homozygotes; P(trend)<0.001). The promoter assay revealed the G-C haplotype to have a significantly higher promoter activity than the -1263G/-712T and -1263A/-712C haplotypes. These results suggest that CASP-9 promoter polymorphisms affect CASP-9 expression and contribute to genetic susceptibility to lung cancer.     

Genetic variations of interleukin-8, CXCR1 and CXCR2 genes and risk of acute pyelonephritis in children

Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is the most severe form of urinary tract infection, the etiopathogenesis of which is still not well understood. Previous studies demonstrated that chemotaxis of neutrophils into the tissue and across the infected epithelial layer is a key step in rapid bacterial clearance. Variations within genes encoding the major chemokine interleukin-8 and its receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 are therefore attractive candidates for participation in genetic predisposition to APN. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) -251 T/A, +781 C/T, +1633 C/T and +2767 A/T in the IL-8 gene, +2608 G/C in the CXCR1 gene and +1208 C/T in the CXCR2 gene with susceptibility to APN in the Slovak population. PCR-SSP and PCR-RFLP were used to genotype SNPs in 147 children with APN (62 with recurrent and 85 with episodic form) and 215 healthy individuals. Statistical analysis revealed significantly increased frequency of CXCR1 +2608 C allele (P = 0.0238, OR = 2.452, 95% CI = 1.147-5.243) and GC genotype (P = 0.0201, OR = 2.627, 95% CI = 1.188-5.810) and lower frequency of CXCR2 +1208 T allele (P = 0.0408, OR = 0.645, 95% CI = 0.429-0.972) and TT+TC genotypes (P = 0.0497, OR = 0.5273, 95% CI = 0.288-0.964) in patients with recurrent APN compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, the A allele of IL-8 -251 T/A SNP was also significantly overrepresented in patients with recurrent APN when compared with those with only single episode of APN (P = 0.0439, OR = 1.627, 95% CI = 1.019-2.599). Our results indicate that the minor CXCR1 +2608 C allele is associated with significantly increased susceptibility to APN in childhood, while the CXCR2 +1208 T allele confers protection from recurrent APN. Moreover, allele A of the IL-8 -251 T/A may also increase the risk of developing recurrent attacks after the first-time APN.     

Analysis of the SREBF2 gene as a genetic risk factor for vascular dementia.

A case-control study was performed to examine the association between vascular dementia and the polymorphisms of the human gene encoding sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBF2) that regulates cholesterol metabolism. The 16 genetic variants of SREBF2 were identified in 24 Koreans, and 5 out of 16 variants were genotyped in 207 vascular dementia patients and 207 control subjects. Significant association with vascular dementia was shown in 34995G/T with the GT genotype (odds ratio [OR] = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.04-2.37; P < 0.05) and the GG genotype (OR = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.44-0.96; P < 0.05). The CGC, the most common haplotype combined with three SNPs, 24489C/T, 34995G/T, and 68891C/T, was associated with the disease (OR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.53-0.97; P < 0.05), and the individuals with the CGC might be less susceptible to vascular dementia than those carrying any haplotype including at least one minor allele. This study implied that the variants of SREBF2 might be genetic factors involved in the pathogenesis of vascular dementia.     

Analysis of the human folate receptor beta gene for an association with neural tube defects

The folate receptor beta (FRbeta) gene encodes a receptor that binds and transports 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. FRbeta polymorphisms may potentially alter folate delivery and are likely candidates for an association with neural tube defect (NTD) risk. To look for association between FRbeta polymorphisms we studied NTD-affected children and their parents (254 triads) recruited throughout Ireland and a control population of 296 pregnant women who did not give birth to an NTD-affected child. Five potential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were examined. These were located within the coding, intronic and 3(')-untranslated regions of the FRbeta gene. Four of these SNPs were not found to be variable within our Irish cohort. SNP rs651646 (A-->T), located upstream of exon 2 within an intronic region, is polymorphic and is thus a marker for an FRbeta NTD association study. The frequency of the SNP rs651646 "A" allele was not significantly different in cases (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% CI. 0.84-1.36; P=0.60), their mothers (odds ratio [OR] 1.09, 95% CI. 0.86-1.38; P=0.51) or fathers (odds ratio [OR] 1.09, 95% CI. 0.86-1.38; P=0.50) when compared to controls. Comparisons of allele transmission from 255 informative heterozygous parents of NTD cases showed no preferential transmission of either the A or T alleles (A: 50.2%, n=128; T: 49.8%, n=127; P=1.00, McNemar chi(2) 0.0). We also measured allele frequencies in a sample of American-Caucasians and African-Americans. Highly significant allele frequency differences were observed between populations. In conclusion, SNP rs651646 within the FRbeta gene is polymorphic but is not associated with neural tube defects within the Irish population.     

Survey of the two polymorphisms in DAZL, an autosomal candidate for the azoospermic factor, in Japanese infertile men and implications for male infertility

The DAZL (DAZ-like) gene is suggested to be an ancestral gene of the DAZ (deleted in azoospermia) gene on the Y chromosome, which is a strong candidate for the azoospermic factor. Recently, it has been reported that the T54A (Thr54-->Ala) polymorphism in exon 3 of the DAZL gene is associated with spermatogenic failure in the Taiwanese population. In this study, to investigate whether this polymorphism is associated with spermatogenic failure in Japanese males, we analysed genomic DNA derived from 234 patients with azoospermia or oligozoospermia and 131 fertile controls. The T54A polymorphism was completely absent in both the patients and the controls. The T12A (Thr12-->Ala) polymorphism in exon 2 of the DAZL gene was found at a similar frequency in the patients and controls, 15.4% and 13.7%, respectively (P = 0.67). However, the frequency of T12A was higher for the azoospermic (20.5%) than oligozoospermic (9.6%) individuals in infertile men without DAZ deletions, although statistical difference was not so apparent (chi2 test: P = 0.037, OR = 2.413, 95% CI = 1.035-5.629; Yate's chi2 test: P = 0.058, OR = 2.319, 95% CI = 0.973-6.166). Our results show that the T54A polymorphism in DAZL has no major role in Japanese males with azoospermia or oligozoospermia. The distribution of the T54A polymorphism may be restricted to the narrow area including Taiwan.     

A family-based study of Indian subjects from Kolkata reveals allelic association of the serotonin transporter intron-2 (STin2) polymorphism and attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) polymorphisms are variously implicated in mediating susceptibility to attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a highly heritable and heterogeneous disorder with onset in childhood. Since there has been no survey in this regard from India, a sample of 56 ADHD cases and 174 healthy individuals from Kolkata were genotyped for the SLC6A4 promoter (5-HTTLPR) and intron-2 (STin2) polymorphisms. We report that the observed distribution of allele frequencies is consonant with that expected as per Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium proportions. Pair-wise combination of alleles comprising the 5-HTTLPR and STin2 polymorphic systems exhibit significant (chi(2) = 14.74, df = 1; P = 0.0001) linkage disequilibrium of low magnitude (D' = 0.269). The estimates of haplotype-based haplotype relative risk (HHRR) (chi(2) = 4.92, P = 0.027; RR = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.01-2.13) and transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) statistics (chi(2) = 7.00, P = 0.008; OR = 3.00; 95% CI = 1.53-5.90) using a family-based study design, indicate significant preferential transmission of the STin2.12 (A12) allele to ADHD cases. Maternal inheritance of the A12 allele is significant in terms of the HHRR (chi(2) = 6.53, P = 0.011; RR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.08-3.72) and TDT (chi(2) = 8.07, P = 0.005; OR = 6.50; 95% CI = 1.76-23.98) suggesting a novel role for epigenetic mechanisms in the etiology of ADHD. Similar analyses yielded no evidence of association between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and ADHD. Studies including additional polymorphic markers, ADHD subjects and other ethnic groups are warranted to further substantiate the present findings.     

IkappaBalpha promoter polymorphisms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

To investigate the role of inhibitor of kappaBalpha promoter polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 140 patients with RA and 115 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The IkappaBalpha promoter polymorphisms were determined using the polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphisms method. In comparison with IkappaBalpha-826 C/C, the genotype frequency of IkappaBalpha-826 C/T was significantly higher in the patients with RA than that of the controls (P = 0.009, OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.2-3.4). The allele frequency of IkappaBalpha-826 T was also significantly increased in patients with RA when compared with that of the controls (P = 0.027, OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1-2.4). In comparison with IkappaBalpha-550 A/A, the genotype frequency of IkappaBalpha-550 A/T was significantly decreased in patients with RA when compared with that of the controls (P = 0.02, OR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.06-0.8). The allele frequency of IkappaBalpha-550 A was significantly increased in patients with RA (P = 0.007, OR = 5.1, 95% = 1.4-18.2). This study also revealed that the IkappaBalpha-826 T -550 A -519 C haplotype was significantly increased in patients with RA in comparison to that of controls (P = 0.01, OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1-2.8). The IkappaBalpha-826 T and -550 A alleles are associated with susceptibility to RA. Moreover, the IkappaBalpha-826 T -550 A -519 C haplotype is associated with susceptibility to RA in Taiwan.     

Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia in children over ten consecutive years: analysis of clinical characteristics, risk factors of multi-drug resistance and clinical outcomes

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical profiles, antibiotic susceptibility, risk factors of multi-drug resistance (MDR) and outcomes of P. aeruginosa bacteremia in children by retrospective methods at a tertiary teaching children's hospital in Seoul, Korea during 2000-2009. A total of 62 episodes were evaluated and 59 patients (95.2%) had underlying diseases. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that an intensive care unit (ICU) stay within the previous one month was the only independent risk factor for MDR P. aeruginosa bacteremia (odds ratio [OR], 6.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-35.8, P = 0.023). The overall fatality rate associated with P. aeruginosa bacteremia was 14.5% (9 of 62). The fatality rate in patients with MDR P. aeruginosa was 57.1%, compared with 9.1% in non-MDR patients (OR 13.3; 95% CI 2.3-77.2, P = 0.006). However, the presence of respiratory difficulty was the only independent risk factor for overall fatality associated with P. aeruginosa bacteremia according to multivariate analysis (OR 51.0; 95% CI 7.0-369.0, P < 0.001). A previous ICU stay and presentation with respiratory difficulty were associated with acquisition of MDR P. aeruginosa and a higher fatality rate, respectively. Future efforts should focus on the prevention and treatment of P. aeruginosa bacteremia in high-risk children.     

IL-1 alpha (-889) promoter polymorphism is a risk factor for osteomyelitis

As osteomyelitis (OM) induces the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines and IL-1 mediates bone resorption by osteoclasts we determined if there is an association between certain common polymorphisms of the genes encoding proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1 alpha and beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha) and OM in adults. The IL-1 alpha (-889) TT genotype was significantly more frequent among 52 OM patients than in 109 healthy controls (13/52, [25.0%] vs. 9/109, [8.3%], P = 0.0081, chi(2) = 7.01, OR = 3.7, 95% CI, 1.35-10.34). Patients who were homozygous for the T allele were younger than the rest of the OM patients (mean age 35.7 +/- 11.5 vs. 58.1 +/- 18.6 years, P = 0.001). IL-1 beta TT (+3953) polymorphism was also more frequent in OM patients (P = 0.014, chi(2) = 5.12, OR = 5.1, 95% CI, 1.21-52.14), but IL-1 beta is in linkage disequilibrium with the IL-1 alpha *T (P < 0.001). Route of infection, chronicity of the infection, type of microorganism isolated, and frequency of relapses were similar in patients with and without the IL-1 alpha TT genotype. There were no associations between OM and polymorphisms of other cytokines genes. IL-1 alpha serum levels were significantly increased in all the OM patients independently of their IL-1 genotype compared to the controls (P = 0.021). Although IL-1 alpha serum levels were not significantly higher in patients with the IL-1 alpha (-889) polymorphism, this does not exclude a difference in production of IL-1 alpha by osteoclasts or other inflammatory cells at the site of infection.     

中国汉族和维吾尔族MRC1基因多态性与肺结核病的相关性

目的 探讨中国汉族和维吾尔族人群MRC1基因多态性与肺结核病易感性的联系. 方法 应用PCR和DNA测序技术,对中国汉族454例和维吾尔族595例人群的MRC1基因的第7号外显子6个SNPs(G1186A、G1195A、T1212C、C1221G、C1303T和C1323T)基因型及基因频率分布进行检测,并进行连锁不平衡分析. 结果 中国汉族人群中G1186A位点等位基因G型分布频率在肺结核病组和正常健康组之间存在显著差异(P =0.037;OR =0.76;95％ CI:0.58～0.98);AG基因型在两组之间存在显著性差异(P ＜0.01;OR=0.57;95％ CI:0.37 ～0.87).在年龄和性别校正后,G1186A位点在显性(P＜0.01;OR=0.59;95％ CI:0.40～0.87)、超显性(P =0.045;OR =0.69;95％ CI:0.47～0.99)和加性模式(P =0.041;OR=0.76;95％ CI:0.59 ～0.99)时,与肺结核病存在显著相关性.在维吾尔族人群中G1186A位点的等位基因G的分布频率在两组之间的分布具有显著性差异(P =0.031;OR=1.29;95％CI:1.02 ～ 1.62);基因型分析发现AA基因型在两组之间也存在显著性差异(P=0.033;OR=1.64;95％ CI:1.04～2.60);在年龄和性别校正后,G1186A位点在加性模式下与肺结核病存在相关性(P=0.033;OR=1.28;95％ CI:1.02～1.61).连锁不平衡分析发现,构建的单体型GGTCCT(P=0.032;OR =0.75;95％ CI:0.57 ～0.97)和GGTCCC(P=0.044;OR=0.57;95％ CI:0.33 ～0.99)与肺结核病存在显著的相关性. 结论 MRC1基因G1186A位点与中国人群肺结核病相关.     

载脂蛋白A5基因-1131T〉C多态性与冠心病易感性的关联研究

目的探讨载脂蛋白A5(apoA5)-1131T>C单核苷酸多态性与冠心病(CAD)发病风险之间的关系.方法经冠状动脉造影确诊的江苏地区冠心病患者235例,同一地区正常对照262名,采用PCR-RFLP分析对 apoA5基因的-1131T>C多态进行检测,比较不同基因型与个体血脂水平和冠心病患病风险的关系.结果 -1131T>C单核苷酸多态位点等位基因T、C频率在CAD组和正常对照组中分别为59.57%、40.43%和65.65%、34.35%.CAD组中C等位基因的频率高于对照组(P<0.05).与-1131TT基因型者比较,CC基因型者的冠心病患病风险显著增加(OR＝1.872,95%CI＝1.039-3.376,P=0.037),用Logistic回归模型对个体的年龄、性别、体重指数和抽烟、高血压等因素后,其患病风险仍明显增加(OR＝2.285, 95%CI＝1.222-4.274).对照组中不同基因型个体血浆甘油三酯水平差异有统计学意义(P=0.007),携带C等位基因的个体TG水平显著高于TT基因型个体.结论 apoA5基因-1131T>C多态性C等位基因是中国人群中冠心病发病的危险因素之一,且与血浆TG水平的变化密切相关.     

Association and interaction of the TNF-alpha gene with other pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes and HLA genes in patients with type 1 diabetes from North India

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a multifactorial autoimmune disorder where major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes and the insulin-linked polymorphic region have been shown to play major roles. We report here an integrated effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha with other cytokine genes. The TNF-alpha-308 GA and AA (high secretor) polymorphisms were significantly increased in the patients with T1D (n = 235) [P < 7 x 10(-6), odds ratio (OR) = 3.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.8-5.3] compared with the controls (n= 128). The variants of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) (A(+874)T), interleukin (IL)-6 (G(-174)C), IL-10 (A(-1082)G, T(-819)C, C(-592)A) and transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1 (T(cdn10)C, G(cdn25)C) did not show a significant difference between patients and controls. However, simultaneous presence of TNF-alpha-308 GA+AA along with both high and low secretor genotypes of IFN-gamma (P < 0.003) was significantly increased in patients. Simultaneous presence of TNF-alpha-308 GA + AA along with high secretor genotypes of IL-6 (P < 0.0001, OR = 2.61, 95% CI = 1.5-4.56), IL-10 (P < 0.0001, OR = 4.26, 95% CI = 1.9-10.1) and TGF-beta1 (P < 0.00004, OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.6-4.86) was also significantly increased in patients with T1D. Low secretor genotype of TNF-alpha-308 GG along with low secretor genotypes of IFN-gamma (P < 0.001, OR = 0.465, 95% CI = 0.28-0.77), high secretor genotypes of IL-6 (P < 0.000004, OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.227-0.621) and TGF-beta1 (P < 0.000006, OR = 0.336, 95% CI = 0.198-0.568) was protective. The TNF-alpha-308 G allele was in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*0801-DRB1*0301 haplotype, while TNF-alpha-308 A allele was in LD with the HLA-B*5001-DRB1*0301 and B*5801-DRB1*0301 haplotypes, suggesting that the effect of TNF-alpha -308 A allele is not because of its being in LD with any HLA alleles, but because of its functional role and its integrated effect with other cytokines.     

Association of interleukin-10 promoter polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus

Several lines of evidence suggest interleukin-10 gene (IL-10) is a candidate gene in susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We investigated the association of IL-10 promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (-3575T/A, -2849G/A, -2763C/A, -1082A/G, -819T/C and -592A/C) and microsatellites (IL10.R, IL10.G) with SLE in 554 Hong Kong Chinese patients and 708 ethnically matched controls. Six haplotypes (hts) were identified from the SNPs. The genotype distribution of the ht1 (T-C-A-T-A), which is associated with low IL-10 production, was different in patients and controls (P=0.009). The homozygous genotype of non-ht1 was significantly increased in patients (P=0.009, odds ratio (OR)=1.80, 95% CI: 1.15-2.82). The frequency of IL10.G4 of IL10.G was also significantly increased in patients (P=0.017, OR=2.53, 95% CI: 1.18-5.40). We found that the homozygous non-ht1 combined with short allele (CA repeat number < or =21) of IL10.G has a dose-dependent effect on SLE susceptibility: non-ht1/non-ht1 with homozygous short allele showed a higher OR (OR=4.11, 95% CI: 1.27-13.2, P=0.018) of association with SLE than the genotype of non-ht1/non-ht1 with heterozygous short/long allele (OR=2.98, 95% CI: 1.26-7.07, P=0.013) and homozygous long allele (OR=1.05, 95% CI: 0.62-1.78, P=0.848). The frequency of non-ht1 was significantly increased in patients with serositis (P<0.0001, OR=2.42, 95% CI: 1.55-3.80). In conclusion, the high expression promoter genotype is associated with SLE in Chinese.     

Human MHC region harbors both susceptibility and protective haplotypes for coronary artery disease

Aiming to study the role of human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region on coronary artery disease (CAD), we enrolled two separate patient materials and controls. First, heart transplantation recipients (n = 276) were divided into three subgroups according to the severity of atherosclerosis. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A-B-DR haplotype and gene frequencies were compared between groups. Second, patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (n = 100) and healthy controls (n = 74) were assessed by nine genetic MHC markers (HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-DRB1, LTA+253(a/g), LTA+496(C/T), LTA+633(c/g), LTA+724(C/A), C4A and C4B), and the frequencies were compared. In the heart transplantation recipients, HLA-DR1 was strongly associated with CAD [severe vs no evidence, odds ratio (OR) 2.37; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33-4.25; P = 0.003]. Similarly, in the patients with ACS, HLA-DRB1*01 was associated with CAD (patients vs controls, OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.25-4.44; P = 0.007). HLA-DRB1*01 was associated with low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (OR 5.32; 95% CI 1.64-17.26; P = 0.005) and smoking habit (OR 3.13; 95% CI 1.09-9.03; P = 0.035) as risk factors. The strongest protective gene was HLA-B*07 alone (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.24-0.88; P = 0.02) or together with the haplotype LTA+253a-LTA+633g-C4A3-C4B1 (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.22-0.57; P = 0.00001). In conclusion, human MHC region harbors genes that protect from and predispose to CAD.     

Interleukin 12B gene polymorphism and apparent resistance to hepatitis C virus infection

Cellular immunity with interferon gamma production could have a role in protection from hepatitis C virus (HCV). Interleukin (IL)-12 is a key cytokine in promoting such anti-viral T helper 1 (Th1) responses. We hypothesized that a genetic background able to promote cellular responses may be associated with apparent protection from infection and have investigated the distribution of the functional 1188A/C polymorphism of IL-12B in HCV exposed but uninfected cases. The frequency of the high IL-12-producing C allele was determined by restriction enzyme genotyping in 76 exposed-uninfected individuals and 105 healthy controls. Overall, the C allele was found in 27.6% of exposed-uninfected cases compared with 16.7% of healthy controls [chi(2) = 6.3, P = 0.02, odds ratio (OR) = 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-3.2]. CC genotype was found in 10.5% of exposed-uninfected cases compared with 0.9% controls (chi(2) = 9.3, P = 0.01, OR = 12, 95% CI = 1.5-100). Individuals at high risk of HCV infection yet who remain uninfected may be resistant in some way to infection. In our cohort of exposed-uninfected cases a genetic background of enhanced IL-12 production was associated with apparent resistance to HCV infection. This lends support to a central role for cellular immune responses in protecting from infection.     

Proximal interleukin-10 gene polymorphisms in Italian patients with systemic sclerosis

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) can favour the development of fibrosis by promoting a relative shift towards T helper 2 responses. Three single base pair substitutions in the 5' flanking region of the IL-10 gene (G/A -1082, C/T -819 and C/A -592) influence the amount of IL-10 secreted in cell cultures: the GCC haplotype is associated with an increased production, while the ACC and the ATA haplotypes are associated with intermediate and decreased production. Accordingly, three phenotypes have been individuated: high producers (GCC+/GCC+), medium producers (GCC+/GCC-) and low producers (GCC-/GCC-). We hypothesised that IL-10 haplotypes and genotypes are differently expressed in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with the limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) subset or the diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) subset. One hundred and sixty-one unrelated Italian patients with SSc and 94 controls have been included. Their DNA was extracted and stored before being analysed by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers. The GCC haplotype is overrepresented in patients with SSc; subjects with dcSSc were the primary contributors to these results (dcSSc: 52.2% vs controls: 37.2%; chi2= 8.519, 2 d.f., corrected P= 0.04). In Scl70-positive patients, the GCC haplotype increased the likelihood of presenting the dcSSc subset [chi2= 12.56, P < 0.0005; odds ratio (OR) = 3.89, 95% confidence interval (CI(95)) = 1.69-9.08]; these results were confirmed at the phenotypic level (chi2= 11.67, 2 d.f., P= 0.003). In Scl70-positive patients, the high-producing phenotype was associated with poor survival, independently from disease subset and gender (hazard ratio = 9.9, CI(95)= 1.6-61.27, P < 0.05). The IL-10 haplotype and genotype associated with high IL-10 production may alter the susceptibility to SSc and/or its expression, increasing the prognostic value of other well-known markers of disease severity.