Association of the HLA-G gene polymorphism with multiple sclerosis in a Polish population

In this study, three polymorphic sites in the HLA-G gene: −725C>G>T, −716T>G and 14bp_indel were genotyped. Significant differences were found between patients and controls in the alleles and genotypes for −725C>G>T and in three-point haplotypes. We observed also a significant difference in the age of disease onset between patients positive and negative for 14bp_ins. The results suggest that single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter of the HLA-G gene (mainly −725C>G>T), and 14bp_indel, or some genetic marker in tight linkage disequilibrium with them are associated with multiple sclerosis.     

Association of the interleukin (IL)-16 gene polymorphisms with Graves' disease

Interleukin (IL)-16 was one of the cytokines with the function of T helper cell recruitment, whose expression in the thyrocyte and orbital fibroblast of Graves' disease (GD) patients was increased. Recently association of IL-16 gene polymorphisms with autoimmune diseases had been reported. However, there was little known about the impact of IL-16 gene polymorphisms on GD. In this study, we performed a case-control association study of three tagSNPs (rs4778889–rs1131445–rs4778641) within the IL-16 gene on 258 patients with GD and 208 healthy subjects in the Chinese population. Our data showed that common IL-16 variants were associated with GD (P = 0.013–0.0186) and Graves' disease associated ophthalmopathy (GO) (P = 0.0033–0.041). A novel protective haplotype containing the three tagSNPs (C–T–C) was observed in association with GO (P = 0.013). In conclusion, IL-16 gene was significantly associated with susceptibility to Graves' disease and Graves' disease associated ophthalmopathy in the Chinese population.     

Prevalence of the -295 T-to-C promoter polymorphism of the interleukin (IL)-16 gene in periodontitis

Interleukin (IL)-16 is involved in the regulation of the expression of several proinflammatory cytokines, i.e. tumour necrosis factor (TNF)alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of the -295 promoter polymorphism of the interleukin (IL)-16 gene in periodontal disease. A total of 123 patients with periodontal disease and 122 healthy controls were genotyped for the -295 IL-16 promoter polymorphism. Genotyping has been performed by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes as well of haplotypes within both study groups were compared using the Pearson chi(2) test at a level of significance of 5% (P < 0.05). The distribution of genotypes for the -295 IL-16 gene polymorphism showed no significant difference between periodontitis patients and healthy control subjects (P = 0.886). Also stratification analysis according to the disease severity revealed no significant difference regarding the genotype distribution among both study groups. Herein the IL-16 -295 gene polymorphism was not associated with chronic periodontitis.     

P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in patients with multiple sclerosis

P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) is an important adhesion molecule involved in lymphocyte recruitment into the brain, which represents a crucial step in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Three hundred twenty-one MS patients and 342 controls were genotyped for the presence of a polymorphism in the PSGL-1 gene, consisting of a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) originating three possible alleles: A, B and C, in order to test whether they influence the susceptibility and the course of the disease. No significant differences among allelic frequencies of A, B and C alleles in MS as compared with controls were observed. Stratifying patients according to the course of the disease, a significantly increased frequency of the shortest C allele in PP-MS was found (7.1%), either in comparison with controls (P=0.011) or with all other MS patients, who had acute inflammatory attacks at onset and an initial RR form (P=0.036). Besides, none of SP-MS patients was a carrier of the C allele and B carriers converted later from RR to SP course as compared with A/A subjects (after 15.8 rather than 8.8 years, P=0.01). In conclusion, the C allele of the VNTR polymorphism in PSGL-1 is likely to be associated with PP-MS. As this allele has been demonstrated to have a very low efficiency in mediating lymphocyte binding to brain endothelium during attacks, its high frequency in PP-MS could be related to the absence of exacerbations in such patients.     

Development of detection methods for ruminant interleukin (IL)-4

Recombinant bovine IL-4 (rbo IL-4) was transiently expressed in COS-7 cells. Mice were immunised with a plasmid encoding rbo IL-4 and boosted with rbo IL-4. A number of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were generated that reacted with rbo IL-4 in an ELISA and these cloned hybridomas were termed CC311, CC312, CC313 and CC314. A pair of mAb (CC313 and CC314) was identified that together could be used to detect both recombinant and native bovine IL-4 by ELISA and a luminometric detection method was applied to the ELISA. Using this method native bovine IL-4 was detected in supernatants of PBMC stimulated with mitogens. In addition, high level secretion of IL-4 by Fasciola hepatica specific Th2 clones, but not by a Babesia bovis specific Th1 clone, was confirmed. The ELISA was also able to detect recombinant ovine IL-4. The pair of mAb used for ELISA could also be used for the detection of IL-4 spot forming cells by ELISPOT. In addition intracytoplasmic expression of IL-4 could be detected. The ability to detect ruminant IL-4 by three methods: ELISA, ELISPOT and by flow cytometric analysis of intracytoplasmic expression will permit studies of the role of this important cytokine in the immunology and pathogenesis of animal diseases.     

Association between interleukin 1 receptor antagonist gene 86-bp VNTR polymorphism and sepsis: A meta-analysis

ObjectiveMany studies have focused on the relationship between interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) gene 86-bp VNTR polymorphism and sepsis, but the results remain inconsistent. Thus, a meta-analysis was carried out to derive a more precise estimation of the association between IL1RN 86-bp VNTR polymorphism and risk of sepsis and sepsis-related mortality.MethodsRelevant publications were searched in several widely used databases and six eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the strength of the association between IL1RN 86-bp VNTR polymorphism and risk of sepsis and sepsis-related mortality.ResultsSignificant associations between IL1RN 86-bp VNTR polymorphism and sepsis risk were observed in both overall meta-analysis for L2 versus 22 (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.59–0.94) and severe sepsis subgroup for LL + L2 versus 22 (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.47–0.93). L stands for long alleles containing three to six repeats; 2 stands for short allele containing two repeats. However, no significant sepsis mortality variation was detected for all genetic models.ConclusionsAccording to the results of our meta-analysis, the IL1RN 86-bp VNTR polymorphism probably associates with sepsis risk but not with sepsis-related mortality.     

Sex specifically associated promoter polymorphism in multiple sclerosis affects interleukin 4 expression levels

The interleukin 4 promoter polymorphism -589 C/T (rs2243250) was genotyped in 869 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 595 healthy blood donors. Sex-specific MS association was evident whereas two flanking polymorphisms showed insignificant P values. In dual luciferase assays of cultured Jurkat cells the cloned promoter comprising the -589 T allele leads to higher expression as compared to the respective construct with the C allele. Together these findings may be discussed functionally as contributing to the genetic predisposition and to the pathogenesis in MS.     

Association of IL1RN VNTR polymorphism with chikungunya infection: A study from Western India

Chikungunya, caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) mostly presents as acute and chronic articular inflammatory manifestations. Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN) is a potent endogenous competitive inhibitor of IL-1α and 1β and has an anti-inflammatory role. The present study evaluated the possible association of IL1RN variable number tandem-repeat (VNTR) alleles and genotypes, and CHIKV stimulated IL-1RN cytokine production with resistance and/or susceptibility to chikungunya infection and disease state in 224 patients with chikungunya (61 patients with acute chikungunya and 163 patients with chronic chikungunya) and 355 healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction, CHIKV stimulated cytokine assay and luminex platform were used for assessing polymorphism and protein levels respectively. The study revealed a significant association of IL1RN*1/*1 genotype under recessive genetic model with the risk of developing chikungunya infection. Our findings also indicated that IL1RN *2 allele under dominant mode was associated with protection to chronic chikungunya. The results also revealed a higher production of IL-1 RN protein in patients with chronic chikungunya. To conclude, the results suggest the association of ILRN VNTR polymorphism and IL-RN protein levels with chronic chikungunya.     

Association of CTLA-4 gene promoter polymorphisms with systemic sclerosis in Iranian population

In a recent study, we were unable to show any association between CTLA-4 exon-1 polymorphism and systemic sclerosis (SSc) in Iranian population. In order to further explore the role of this immune inhibitory gene in SSc development, in the present study, the polymorphisms in the CTLA-4 promoter region (-1,722 T/C, -1,661 A/G and -318 C/T) were investigated in 83 SSc patients and 166 healthy controls. All genotypes and allele frequencies in patients were significantly different from the control group (P=0.022 for -1,722 T/C, P=0.03 for -1,661 A/G and P=0.014 for -318 C/T genotypes). The -1,722C, -1,661G and -318T alleles contributed to SSc with P=0.012, odds ratio (OR) 2.16, P=0.031, OR 1.82 and P=0.023, OR 2.45, respectively. A significant difference was observed in the frequency homozygous 'genotype combination' -1,722TT/-1,661AA/-318CC of these three polymorphisms (P(c)=0.003). The frequency of this genotype combination was significantly higher in the control group than in patients. Results of this investigation indicate that -1,722C, -1,661G and -318T alleles of CTLA-4 gene promoter appear to be associated with SSc, and individuals carrying these alleles may be more susceptible to this disease.     

Human dopamine transporter gene polymorphism (VNTR) and alcoholism

The dopamine transporter (DAT1) is responsible for taking released dopamine back up into presynaptic terminals and terminating dopaminergic activity. It has been shown that cocaine binds to the dopamine transporter and blocks dopamine reuptake in a fashion that correlates with cocaine reward and reinforcement. To determine the role of this gene in the development of alcoholism, we have used two approaches, relative risk and haplotype relative risk. The relative risk approach involved 162 alcoholic probands who were categorized into type I and type II, and 89 unrelated normal controls. In the haplotype relative risk approach, 29 trios (father, mother, and proband) were genotyped with dopamine transporter gene polymorphism. Comparison of allele frequencies between total alcoholics, subtypes of alcoholics, and normal controls were negative. The results of haplotype relative risk, differences between alleles transmitted and nontransmitted, were also negative. However, both approaches produced similar results. Therefore, we concluded that the VNTR polymorphism in DAT1 gene is not associated with alcoholism susceptibility genes in our samples. Am. J. Med. Genet. 74:480–482, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Variation in SNPs of the IL7Ra gene is associated with multiple sclerosis in the Iranian population

Interleukin-7 receptor-alpha gene (IL7Ra) is a member of the type I cytokine receptor family located on 5p13 human chromosome. Some evidence associates multiple sclerosis and single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter and exonic region of IL7Ra gene. In an attempt to clarify this association, the frequency of 3 SNPs located in the promoter and 1 SNP located in the 6th exon of IL7Ra gene were analyzed in a population of 100 Iranian MS patients as well as 100 controls. Restriction enzyme digestion and a designed mismatch PCR-RFLP strategy were used for the SNP genotyping of our study groups. Considering allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies, no significant association was observed between MS and IL7Ra polymorphisms. Meanwhile, a significant difference was detected between control and primary progressive MS patients considering promoter SNPrs11567685 marker frequency. Also, a significant difference was detected considering exonic SNPrs6897932 for secondary progressive MS patients. Our analysis indicates that GCAC and GTAT haplotypes are less common in SP and PP MS groups, respectively. These differences support the concept that clinical phenotypes may have different etiologies and, therefore, require different therapy strategies.     

No evidence of IL21 association with multiple sclerosis in a Swedish population

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, with a second autoimmune disease after lymphocyte depletion, had elevated serum IL-21 before and after treatment which correlated to IL21 genotypes. In addition, the IL21 gene has been associated to several other autoimmune diseases. However, in a Spanish population there was no association to MS. Here, in a Swedish cohort (2090 MS cases and 1732 controls) 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tagging IL21 were not associated to disease. There was no interaction with risk alleles of IL21R and HLA-DRB1*15. Lack of genetic association was confirmed in a meta-analysis with pooled data from the present study and the Spanish study. In conclusion, IL21 has not been shown to be a major risk gene for MS.     

Association of diffuse panbronchiolitis with microsatellite polymorphism of the human interleukin 8 (IL-8) gene

Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a distinctive chronic inflammatory lung disease predominantly found in Asian populations. Although its etiology is unknown, DPB is considered to be a multifactorial disease of whose susceptibility is determined by genetic predisposition unique to Asians. We and others have previously reported that the B^*5401 allele of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B gene or a closely linked gene in the HLA region on 6p21.3 is one of the major genetic factors in susceptibility to this disease . However, the association with B^*5401 is not absolute and the contribution of other genetic or environmental factors should also be considered. Here, four candidate genes that are postulated to play a role in the pathophysiology of DPB, namely, RON-kinase, CYP3A4, motilin, and interleukin (IL)-8, were chosen, and association studies between microsatellite markers at these loci and DPB were conducted. We demonstrated the presence of a specific allele at the IL-8 locus was associated with the disease (c2 = 9.13; P = 0.0025; corrected P [Pc] < 0.05). Although further studies are needed to examine whether neutrophil accumulation in the airways of patients with DPB is controlled by a possible genetic variation of IL-8 or other chemokine genes located in the region 4q12-q13, our data suggest that genes other than those of the HLA system may also contribute to a genetic predisposition to DPB. Received: October 27, 1998 / Accepted: January 5, 1999     

网状内皮素4受体基因多态性与中国汉族精神分裂症关联分析

目的:分析网状内皮素4受体(RTN4R)基因上的5个单核苷酸多态性(SNP)与中国汉族精神分裂症关联,探讨RTN4R基因单核苷酸多态性与精神分裂症易感性的关系。方法:收集符合美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第4版(DSM-Ⅳ)诊断的528名偏执型精神分裂症患者,在同一地域招募健康体检者528名作为对照,并采用阳性与阴性症状量表(PANSS)评估234例首次发病患者的临床症状,采用基因分型芯片对RTN4R基因上的5个功能单核苷酸多态性位点进行基因分型,分析多态性与疾病的关联性,以及PANSS因子分与RTN4R多态性的关联。结果:成功检测5个单核苷酸多态性位点的基因型,关联分析显示这些位点基因型和等位基因频率分布病例和对照之间差异无统计学意义。与携带rs696880位点GG基因型患者相比,携带AA基因型患者PANSS阳性分[(23.5±5.6)vs.(25.1±7.6),P0.05]、一般精神病理症状分[(42.6±9.9)vs.(46.0±13.4),P0.05]均较低,携带AA基因型患者发病年龄晚于携带GG型患者[(24.9±8.1)岁vs.(22.2±6.2)岁,P0.05]。结论:在中国汉族人群中,RTN4R基因多态性与精神分裂症可能不存在关联,但可能影响疾病表现。     

Association analysis between the human interleukin 1beta (-511) gene polymorphism and susceptibility to febrile convulsions

This study was designed to examine whether anxious personality, i.e. trait anxiety, influences the autonomic nervous functions in humans without manipulation of experimental stressors. The degrees of state and trait anxiety, blood pressure, heart rate, pupillary light reflex (PLR), and body temperature were measured at the same hour on four different days in 14 healthy college students. A multiple regression analysis showed that trait anxiety predominantly influenced state anxiety and the PLR parameters. A single regression analysis showed that trait anxiety positively correlated to the initial pupillary diameter and the constricted diameter of PLR and negatively to the amplitude of PLR. It was concluded that trait anxiety predicts state anxiety and a smaller amplitude of PLR in humans at rest.     

Regulatory effect of recombinant interleukin (IL)3 and IL4 on cytokine gene expression of bone marrow and peripheral blood mononuclear cells

This study shows that both recombinant human interleukin (rhIL)3 and rhIL4 induced proliferation in bone marrow (BM) cells of myelogenous leukemia patients in a manner similar to that reported using normal BM cells. However, we additionally found that these cytokines also influenced expression of other cytokines. Namely, using a reproducible dot blot hybridization technique we observed on the one hand that BM cells were capable of constitutively expressing low levels of cytokine mRNA coding for IL3, IL4, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte (G)-CSF and IL 1 beta, and on the other hand that in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells rhIL4 inhibited mRNA expression coding for GM-CSF, G-CSF, IL3 and IL 1 beta, while IL4 mRNA and 28S rRNA was not affected. In contrast, rhIL3 marginally enhanced mRNA coding for IL3, GM-CSF, G-CSF and IL 1 beta and counteracted the inhibitory effect of IL4. In long-term cultures rhIL3 and rhIL4 had no significant effect on spontaneous cytokine gene expression of myelogenous leukemia-derived peripheral blood or BM cells, but made these cells more sensitive for subsequent stimulation with different polyclonal stimuli. Thus, IL3 and IL4 already modulate cytokine gene expression during the initiation of cell culture and differentiate BM cells into populations of cells which are capable of responding with an enhanced cytokine gene expression after polyclonal stimulation.     

白介素-32 基因多态性及血清水平与多发性硬化遗传易感性的关联性

目的:探讨IL-32 基因rs28372698A/ T、rs12934561C/ T 及rs11861531C/ T 三个位点的多态性与多发性硬化(MS)的遗传易感的关系,为MS 高危人群的确立提供理论依据。方法:入选580 例MS 患者和650 例健康对照,应用单碱基延伸法和DNA 测序对IL-32 基因位点进行基因分型,同时,采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测两组IL-32 的血清浓度。结果:IL-32 基因rs28372698A/ T 位点的基因型频率和对照组比较存在显著差异(P =0.007),其等位基因频率在两组间的分布频率存在统计差异(P =0.033)。rs12934561C/ T 与rs11861531C/ T 的各基因型及等位基因频率在两组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。T-T-T单倍型在HCC 中的分布频率显著高于对照组(P = 0.012),T-T-T 单倍型与MS 的发病风险密切相关(OR = 1.968,95% CI:1.352-2.574)。MS 患者组的血清IL-32 水平明显高于对照组[(399.08±156.85)pg/ ml vs(239.99±88.35)pg/ ml,P =0.001]。AT 和TT 基因型的MS 患者IL-32 血清水平明显高于AA 基因型MS 患者[(465.53 ±172.40) pg/ mL vs (295.86 ±103.96)pg/ ml,P<0.01;(491.15±133.65)pg/ ml vs (295.86±103.96)pg/ ml,P<0.01]。结论:本研究首次报道了IL-32 基因rs28372698 位点多态性与MS 的关系,且IL-32 的基因多态性在MS 患者中对IL-32 的血清水平有影响。我们的研究为MS 遗传和个体化的诊疗提供了新的参考依据。