Association Study of Matrix Metalloproteinases Gene Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Meta-Analysis

Objective: Association of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) gene polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis is controversial. We conduct a meta-analysis to clarify this dispute.

Methods: We systematically searched the electronic PUBMED, EMBASE and CNKI databases for research articles about MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9) gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) up to January 2015. According to the heterogeneity, fixed-effects or random-effects models were used to calculate crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results: A total of 11 articles involving 2143 cases and 2049 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, no significant associations were observed between MMP-1-1607 1G/2G polymorphism and RA. Stratification by ethnicity, no significant associations were observed in Caucasian populations. Similarly, no significant associations were observed between MMP-3-1171 5A/6A, MMP-9-1562 C/T polymorphisms and RA in overall and Caucasian populations, respectively. However, a weak association was found between MMP-2-1306 C/T polymorphism and RA (C vs. T, OR?=?0.813, 95%CI?=?0.694–0.953, p?=?0.010) in overall populations.

Conclusions: The present meta-analysis suggests that MMP-1-1607 1G/2G, MMP-3-1171 5A/6A, MMP-9-1562 C/T polymorphisms are not associated with the susceptibility of RA, but MMP-2 -1306 C/T is weakly associated with susceptibility to RA. Further studies with more sample size are needed for definitive conclusions.     

Identification of key genes and pathways in discoid lupus skin via bioinformatics analysis

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common skin manifestation of lupus; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying DLE remain unknown. Therefore, we aimed to identify key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in discoid lupus skin and investigate their potential pathways.To identify candidate genes involved in the occurrence and development of the disease, we downloaded the microarray datasets {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE52471","term_id":"52471"}}GSE52471 and {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE72535","term_id":"72535"}}GSE72535 from the Gene Expression Database (GEO). DEGs between discoid lupus skin and normal controls were selected using the GEO2R tool and Venn diagram software (http://bioinformatics.psb.ugent.be/webtools/Venn/). The Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID), Enrichr, and Cytoscape ClueGo were used to analyze the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome pathways and gene ontology. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of these DEGs were further assessed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval Interacting Genes version 10.0.Seventy three DEGs were co-expressed in both datasets. DEGs were predominantly upregulated in receptor signaling pathways of the immune response. In the PPI network, 69 upregulated genes were selected. Furthermore, 4 genes (CXCL10, ISG15, IFIH1, and IRF7) were found to be significantly upregulated in the RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway, from analysis of Enrichr and Cytoscape ClueGo.The results of this study may provide new insights into the potential molecular mechanisms of DLE. However, further experimentation is required to confirm these findings.     

珠海地区NRXN1和NLGN1基因多态性与儿童孤独症的关联性研究

目的 探索珠海地区NRXN1和NLGN1基因多态性与儿童孤独症易感性的关系,为孤独症的防治提供科学依据。方法 采用病例对照的研究方法,选取2011－2016年就诊于珠海市妇幼保健院的123例珠海地区的孤独症患儿和506例健康对照。采用口腔拭子采集口腔上皮细胞以提取DNA,采用Sequenom Mass Array platform分型技术对NRXN1基因上的rs1045881和rs11885824以及NLGN1上的rs9855544进行基因分型。结果 NRXN1基因上的rs1045881和rs11885824以及NLGN1上的rs9855544位点基因型分布在孤独症组和健康对照组比较,差异无统计学意义;但NLGN1基因上的rs9855544与NRXN1基因上的rs11885824存在基因与基因间的交互作用(预测准确率为0.480,交叉验证一致性为10/10,P=0.040)。结论 NRXN1基因上的rs1045881和rs11885824以及NLGN1上的rs9855544位点基因多态性可能与孤独症易感性没有关联,但NLGN1基因上的rs9855544与NRXN1基因上的rs11885824之间的交互作用可能是孤独症易感性的影响因素。     

中国优秀马拉松运动员ACE基因I/D多态性频率分布特征

通过分析中国马拉松运动员ACE基因I/D多态频率分布特征,探讨其作为杰出耐力基因标记的可行性。选择我国马拉松健将、国际健将级运动员26名作为马拉松运动员组,汉族学生216名作为对照组。对两组受试者进行ACE基因I/D多态性测定。结果显示:我国马拉松运动员组的等位基因频率和基因型频率与对照组比较无显著差异,其中15名国际健将中无一DD型纯合子,提示我国优秀马拉松运动员的纯合子DD型频率低下是其ACE基因多态频率分布的主要特征。     

骨质疏松相关基因的研究进展

骨质疏松(osteoporosis,OP)在很大程度上受基因的影响。在OP的相关基因中,维生素D受体(VDR)基因、雌激素受体(ER)基因、Ⅰ型胶原基因及转化生长因子基因都是重要的候选基因。VDR基因中BB基因型者比Bb及bb基因型者的腰椎骨密度(bone mineral density,BMD)低,骨丢失率高。FokⅠ基因型与腰椎BMD降低有明显相关性,ff基因型者腰椎BMDXx基因型者>xx基因型者。Ⅰ型胶原基因与骨量呈显著相关性,COLIA1基因突变可致低骨量、骨脆性增加。转化生长因子β(TGF-β)基因对调节骨形成和骨吸收有重要作用,TGF-β基因中可发生碱基丢失,这种变异多见于OP患者。