Association between the TAP1 gene polymorphisms and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in patients from Western Mexico: A pilot study

The antigen processing-associated transporter gene polymorphism: Role on gene and protein expression in HPV-infected pre-cancerous cervical lesion

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the major pathogen for cervical lesions. The evasion mechanism of the immune response and persistence of HPV infection can be influenced by polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes associated with transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP), which may change the peptide binding affinity or the TAP expression impacting the efficiency of peptide transport in the secretory pathway, and the presentation of peptides to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. This study aimed to evaluate the role of the TAP1 and TAP2 polymorphisms, TAP1, and TAP2 genes expressions, and protein levels in cervical cells presenting different degrees of pre-cancerous lesions in 296 immunocompetent women infected or not by HPV. TAP SNPs were genotyped by Sanger sequencing, and gene expression by real-time PCR. Aneuploidy was determined by DNA index using flow cytometry. TAP-1 and TAP-2 tissue expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The Asp697Gly SNP of TAP1 presented a risk for cellular aneuploidy (P=0.0244). HPV+ women had higher TAP-2 mRNA (P=0.0212) and protein (P<0.0001) levels. The TAP2D and TAP2E haplotypes were associated with the risk for aneuploidy and pre-cancerous lesions. In conclusion, nucleotide variability at the peptide binding region of peptide transporter genes, particularly of the TAP2 gene, may influence the HPV-peptide transportation from the cytosol to the endoplasmic reticulum, increasing the susceptibility to the development of high-grade cervical lesions.

Association of TAP1 1177A>G and 2090A>G gene polymorphisms with latent tuberculosis infections in sheltered populations, in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, Mexico: a pilot study

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a condition that has no clinical signs and symptoms. LTBI patients are characterized by persistent immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and approximately 5-10% of these infected individuals will develop active TB at some point in their lives. The antigen transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP1) is a protein involved in the transport of the antigen from the cytoplasm to the endoplasmic reticulum by means of the association with MHC class I molecules. It plays a fundamental role in the immune response, promoting the clearance of intracellular pathogens. Our pilot study aimed to determine the association between TAP1 gene 1177A>G (rs1057141) and 2090A>G (rs1135216) genetic polymorphisms with susceptibility to LTBI. In this case-control study, 153 individuals from shelters were analyzed (46 were LTBI-positive and 92 were controls). Genotyping of the rs11352216 (2090A>G) and rs1057141 (1177A>G) gene IDs was performed using the Applied Biosystems Step One Thermal Cycler Real-Time PCR allelic discrimination technology. The haplotypic analyses were performed with the Arlequin 3.5 program. Social assistance centers and shelters that serve vulnerable populations represent high-risk sites due to overcrowding and the impaired nutritional status of their residents. The G allele (OR=1.99, CI=1.109-3.587, p=0.021) and the GG genotype of rs11352216 (A>G) were associated with susceptibility to LTBI, according to the codominant genetic model (OR=8.32, CI=1.722-61.98, p=0.007). The rs1057141 (A>G) polymorphism was not associated with LTBI risk. The results suggest that carriers of the G allele of rs1135216 (A>G) are susceptible to LTBI.

Contribution of Antigen-Processing Machinery Genetic Polymorphisms to Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory dermatosis. We recently described an association of the C allele of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs26618 in the ERAP1 gene and a synergism of ERAP1 and ERAP2 effects on AD risk. Here, we examined whether polymorphisms of other antigen-presenting machinery genes encoding immunoproteasome components LMP2 and LMP7 and peptide transporter components TAP1 and TAP2 may also affect susceptibility to AD or its outcome. We found that the LMP7 rs2071543*T allele decreased disease risk by about 1.5-fold (odds ratio 0.66, 95% confidence interval 0.44–0.99). On the other hand, the LMP2 rs1351383*C allele reduced the mean age at diagnosis from 23 to 15 years (p < 0.001). Similarly, the TAP1 rs1135216*C allele decreased the mean age at diagnosis from almost 20 to 14 years (p = 0.033). The results are discussed in light of other reports on the role of these polymorphisms in human disease.