The association between RANKL and Osteoprotegerin gene polymorphisms with breast cancer

Risk association of RANKL and OPG gene polymorphism with breast cancer to bone metastasis in Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Introduction

The receptor activator NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and Osteoprotegrin (OPG) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with the risk of breast cancer to bone metastasis. This study was designed to investigate the association of RANKL and OPG gene polymorphisms with breast to bone metastasis in Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Materials and methods

A total of 215 participants were enrolled containing 106 breast cancer patients, 58 breast to bone metastasis and 51 age and gender matched healthy controls. RANKL (rs9533156) and OPG (rs2073618, rs3102735) polymorphisms were genotyped in genomic DNA, using Tetra-ARMS PCR protocol. The results were analyzed among the three groups and P-value less then 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Our results displayed significant association of OPG (rs3102735) risk allele and corresponding genotypes in breast cancer vs healthy controls, bone metastasis vs healthy controls and breast cancer vs breast to bone metastasis as a disease risk. However, there was no association observed for OPG (rs2073618) risk allele and corresponding genotypes with the diseases risk. Similarly, RANKL (rs9533156) risk allele and corresponding genotypes in breast cancer vs healthy controls, bone metastasis vs healthy controls and breast cancer vs breast to bone metastasis exhibited significant association except for the risk allele carrying genotypes in breast to bone metastasis.

Conclusion

OPG (rs3102735) and RANKL (rs9533156) exhibited significant association with breast to bone metastasis while OPG (rs2073618) didn’t show significant association with breast to bone metastasis in Pashtun population of Pakistan. However, this study unlocks more questions to investigate the exact scenario of genetic predisposition of breast to bone metastasis.

Bone health in pediatric transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia: Circulating osteoprotegerin and RANKL system

INTRODUCTION

While the mechanism of bone disease in thalassemia is multifactorial and still under investigation, the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) have pivotal roles in regulating bone metabolism. This study aimed to measure RANKL and OPG serum levels, and to detect the incidence of RANKL rs9533156, OPG rs2073618, and OPG rs2073617 genotypes in pediatric β-thalassemia patients and to assess their relation to bone mineral density.

METHODS

Sixty patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TBT) patients ages 5 to 14 years were included, and 60 healthy, age- and sex-matched volunteers contributed as a control group. The patients were scanned for bone mineral density.

RESULTS

The mean of spine dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) Z-score in patients was -1.66 ± 1.02 standard deviation (SD). Twenty-four of them had low spine DXA Z-scores. The patients showed significantly lower OPG levels and OPG/RANKLs ratios than the control group (3.28 ± 9.11 ng/ml and 11.38 ± 14.93 ng/ml, and 0.01 ± 0.03 and 0.07 ± 0.09, respectively). The RANKL SNP rs9533156 TC heterozygous genotype was detected more with statistical significance in patients than controls. The incidence of OPG rs2073618 and OPG rs2073617 genotypes were 2.3 times and 1.9 times more frequent in patients than controls, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The RANK/RANKL/OPG system may have an important role in regulating bone metabolism in TBT patients, although further studies are needed to clarify its role.

Genetic Mutations in TNFSF11 Were Associated With the Chronicity of Hepatitis C Among Chinese Han Population

Background: Recently, several studies have reported that the host immune response can be related to the RANKL/RANK/OPG signaling pathway. However, the associations of TNFSF11, TNFRSF11A, and TNFRSF11B gene polymorphisms in the RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection outcomes remain unclear.

Methods: In this case-control study, 768 persistent HCV infection and 503 spontaneous HCV clearance cases, and 1,259 control subjects were included. The Taman-MGB probe method was utilized to detect TNFSF11 rs9525641, TNFRSF11A rs8686340, and TNFRSF11B rs2073618 genotypes. The distribution of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genotypes was analyzed using stata14.0.

Results: SNPs rs9525641, rs8086340, and rs2073618 genotype frequencies followed the Hardy-Weinberg natural population equilibrium (p = 0.637, 0.250, and 0.113, respectively). Also, rs9525641 was significantly associated with HCV chronicity risk in recessive (OR = 1.203, 95% CI: 1.018–1.420, p = 0.030) and additive models (OR = 1.545, 95% CI: 1.150–2.075, p = 0.004). The stratified analysis showed that rs9525641 variant genotypes were associated with HCV chronicity among people older than 50 years (OR =1.562, 95% CI: 1.079–2.262, p = 0.018), females (OR = 1.667, 95% CI: 1.145–2.429, p = 0.008), ALT <40 U/L (OR = 1.532, 95% CI: 1.074–2.286, p = 0.018), and AST < 40 U/L (OR = 1.552, 95% CI: 1.095–2.201, p = 0.014).

Conclusion:TNFRSF11 rs9525641 was significantly associated with HCV chronicity in the Chinese population.

Protective Effect of TNFRSF11A rs7239667 G > C Gene Polymorphism on Coronary Outcome of Kawasaki Disease in Southern Chinese Population

Background

The main symptoms of Kawasaki disease (KD) are inflammatory vasculitis characterized by fever lasting 1–2 weeks, failure to respond to antibiotic treatment, conjunctivitis, redness of the lips and mouth, strawberry tongue, and painless enlargement of the neck lymph nodes. Studies have been shown that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and TNF receptor family members are abnormally expressed in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease, also revealing that these two play a significant role in the pathogenesis of KD. The purpose of our study is to determine the relationship between TNFRSF11A rs7239667 and the pathogenesis of KD and Coronary artery lesions in KD.

Methods and Results

In this study, TNFRSF11A (rs7239667) genotyping was performed in 1396 patients with KD and 1673 healthy controls. Our results showed that G > C polymorphism of TNFRSF11A (rs7239667) was not associated with KD susceptibility. In addition, the patients with KD were divided into CAA and NCAA groups according to whether they had coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) or not, and the TNFRSF11A rs7239667 genotyping was performed in the two groups. After gender and age calibration, We found that genotype CC of TNFRSF11A may be a protective factor in KD coronary artery damage (adjusted OR = 0.69 95% CI = 0.49–0.99 P = 0.0429) and is more significant in children with KD ≤ 60 months (adjusted OR = 0.49 95% CI = 0.49–0.93 P = 0.0173).

Conclusion

Our study suggests that TNFRSF11A rs7239667 G > C polymorphism maybe play a protective gene role for the severity of KD coronary artery injury and is related to age, which has not been previously revealed.

Osteoprotegerin: Relationship to Breast Cancer Risk and Prognosis

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a secreted member of the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) receptor superfamily (TNFRSF11B), that was first characterized and named for its protective role in bone remodeling. In this context, OPG binds to another TNF superfamily member Receptor Activator of NF-kappaB Ligand (RANKL; TNFSF11) and blocks interaction with RANK (TNFRSF11A), preventing RANKL/RANK stimulation of osteoclast maturation, and bone breakdown. Further studies revealed that OPG protein is also expressed by tumor cells and led to investigation of the role of OPG in tumor biology. An increasing body of data has demonstrated that OPG modulates breast tumor behavior. Initially, research was focused on OPG in the bone microenvironment as a potential inhibitor of RANKL-driven osteolysis. More recently, attention has shifted to include OPG expression and interactions in the primary breast tumor independent of RANKL. In the primary tumor, OPG may interact with another TNF superfamily member, TNF-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL; TNFSF10) to prevent apoptosis induction. Additional interest in OPG in breast cancer has been stimulated by the tumor-promoting role of its binding partner RANKL in association with BRCA1 gene mutations. We and others have previously summarized the functional studies on OPG and breast cancer (1, 2). After basic research studies on the in vitro role for OPG (and RANKL) in breast cancer, the field now expands to assess the in vivo role for OPG by examining the correlation between OPG expression and breast cancer risk or patient prognosis. However, the data reported so far is conflicting, since OPG expression appears linked to both good and poor patient survival. In the current review we will summarize these studies. Our goal is to provide stimulus for further research to bridge the basic research findings and clinical data regarding OPG in breast cancer.

Osteoprotegerin and osteopontin levels, but not gene polymorphisms, predict mortality in cardiovascular diseases

Aim: This study aims to investigate whether osteoprotegerin (OPG) or osteopontin (OPN) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) will predict survival. Materials & methods: This study enrolled 617 participants undergoing health examination, 536 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and 86 peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients. Genotypes of OPG SNP rs2073618 and OPN SNP rs11730582 were determined. OPG and OPN levels were measured. Results: In both CAD and PAD populations, high OPG and OPN levels were strong predictors of all-cause death. The OPG rs2073618 CC genotype and the OPN rs11730582 TT genotype did not predict mortality. Conclusion: High OPG and high OPN levels, but not OPG rs2073618 CC genotype or OPN rs11730582 TT genotype, were strong predictors of mortality in both CAD and PAD patients.

Association of SNP-SNP Interactions Between RANKL, OPG, CHI3L1, and VDR Genes With Breast Cancer Risk in Egyptian Women

BACKGROUND

Genetic susceptibility for breast cancer (BC) is still poorly understood. A combination of multiple low-penetrant alleles of cancer-related genes and gene-gene interactions (epistasis) contributes to BC risk. Genetic variants in receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1), and vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes are implicated in breast carcinogenesis; however, the influence of their epistatic effects on BC susceptibility has not yet been studied. We investigated the association of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-SNP interactions and haplotypes of 6 SNPs in these 4 genes with the genetic predisposition of BC in Egyptian women.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data of 115 BC patients and 120 cancer-free controls were studied. Association tests were conducted using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Individual SNPs showed weak statistical significance with BC susceptibility. The interactions between RANKL-rs9533156 and OPG-rs2073618; OPG-rs2073618 with CHI3L1-rs4950928, VDR-rs2228570 and VDR-rs1544410; OPG-rs2073617 and VDR-rs1544410; VDR-rs2228570 and VDR-rs1544410 were strongly associated with increased BC risk after adjustment for multiple comparisons. No SNPs were in strong linkage disequilibrium. The TCTCTG-rs9533156-rs2073618-rs2073617-rs4950928-rs2228570-rs1544410 haplotype was significantly associated with increased BC risk (adjusted odds ratio = 8.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-52.46; P = .025) compared with controls. TCCCTG haplotype stratified BC patients according to estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor status. TCTCTA was positively associated, and TCTCTG and TGTCTG haplotypes inversely correlated with bone metastasis. Bioinformatic analysis revealed 13 proteins commonly interacting with our 4 genes; the most significant was signal transducer and activator of transcription 5B.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that a stronger combined effect of SNPs in RANKL, OPG, CHI3L1, and VDR genes via gene-gene interaction may help predict BC risk and prognosis.

MMP-3 and MMP-8 single-nucleotide polymorphisms are related to alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in Chinese males

Our study investigated the association between MMP-3 and MMP-8 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in 695 Chinese males (299 cases and 396 control subjects). The minor allele of MMP-3 rs650108 was associated with a 0.78-fold decrease in alcohol-induced ONFH risk in the allelic model (95% CI = 0.63-0.97, P = 0.026). In the genetic model adjusted for age, rs650108 was associated with decreased risk of alcohol-induced ONFH in the dominant model (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.49-0.95, P = 0.022) and log-additive model (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.63-0.98, P = 0.030); MMP-8 rs11225394 was associated with increased risk in the codominant model (OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.15-2.58, P= 0.010), dominant model (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.12-2.48, P = 0.012), over-dominant model (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.16-2.59, P = 0.007) and log-additive model (OR = 1.57, 95% CI= 1.07-2.32, P = 0.022); and MMP-8 rs2012390 was associated with decreased risk in the dominant model (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.53-0.97, P = 0.032) and log-additive model (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.60-0.98, P = 0.035). Haplotype analysis showed that the CGATATGT sequence mediated decreased alcohol-induced ONFH risk (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.57-0.97, P = 0.029). Therefore, among Chinese males, MMP-3 rs650108 and MMP-8 rs2012390 decrease alcohol-induced ONFH risk and MMP-8 rs11225394 increases it. Further study is needed to validate our conclusion.

Osteoprotegerin rich tumor microenvironment: implications in breast cancer

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a soluble decoy receptor for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL). It belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF). OPG was initially discovered to contribute to homeostasis of bone turnover due to its capability of binding to receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kB). However, apart from bone turnover, OPG plays important and diverse role(s) in many biological functions. Besides having anti-osteoclastic activity, OPG is thought to exert a protective anti-apoptotic action in OPG-expressing tumors by overcoming the physiologic mechanism of tumor surveillance exerted by TRAIL. Along with inhibiting TRAIL induced apoptosis, it can induce proliferation by binding to various cell surface receptors and thus turning on the canonical cell survival and proliferative pathways. OPG also induces angiogenesis, one of the hallmarks of cancer, thus facilitating tumor growth. Recently, the understanding of OPG and its different roles has been augmented substantially. This review is aimed at providing a very informative overview as to how OPG affects cancer progression especially breast cancer.

The prognostic role of RANK SNP rs34945627 in breast cancer patients with bone metastases

Receptor activator of NF-kB (RANK) pathway regulates bone remodeling and is involved in breast cancer (BC) progression. Genetic polymorphisms affecting RANK-ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) have been previously associated with BC risk and bone metastasis (BM)-free survival, respectively. In this study we conducted a retrospective analysis of the association of five missense RANK SNPs with clinical characteristics and outcomes in BC patients with BM. SNP rs34945627 had an allelic frequency of 12.5% in BC patients, compared to 1.2% in the control group (P = 0.005). SNP rs34945627 was not associated with any clinicopathological characteristics, but patients presenting SNP rs34945627 had decreased disease-free survival (DFS) (log-rank P = 0.039, adjusted HR 2.29, 95% CI 1.04–5.08, P = 0.041), and overall survival (OS) (log-rank P = 0.019, adjusted HR 4.32, 95% CI 1.55–12.04, P = 0.005). No differences were observed regarding bone disease-free survival (log-rank P = 0.190, adjusted HR 1.68, 95% CI 0.78–3.66, P = 0.187), time to first skeletal-related event (log-rank P = 0.753, adjusted HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.42–3.84; P = 0.665), or time to bone progression (log-rank P = 0.618, adjusted HR 0.511, 95% CI 0.17–1.51; P = 0.233). Our analysis shows that RANK SNP rs34945627 has a high allelic frequency in patients with BC and BM, and is associated with decreased DFS and OS.

OPG and RANKL polymorphisms are associated with alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in the north area of China population in men

Alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is an important pathogenesis of nontraumatic ONFH. However, the mechanisms of the pathogenesis are still unknown. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) have been implicated in multiple functions including blocking osteoclast maturation, controlling vascular calcifications, and promoting tumor growth and metastasis. The purpose of this article was to explore the association between OPG and RANKL gene variants and alcohol-induced ONFH. Six hundred seventy male subjects (335 patients and 335 normal individuals) were enrolled in our study. We selected 24 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to evaluate the association between genetic susceptibility variants and alcohol-induced ONFH using the chi-square test and gene model analysis. Overall, the OPG SNPs (rs1032128 and rs11573828) were associated with the strongest increased risk of alcohol-induced ONFH in the recessive model (rs1032128: odds ratio [OR] 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-2.22, P = 0.04 for G/A; rs11573828: OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.07-10.30, P = 0.03 for T/C). The RANKL SNP rs2200287 was also an increased risk factor (OR 3.65, 95% CI 1.53-8.47, P = 0.003 for T/C) in the recessive model. The rs11573856, rs3134056, and rs1564861 SNPs were considered protective factors for alcohol-induced ONFH. We concluded that OPG and RANKL polymorphisms were associated with the occurrence of alcohol-induced ONFH.

Progestogens and risk of breast cancer: a link between bone and breast?

This article reviews the data supporting the role of receptor activator of the nuclear factor kappa (RANK) and its ligand, RANKL, in progestogen-induced breast cancer. Both experimental and clinical studies have been included. The expression of both RANK and RANKL has been described in epithelial cells of both mice and humans. Experiments of gain and loss of function in mice have shown that RANK/RANKL mediate alveologenesis during pregnancy or the estrous cycle. Moreover, the participation of the RANK/RANKL has been detected in models of breast carcinogenesis associated with progestogens-like medroxyprogesterone acetate. Recent clinical studies have found that the expression of RANK is associated with parameters of aggressiveness of the tumor.

RANK rs1805034 T>C Polymorphism Is Associated with Susceptibility to Gastric Cardia Adenocarcinoma in a Chinese Population

BACKGROUND

Gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract with a high incidence in China. Genetic factors such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may contribute to the carcinogenesis of GCA.

METHODS

We conducted a hospital-based case-control study to evaluate the genetic association of functional SNPs with susceptibility to GCA development. A total of 330 GCA cases and 608 controls were recruited for this study. The SNPs OPG rs3102735 T>C and rs2073618 G>C, RANK rs1805034 T>C, and RANKL rs9533156 T>C and rs2277438 A>G were determined using the ligation detection reaction method.

RESULTS

Our findings suggest that RANK rs1805034 T>C is associated with susceptibility to GCA, which is more evident among male patients, elderly patients (≥ 60 years), smokers, and patients who do not consume alcohol.

CONCLUSION

Based on our findings, the functional SNP RANK rs1805034 T>C may be an indicator for individual susceptibility to GCA. However, further larger studies with other ethnic populations and tissue-specific biological characterization are required to confirm the current findings.

Osteoprotegerin in breast cancer: beyond bone remodeling

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a secreted protein and member of the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Receptor superfamily. OPG has been well characterized as a regulator of bone metabolism which acts by blocking osteoclast maturation and preventing bone breakdown. Given this role, early studies on OPG in breast cancer focused on the administration of OPG in order to prevent the osteolysis observed with bone metastases. However OPG is also produced by the breast tumor cells themselves. Research focusing on OPG produced by breast tumor cells has revealed actions of OPG which promote tumor progression. In vitro studies into the role of OPG produced by breast tumor cells have demonstrated that OPG can block TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, in vivo studies show that OPG expression by breast tumors can promote tumor growth and metastasis. In addition it has been shown that OPG stimulates endothelial cell survival and tube formation thus it may indirectly promote breast tumor progression through impacting angiogenesis. This article will present a summary of the data concerning the tumor-promoting effects of OPG in breast cancer.