The associations between the MCP-1 -2518 A/G polymorphism and ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis of 28 research studies involving 21,524 individuals

The Role of CCL2/CCR2 Axis in Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury and Treatment: From Animal Experiments to Clinical Trials

C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) is a member of the monocyte chemokine protein family, which binds to its receptor CCR2 to induce monocyte infiltration and mediate inflammation. The CCL2/CCR2 signaling pathway participates in the transduction of neuroinflammatory information between all types of cells in the central nervous system. Animal studies and clinical trials have shown that CCL2/CCR2 mediate the pathological process of ischemic stroke, and a higher CCL2 level in serum is associated with a higher risk of any form of stroke. In the acute phase of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, the expression of CCL2/CCR2 is increased in the ischemic penumbra, which promotes neuroinflammation and enhances brain injury. In the later phase, it participates in the migration of neuroblasts to the ischemic area and promotes the recovery of neurological function. CCL2/CCR2 gene knockout or activity inhibition can reduce the nerve inflammation and brain injury induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, suggesting that the development of drugs regulating the activity of the CCL2/CCR2 signaling pathway could be used to prevent and treat the cell injury in the acute phase and promote the recovery of neurological function in the chronic phase in ischemic stroke patients.

The Relationship Between Chemokine and Chemokine Receptor Genes Polymorphisms and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Susceptibility in Tatar Population from Russia: A Case Control Study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease affecting primarily distal respiratory pathways and lung parenchyma. This study aimed to determine possible genetic association of chemokine and chemokine receptor genes polymorphisms with COPD in a Tatar population from Russia. SNPs of CCL20, CCR6, CXCL8, CXCR1, CXCR2, CCL8, CCL23, CCR2, and CX3CL1 genes and their gene-gene interactions were analyzed for association with COPD in cohort of 601 patients and 617 controls. As a result statistically significant associations with COPD in the study group under the biologically plausible assumption of additive genetic model were identified in CCL20 (rs6749704) (P = 0.00001, OR 1.55), CCR6 (rs3093024) (P = 0.0003, OR 0.74), CCL8 (rs3138035) (P = 0.0001, OR 0.67), CX3CL1 (rs170364) (P = 0.023, OR 1.21), CXCL8 (rs4073) (P = 0.007, OR 1.23), CXCR2 (rs2230054) (P = 0.0002, OR 1.32). Following SNPs CCL20 (rs6749704), CX3CL1 (rs170364), CCL8 (rs3138035), CXCL8 (rs4073), CXCR2 (rs2230054) showed statistically significant association with COPD only in smokers. The association of CCR6 (rs3093024) with COPD was confirmed both in smokers and in non-smokers. A relationship between smoking index and CCL20 (rs6749704) (P = 0.04), CCR6 (rs3093024) (P = 0.007), CCL8 (rs3138035) (P = 0.0043), and CX3CL1 (rs170364) (P = 0.04) was revealed. A significant genotype-dependent variation of Forced Vital Capacity was observed for CCL23 (rs854655) (P = 0.04). Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s / Forced Vital Capacity ratio was affected by CCL23 (rs854655) (P = 0.05) and CXCR2 (rs1126579) (P = 0.02). Using the APSampler algorithm, we obtained nine gene-gene combinations that remained significantly associated with COPD; loci CCR2 (rs1799864) and CCL8 (rs3138035) were involved in the largest number of the combinations. Our results indicate that CCL20 (rs6749704), CCR6 (rs3093024), CCR2 (rs1799864), CCL8 (rs3138035), CXCL8 (rs4073), CXCR1 (rs2234671), CXCR2 (rs2230054), and CX3CL1 (rs170364) polymorphisms are strongly associated with COPD in Tatar population from Russia, alone and in combinations. For the first time combination of the corresponding SNPs were considered and as a result 8 SNP patterns were associated with increased risk of COPD.

Clinical impact of echocardiography parameters and molecular biomarkers in heart failure: Correlation of ACE2 and MCP-1 polymorphisms with echocardiography parameters: A comparative study

Heart failure is still the leading cause of hospitalization in patients over 65 years of age and is defined as a multifactorial pathology which involves environmental factors and also genetic predispositions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a possible correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) genes and cardiac remodeling in Caucasian patients diagnosed with heart failure. Our comparative translational research study included 116 patients diagnosed with heart failure and was carried out in Cluj-Napoca, Romania between September 2017 and March 2019. Three SNPs, namely rs4646156, rs4646174 and rs1024611, were genotyped using a Taqman real-time PCR technique. Our results showed that carriers of the AA genotype for ACE2 rs4646156 had a significant dilatation of the left ventricle (LV) with signs of LV hypertrophy (LVH), while TT carriers had a significant left atrial dilatation. For ACE2 rs4646174, homozygotes for the C allele presented a dilated LV with signs of LVH with statistical significance and had a tendency towards a lower ejection fraction. MCP-1 rs1024611 AA variant carriers had a significant LVH in the dominant model. In conclusion, our study showed a strong association between echocardiographic parameters of cardiac remodeling and SNPs rs4646156, rs4646174 of ACE2 and rs1024611 of MCP-1.

Conserved regulatory logic at accessible and inaccessible chromatin during the acute inflammatory response in mammals

The regulatory elements controlling gene expression during acute inflammation are not fully elucidated. Here we report the identification of a set of NF-κB-bound elements and common chromatin landscapes underlying the acute inflammatory response across cell-types and mammalian species. Using primary vascular endothelial cells (human/mouse/bovine) treated with the pro-inflammatory cytokine, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, we identify extensive (~30%) conserved orthologous binding of NF-κB to accessible, as well as nucleosome-occluded chromatin. Regions with the highest NF-κB occupancy pre-stimulation show dramatic increases in NF-κB binding and chromatin accessibility post-stimulation. These 'pre-bound' regions are typically conserved (~56%), contain multiple NF-κB motifs, are utilized by diverse cell types, and overlap rare non-coding mutations and common genetic variation associated with both inflammatory and cardiovascular phenotypes. Genetic ablation of conserved, 'pre-bound' NF-κB regions within the super-enhancer associated with the chemokine-encoding CCL2 gene and elsewhere supports the functional relevance of these elements.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Induce MCP-1 at the Culprit Site in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background

Leukocyte-mediated inflammation is crucial in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We recently observed that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are increased at the culprit site, promoting activation and differentiation of fibrocytes, cells with mesenchymal and leukocytic properties. Fibrocyte migration is mediated by monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2). We investigated the interplay between NETs, fibrocyte function, and MCP-1 in STEMI.

Methods

Culprit site and peripheral blood samples of STEMI patients were drawn during primary percutaneous coronary intervention. MCP-1 and the NET marker citrullinated histone H3 (citH3) were measured by ELISA while double-stranded DNA was stained with a fluorescent dye. The influence of MCP-1 on NET formation in vitro was assessed using isolated healthy donor neutrophils. Human coronary artery endothelial cells (hCAECs) were stimulated with isolated NETs, and MCP-1 gene expression was measured by ELISA and qPCR. CCR2 expression of culprit site and peripheral blood fibrocytes was characterized by flow cytometry. Healthy donor fibrocyte receptor expression and chemotaxis were investigated in response to stimulation with MCP-1 and NETs in vitro.

Results

NETs and concentrations of MCP-1 were increased at the culprit site of 50 consecutive STEMI patients. NET stimulation of hCAECs induced transcription of ICAM-1, IL-6, and MCP-1, and secretion of MCP-1. MCP-1 promoted NET formation of healthy donor neutrophils in vitro. An increasing MCP-1 gradient correlated with fibrocyte accumulation at the culprit site. Locally increased MCP-1 levels were negatively correlated with CCR2 expression on fibrocytes. MCP-1 and NETs induced CCR2 downregulation on fibrocytes in vitro. NETs did not function as a chemotactic stimulus for fibrocytes or monocytes and could block migration in response to MCP-1 for both cell populations.

Conclusion

NETs function as signaling scaffolds at the culprit site of STEMI. NETs assist MCP-1 and ICAM-1 release from culprit site coronary artery endothelial cells. MCP-1 facilitates further NETosis. Monocytes enter the culprit site along an MCP-1 gradient, to transdifferentiate into fibrocytes in the presence of NETs.

Chemokine gene polymorphisms association with increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Tatar ethnic group, Russia

Recent studies have shown that chemokines play an important role in the development of chronic inflammation in adipose tissue, obesity pathogenesis, glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes. It has also been revealed that some SNPs in chemokine genes are associated with obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and diabetes complications in different ethnic groups. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between SNPs in chemokine genes and type 2 diabetes in participants of Tatar ethnic group, living in Bashkortostan. Case-control and cross-sectional study were included in our study design. Five SNPs were genotyped in 440 type 2 diabetes (160 men and 280 women), 58.8 ± 9.2 years old (mean ± SD), BMI 29.3 ± 3.9 kg/m² (mean ± SD) patients of Tatar ethnicity, and a control group of 500 Tatars (180 men and 320 women), 55.2 ± 11.6 years old (mean ± SD), BMI 25.9 ± 4.3 kg/m² (mean ± SD). The SNPs rs6749704 in CCL20 [odds ratio (OR) = 2.77 (95% CI 1.81-4.25), р = 0.0001], rs2107538 in CCL5 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.80 (95% CI 1.46-2.22), p = 0.0001] were significantly associated with type 2 diabetes. Regression analysis revealed that rs1696941 in CCL11 was associated with the onset age and duration of type 2 diabetes as well as with HbA_1c level (p = 0.034, p = 0.036 and p = 0.0054, respectively). The SNPs rs223828 in CCL17 and rs6749704 in CCL20 were correlated with obesity as estimated by BMI (p = 0.0004, p = 0.029, respectively). Rs223828 in CCL17 revealed the association with postprandial glucose level (p = 0.024) and HbA_1c (p = 0.008). These data demonstrate that variants of chemokine genes are associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity of Tatar ethnic group inhabiting Bashkortostan Republic. Novel associations of the polymorphic loci in CCL20 (rs6749704) and CCL5 (rs2107538) genes with type 2 diabetes had been identified as a result of the conducted research.

Association between CTSS gene polymorphism and the risk of acute atherosclerotic cerebral infarction in Chinese population: a case-control study

Objective: To investigate the association between the gene polymorphisms of rs774320676, rs768437857, rs928508030, and rs2275235 loci of Cathepsin S (CTSS) and risk of acute atherosclerotic cerebral infarction. Methods: A total of 315 patients with acute atherosclerotic cerebral infarction (study group) and 220 healthy subjects (control group) were enrolled in the present study. The genetic polymorphism of rs774320676, rs768437857, rs928508030, and rs2275235 loci of CTSS of subjects was analyzed by PCR-Sanger sequencing. Results: The proportion of carriers with mutant T allele at rs774320676 locus and mutant G allele at rs928508030 locus of CTSS in study group was significantly higher than the proportion in control group (P=0.000, adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.332, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.200-1.460; P<0.001, adjusted OR = 1.185, 95% CI = 1.055-1.314; P=0.002). The T allele at rs774320676 locus and the G allele at rs928508030 locus of CTSS were independent risk factors for acute atherosclerotic cerebral infarction (OR = 2.534, 95% CI = 1.020-4.652, P=0.006; OR = 2.016, 95% CI = 1.031-4.385, P=0.031). Conclusion: The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of rs774320676 and rs928508030 of CTSS gene were related with risk for acute atherosclerotic cerebral infarction. The T allele at rs774320676 locus and G allele at rs928508030 locus of CTSS were genetic susceptibility genes of acute atherosclerotic cerebral infarction.

Berberine inhibits the ischemia-reperfusion injury induced inflammatory response and apoptosis of myocardial cells through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/RAC-α serine/threonine-protein kinase and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases, and can lead to serious damage and dysfunction of the myocardial tissue. Previous studies have demonstrated that berberine exhibits ameliorative effects on cardiovascular disease. The present study further investigated the efficacy and potential mechanism underlying the effects of berberine on ischemia-reperfusion injury in a mouse model. Inflammatory markers were measured in the serum and levels of inflammatory proteins in myocardial cells were investigated after treatment with berberine. In addition, the apoptosis of myocardial cells was investigated after berberine treatment. Apoptosis-associated gene expression levels and apoptotic signaling pathways were analyzed in myocardial cells after treatment with berberine. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/RAC-α serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathways were also analyzed in myocardial cells after treatment with berberine. Histological analysis was used to analyze the potential benefits of berberine in ischemia-reperfusion injury. The present study identified that inflammatory responses and inflammatory factors were decreased in the myocardial cells of the mouse model of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Mechanism analysis demonstrated that berberine inhibited apoptotic protease-activating factor 1, caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression in myocardial cells. The expression of Bcl2-associated agonist of cell death, Bcl-2-like protein 1 and cellular tumor antigen p53 was upregulated. Expression of NF-κB p65, inhibitor of NF-κB kinase subunit β (IKK-β), NF-κB inhibitor α (IκBα), and NF-κB activity, were inhibited in myocardial cells in the mouse model of ischemia-reperfusion injury. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that berberine inhibits inflammatory responses through the NF-κB signaling pathway and suppresses the apoptosis of myocardial cells via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in a mouse model of ischemia-reperfusion injury. These results suggest that berberine is a potential drug for the treatment of patients with ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Association between kidney function and genetic polymorphisms in atherosclerotic and chronic kidney diseases: A cross-sectional study in Japanese male workers

Background

Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been implicated in the predisposition to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Atherosclerotic disease is deeply involved in the incidence of CKD; however, whether SNPs related to arteriosclerosis are involved in CKD remains unclear. This study aimed to identify SNPs associated with CKD and to examine whether risk allele accumulation is associated with CKD.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study using data of 4814 male workers to examine the association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and 59 candidate polymorphisms (17 CKD, 42 atherosclerotic diseases). We defined the genetic risk score (GRS) as the total number of risk alleles that showed a significant association in this analysis and examined the relationship with CKD (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m²). Multivariate logistic regression, discrimination by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and category-free net reclassification improvement (cNRI) were evaluated.

Results

In total, 432 participants were categorized as having CKD. We found eight candidate SNPs with P value < 0.05 (CX3CR1 rs3732379, SHROOM3 rs17319721, MTP rs1800591, PIP5K1B rs4744712, APOA5 rs662799, BRAP rs3782886, SPATA5L1 rs2467853, and MCP1 rs1024611) in the multivariate linear regression adjusted for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose. Among these eight SNPs, BRAP rs3782886 and SPATA5L1 rs2467853 were significantly associated with eGFR (false discovery rate < 0.05). GRS was significantly associated with CKD (odds ratio, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–1.26). C-statisics improved from 0.775 to 0.780 but showed no statistical significance. However, adding GRS significantly improved IDI and cNRI (0.0057, P = 0.0028, and 0.212, P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

After adjustment for clinical factors, kidney function was associated with BRAP rs3782886 and SPATA5L1 rs2467853 and the GRS for CKD that we developed was associated CKD.

Associations of estradiol levels and genetic polymorphisms of inflammatory genes with the risk of ischemic stroke

Background

Estrogen plays an important role as an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent in ischemic stroke. In this study, we analyzed the effect of a polygenic risk score (PRS) constructed using inflammatory genes and estradiol levels on the risk of ischemic stroke.

Methods

This case-control study was conducted with 624 ischemic stroke patients and 624 age- and gender-matched controls. The PRS estimated the polygenic contribution of inflammatory genes from ischemic stroke susceptibility loci. Estradiol levels were measured using a radioimmunoassay. High and low estradiol levels were defined according to the log-transformed median estradiol levels in female and male controls.

Results

Subjects in the fourth quartile of the PRS had a significant 1.57-fold risk of ischemic stroke (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 ~ 2.19), after adjusting for covariates compared to individuals in the lowest quartile. Compared to individuals with high estradiol levels and a low PRS as the reference group, those exposed to low estradiol levels and a high PRS had an increased risk of ischemic stroke (odds ratio, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.79 ~ 6.28). Similar results were also observed in males when the analysis was stratified by gender.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that the PRS can be useful in evaluating a high risk of ischemic stroke among patients, especially those exposed to low estradiol levels.

Physical activity initiated by employer induces improvements in a novel set of biomarkers of inflammation: an 8-week follow-up study

Purpose

We investigated the level of pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers before and after 8 weeks of unsupervised physical activity (PA) initiated by employer.

Methods

During autumn 2014, background data, blood samples and self-reported exercise level were collected from 76 men and 41 women in a Norwegian road maintenance company. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), leptin, adiponectin, p-selectin and CD40 ligand (CD40L) were analyzed. \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\dot V}{{\rm{O}}_{{\rm{2max}}}}$$\end{document}V˙O2max was measured in a subgroup of 50 subjects.

Results

With reference point of exercise ≤1 time/week, we found that participants who exercised 2–3 times/week had higher \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\dot V}{{\rm{O}}_{{\rm{2max}}}}$$\end{document}V˙O2max values (5.6 mL kg⁻¹ min⁻¹; 95% CI [1.3, 9.9]). MCP-1 was lower in those who exercised ≥ 4 times/week (−81.98 pg/ml [−142.9, −21.0]). IL-6 and p-selectin levels were lower in females who exercised ≥4 times/week (−1.04 pg/ml [−2.04, −0.03] and −13.75 ng/ml [−24.03, −3.48]). Leptin was lower in participants who exercised 2–3 times/week (−0.39 µg/ml ln [−0.68, −0.09]) and ≥4 times/week (−0.69 µg/ml ln [−1.10, −0.28]). During follow-up, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\dot V}{{\rm{O}}_{{\rm{2max}}}}$$\end{document}V˙O2max increased (2.9 mL kg⁻¹ min⁻¹ [1.5, 4.3]), while p-selectin and CD40L decreased (−2.33 ng/ml [−3.78, −0.87] and 718.14 ng/ml [−1368, −68]). MCP-1 levels decreased among men (−32.70 pg/ml [−51.21, −14.19]). A joint analysis of all biomarkers (inversed adiponectin) showed that those who exercised ≥4 times/week at baseline had lower total levels of biomarkers and that total biomarker levels decreased during follow-up.

Conclusions

Exercising several times a week was associated with less inflammation compared to exercising once a week or less. During the 8-week follow-up, total levels of biomarkers of inflammation improved.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00421-016-3533-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.