Association of the interleukin-4Rα rs1801275 and rs1805015 polymorphisms with glioma risk

Genetic association of beta-lactams-induced hypersensitivity reactions: A systematic review of genome-wide evidence and meta-analysis of candidate genes

Importance

Beta-lactams (BLs) are the most prescribed antibiotics, being the most frequent cause of drug allergy. However, the association between BL allergy and genetic variations is still unclear.

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the genetic effects of BL-induced hypersensitivity using existing evidence.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library from inception to September 15, 2022 with no language restriction. Genetic association studies investigating genetic variant/polymorphism and risk of drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions among individuals receiving BL-antibiotics were included. We excluded studies of acute interstitial nephritis, drug-induced liver injury, serum sickness, and isolated drug fever. Data were comprehensively synthesized and quality of study were assessed using STrengthening the Reporting of Genetic Association Studies (STREGA). The record screening, extraction and quality assessment were performed by two reviewers and discussions were made to resolve discrepancies. The effects of each variant were pooled and evaluated by modified Venice criteria.

Results

A total of 9276 records were identified, and 31 studies were eligible for inclusion. Twenty-seven were candidate-gene association studies (5416 cases and 5939 controls), while the others were next-generation sequencing (NGS) or genome-wide association studies (GWASs) (119 838 cases and 1 487 111 controls). Forty-nine polymorphisms were identified and most of them located in allergic reaction pathways. Meta-analyses of 15 candidate variants in a mixture of both immediate and non-immediate reactions revealed weak genetic effects of rs1801275 (8 studies; n = 1,560; odd ratio 0.73; 95%CI: 0.57-0.93) and rs20541 (4 studies; n = 1,482; odd ratio 1.34; 95%CI: 1.07-1.68) in IL4R and IL13, respectively. Results from GWASs and NGS identified, and confirmed associations in HLA regions including HLA-DRA, HLA-B, HLA-DQA, HLA-DRB1, and HLA-DRB3.

Conclusion

Our study summarized genetic evidence influencing BL-induced hypersensitivity and estimated effects of potential variants. We postulated that the genomic studies provide better insights to the mechanism of reactions and suggest potential effects of HLA Class II variants. However, results were inconsistent and unable to generalize in different settings. Further high-throughput studies with a well-defined function, epigenetic interaction, incorporated with clinical factors, would be beneficial for risk identification in BL-induced hypersensitivity.

Associations of interleukin-4 and interleukin-4 receptor loci with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma susceptibility

Some functional polymorphisms in immune-regulating genes could affect the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We enrolled 721 patients with ESCC and 1,208 healthy controls to explore the roles of rs2227282 (C > G) and rs2243283 (C > G) loci in the interleukin-4 (IL4) gene and rs1801275 loci in the interleukin-4 receptor (IL4R) gene for the occurrence of ESCC. As for IL4, the single nucleotide polymorphism rs2227282 (C > G) conferred an overall decreased risk for ESCC (adjusted P = 0.005, power = 0.816 in GG vs. CC genetic models). A stratification analysis of IL4 rs2227282 (C > G) and rs2243283 (C > G) and IL4R rs1801275 (A > G) loci with the ESCC risk revealed that the IL4 rs2243283 (C > G) polymorphism was a protective factor for the susceptibility to ESCC in some subgroups (women: power = 0.932 in CG vs. CC and 0.956 in CG/GG vs. CC; subjects aged ≥63 years: power = 0.844 in CG/GG vs. CC; never-smokers: power = 0.893 in CG vs. CC and 0.882 in CG/GG vs. CC; never-drinkers: power = 0.904 in CG vs. CC and 0.862 in CG/GG vs. CC). We also investigated the association of IL4 rs2227282 and rs2243283 and IL4R rs1801275 loci with the lymph node status. However, a null relationship was found. In conclusion, the present study highlighted that IL4 rs2227282 (C > G) and rs2243283 (C > G) loci are protective factors for the occurrence of ESCC.

Polymorphisms in host immune response associated genes and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma development in Portugal

BACKGROUND

Host genetic susceptibility markers in immune response associated genes may contribute to identify individuals with high risk of developing viral infection and viral-associated cancers. We aimed to characterize different polymorphisms in immune response associated genes and evaluate its association with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) development.

METHODS

We have developed a hospital-based case-control study selecting 134 patients with NPC (cases) and 732 healthy individuals (controls) from the Northern Region of Portugal. Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were selected: -56C>T IFNGR1 (rs2234711), +4854G>T IL1A (rs17561), +3954C>T IL1B (rs1143634), +1902A>G IL4RA (rs1801275), -1082G>A IL10 (rs1800896), +2018T>C IL1RN (rs419598), HLA-A locus A>T (rs2530388), HCGA9 locus A>T (rs6457110). All polymorphisms were analysed by real-time methodology using TaqMan(®) SNP Genotyping Assays.

RESULTS

The overall analysis revealed no statistical significant differences between genotypes distributions in all of studied polymorphisms (p>0.05). However, the results for HCGA9 rs6457110 polymorphism showed a tendency for an increased risk of NPC development among TT carriers with an almost of 2-fold increased risk (OR=1.86; 95%CI 1.00-3.65).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to characterize these polymorphisms in NPC patients in Portugal. Our study indicates that HCGA9 rs6457110 polymorphism might represent a risk marker for NPC development in our population and that other SNPs should be further studied in larger populations to clarify the evidences. This data reinforces the need for more studies, especially in NPC low-prevalent populations.

Inverse Association between Prediagnostic IgE Levels and the Risk of Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

An inverse association between allergic conditions and glioma risk has been suggested in many epidemiological studies. However, the evidence is inadequate to draw robust conclusions for the association between prediagnostic IgE levels and brain tumors risk. The aim of this study was to provide more precise estimates for this association by meta-analysis of all published studies. Overall, 8 individual studies with 2,461 cases and 3,934 controls were included in our study. A decreased risk of brain tumors (RR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.61–0.86, P < 0.001) was observed in relation to elevated level of total IgE. The negative association was significant between elevated total IgE level and the risk of glioma (RR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.62–0.88, P = 0.001). However, no significant relationship was demonstrated between testing positive for respiratory allergen-specific IgE and brain tumors risk. In addition, the role of prediagnostic IgE levels in brain tumors risk did not alter in men and women. The present study suggests that increased level of total prediagnostic IgE but not respiratory allergen-specific IgE plays a protective role in brain tumors risk, glioma in particular. More studies are warranted for further elucidation of the meningioma risk related to prediagnostic IgE levels.

Commentary: IL-4 and IL-13 receptors and signaling

Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 were discovered approximately 30years ago and were immediately linked to allergy and atopic diseases. Since then, new roles for IL-4 and IL-13 and their receptors in normal gestation, fetal development and neurological function and in the pathogenesis of cancer and fibrosis have been appreciated. Studying IL-4/-13 and their receptors has revealed important clues about cytokine biology and led to the development of numerous experimental therapeutics. Here we aim to highlight new discoveries and consolidate concepts in the field of IL-4 and IL-13 structure, receptor regulation, signaling and experimental therapeutics.

Association between interleukin 8-251 T/A and +781 C/T polymorphisms and glioma risk

Background

Gliomas are aggressive tumors of the central nervous system that rely on production of growth factors for tumor progression. Interleukin 8 (IL-8) is up-regulated in gliomas to promote angiogenesis and proliferation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the IL-8 -251 T/A and +781 C/T polymorphisms and glioma risk.

Methods

We enrolled 300 glioma patients and 300 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. A prospective hospital-based case–control design and logistic regression analysis were utilized. The IL-8 gene polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

Results

Glioma patients had a significantly higher frequency of IL-8 -251 AA genotype [odds ratio (OR) =1.91, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.22, 3.00; P = 0.005] and IL-8 -251 A allele (OR =1.36, 95 % CI = 1.08, 1.70; P = 0.009) than controls. When stratified by the grade of glioma, patients with WHO IV glioma had a significantly higher frequency of IL-8 -251 AA genotype (OR =1.56, 95 % CI = 1.01, 2.39; P = 0.04).

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature that the IL-8 -251 AA genotype and A allele were at a higher risk for glioma.

Reproductive factors in relation to risk of brain tumors in women: an updated meta-analysis of 27 independent studies

Previous studies on the association between reproductive factors and brain tumor risk in women have provided inconclusive findings. Thus, an updated meta-analysis was performed to obtain more precise risk estimates for brain tumor regarding several common reproductive factors. A comprehensive literature search for relevant publications in the PubMed and Embase databases was carried out from their inception up to June 20, 2014. Pooled relative risks (RRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. There were 27 independent studies with a total of 12,129 cases and 1,433,915 controls included into the present meta-analysis. We found that an elevated risk of brain tumors (RR=1.17, 95% CI 1.06-1.29, P=0.002), particularly glioma (RR=1.33, 95% CI 1.15-1.54, P<0.001), was related to older age at menarche. Interestingly, stratified analysis by type of brain tumors showed that the longer duration of breast feeding was associated with the risk of meningioma negatively but glioma positively (for meningioma: RR=0.76, 95% CI 0.64-0.91, P=0.002; for glioma: RR=1.70, 95% CI 1.14-2.55, P=0.010). No significant association was observed when estimating the roles of other reproductive factors including parity, age at first birth, menopausal status, and age at menopause in brain tumorigenesis. Our study suggests that older age at menarche is a risk factor of brain tumors and glioma in particular. Additionally, more studies are warranted to further elucidate roles and mechanisms of common reproductive factors in the risk of brain tumors.