Association of IL-6 polymorphisms with hepatocellular carcinoma risk: evidences from a meta-analysis

Manipulation of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1(TGFβ-1) towards viral induced liver cancer pathogenesis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver malignancy. Early diagnosis of HCC has always been challenging. This study aims to assess the pathogenicity and the prevalence of IL-6 -174G/C (rs1800795) and TGFβ-1 +29C/T (rs1800470) polymorphisms in HCV-infected HCC patients. Experimental strategies are integrated with computational approaches to analyse the pathogenicity of the TGFβ-1 +29C/T and IL-6-174 G/C polymorphisms in HCV-induced HCC. AliBaba2 was used to predict the effect of IL-6-174 G/C on transcription factor binding site in IL-6 gene. Structural changes in the mutant TGFβ-1 structure were determined through project HOPE. To assess the polymorphic prevalence of IL-6 -174G/C and TGFβ-1 +29C/T genotypes in HCC and control subjects, amplification refractory mutation system PCR (ARMS-PCR) was performed on 213 HCC and 216 control samples. GraphPad Prism version 8.0 was used for the statistical analysis of the results. In-silico analysis revealed the regulatory nature of both IL-6 -174G/C and TGFβ-1 +29C/T polymorphisms. ARMS-PCR results revealed that the individuals carrying TT genotype for TGFβ-1 gene have an increased risk of developing HCC (p<0.0001, OR = 5.403, RR = 2.062) as compared to individuals with CT and CC genotype. Similarly, GC genotype carriers for IL-6 gene exhibit an increased risk of HCC susceptibility (p<0.0001, OR = 2.276, RR = 1.512) as compared to the people carrying the GG genotype. Genotype TT of TGFβ-1 gene and genotype GC of IL-6 gene are found to be associated with HCV-induced HCC. IL-6 polymorphism may alter its transcription that leads to its pathogenicity. TGFβ-1 polymorphism may alter protein structure stability.

IL-4, IL-17 and CD163 Immunoexpression and IL-6 Gene Polymorphism in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients and Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective:

To assess the expression of IL-4, IL-17 and CD-163 as well as study of IL6-572 C/G gene polymorphism in chronic HCV and HCC on top of HCV.

Methods:

Sixty HCC specimens and 60 adjacent hepatic tissue with HCV of different grades of necro-inflammation and different stages of fibrosis. In addition to 55 HCV, 60 HCC and 50 healthy venous blood samples for evaluation of IL6-572 C/G gene polymorphism.

Results:

high expression of IL-4, IL-17 and CD163 in higher grades of activity, late stages of fibrosis and higher degrees of steatosis of HCV. IL-4 and CD163 showed higher expression in advanced grades of HCC, while IL-17 more expressed in lower grades. No significant difference in IL6-572 C/G gene polymorphism among studied groups regarding G/C, G/G, C/C frequencies or G and C allele’s frequencies.

Conclusion:

IL-4, IL-17 and CD163 were associated with HCV severity. Their expression in HCC suggests their important role in HCC development. Blocking of these proteins may be a good target to control inflammation in HCV and can hinder progression to cirrhosis then to HCC. On the other hand, IL6-572 promoter gene polymorphism is neither associated with HCV infection nor with HCC development and its progression.

Association between interleukin 6 polymorphisms (rs1800796, rs1800795, rs2069837, rs17147230, and rs1800797) and hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility: a meta-analysis

Aim of the study

We reported the association between interleukin 6 polymorphisms (rs1800796, rs1800795, rs2069837, rs17147230, and rs1800797) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) susceptibility in a meta-analysis.

Material and methods

The studies were retrieved by searching the search terms in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases until June 2020. The analyses were done by RevMan 5.3 software using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and the analysis of publication bias and sensitivity analyses were performed by CMA 2.0 software.

Results

Searching through the databases, 316 records were retrieved and finally 13 studies were analyzed in the present meta-analysis. For the rs1800797 polymorphism, there was an elevated risk of AA genotype (OR = 2.68, p = 0.03) in HCC patients compared to healthy controls. Also, there was an elevated risk of AA (OR = 3.06, p = 0.04) and GA (OR = 2.61, p = 0.005) genotypes in HCC patients compared to liver cirrhosis patients. For rs2069837 polymorphism, there was an elevated risk of GG genotype (OR = 2.25, p = 0.01) in HCC patients compared to healthy controls. For rs17147230, T allele (OR = 1.31, p = 0.03) and TT genotype (OR = 1.83, p = 0.02) had elevated risks in HCC patients compared to healthy controls.

Conclusions

The present meta-analysis confirmed that there was an elevated risk of the AA and GA genotypes of rs1800797 polymorphism and the GG genotype of rs2069837, and the T allele and TT genotype of rs17147230 in HCC.

Association of interleukin-6 gene polymorphisms with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: An up-to-date meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This study was aimed to evaluate the association between interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene polymorphisms and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a meta-analysis.

METHODS

A literature search was performed for case-control studies published during May, 1993 to May, 2020 focusing on IL-6 gene polymorphisms (-174G > C, -572G > C, and -597G > A) and HCC susceptibility by using PubMed, Cochrane Database, EMBASE, Web of science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. From 128 full-text articles, 11 were included in this meta-analysis. I index was used to assess heterogeneity and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was utilized for quality assessment.

RESULTS

For IL-6 -174G > C polymorphism, in codominant (GG vs CC: odds ratios [OR] = 2.78, 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.25-6.19, P = .01, I = 16%) and recessive (GG+GC vs CC: OR = 2.76, 95% CI = 1.29-5.90, P = .009, I = 3%) models, IL-6 -174G>C polymorphism was significantly associated with the risk of HCC. In dominant (GG vs CC+GC: OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 0.92-3.54, P = .09, I = 86%) and allele (G vs C: OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 0.95-2.32, P = .08, I = 68%) models, IL-6 -174G>C polymorphism had no impact on the risk of HCC. However, in non-Italian Caucasian population, IL-6 -174G>C polymorphism was significantly related to the occurrence of HCC in both dominant (GG vs CC+GC: OR = 3.26, 95% CI = 2.29-4.65, P < .00001, I = 0%) and allele (G vs C: OR = 2.48, 95% CI = 1.48-4.15, P = .0006) models. Such correlations also could be observed when healthy individuals were selected as controls. For IL-6 -572G>C and -597G>A polymorphisms, no significant association was observed in all models, regardless of the source of control and population subgroups. No publication bias could be calculated when Begg and Egger tests were employed.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis indicated that IL-6 -174G>C polymorphism was significantly related with the risk for HCC, especially in non-Italian Caucasian population. No significant association was observed for the correlation between IL-6 -572G>C and -597G>A polymorphisms and HCC susceptibility.

Interleukin-6 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to liver diseases: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have explored the associations between interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to liver diseases, however, results remain ambiguous. The goal of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to provide more credible evidence.

METHODS

Studies identified in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were used to perform a meta-analysis via the STATA software. Pooled odds ratios (OR) were calculated under fixed- and random-effects models to estimate the potential genetic associations.

RESULTS

Twenty-five case-control studies involving 5813 cases and 5298 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, the pooled results suggested that rs1800795 polymorphism was significantly associated with the risk of liver diseases in heterozygote (GC vs CC; OR = 1.57) and dominant (GG+GC vs CC: OR = 1.47) models; rs1800796 polymorphism was significantly associated with the susceptibility to liver diseases in heterozygote (GG vs GC; OR = 0.58) and recessive (GG vs GC+CC: OR = 0.68) models; rs1800797 polymorphism was significantly associated with genetic predisposition to liver diseases in homozygote (GG vs AA: OR = 1.63), heterozygote (GA vs AA; OR = 1.53) and dominant (GG + GA vs AA: OR = 1.61) models. A similar conclusion was found in the HBV, HCV, HCC, NASH and alcoholic liver disease of all ethnic populations for rs1800795; HBV and Asian subgroups for rs1800796; HCV and non-Asian subgroups for rs1800797. However, IL-6 rs2069837 and rs2066992 polymorphisms did not exhibit significant associations with the risk of liver diseases under any genetic models.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggests that patients carrying G (rs1800795), C (rs1800796) or G (rs1800797) allele or genotypes of IL-6 may be more likely to suffer from liver diseases, which was ethnic-dependent.

Thrombocytopenia in solid tumors: Prognostic significance

Solid tumors are a heterogeneous group of malignancies that result from out-of-control proliferation of cells. Thrombocytopenia is a common complication among patients with solid tumors that predispose them to bleeding disorders. The aim of this review article is to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the risk and incidence of thrombocytopenia in solid tumors. It can be argued that thrombocytopenia is a poor prognostic factor in solid tumors that can result from several factors such as polymorphism and mutation in some transcription factors and cytokines involved in megakaryocytic maturation or from the adverse effects of treatment. Therefore, an understanding of the exact mechanism of thrombocytopenia pathogenesis in each stage of solid tumors can help in developing therapeutic strategies to decrease bleeding complications in these malignancies.

Health relevance of the modification of low grade inflammation in ageing (inflammageing) and the role of nutrition

Ageing of the global population has become a public health concern with an important socio-economic dimension. Ageing is characterized by an increase in the concentration of inflammatory markers in the bloodstream, a phenomenon that has been termed "inflammageing". The inflammatory response is beneficial as an acute, transient reaction to harmful conditions, facilitating the defense, repair, turnover and adaptation of many tissues. However, chronic and low grade inflammation is likely to be detrimental for many tissues and for normal functions. We provide an overview of low grade inflammation (LGI) and determine the potential drivers and the effects of the "inflamed" phenotype observed in the elderly. We discuss the role of gut microbiota and immune system crosstalk and the gut-brain axis. Then, we focus on major health complications associated with LGI in the elderly, including mental health and wellbeing, metabolic abnormalities and infections. Finally, we discuss the possibility of manipulating LGI in the elderly by nutritional interventions. We provide an overview of the evidence that exists in the elderly for omega-3 fatty acid, probiotic, prebiotic, antioxidant and polyphenol interventions as a means to influence LGI. We conclude that slowing, controlling or reversing LGI is likely to be an important way to prevent, or reduce the severity of, age-related functional decline and the onset of conditions affecting health and well-being; that there is evidence to support specific dietary interventions as a strategy to control LGI; and that a continued research focus on this field is warranted.

Donor interleukin 6 gene polymorphisms predict the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Application of the Milan criteria is an effective strategy to select patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for liver transplantation, but HCC recurrence is still a major concern. The aim of this study was to determine whether interleukin 6 (IL6) polymorphisms and clinical variables are potential predictors for HCC recurrence and prognosis after transplantation.

METHODS

A total of 110 consecutive patients with HCC undergoing liver transplantation were enrolled in the study. Six tag single nucleotide polymorphisms in IL6 were genotyped in both the donors and recipients. Demographic characteristics, HCC features, and IL6 polymorphisms were assessed against HCC recurrence.

RESULTS

Pretransplant hepatitis B virus DNA (P = 0.014), pretransplant serum alpha-fetoprotein (P = 0.035), number of nodules (P = 0.011), diameter of main nodule (P = 0.001), macrovascular invasion (P = 0.001), microvascular invasion (P = 0.001), HCC exceeding the Milan criteria (P < 0.001), and donor rs2069852 AA genotype (P = 0.010) were associated with HCC recurrence. Recurrence-free survival rate and overall survival rate were significantly lower (P = 0.011 and P = 0.026, respectively) in patients whose donor had the rs2069852 AA genotype than in those whose donor had the AG and GG genotypes. Independent risk factors for recurrence-free survival and overall survival were microvascular invasion (P = 0.003; P = 0.002), HCC exceeding the Milan criteria (P < 0.001; P = 0.001), and donor rs2069852 AA genotype (P = 0.002; P = 0.010).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that donor IL6 rs2069852 polymorphisms may be a potential genetic marker for HCC recurrence after liver transplantation in the Han Chinese population.

Association between interleukin-6 polymorphisms and urinary system cancer risk: evidence from a meta-analysis

Background

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine involved in cancer initiation and progression. Numerous studies have investigated the associations between IL-6 polymorphisms (IL-6 −174G>C, −592G>C, −597G>A) and risk of urinary system cancers, including prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and renal cell cancer. However, conclusions from these studies were controversial. Thus, we conducted the current meta-analysis to obtain the comprehensive profile regarding the association between IL-6 polymorphisms and urinary system cancer risk.

Methods

According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, the associations of IL-6 polymorphisms with urinary system cancer were searched from database and analyzed using STATA 12.0 statistical software. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of the associations.

Results

A total of 20 previous publications consisting of 15,033 cases and 17,655 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. Significant association was observed in overall population regarding IL-6 −592G>C polymorphisms (G vs C: OR =0.1.30, 95% CI =1.13−2.52; GG vs CC: OR =1.81, 95% CI =1.31−2.52; GG vs GC + CC: OR =1.33, 95% CI =1.02−1.75; GG + GC vs CC: OR =1.41, 95% CI =1.09−1.83). In the stratified analyses by ethnicity, the significant associations were found among Asian (GG vs CC: OR =1.89, 95% CI =1.34−2.66; GG + GC vs CC: OR =1.43, 95% CI =1.09−1.87) and Black population (GC vs CC: OR =0.20, 95% CI =0.05−0.82) rather than Caucasian men. Likewise, there were noticeable associations in almost all the other subanalyses such as cancer types, control sources, genotyped methods, and sample sizes. However, no significant associations were identified between any of IL-6 −174G>C polymorphisms with urinary system cancer, except for Asian population (G vs C: OR =0.81, 95% CI =0.70−0.95; GG vs CC: OR =0.51, 95% CI =0.35−0.74; GC vs CC: OR =0.49, 95% CI =0.33−0.72; GG + GC vs CC: OR =0.50, 95% CI =0.35−0.72; respectively). In addition, no significant associations were detected between IL-6 −597G>A polymorphism and urinary system cancer, regardless of whole or subgroups.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis presents a relatively comprehensive view of the associations between IL-6 polymorphism and urinary system cancer risk to explore the carcinogenic mechanisms, which will help shed light on the clinical diagnosis and therapy for urinary system cancer. However, further detailed studies are needed to verify our conclusion.

Significance of vitamin d receptor gene polymorphisms for risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Biological and epidemiological data suggest that vitamin D levels may influence cancer development. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms have been described in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene in association with cancer risk. We aimed to investigate the association of VDR gene polymorphisms with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in chronic hepatitis C patients.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional, hospital-based setting, 340 patients (201 chronic hepatitis, 47 cirrhosis and 92 HCC) and 100 healthy controls receiving VDR genotyping (bat-haplotype: BsmI rs1544410 C, ApaI rs7975232 C and TaqI rs731236 A) were enrolled.

RESULTS

Patients with HCC had a higher frequency of ApaI CC genotype (P = 0.027) and bAt[CCA]-haplotype (P = 0.037) as compared to control subjects. There were no differences in BsmI and TaqI polymorphisms between two groups. In patients with chronic hepatitis C, HCC subjects had a higher frequency of ApaI CC genotype and bAt[CCA]-haplotype than those with chronic hepatitis (P = 0.001 and 0.002, respectively) and cirrhosis (P = 0.019 and 0.026, respectively). After adjusting age and sex, logistic regression analysis showed that ApaI CC genotype (odds ratio: 3.02, 95% confident interval: 1.65-5.51) was independently associated with HCC development.

CONCLUSION

VDR ApaI polymorphism plays a role in the development of HCC among chronic hepatitis C patients. Further explorations of this finding and its implications are required.

Potential roles played by IL-6 in hepatitis B infection

ABSTRACT: 

Hepatitis B is a main disorder of the liver, which is induced by HBV. Hepatitis B can induce liver diseases, such as inflammation, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent studies demonstrated that several patients are unable to eradicate the virus from hepatocytes and develop chronic hepatitis B infections. The main mechanisms responsible for development of chronic hepatitis B and its related cirrhosis as well as HCC are yet to be identified. IL-6 is a proinflammatory cytokine that participates in stimulation of immune responses against viral infections. In addition, it has been documented that IL-6 can play key roles in induction of fibrosis and cancers. Therefore, the aim of this article is to clarify the main roles of IL-6 in stimulation of appropriate immune responses against hepatitis B virus and induction of hepatitis B-dependent cirrhosis as well as HCC.