Association of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 single nucleotide polymorphisms with hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility and clinicopathologic development

Early Use of PCSK9 Inhibitors in the Prognosis of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome by Protecting Vascular Endothelial Function

INTRODUCTION

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) has a protective effect on acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, most studies have shown that this protective effect is based on a decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, while other mechanisms remain limited. This study aimed to determine whether PCSK9i can improve the prognosis of ACS patients by protecting endothelial function.

METHODS

A total of 113 ACS patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to PCSK9i group (PCSK9i combined with statins) and control group (statins only). Blood lipids and endothelial function indicators were measured and analyzed 6 weeks before and after treatment. The effect of PCSK9i on the expression and secretion of endothelial function indicators in vascular endothelial cells were studied by cell experiments.

RESULTS

After 6 weeks of treatment, endothelial function indicators such as nitric oxide (NO), thrombomodulin, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, endothelin-1, and flow-mediated vasodilation were significantly improved in PCSK9i group compared with control group. Only the changes of NO and von Willebrand factor were associated with blood lipid levels, whereas the changes of other endothelial function indicators were not significantly associated with blood lipid levels. PCSK9i reduced the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with ACS compared to those in the control group. In cell experiments, PCSK9i treatment significantly ameliorated LPS induced endothelial injury in HUVECs.

CONCLUSION

PCSK9i can protect vascular endothelial function partly independently of its lipid-lowering effect and ameliorate the prognosis of patients with ACS within 6 weeks. This mechanism may involve heat shock transcription factor 1/heat shock proteins -related signaling pathways. Early use of PCSK9i in patients with ACS should be strongly considered in clinical practice.

Contribution of Endothelial Dysfunction to Cancer Susceptibility and Progression: A Comprehensive Narrative Review on the Genetic Risk Component

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a challenging clinical obstacle in oncological settings, marked by elevated incidence rates and resulting morbidity and mortality. In the context of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT), endothelial dysfunction (ED) plays a crucial role in promoting a pro-thrombotic environment as endothelial cells lose their ability to regulate blood flow and coagulation. Moreover, emerging research suggests that this disorder may not only contribute to CAT but also impact tumorigenesis itself. Indeed, a dysfunctional endothelium may promote resistance to therapy and favour tumour progression and dissemination. While extensive research has elucidated the multifaceted mechanisms of ED pathogenesis, the genetic component remains a focal point of investigation. This comprehensive narrative review thus delves into the genetic landscape of ED and its potential ramifications on cancer progression. A thorough examination of genetic variants, specifically polymorphisms, within key genes involved in ED pathogenesis, namely eNOS, EDN1, ACE, AGT, F2, SELP, SELE, VWF, ICAM1, and VCAM1, was conducted. Overall, these polymorphisms seem to play a context-dependent role, exerting both oncogenic and tumour suppressor effects depending on the tumour and other environmental factors. In-depth studies are needed to uncover the mechanisms connecting these DNA variations to the pathogenesis of malignant diseases.

The Influence of ICAM1 3'UTR Gene Polymorphism on the Occurrence and Metastasis of Primary Liver Cancer

Objective

In this study, we explored the influence of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the noncoding region of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) gene on the occurrence and metastasis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC).

Methods

Sanger sequencing was used to analyze the genotypes of rs3093032, rs923366, and rs281437 locus in the 3′untranslated region (UTR) of the ICAM1 gene. The level of plasma ICAM1 was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

After adjusting for risk factors such as BMI, smoking, drinking, family history of tumors, and hepatitis B virus test results, the CT genotype at rs3093032 of the ICAM1 gene (OR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.08-0.44, P < 0.01), dominance model (OR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.11-0.48, P < 0.01), and T allele (OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.14-0.53, P < 0.01) were related to the reduced risk of PHC susceptibility. rs923366 locus CT genotype (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.44-0.90, P = 0.01), TT genotype (OR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.10-0.53, P < 0.01), dominant model (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.39-0.77, P < 0.01), recessive model (OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.12-0.62, P < 0.01), and T allele (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.42-0.73, P < 0.01) were related to a reduction in the risk of PHC susceptibility. rs281437 locus CT genotype (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.40-3.09, P < 0.01), TT genotype (OR = 5.20, 95% CI: 2.22-12.17, P < 0.01), dominant model (OR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.69-3.54, P < 0.01), recessive model (OR = 4.32, 95% CI: 1.86-10.06, P < 0.01), and T allele (OR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.79-3.38, P < 0.01) were significantly related to the increased risk of PHC susceptibility. SNPs at rs3093032, rs923366, and rs281437 of the ICAM1 gene were significantly correlated with TNM stage and tumor metastasis of PHC patients (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

SNPs at rs3093032, rs923366, and rs281437 in the 3′UTR region of the ICAM1 gene are related to the occurrence and metastasis of PHC.

Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 Gene Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Cervical Cancer in the Northern Chinese Han Population

Many epidemiological studies have confirmed that ICAM-1 gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with susceptibility of various cancers, but there are relatively few studies on the relationship between ICAM-1 gene polymorphisms and the risk of cervical cancer. Therefore, we aimed to explore the potential role of ICAM-1 gene polymorphisms and the combined effect of SNPs in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer in Han women in northern China. This case–control group includes 488 cases of cervical cancer, 684 cases of cervical precancerous lesions, and 510 healthy females. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with the next-generation sequencing method was used for the determination of gene polymorphisms (rs5498, rs3093030, and rs281432). In our study, we divide cervical cancer into two subgroups: cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) group and cervical adenocarcinoma (CAC) group. We analyzed the alleles and genotypes of all research subjects using multivariate logistic regression analysis combined with 10,000 permutation tests. In addition, we also analyzed the distribution of haplotypes of the three SNPs in cervical cancer and cervical precancerous lesions. We found that the T allele and the dominant model of rs3093030 were associated with the susceptibility of cervical cancer (p = 0.042, p = 0.040, respectively). However, the significance disappeared after the Bonferroni correction for multiple testing (p > 0.05). For rs5498, its mutant gene G, the codominant model, and the dominant model could reduce the risk of CAC (p = 0.009, p = 0.028, p = 0.011, respectively). Significant differences remained after Bonferroni correction (p < 0.05, all). In addition, the frequency of haplotype “CTG” was significantly lower in the CAC group than in the controls. In conclusion, the study suggested that ICAM-1 gene polymorphisms may have a potential role in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer in the northern Chinese Han population.

Interleukin-18 polymorphism as a diagnostic tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C-related cirrhosis

Background

Egypt has the highest hepatitis C virus prevalence worldwide where about 24% of the people are estimated to carry HCV and more than 50% of blood donors have anti-HCV in some towns. The burden of hepatocellular carcinoma has been increasing in Egypt with a doubling in the incidence rate in the past 10 years. Thus, the aim of the present study was to analyze the interleukin-18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as a diagnostic tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C-related cirrhosis.

Results

This study included 33 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicating HCV-related cirrhosis patients, 37 cirrhotic patients without HCC (cirrhosis group), and 20 healthy individuals who were included as a control for 9 months of follow-up. SNPs of the IL-18 gene were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction. There was a statistically significant difference in the GG genotype in the HCC group in comparison with the control group (P = 0.04). There was a statistically significant difference in the G allele in the cirrhosis and HCC groups in comparison with the control group (p1 < 0.001 and p2 = 0.03, respectively). Patients with GC genotype have a risk for developing HCC by 6.33-folds more than those with GG genotype while patients with GC genotype have a risk for developing cirrhosis by 5.43-folds more than those with GG genotype, and cirrhotic patients with CC and GC genotype had a risk for developing HCC by 1.17-folds more than those with GG genotype.

Conclusion

Our findings revealed that the analysis of IL-18 single nucleotide gene polymorphism could be a valuable marker for the prediction of progress towards cirrhosis in chronic HCV patients and also to subsequent development of HCC in HCV cirrhotic patients proved by the results of both GG genotype and its G allele; also, cirrhotic patients with CC and GC genotype have a risk for developing HCC by 1.17-folds more than those with GG genotype.

Self-assembled amphiphile-based nanoparticles for the inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis via ICAM-1 mediated cell adhesion

Nanosized drug delivery systems have emerged to improve the therapeutic performance of anticancer drugs. Here, an amphiphile-based nanoparticle consisting of amphiphilic prodrug N-[3b-acetoxy-urs-12-en-28-oyl]-amino-2-methylpiperazine was developed (UP12 NPs) with uniform sizes (~100 nm), which possessed the advantages of small molecules and nanomedicine. The positively charged UP12 NPs significantly enhanced the cellular drug uptake on HepG2 cells than negatively charged UA NPs. Meanwhile, UP12 and these therapeutic amphiphile-based nanoparticles could induce cell apoptosis more efficiently than that of UA and UA NPs. Moreover, molecular docking demonstrated that the UP12 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) could dock well. UP12 and UP12 NPs significantly decreased the mRNA expression of ICAM-1 and inhibited the migration and adhesion of liver cancer cells (HepG2 cells), which indicated that UP12 might be one of the potential ICAM-1 inhibitors. In vivo, UP12 NPs enhanced tumor accumulation, inhibited tumor lung metastasis and showed good biocompatibility. Overall, UP12 or UP12 NPs could be developed as prospective drugs for cancer metastasis therapy via ICAM-1 mediated cell adhesion. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, we fabricated the therapeutic amphiphile-based nanoparticles by assembly of ursolic acid piperazine derivative N-[3b-acetoxy-urs-12-en-28-oyl]-amino-2-methylpiperazine (name as UP12 NPs) with low cytotoxicity. UP12 NPs exhibited spherical morphology and uniform sizes. Particularly, these therapeutic amphiphile-based nanoparticles significantly enhanced tumor accumulation and inhibited tumor lung metastases via intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) mediated cell adhesion.

Impact of Interleukin 28B and ICAM-1 Genetic Polymorphisms on Response to Direct Antiviral Treatment Among HCV Infected Patients

BACKGROUND

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-28B and/or ICAM-1 could have a role in expecting a response from HCV infected patients to direct antiviral agents (DAAs).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current study was to investigate the impact of IL-28B rs12979860 and rs8099917, and, ICAM-1 rs281437 SNPs on response to treatment with sofosbuvir + Daclatsvir ± Ribavirin, among HCV-infected Egyptian patients.

METHODS

Whole blood genomic DNA was extracted from 120 participants (80 HCV-infected patients and 40 healthy volunteers). HCV-infected patients were subdivided into responders and nonresponders to DAAs. Liver function testing, anti-HCV antibodies, HCV-RNA viral load and HCV genotyping were performed. IL-28B and ICAM-1 SNPs were evaluated by real-time PCR.

RESULTS

ALT and AST levels were significantly higher among non-responder HCV infected patients (P = 0.001*). 90% of the patients had HCV genotype 4a and the remaining 10% had 4l genotype. Allelic discrimination revealed that IL-28B rs12979860 T, IL-28B rs809917 T and ICAM-1 rs281437 C alleles were more frequent among HCV-infected patients (responders or non-responders) than controls. However, IL-28B rs8099917 G allele was more frequent among healthy controls. Regarding the response to DAAs treatment, HCV-infected patients with IL-28B rs8099917 GG genotype showed a significantly earlier viral response compared to those carrying TT alleles. ICAM-1 rs281437 CT alleles were non significantly more frequent among responders. However, IL-28B rs12979860 alleles did not show any difference.

CONCLUSION

Genotyping of IL-28B rs8099917 is a useful independent tool for expecting a response of Egyptian HCV-infected patients to DAAs.

Association between Interleukin-18 Polymorphisms and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Occurrence and Clinical Progression

We investigated the association between interleukin-18 (IL-18) polymorphisms and the susceptibility and clinicopathological state of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In total, 901 participants, including 559 healthy controls and 342 patients with HCC, were recruited. The allelic discrimination of -607A/C (rs1946518) and -137G/C (rs187238) polymorphisms of IL-18 was assessed through real-time polymerase chain reaction by performing the TaqMan assay. The IL-18 -137G/C polymorphism but not the -607A/C polymorphism showed a significant association with the risk of HCC. Participants carrying the IL-18 -137 polymorphism with heterozygous G/C and homozygous CC genotypes showed a 1.987-fold increase (95% CI = 1.301-3.032; p = 0.001) in the risk of HCC compared with those homozygous for wild-type G/G. The 342 patients with HCC carrying the IL-18 -137G/C polymorphism were positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.668. Moreover, the 142 HBV positive patients with HCC and the IL-18 -137 polymorphism were positive for at least one C genotype and showed significant vascular invasion (p = 0.018). Furthermore, the level of α-fetoprotein was high in the patients carrying the IL-18 -137 polymorphism with GC+CC alleles (p = 0.011). In conclusion, the IL-18 -137G/C polymorphism with a GC+CC genotype could be a factor that increases the risk of HCC. Furthermore, the correlation between the IL-18 -137G/C polymorphism and HCC-related HBV infection is a risk factor for vascular invasion and has a synergistic effect that can further enhance HCC prognosis.