Systemic lupus erythematosus and human development

DNA methylation landscape of triple-negative ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) progressing to the invasive stage in canine breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer unresponsive to traditional receptor-targeted treatments, leading to a disproportionate number of deaths. Invasive breast cancer is believed to evolve from non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Detection of triple-negative DCIS (TN-DCIS) is challenging, therefore strategies to study molecular events governing progression of pre-invasive TN-DCIS to invasive TNBC are needed. Here, we study a canine TN-DCIS progression and investigate the DNA methylation landscape of normal breast tissue, atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), DCIS and invasive breast cancer. We report hypo- and hypermethylation of genes within functional categories related to cancer such as transcriptional regulation, apoptosis, signal transduction, and cell migration. DNA methylation changes associated with cancer-related genes become more pronounced at invasive breast cancer stage. Importantly, we identify invasive-only and DCIS-specific DNA methylation alterations that could potentially determine which lesions progress to invasive cancer and which could remain as pre-invasive DCIS. Changes in DNA methylation during TN-DCIS progression in this canine model correspond with gene expression patterns in human breast tissues. This study provides evidence for utilizing methylation status of gene candidates to define late-stage (DCIS and invasive), invasive stage only or DCIS stage only of TN-DCIS progression.

Genes for Prader Willi syndrome/Angelman syndrome and fragile X syndrome are homologous, with genetic imprinting and unstable trinucleotide repeats causing mental retardation, autism and aggression

Genes for Prader Willi syndrome/Angelman syndrome are homologous to genes for fragile X syndrome. Genetic imprinting and expanded trinucleotide repeats cause mental retardation, autism and aggression.

Transgenic domestic animals provide an animal model for rheumatoid arthritis

Production of transgenic domestic animals by microinjection of egg nuclei has permitted the introduction of exogenous genes into the transgenic animal. Pursell et al (1) report severe synovitis, cardiomegaly, dermatitis, renal disease and gastric ulcers in pigs with an expressed bovine growth hormone transgene. I have hypothesized that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease with initial symptoms to the gamete (2, 3). This hypothesis is supported by data showing a reduced rate of RA in women using oral contraceptives (4, 5) and remission of RA in pregnancy (6). RA in animals resulting from trauma to the gamete would be consistent with this hypothesis. This paper hypothesizes that some of the pathology associated with genetic engineering of livestock can be attributed to a rheumatoid arthritis-like spectrum of symptoms. This systemic reaction could be sufficiently similar to human RA to permit the transgenic pig to serve as an animal model of the disease.

Hypothesis: tobacco use is a risk factor in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been described in 3000-5000 year-old skeletal remains from North America by Rothschild, Turner and DeLuca (1). RA was first described unambiguously in Europeans in 1800 (1). Tobacco was introduced into Europe from the New World in the 1600s, and Rothschild, Turner and DeLuca include tobacco among variables that could be responsible for the appearance of RA in Europe. Primary and secondary exposure to tobacco smoke could be etiological, along with other causal variables. Tokuhata found cigarette smoking correlated with reduced fertility in women (2). I have hypothesized that RA is a disease with initial symptoms to the gamete and gonad (3). The hypothesis predicts a significant positive correlation between primary and secondary exposure to smoking and RA.

Rheumatoid arthritis: connection to a rapid evolution mechanism?

The idea that disease and evolution may be related was raised by research on the sickle cell hemoglobin (Hbs) gene. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) will be compared and contrasted with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), to develop the hypothesis that RA has a function linked to the modification of a rapid evolution mechanism.