Associations Between TNFAIP3 Gene Polymorphisms and Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk: A Meta-analysis

A20 Promoter rs5029924 Concomitant with rs2230926 and rs5029937 May Be a Prognostic Predictor for Joint Deformity or Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background

There have been several studies regarding the susceptibility of A20 gene SNPs (rs2230926 and rs5029937) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, little is known about the association between polymorphisms in the A20 promoter and RA. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of A20 promoter polymorphisms and the association between these polymorphisms and clinical significance in Chinese RA patients.

Methods

PCR and sequencing were used to identify A20 gene polymorphisms in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 123 RA cases and 31 healthy individuals.

Results

Only one SNP (rs5029924) in the A20 gene promoter was identified in RA patients and healthy individuals. 6 patients who carried heterozygous rs5029924 (3918C>T) together with heterozygous rs5029937 (11,571 G>T) and rs2230926 (12,486 T>G, Phe127Cys) suffered from joints deformity or refractory RA.

Conclusion

We reported the A20 promoter polymorphism rs5029924 in RA patients for the first time. rs5029924 concomitant with rs2230926 and rs5029937 may be a prognostic predictor for joint deformity or refractory RA.

Polymorphism rs10499194 of the TNFA1P3 gene is not associated with a predisposition to ankylosing spondylitis in the Russian cohort of patients

Background. Recently, numerous studies have shown that TNFAIP3 gene polymorphisms have been associated with susceptibility to certain autoimmune inflammatory diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. However, the results of studies devoted to the study of associations between TNFAIP3 gene polymorphisms and the risk of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are ambiguous and few.The aim of the study was to study the possible association of hs10499194 polymorphism of the TNFAIP3 gene with a predisposition to AS and its clinical phenotypes.Material and methods. The rs10499194 S/T polymorphism of the TNFA1P3 gene was studied in two hundred patients with AS (130 men and 70 women). All patients were diagnosed with AS, according to the modified New York criteria, 1984 and high activity of the disease. Demographic and clinical-serological characteristics were studied in all patients. The average age of patients was 39.4±12.6 years; the average duration of the disease was 15.0±10.6 years. Out of 200 patients, 175 (87.5%) were seropositive for HLA-B27 antigen. Extra axial arthritis was detected in 125 (62.5%) patients, 148 (74.0%) had enthesitis, 137 (68.5%) had coxitis. The polymorphism rs10499194 of the TNFAIP3 gene was studied using an allelespecific polymerase chain reaction in real time (PCR-RV) using the Synthol kit.Results. The analysis of the frequencies of genotypes and alleles did not show significant differences with the control group. Stratification by sex, age, and clinical manifestations showed an association of the CT genotype with an increased risk of AS among men (OR=2.24; p=0.010), the TT genotype and the T allele with a high risk of predisposition to the development of extra axillary peripheral arthritis (OR=3.94; p=0.019 and OR=1.64; p=0.027 respectively). The BASDAI index was statistically significantly higher in carriers of the TT genotype compared to the CT genotype (p=0.002).Conclusion. The present study confirmed the association of the genetic polymorphism rs10499194 of the TNFAIP3 gene with AS. Stratification by gender and clinical manifestations showed an association of the CT genotype with an increased risk of AS among men, the TT genotype and the T allele with a high risk of predisposition to the development of extra axillary peripheral arthritis and a high BASDAI index in carriers of the TT genotype.

Genetic and Clinical Factors Associated with Olokizumab Treatment in Russian Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease and its treatment is an urgent problem of rheumatology. Olokizumab (OKZ) is a new humanized monoclonal antibody targeting IL-6 and is one of the few promising drugs for RA therapy. One-hundred-and-twenty-five DNA samples from Russian patients with RA, treated with olokizumab, were genotyped with an NGS panel containing 60 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the whole coding sequences of IL6, IL6R, TNFRSF1A, CTLA4, IL10, IL23R, and PADI4; and by RT-PCR for HLA-DRB1 and HLA-B. Associations of polymorphic variants with olokizumab efficacy according to the scores ACR20, ACR50, and DAS28-CRP were determined. We analyzed the obtained data by using logistic regression, ROC curves, and multivariate ANOVA. A high predictive value of the response to olokizumab therapy at 24 weeks was found for the combination of HLA-DRB1*04 and HLA-B*27 alleles with SNPs located in non-HLA genes (IL1B, IL17A, PADI4, DHODH, GLCCI1, IL23R, and TNFAIP3), and clinical characteristics (age, RA duration, and intensity) according to ACR20. Thus, the comprehensive assessment of polymorphic variants of HLA and non-HLA genes considering population characteristics in combination with clinical parameters allows for the elaboration of an RA prognostic panel.

Shared Genetic Architecture Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Varying Osteoporotic Phenotypes

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and low bone mineral density (BMD), an indicator of osteoporosis (OP), appear epidemiologically associated. Shared genetic factors may explain this association. This study aimed to investigate the presence of pleiotropy to clarify the potential genetic association between RA and OP. We examined BMDs at varying skeletal sites reported in UK Biobank as well as OP fracture acquired from the Genetic Factors for Osteoporosis (GEFOS) Consortium and the TwinsUK study. PRSice-2 was used to assess the potential shared genetic overlap between RA and OP. The presence of pleiotropy was examined using colocalization analysis. PRSice-2 revealed that RA was significantly associated with OP fracture (β = 351.6 ± 83.9, p value = 2.76E-05), total BMD (β = -1763.5 ± 612.8, p = 4.00E-03), spine BMD (β = -919.8 ± 264.6, p value = 5.09E-04), and forearm BMD (β = -66.09 ± 31.40, p value = 3.53E-02). Through colocalization analysis, the same causal genetic variants, associated with both RA and OP, were apparent in 12 genes: PLCL1, BOLL, AC011997.1, TNFAIP3, RP11-158I9.1, CDK6, CHCHD4P2, RP11-505C13.1, PHF19, TRAF1, C5, and C11orf49 with moderate posterior probabilities (>50%). Pleiotropy is involved in the association between RA and OP phenotypes. These findings contribute to the understanding of disease mechanisms and provide insight into possible therapeutic advancements and enhanced screening measures. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Assessment of genetic polymorphisms within nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway genes in rheumatoid arthritis: Evidence for replication and genetic interaction

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to replicate the associations of genetic polymorphisms within nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway genes with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to further examine genetic interactions in a Chinese population.

METHODS

A total of eleven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 594 RA patients and 604 healthy controls.

RESULTS

Genetic association analysis revealed that NFKBIE rs2233434, TNIP1 rs10036748 and BLK rs13277113 were significantly associated with RA, cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP)-positive RA and rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive RA, and TNFAIP3 rs2230926 was significantly associated with CCP-positive RA. Significant additive interaction was observed between NFKB1 rs28362491 and IKBKE rs12142086 (RERI = 0.76, 95% CI 0.13-1.38; AP = 0.57, 95% CI 0.11-1.03), NFKBIE rs2233434 and BLK rs13277113 (RERI = 1.41, 95% CI 0.88-1.94; AP = 0.85, 95% CI 0.50-1.20), NFKBIL rs2071592 and TNIP1 rs10036748 (RERI = 0.59, 95% CI 0.17-1.02; AP = 0.46, 95% CI 0.05-0.87), UBE2L3 rs5754217 and TNFSF4 rs2205960 (RERI = 0.50, 95% CI 0.16-0.84; AP = 0.57, 95% CI 0.09-1.05). Significant multiplicative interaction was detected between BLK rs13277113 and UBE2L3 rs5754217 (p = 0.02), BLK rs13277113 and TNFSF4 rs2205960 (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results lent further support to the role of NF-κB signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of RA from a genetic perspective.

A paradigm shift in cell-free approach: the emerging role of MSCs-derived exosomes in regenerative medicine

Recently, mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) due to their pro-angiogenic, anti-apoptotic, and immunoregulatory competencies along with fewer ethical issues are presented as a rational strategy for regenerative medicine. Current reports have signified that the pleiotropic effects of MSCs are not related to their differentiation potentials, but rather are exerted through the release of soluble paracrine molecules. Being nano-sized, non-toxic, biocompatible, barely immunogenic, and owning targeting capability and organotropism, exosomes are considered nanocarriers for their possible use in diagnosis and therapy. Exosomes convey functional molecules such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and micro-RNAs (miRNAs), proteins (e.g., chemokine and cytokine), and lipids from MSCs to the target cells. They participate in intercellular interaction procedures and enable the repair of damaged or diseased tissues and organs. Findings have evidenced that exosomes alone are liable for the beneficial influences of MSCs in a myriad of experimental models, suggesting that MSC- exosomes can be utilized to establish a novel cell-free therapeutic strategy for the treatment of varied human disorders, encompassing myocardial infarction (MI), CNS-related disorders, musculoskeletal disorders (e.g. arthritis), kidney diseases, liver diseases, lung diseases, as well as cutaneous wounds. Importantly, compared with MSCs, MSC- exosomes serve more steady entities and reduced safety risks concerning the injection of live cells, such as microvasculature occlusion risk. In the current review, we will discuss the therapeutic potential of MSC- exosomes as an innovative approach in the context of regenerative medicine and highlight the recent knowledge on MSC- exosomes in translational medicine, focusing on in vivo researches.

Single nucleotide polymorphism rs5029937 in TNFAIP3 gene is correlated with risk of rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive and common autoimmune disease with multifactorial etiology. Several pieces of research show that genetic factors play a major role in the incidence of RA. Several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified the tumor necrosis factor alpha inducible protein 3 (TNFAIP3) genes as one of the candidate loci. The TNFAIP3 gene encoding ubiquitin-editing protein A20 witch restricts B cell survival and prevents autoimmunity. Previous studies have indicated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TNFAIP3 gene are correlated with several autoimmune disorders. In the present study, we assessed the possible association between SNP rs5029937 (intronic variant) in the TNFAIP3 gene with RA risk in the Iranian population.

Methods: A case-control study using 50 RA patients and 50 control subjects was undertaken to evaluate rs5029937 (G>T) genotypes using real-time PCR high resolution melting method (HRM). The SPSS22 was used for statistical analyses and the significance level was set at P<0.05.

Results: Logistic regression analysis demonstrates that homozygous TT + heterozygous TG genotypes compared with GG genotype increase the risk of RA (TT+TG vs GG; P= 0.004, OR= 3.46; 95%CI [1.492-8.075]). Also, individuals with allele T were more frequently affected with RA than subjects with G allele (T vs G; P= 0.004, OR= 2.61; 95%CI [1.382-4.919]).

Conclusion: Our findings propose a substantial correlation between rs5029937 (G>T) polymorphism and RA risk in Iranian population.

The pre-clinical phase of rheumatoid arthritis: From risk factors to prevention of arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease considered as a multistep process spanning from the interaction of genetic (e.g., shared epitope or non-HLA loci), environmental and behavioral risk factors (e.g., smoking) leading to breaking immune tolerance and autoimmune processes such as the production of autoantibodies (e.g., antibodies against citrullinated proteins ACPA or rheumatoid factors, RF), development of the first symptoms without clinical arthritis, and, finally, the manifestation of arthritis. Despite the typical joint involvement in established RA, the pathogenesis of the disease likely begins far from joint structures: in the lungs or periodontium in association with citrullination, intestinal microbiome, or adipose tissue, which supports normal findings in synovial tissue in ACPA+ patients with arthralgia. The presence of ACPA is detectable even years before the first manifestation of RA. The pre-clinical phase of RA is the period preceding clinically apparent RA with ACPA contributing to the symptoms without subclinical inflammation. While the combination of ACPA and RF increases the risk of progression to RA by up to 10 times, increasing numbers of novel autoantibodies are to be investigated to contribute to the increased risk and pathogenesis of RA. With growing knowledge about the course of RA, new aspiration emerges to cure and even prevent RA, shifting the "window of opportunity" to the pre-clinical phases of RA. The clinical definition of individuals at risk of developing RA (clinically suspect arthralgia, CSA) makes it possible to unify these at-risk individuals' clinical characteristics for "preventive" treatment in ongoing clinical trials using mostly biological or conventional synthetic disease-modifying drugs. However, the combination of symptoms, laboratory, and imaging biomarkers may be the best approach to select the correct target at-risk population. The current review aims to explore different phases of RA and discuss the potential of (non)pharmacological intervention aiming to prevent RA.

Genetic Polymorphisms Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis Development and Antirheumatic Therapy Response

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory arthropathy worldwide. Possible manifestations of RA can be represented by a wide variability of symptoms, clinical forms, and course options. This multifactorial disease is triggered by a genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Both clinical and genealogical studies have demonstrated disease case accumulation in families. Revealing the impact of candidate gene missense variants on the disease course elucidates understanding of RA molecular pathogenesis. A multivariate genomewide association study (GWAS) based analysis identified the genes and signalling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. However, these identified RA candidate gene variants only explain 30% of familial disease cases. The genetic causes for a significant proportion of familial RA have not been determined until now. Therefore, it is important to identify RA risk groups in different populations, as well as the possible prognostic value of some genetic variants for disease development, progression, and treatment. Our review has two purposes. First, to summarise the data on RA candidate genes and the increased disease risk associated with these alleles in various populations. Second, to describe how the genetic variants can be used in the selection of drugs for the treatment of RA.

TNFAIP3 genetic polymorphisms reduce ankylosing spondylitis risk in Eastern Chinese Han population

This study was conducted to clarify the associations of tumor necrosis factor-α induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3) and TNFAIP3-interacting protein 1 (TNIP1) genetic polymorphisms with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) susceptibility. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TNFAIP3 gene and four in TNIP1 gene were genotyped in 667 AS patients and 667 matched healthy controls. Genotypes and haplotype analysis were conducted by using SPSS 23.0 and Haploview 4.2 software. The T allele and CT genotype in TNFAIP3 rs10499194 were significantly associated with a reduced AS risk (T allele vs. C allele, OR = 0.619, 95% CI = 0.430–0.889, P = 0.009; CT vs. CC, OR = 0.603, 95% CI = 0.416–0.875, P = 0.007). However, no association remained significant after Bonferroni correction. The rs13207033^A- rs10499194^T haplotype of TNFAIP3 conferred a protective effect on AS susceptibility. Stratification analyses suggested that rs10499194 polymorphism decreased the risk of AS in the male subgroup, subgroup aged ≥ 29, HLA-B27 positive subgroup as well as the subgroups of BASFI < 4 and BASDAI < 4 (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, the functional annotation suggested a potential function of rs10499194 mutation. Our results demonstrated that TNFAIP3 rs10499194 polymorphism may be associated with a reduced risk of AS.

Role of deleterious single nucleotide variants in the coding regions of TNFAIP3 for Japanese autoimmune hepatitis with cirrhosis

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an autoimmune liver disease and cirrhosis is sometimes complicated with AIH at diagnosis, influencing its prognosis. TNFAIP3 gene encodes A20, an inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB pathway, and is a susceptibility gene for autoimmune diseases. We investigated deleterious variants in the coding regions of TNFAIP3 gene of Japanese AIH patients or those with cirrhosis. The deleterious variants in the coding regions of TNFAIP3 gene were analyzed by the cycle sequencing method and the frequencies of deleterious TNFAIP3 alleles of AIH or AIH with cirrhosis were compared with those of Japanese controls. The deleterious alleles in TNFAIP3 were not associated with AIH. A significant association was shown for the deleterious alleles in TNFAIP3 (P = 0.0180, odds ratio (OR) 4.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.53-11.95) with AIH with cirrhosis at presentation. The serum IgM levels in AIH patients with deleterious alleles in TNFAIP3 were tended to be lower than those without (P = 0.0152, Q = 0.1216). The frequency of deleterious alleles in TNFAIP3 was higher in the AIH subset without the DRB1 risk alleles than that with (P = 0.0052, OR 5.10, 95%CI 1.55-16.74). The deleterious alleles in TNFAIP3were associated with AIH with cirrhosis.

Identification of functional missense single-nucleotide polymorphisms in TNFAIP3 in a predominantly Hispanic population

Background:

Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3) is a multifunctional ubiquitin binding and editing enzyme that regulates inflammation. Genetic studies have implicated polymorphisms within the TNFAIP3 locus to the development of numerous immune-related diseases. This study evaluated the frequencies of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) within the exonic regions of the TNFAIP3 gene and an associated point mutation from the Illumina array among a predominantly Hispanic cohort.

Methods:

Genomic DNA was obtained from 721 participants and sequencing of all TNFAIP3 exons and an intergenic point mutation (rs6920220) was performed. In-vitro functional assessment was performed by transfecting mutated TNFAIP3 constructs into TNFAIP3 knockout cells containing the NF-kB luciferase reporter and stimulating with TNFα. Comparative statistics were performed with Student’s t-test for continuous variables and chi-squared test for categorical variables.

Results:

Sequencing revealed two missense SNPs, rs146534657:A>G and rs2230926:T>G, both within exon 3 of TNFAIP3, which encodes the protein’s deubiquitinating enzymatic domain. Frequencies of all three point mutations differed significantly across racial groups (χ²-test, P = 0.014 to P < 0.001). Compared to Caucasians, rs146534657:A>G was overrepresented among Hispanics (odds ratio (OR) [95% CI] 4.05 [1.24−13.18]), and rs2230926:T>G was more prevalent among African-Americans (OR [95% CI] 3.65 [1.58−8.43]). In-vitro assays confirm rs146534657:A>G and rs2230926:T>G decrease the ability of TNFAIP3 to abrogate NF-κB activation by 2-fold (P < 0.01) and 1.7-fold (P < 0.01), respectively.

Conclusions:

This study reports the frequency of rs146534657:A>G among Hispanics and is the first to evaluate its potential physiologic impact, establishing a basis for future research as a potential biomarker among this population.

Effects of Sepantronium Bromide (YM-155) on the Whole Transcriptome of MDA-MB-231 Cells: Highlight on Impaired ATR/ATM Fanconi Anemia DNA Damage Response

Sepantronium bromide (YM-155) is believed to elicit apoptosis and mitotic arrest in tumor cells by reducing (BIRC5, survivin) mRNA. In this study, we monitored changes in survivin mRNA and protein after treating MDA-MB-231 cells with YM-155 concurrent with evaluation of whole transcriptomic (WT) mRNA and long intergenic non-coding RNA at 2 time points: 8 h sub-lethal (83 ng/mL) and 20 h at the LC50 (14.6 ng/mL). The data show a tight association between cell death and the precipitating loss of survivin protein and mRNA (-2.67 fold-change (FC), p<0.001) at 20 h, questioning if the decline in survivin is attributed to cell death or drug impact. The meager loss of survivin mRNA was overshadowed by enormous differential change to the WT in both magnitude and significance for over 2000 differentially up/down-regulated transcripts: (+22 FC to -12 FC, p<0.001). The data show YM-155 to up-regulate transcripts in control of circadian rhythm (NOCT, PER, BHLHe40, NFIL3), tumor suppression (SIK1, FOSB), histone methylation (KDM6B) and negative feedback of NF-kappa B signaling (TNFAIP3). Down-regulated transcripts by YM-155 include glucuronidase (GUSBP3), numerous micro-RNAs, DNA damage repair elements (CENPI, POLQ, RAD54B) and the most affected system was the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM)/Fanconi anemia E3 monoubiquitin ligase core complexes (FANC transcripts - A/B/E/F/G/M), FANC2, FANCI, BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51, PALB2 gene and ATR (ATM- and Rad3-Related) pathway. In conclusion, these findings suggest that a primary target of YM-155 is the loss of replicative DNA repair systems.