Polymorphisms in IL-10 and INF-γ genes are associated with early atherosclerosis in coronary but not in carotid arteries: A study of 122 autopsy cases of young adults

Identification of co-expressed central genes and transcription factors in atherosclerosis-related intracranial aneurysm

Background

Numerous clinical studies have shown that atherosclerosis is one of the risk factors for intracranial aneurysms. Calcifications in the intracranial aneurysm walls are frequently correlated with atherosclerosis. However, the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis-related intracranial aneurysms remains unclear. This study aims to investigate this mechanism.

Methods

The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used to download the gene expression profiles for atherosclerosis (GSE100927) and intracranial aneurysms (GSE75436). Following the identification of the common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of atherosclerosis and intracranial aneurysm, the network creation of protein interactions, functional annotation, the identification of hub genes, and co-expression analysis were conducted. Thereafter, we predicted the transcription factors (TF) of hub genes and verified their expressions.

Results

A total of 270 common (62 downregulated and 208 upregulated) DEGs were identified for subsequent analysis. Functional analyses highlighted the significant role of phagocytosis, cytotoxicity, and T-cell receptor signaling pathways in this disease progression. Eight hub genes were identified and verified, namely, CCR5, FCGR3A, IL10RA, ITGAX, LCP2, PTPRC, TLR2, and TYROBP. Two TFs were also predicted and verified, which were IKZF1 and SPI1.

Conclusion

Intracranial aneurysms are correlated with atherosclerosis. We identified several hub genes for atherosclerosis-related intracranial aneurysms and explored the underlying pathogenesis. These discoveries may provide new insights for future experiments and clinical practice.

Interactive effects of interferon-gamma functional single nucleotid polymorphism (+874 T/A) with cardiovascular risk factors in coronary heart disease and early myocardial infarction risk

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease characterized by extensive lipid accumulation in the artery wall. Throughout the atherosclerotic process, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which is an important pro-inflammatory cytokine, plays a central role in atherosclerotic plaque instability and the occurrence of myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between IFN-γ +874 T/A (rs2430561) polymorphism and coronary heart disease (CHD) as well as its effects on MI and CHD. Three hundred and ninety patients with CHD (229 with MI, 161 without MI) and 233 healthy controls were screened by the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) PCR method for IFN-γ +874 T/A polymorphism. For MI risk, early adult age was important risk factors and the risk was increased with IFN-γ +874 T/A polymorphism. IFN-γ T allele was significantly increased in the CHD patients with age≤45 (p = 0.048) and patients with history of MI (p = 0.007). As IFN-γ is an inflammatory cytokine with an emerging role in the atherosclerotic process, it was suggested that inhibition of IFN-γ activity could be a therapeutic strategy to stabilize human atherosclerotic plaque. Our findings support the association between MI risk and IFN-γ +874 T/A polymorphism in the Turkish population, particularly by increasing the level of IFN-γ in young patients, thereby causing rupture of vulnerable plaques in atherosclerotic lesions. Identification of the IFN-γ +874 T/A gene variants as risk factors for early CHD and MI development may be a practical biomarker to guide the MI risk process and determine the ideal therapeutic approach.

The effect of tumor necrosis factor alpha (-308G/a) and interferon gamma (+874T/a) polymorphisms on susceptibility to coronary heart disease

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a chronic inflammatory disease, which is still regarded as a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Several studies have suggested that polymorphisms in cytokine genes are associated with the pathogenesis of CHD. The genotype distribution of Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) genes polymorphisms have been shown to be different in various ethnic populations. This study was aimed to investigate the association of TNF-α-308 G/A and IFN-γ + 874T/A polymorphisms with risk of CHD in an Iranian population. Methods: A total of 187 unrelated subjects comprised 96 CHD patients and 91 healthy controls were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The TNF-α-308 G/A and IFN-γ + 874T/A polymorphisms were genotyped using amplification refractory mutation system-PCR (ARMS-PCR). The chi-square and logistic regression tests were used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) as a measure of differences in genotype frequencies. Results: A significant differences in the allelic and genotypic distribution of TNF-α-308 G/A and IFN-γ + 874T/A polymorphisms was found between CHD patients and healthy controls (P = 0.017, P = 0.011, P = 0.006 and P = 0.002, respectively). Logistic regression analyses were also revealed statistically significant risk for CHD with respect to TNF-α-308 A and IFN-γ + 874 T carriers either in crude or after adjustment for potential confounders (P = 0.003 and P = 0.006, respectively). Conclusion: This study provides strong evidence supporting the association of TNF-α-308G/A and IFN-γ + 874T/A polymorphisms with the increased risk of CHD. Therefore, these two cytokine polymorphisms may play a role in predisposition to coronary heart disease.

Arterial aging mediates the effect of TNF-α and ACE polymorphisms on mental health in elderly individuals: insights from IKARIA study

BACKGROUND

Aging is characterized by an insidious decline in cognitive function. Several genetic and lifestyle factors have been implicated in the increased risk or early onset of dementia.

AIM

We sought to assess the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) polymorphisms on the development of impaired mental health in respect to indices of arterial aging in nonagenarian individuals.

DESIGN

178 consecutive subjects above 75 years that permanently inhabit in the island of IKARIA, Greece were recruited.

METHODS

Aortic distensibility (AoD) was calculated and genetic evaluation was performed on the ACE Insertion/Deletion gene polymorphism (intron 16) and the G/A transition (position -308) of the TNF gene. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE).

RESULTS

The DD genotype for ACE was independently associated ( b  = -0.44, P = 0.007) with AD while AoD remained an independent determinant of mental status (OR = 1.82, P = 0.036). Interestingly though, when a combined genetic index (GI) was calculated for both genes (ACE and TNF), subjects being double homozygous (DD for ACE and GG for TNF) for these loci presented significantly decreased MMSE (adjusted OR = 0.259, P = 0.033). This GI independently associated with AD (beta coefficient = -0.785, P = 0.002). When AoD was included, GI lost its predictive role (OR = 0.784, P = 0.783) towards MMSE. AoD has marginal indirect mediating effect in the association of the GI with MMSE ( P = 0.07).

CONCLUSION

Vascular aging may modulates the genetic substrate of elderly subjects on the risk for developing dementia.