Polymorphisms in cytokine genes and serum cytokine levels among New Mexican women with and without breast cancer

Involvement of IL17A and IL17RA variants in interleukin-17A levels and disease activity in ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the large intestine with involvement of Th17 cells and interleukin (IL)-17A. The role of IL17A and IL17A receptor (IL17RA) variants in pathophysiology of UC still remains inconclusive. The aim was to evaluate the association between IL17A and IL17RA variants with susceptibility, IL-17A plasma levels, and endoscopic activity in UC. The study included 104 patients with UC and 213 controls. Patients were divided according to endoscopic activity (remission/mild and moderate/severe). The IL17A rs3819024 A>G and rs3819025 G>A, and IL17RA rs2241043 C>T, rs2241049 A>G, and rs6518661 G>A variants were genotyped using real time polymerase chain reaction. IL-17A plasma levels were determined using immunofluorimetric assay. Neither IL17A nor IL17RA variants were associated with UC susceptibility. The IL17A rs3819024 AG genotype was associated to high levels of IL-17 only in patients. Patients with the G allele of IL17RA rs2241049 showed 2.944 more chance of developing moderate/severe disease. The haplotype analysis showed that IL17RA rs2241049 and rs6518661 was not associated with UC susceptibility and haplotypes constituted with G allele of these variants were not associated with disease severity (p = 0.09). In conclusion, the IL17A rs3819024 AG genotype was associated with elevated IL-17A plasma levels in patients with UC but not in controls and the IL17RA rs2241049 AG+GG genotypes were associated to severity of UC. These results suggest a possible hidden interaction between the IL17A rs3819024 variant and other genetic, environmental, and epigenetic factors in the IL-17A expression that is present only in patients with UC.

Immunogenetic Profile Associated with Patients Living with HIV-1 and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in the Brazilian Amazon Region

Viral coinfection among HIV-positive patients, coupled with the development of AIDS, remains a major public health problem. The synergism between the presence of HIV and other viruses has consequences in relation to changes in the severity of the infection, as well as changes in the natural course of both infections. Several polymorphisms present in genes that encode cytokines have a relevant influence on their transcription and consequently on the production of such immunological molecules. The present study evaluated the influence of SNPs located in the promoter regions of genes encoding the cytokines INF-ɣ, TNF, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-2, as well as their respective plasma concentrations, in patients infected with HIV and/or EBV in the state of Pará. Additionally, this study described the epidemiological profile and compared CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts among the groups studied. The associative analysis between the SNPs and plasma cytokine concentrations in different groups showed statistical relevance for three polymorphisms: rs2069762 (IL2), where the GG genotype demonstrated higher IL-2 levels in HIV mono-infected individuals; rs2243250 (IL4), where the CT genotype showed higher IL-4 levels in the control group; and rs2069705 (IFNG), where the TT genotype showed higher IFN-γ levels in the coinfected group. Regarding SNP associations with CD4+/CD8+ counts, significant findings were observed in HIV mono-infected individuals: the rs2069705 (IFNG) polymorphism was linked to higher CD4+ counts with the CT genotype, and rs1799964 (TNF) was associated with higher CD8+ counts with the CC genotype. Therefore, this study provides evidence that the rs2069705 (IFNG) SNP is associated with elevated IFN-γ levels, which may have pathogenic consequences, as depletion of this cytokine is concerning for people living with HIV due to its antiviral properties.

Immune gene polymorphisms associated with poor response to platelet transfusion and recombinant factor VII administration in Glanzmann thrombasthenia

INTRODUCTION

Poor response to platelet and recombinant factor VII administration is a major problem in patients with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia (GT). The risk factors associated with poor response to treatment in these patients are unknown. Some genetic variations of cytokines may contribute to therapy resistance.

AIMS

We evaluated, for the first time, whether genetic polymorphisms on cytokine genes are related to poor treatment response in GT patients.

METHODS

We enrolled 30 patients with GT (15 resistant and 15 non-resistant) and 100 healthy controls. Gene polymorphisms of IL-10 and TNF-α were analysed using TaqMan Realtime PCR, and IL-1, IL-1R1 and IL-1RN were investigated with the RFLP method. In-silico analyses were performed to predict the potential impact of these polymorphisms.

RESULTS

In the resistant group, all patients had a variant of the IL-10 gene at the -1082 position (rs1800896), with a GG genotype that was significantly more frequent than the non-resistant group. Analysis between healthy controls and GT patients revealed a probable correlation between rs3783550, rs3783553, rs3917356 and rs2234463 and GT. The In-silico study indicated that TNF-α rs1800629 and IL-10 rs1800896 polymorphisms result in different allelic expressions which may contribute to poor response to therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that polymorphisms in the IL-10 and IL-1 receptor antagonist genes may play a role in poor therapy response in GT patients. In addition, some polymorphisms in IL-1α, IL1-β, IL-1R1 and IL-R antagonists might be involved in the GT progression.

Relationship between IL-17A gene polymorphism and susceptibility to Kawasaki disease

OBJECTIVES

Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most common autoimmune vasculitis syndrome in children, which supposed be a complex polygenic disorder. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a member of the pro-inflammatory cytokine family, which has a strong pro-inflammatory effect and can participate in various acute and chronic inflammatory responses. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) locus rs3819025 in the IL-17A gene and the susceptibility to KD.

METHODS

A total of 120 patients with KD who met the diagnostic criteria (the KD group) and 120 healthy children (the control group) were enrolled retrospectively in this study. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA direct sequencing were used to detect the SNPs of children in the 2 groups.

RESULTS

The frequencies of GG, GA, and AA genotypes of rs3819025 locus in the IL-17A gene in the KD group were 82.5%, 17.5%, and 0, respectively, and the frequencies of GG, GA, and AA genotypes in the control group were 72.5%, 22.5%, and 5.0%, respectively. There were significant differences in both genotype (χ2=7.524, P=0.023). The allele frequencies G and A of rs3819025 locus in the KD group were 91.25% and 8.75%, respectively, while those in the control group were 83.75% and 16.25%, respectively. There was significant difference between the 2 groups (χ2=6.171, P=0.013). The distribution frequencies of GG or GA genotype and G or A allele were 88.46% or 11.54% and 94.23% or 5.77% in the KD group with coronary artery lesion, respectively. The distribution frequencies of GG or GA genotype and G or A allele were 78.72% or 21.28% and 89.36% or 10.64% in the KD group without coronary artery lesion, respectively. There were no significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies of rs3819025 between the KD with coronary artery lesion group and the KD group without coronary artery lesion (both P>0.05). Besides, children with the allele A had a 2.023 times higher risk of KD than those without the allele A (χ2=6.171, P=0.013; OR=2.023, 95% CI 1.151 to 3.557).

CONCLUSIONS

The locus rs3819025 in the IL-17A gene is associated with the pathogenesis of KD. The allele A of the locus rs3819025 in the IL-17A gene may be a risk factor for KD.

Investigation on Probable Association Between IL-13, IL-13RA1, and IL-13RA2 Genes Polymorphism and Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Objective

Our study aimed to explore the association of IL-13, IL-13RA1, and IL-13RA2 genes polymorphisms with PTB susceptibility and its clinical features.

Methods

Nine SNPs were genotyped by improved multiple ligase detection reaction (iMLDR) in 476 PTB patients and 473 controls. The association between these SNPs and PTB risk was analyzed using SPSS software and haplotype analysis was assessed using SHEsis software.

Results

The IL-13RA1 rs2495636 GA genotype frequency in PTB patients was significantly decreased, and IL-13RA2 rs5946039 A allele was related to the lower risk of PTB. In IL-13 gene, rs20541 variant was found to be associated with PTB risk under recessive mode. Moreover, IL-13RA1 rs141573089 C allele was significantly lower in PTB presenting with fever, drug resistance, and CC genotype was decreased in PTB presenting with leukopenia. IL-13RA1 rs2495636 polymorphism was associated with drug resistance, pulmonary infection, and IL-13RA2 rs3795175, rs638376 polymorphisms were related to drug resistance in PTB patients.

Conclusion

IL-13 rs20541, IL-13RA1 rs2495636, IL-13RA2 rs5946039 polymorphisms might be contributed to the genetic background of PTB in Chinese population.

Inflammation, Attention, and Processing Speed in Patients With Breast Cancer Before and After Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Inflammation may contribute to cognitive difficulties in patients with breast cancer. We tested 2 hypotheses: inflammation is elevated in patients with breast cancer vs noncancer control participants and inflammation in patients is associated with worse attention and processing speed over the course of chemotherapy.

METHODS

Serum cytokines (interleukin [IL]-4, 6, 8, 10; tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) and soluble receptors [sTNFRI, II]) were measured in 519 females with breast cancer before and after chemotherapy and 338 females without cancer serving as control participants. Attention and processing speed were measured by Rapid Visual Processing (RVP), Backward Counting (BCT), and Trail Making-A (TMT-A) tests. Linear regression models examined patient vs control cytokines and receptor levels, adjusting for covariates. Linear regression models also examined relationships between patient cytokines and receptor levels and test performance, adjusting for age, body mass index, anxiety, depression, cognitive reserve, and chemotherapy duration. Statistical tests were 2-sided (α = .05).

RESULTS

sTNFRI and sTNFRII increased over time in patients relative to controls, whereas IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 decreased. Prechemotherapy, higher IL-8 associated with worse BCT (β = 0.610, SE = 0.241, P = .01); higher IL-4 (β = -1.098, SE = 0.516, P = .03) and IL-10 (β = -0.835, SE = 0.414, P = .04) associated with better TMT-A. Postchemotherapy, higher IL-8 (β = 0.841, SE = 0.260, P = .001), sTNFRI (β = 6.638, SE = 2.208, P = .003), and sTNFRII (β = 0.913, SE = 0.455, P = .045) associated with worse BCT; higher sTNFRII also associated with worse RVP (β = -1.316, SE = 0.587, P = .03). At prechemotherapy, higher IL-4 predicted RVP improvement over time (β = 0.820, SE = 0.336, P = .02); higher sTNFRI predicted worse BCT over time (β = 5.566, SE = 2.367, P = .02). Longitudinally, increases in IL-4 associated with BCT improvement (β = -0.564, SE = 0.253, P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

Generally, worse attention and processing speed were associated with higher inflammatory cytokines and receptors and lower anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients; future confirmatory studies are needed.

IL-13 Genetic Susceptibility to Bullous Pemphigoid: A Potential Target for Treatment and a Prognostic Marker

Background

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a senile chronic autoimmune bullous skin disease with a high relapse rate, which significantly impairs patients’ quality of life and contributes to disease mortality. This observational case-control study explores the gene polymorphisms of cytokines and their clinical significance in Chinese patients with BP.

Methods

IL-1α (rs1800587), IL-1β (rs16944, rs1143627, rs1143634), IL-4 (rs2243250), IL-6 (rs1800795), IL-10 (rs1800896, rs1800871, rs1800872), IL-13 (rs1800925, rs20541), TNF-α (rs1799964, rs1800630, rs1799724, rs361525), IFN-γ (rs1799964, rs1800630, rs361525, rs1800629, rs4248160, rs1800750), and TGF-β1 (rs2317130, rs1800469, rs4803457) genes were genotyped in the healthy controls and BP patients, respectively. Expression of these cytokines in serum was measured. Medical profiles of patients, including baseline characteristics and prognosis, were statistically analyzed.

Results

We found that IL-1 β and IL-13 concentrations were higher in the BP patients’ sera compared to those in the controls. For IL-13, significant differences were found in the nucleotide ratio/genotype/haploid frequency/haplotype, respectively. IL-13 (rs20541, rs1800925) is related to gender, and the IL-13 genotype was significantly associated with recurrence.

Conclusions

BP is associated with IL-13 gene polymorphism and IL-13 concentration is elevated in blood circulation in patients with BP. Our results support that IL-13 is relevant in the pathogenesis of BP, suggesting that IL-13 could potentially represent a promising target for BP therapy and a prognostic marker.

The IFN-Ɣ + 874 A/T polymorphism is associated with malignant breast cancer in a population from the southwest of Iran

Objective

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common diseases in women globally, with an increasing number of deaths associated with it. Recently the role of polymorphisms in the genes encoding cytokines and immune cells has been demonstrated. This study aimed to evaluate the association of IFN-Ɣ + 874 A/T polymorphism with BC clinical symptoms.

Results

The study included 88 women with BC and 88 healthy women who had no history of cancer and were matched for age and sex. Allele-specific oligonucleotide-polymerase chain reaction technique was used to investigate the IFN-Ɣ polymorphism. Clinical data were obtained from the patients’ records. Our results showed that the frequencies of genotypes in the BC patients were not significantly different from the control subjects. However, in the patients, the AT genotype was associated with the risk of malignant BC. The age at BC diagnosis was not different in patients with AA and AT genotypes; however, it was significantly earlier in HER2 negative subjects (p = 0.002). Given the higher frequency of AT in malignant BC patients, our results confirm the association of the IFN-Ɣ polymorphism with the disease’s progression to a malignant state.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13104-021-05543-6.

Genetic polymorphism patterns suggest a genetic driven inflammatory response as pathogenesis in appendicitis

PURPOSE

The pathogenesis of appendicitis is not well understood. Environmental factors are regarded most important, but epidemiologic findings suggest a role of inflammatory and genetic mechanisms. This study determines the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of inflammatory genes with appendicitis.

METHODS

As part of a larger prospective study on the diagnostic value of inflammatory variables in appendicitis, the genotype frequency of 28 polymorphisms in 26 inflammatory response genes from the appendicitis and control patients was analyzed in blood samples from 343 patients, 100 with appendicitis, and 243 with non-specific abdominal pain, using TaqMan SNP genotyping assays.

RESULTS

Associations with appendicitis were found for SNPs IL-13 rs1800925 with odds ratio (OR) 6.02 (95% CI 1.52-23.78) for T/T versus C/C + T/T, for IL-17 rs2275913 with OR 2.38 (CI 1.24-4.57) for A/A vs G/G + GA, for CCL22 rs223888 with OR 0.12 (0.02-0.90), and for A/A vs G/G + GA. Signs of effect modification of age for the association with appendicitis were found for IL-13 rs1800925 and CTLA4 rs3087243. Stratified analysis showed difference in association with severity of disease for IL-17 rs2275913 and CD44 rs187115.

CONCLUSIONS

The association of gene variants on risk of appendicitis and its severity suggest an etiologic role of genetically regulated inflammatory response. This may have implications for understanding the prognosis of untreated appendicitis as a possible self-limiting disorder and for understanding the inverse association of appendicitis with ulcerative colitis.

Response to IL-17A inhibitors secukinumab and ixekizumab cannot be explained by genetic variation in the protein-coding and untranslated regions of the IL-17A gene: results from a multicentre study of four European psoriasis cohorts

BACKGROUND

Genetic predictors for treatment response could optimize allocation of biological treatment in patients with psoriasis. There is minimal knowledge about pharmacogenetics of anti-IL-17 agents.

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether genetic variants in the protein-coding region or untranslated regions of the IL-17A gene are associated with response to IL-17A inhibitors in patients with psoriasis.

METHODS

This was a multicenter European cohort study investigating pharmacogenetics of IL-17A inhibitors in patients with psoriasis. Patients with plaque psoriasis treated with secukinumab or ixekizumab in daily practice were included. For all participants, the protein-coding region and untranslated regions of the IL-17A gene were analysed using Sanger sequencing. Identified genetic variants were tested for association with response to secukinumab/ixekizumab, measured as ∆PASI, after 12 weeks (primary outcome) and after 24 weeks (secondary outcome). Association was tested using a linear regression model with correction for baseline PASI as a fixed covariate and for biological naivety and body mass index as additional covariates.

RESULTS

In total, 134 patients treated with secukinumab or ixekizumab were included. Genotyping of the cohort identified genetic variants present in untranslated regions and intronic DNA, but not in the protein-coding region of the IL-17A gene. Five genetic variants in non-coding DNA with a known or suspected functional effect on IL-17A expression were selected for association analyses: rs2275913, rs8193037, rs3819025, rs7747909 and rs3748067. After 12 weeks, 62% of patients achieved PASI75 and 39% achieved PASI90. At week 24, PASI75 and PASI90 response rates were 72% and 62%, respectively. No associations were found between the five genetic variants and ∆PASI, PASI75 or PASI90 after 12 and 24 weeks of anti-IL-17A treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Response to IL-17A inhibitors secukinumab and ixekizumab cannot be explained by genetic variation in the protein-coding and untranslated regions of the IL-17A gene. Pharmacogenetics of IL-17A inhibitors in the treatment of psoriasis requires further exploration.

Genetic variants in genes related to inflammation, apoptosis and autophagy in breast cancer risk

BACKGROUND

Inflammation contributes to breast cancer development through its effects on cell damage. This damage is usually dealt with by key genes involved in apoptosis and autophagy pathways.

METHODS

We tested 206 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 54 genes related to inflammation, apoptosis and autophagy in a population-based breast cancer study of women of European (658 cases and 795 controls) and East Asian (262 cases and 127 controls) descent. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios for breast cancer risk, and case-only analysis to compare breast cancer subtypes (defined by ER/PR/HER2 status), with adjustment for confounders. We assessed statistical interactions between the SNPs and lifestyle factors (smoking status, physical activity and body mass index).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Although no SNP was associated with breast cancer risk among women of European descent, we found evidence for an association among East Asians for rs1800925 (IL-13) and breast cancer risk (OR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.32-3.28; p = 0.000779), which remained statistically significant after multiple testing correction (padj = 0.0350). This association was replicated in a meta-analysis of 4305 cases and 4194 controls in the Shanghai Breast Cancer Genetics Study (OR 1.12, 95% CI: 1.03-1.21, p = 0.011). Further, we found evidence of an interaction between rs7874234 (TSC1) and physical activity among women of East Asian descent.

Local Interleukin-2 Immunotherapy of Breast Cancer: Benefit and Risk in a Spontaneous Mouse Model

Earlier, naturally arising mammary cancer in BLRB female mice was shown to reproduce some key pathological characteristics of the familial set of human breast cancer. Then we advanced a novel 3S-paradigm of anticancer research that helped to develop selection criteria and to estimate benefit/risk of local interleukin-2 (IL-2) effects in this spontaneous mouse model. In this paper, the efficacy of single and triple local IL-2 doses is compared using properly selected murine BLRB females based on our previously published data. Only BLRB females bearing spontaneous mammary tumors without subclinical period were used. The tumor growth rate and recipient survival of single and triple IL-2 applications were compared with corresponding parameter values of untreated control. Tumor growth rate was decreased in both experimental groups versus control parameter values. Single IL-2 application resulted in a significant prolongation of the average survival time while triple application caused acute tumor rejection in some females decreasing the survival time of the rest of the recipients. As a result, proper treatment protocol in accurately selected females allowed increasing the complete response rate to 14% in spontaneous mouse model of breast cancer. In conclusion, our approaches may demonstrate the principle methodology developing preselection procedure for breast cancer patients for local IL-2 therapy application.

Inflammatory Marker Changes in Postmenopausal Women after a Year-long Exercise Intervention Comparing High Versus Moderate Volumes

This randomized dose comparison trial examined if higher exercise volume decreased inflammatory biomarkers, associated with postmenopausal breast cancer risk, more than moderate exercise volume. The Breast Cancer and Exercise Trial in Alberta was a two-center, two-armed randomized trial in 400 inactive, healthy, postmenopausal women, aged 50 to 74 years, with a body mass index of 22 to 40 kg/m(2). Participants were randomized to high (300 minutes/week) or moderate (150 minutes/week) volumes of aerobic exercise while maintaining usual diet. Fasting blood concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), IL6, and TNFα were measured at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis was performed using linear mixed models adjusted for baseline biomarker concentrations. ITT analyses of 386 (97%) participants showed no statistically significant group differences for changes in biomarker levels at 6 and 12 months. In addition, we did not observe any modification of this effect by baseline characteristics of participants. In post hoc analyses based on self-selected exercise level (measured in minutes/week), CRP decreased by 22.45% for participants who exercised >246 minutes/week (highest quintile) and increased by 0.07% for those who exercised <110 minutes/week (lowest quintile, Ptrend = 0.04), adjusted for baseline covariates. When this analysis was restricted to include exercise time in the target heart rate zone only, statistically significant trends were observed for both CRP (P < 0.01) and IL6 (P = 0.04). Prescribing 300 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise did not improve inflammatory markers compared with 150 minutes/week in postmenopausal women. Decreases in CRP were observed with higher self-selected exercise volume.

Tumour Necrosis Factor-α Gene Polymorphism Is Associated with Metastasis in Patients with Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is critical in the regulation of inflammation and tumour progression. TNF-α-308G > A is associated with constitutively elevated TNF-α expression. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between TNF-α-308G > A and breast cancer (BC) risk by subtype and the connection between genotypes and clinical features of BC. A total of 768 patients and 565 controls were enrolled in this study, and genotypes were detected using the TaqMan assay. No effect on susceptibility for any BC subtype was found for the TNF-α-308 polymorphism in our study or in the pooled meta-analysis. This polymorphism was shown to be associated with age at menarche in all BC and in progesterone receptor-negative BC. Interestingly, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients with TNF-α-308A had an increased risk of distant tumour metastasis (OR = 3.80, 95% CI: 1.31-11.02, P = 0.009). Multi-regression analysis showed that TNF-α-308A was also a risk factor for distant tumour metastasis after adjustment for tumour size and lymph node metastasis status (OR = 6.26, 95% CI: 1.88-20.87, P = 0.003). These findings indicate that TNF-α might play a distinct role in the progression of TNBC, especially in distant tumour metastasis of TNBC.

Cytokine gene associations with self-report ratings of morning and evening fatigue in oncology patients and their family caregivers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate for differences in variations in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes between participants who were classified as having low and high levels of morning and evening fatigue and to evaluate for differences in phenotypic characteristics between these two groups. In a sample of 167 oncology outpatients with breast, prostate, lung, or brain cancer and 85 of their family caregivers, growth mixture modeling was used to identify latent classes of individuals based on ratings of morning and evening fatigue obtained prior to, during, and for 4 months following completion of radiation therapy. Differences in single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes in 15 cytokine genes were evaluated between the latent classes. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the effect of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics on morning and evening fatigue class membership. Associations were found between morning fatigue and number of comorbidities as well as variations in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFA) rs1800629 and rs3093662. Evening fatigue was associated with caring for children at home and variations in interleukin 4 (IL4) rs2243248 and TNFA rs2229094. Younger age and lower performance status were associated with both morning and evening fatigue. These findings suggest that inflammatory mediators are associated with the development of morning and evening fatigue. However, because different phenotypic characteristics and genomic markers are associated with diurnal variations in fatigue, morning and evening fatigue may be distinct but related symptoms.

Correlations of IFN-γ genetic polymorphisms with susceptibility to breast cancer: a meta-analysis

The meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the correlations between common genetic polymorphisms in the IFN-γ gene and susceptibility to breast cancer. The following electronic databases were searched without language restrictions: MEDLINE (1966 ~ 2013), the Cochrane Library Database (issue 12, 2013), EMBASE (1980 ~ 2013), CINAHL (1982 ~ 2013), Web of Science (1945 ~ 2013), and the Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) (1982 ~ 2013). Meta-analysis was performed with the use of the STATA statistical software. Odds ratios (OR) with their 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) were calculated. Nine clinical case-control studies met all the inclusion criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. A total of 1,182 breast cancer patients and 1,525 healthy controls were involved in this meta-analysis. Three functional polymorphisms were assessed, including rs2069705 C>T, rs2430561 T>A, and CA repeats 2/X. Our meta-analysis results indicated that IFN-γ genetic polymorphisms might be significantly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer (allele model: OR = 1.37, 95 % CI = 1.03 ~ 1.83, P = 0.031; dominant model: OR = 1.55, 95 % CI = 1.01 ~ 2.37, P = 0.046; homozygous model: OR = 2.23, 95 % CI = 1.30 ~ 3.82, P = 0.004; respectively), especially the rs2430561 T>A polymorphism. Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity suggested that genetic polymorphisms in the IFN-γ gene were closely correlated with increased breast cancer risk among Asians (allele model: OR = 1.21, 95 % CI = 1.02 ~ 1.58, P = 0.017; dominant model: OR = 3.44, 95 % CI = 2.07 ~ 5.71, P < 0.001; recessive model: OR = 1.58, 95 % CI = 1.06 ~ 2.37, P = 0.025; homozygous model: OR = 1.83, 95 % CI = 1.19 ~ 2.80, P = 0.006; respectively), but not among Caucasians (all P > 0.05). Our meta-analysis supported the hypothesis that IFN-γ genetic polymorphisms may contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer, especially the rs2430561 T>A polymorphism among Asians.

Functional polymorphisms of interferon-gamma affect pneumonia-induced sepsis

OBJECTIVE

Sepsis is an inflammatory syndrome caused by infection, and both its incidence and mortality are high. Because interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) plays an important role in inflammation, this work assessed IFN-γ single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) that may be associated with sepsis.

METHODS

A total of 196 patients with pneumonia-induced sepsis and 213 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers participated in our study from July 2012 to July 2013 in Guangzhou, China. Patient clinical information was collected. Clinical pathology was assessed in subgroups defined based on clinical criteria, APACHE II (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation) and SOFA (sepsis-related organ failure assessment) scores and discharge rate. Four functional SNPs, -1616T/C (rs2069705), -764G/C (rs2069707), +874A/T (rs2430561) and +3234C/T (rs2069718), were genotyped by Snapshot in both sepsis patients and healthy controls. Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the distribution of the SNPs, and the probability values (P values), odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS

No mutations in the IFN-γ -764G/C SNP were detected among the participants in our study. The +874A/T and +3234C/T SNPs were in strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) (r(2) = 0.894). The -1616 TC+TT, +874 AT+AA genotype and the TAC haplotype were significantly associated with sepsis susceptibility, while the CTT haplotype was associated with protection against sepsis incidence. Genotype of -1616 TT wasn't only protective against severity of sepsis, but also against higher APACHE II and SOFA scores as +874 AA and +3234 CC. The TAC haplotype was was protective against progression to severe sepsis either.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that functional IFN-γ SNPs and their haplotypes are associated with pneumonia-induced sepsis.

Opposing effects of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms on the risk for breast cancer in western Indian women: a pilot study

In an earlier study, the genotypes associated with higher level of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were found to reduce the risk for breast cancer in western Indian women. This observation implied that gene polymorphisms affecting the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines may influence the risk for breast cancer in this population. Hence, we performed genotyping for three more functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) responsible for variations in the levels of cytokines associated with inflammation. To that effect, polymorphisms in genes coding for IL-4 (IL-4 C-590T; rs2243250), IFN-γ (IFN-G A + 874T; rs2430561) and MCP-1 (MCP-1 A-2578G; rs1024611) were examined in premenopausal, healthy women (N = 239) and patients with breast cancer (N = 182) from western India. In carriers of the IL-4*590T allele, a reduced risk for the disease (dominant model; OR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.37-0.98) was seen similar to that seen in TGF-B1*10C carriers. An opposite trend was observed with respect to the alleles associated with higher expression of MCP-1 or IFN-γ. In individuals positive for three or more alleles associated with higher levels of either pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines, an additive effect on the modulation of risk for the disease was evident (for TGF-B1 & IL-4, OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.12-0.87; for IFN-G & MCP-1, OR = 2.29, 95% CI 0.95-5.51). In the context of contrasting observations in other populations, these results indicate a significant contribution of anti-inflammatory genotypes in the modulation of risk for breast cancer in western Indian women.

Three common polymorphisms in the IL-4 gene and cancer risk: a meta-analysis involving 5,392 cases and 6,930 controls

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a typical pleiotropic T helper 2 (Th2) cytokine. This cytokine is a critical mediator of the Th1/Th2 balance and apoptosis potential and involved in the process of inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis in human organs. IL-4 gene polymorphisms influence IL-4 transcription and have been implicated in cancer risks. However, current published data show conflicts among of them. To assess the relationship between IL-4 polymorphisms and cancer risks, we performed a meta-analysis which includes 14 studies involving 3,562 cancer cases for IL-4 rs2243250 polymorphism, 6 studies involving 2,052 subjects for IL-4 rs2070874 polymorphism, and 5 studies involving 791 subjects for IL-4 intron-3 polymorphism. As for rs2243250 polymorphism, no significant association of cancer risk was found in the overall analysis. When stratified by cancer type, we observed that the IL-4 rs2243250 polymorphism was significantly associated with decreased oral cancer risk and increased renal cell cancer risk (for oral cancer, TT vs. CC: odds ratio (OR) = 0.40, 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) 0.19-0.84, P heterogeneity = 0.662, P = 0.016; TT/CT vs. CC: OR = 0.45, 95 % CI 0.22-0.94, P heterogeneity = 0.407, P = 0.033; and for renal cell cancer, TT vs. CC: OR = 1.98, 95 % CI 1.06-3.69, P heterogeneity = 0.535, P = 0.031; TT vs.

CC/CT

OR = 1.43, 95 % CI 1.05-1.95, P heterogeneity = 0.959, P = 0.022). For rs2070874 and intron-3 polymorphisms, no significant association of cancer risk was found in the overall analysis. However, in the subgroup analysis by source of controls and ethnicities, a significant association between cancer risk and rs2070874 polymorphism was found in population-based studies (A allele vs. G allele: OR = 1.18, 95 % CI 1.03-1.35, P heterogeneity = 0.621, P = 0.0172; AA vs.

AG/GG

OR = 1.23, 95 % CI 1.03-1.47, P heterogeneity = 0.196, P = 0.024) and Caucasian populations (A allele vs. G allele: OR = 1.24, 95 % CI 1.03-1.48, P heterogeneity = 0.925, P = 0.022), but not in Asian populations. Taken together, our results indicated that IL-4 rs2243250 polymorphism was associated with decreased oral cancer risk in both the homozygote contrasts and the dominant genetic model, as well as increased renal cell cancer risk in both the homozygote contrasts and the recessive genetic model. The A allele of rs2070874 polymorphism in the IL-4 gene may be a risk factor for cancer development among Caucasians. Further larger, preferably prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.

Prognostic value of single nucleotide polymorphisms of candidate genes associated with inflammation in early stage breast cancer

To examine the role of germline genetic variations in inflammatory pathways as modifiers of time to recurrence (TTR) in patients with early stage breast cancer (BC), DNA from 997 early stage BC patients was genotyped for 53 tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 12 genes involved in inflammation. SNPs were analyzed separately for Caucasians versus African-Americans and Hispanics. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between SNPs in the inflammatory genes and TTR, adjusted for clinical and pathologic covariates. In univariable analyses of Caucasian women, the homozygous genotype of 12 SNPs, including 6 NFKB1 SNPs, 4 IL4 SNPs, and 2 IL13 SNPs, were significantly associated with a decrease in TTR compared with the heterozygous and/or corresponding homozygous genotype (P < 0.05). The significant NFKB1 and IL4 SNPs were in an area of high linkage disequilibrium (D' > 0.8). After adjusting for stage, age, and treatment, carriage of the homozygous genotypes for NFKB1 rs230532 and IL13rs1800925 were independently associated with a shorter TTR (P = 0.001 and P = 0.034, respectively). In African-American and Hispanic patients, expression of NFKB1 rs3774932, TNFrs1799964, and IL4rs3024543 SNPs were associated with a shorter TTR in univariable model. Only NFKB1 rs3774932 (P = 0.02) and IL4Rrs3024543 (P = 0.03) had independent prognostic value in the multivariable model These data support the existence of host genetic susceptibility as a component in recurrence risk mediated by pro-inflammatory and immune factors, and suggest the potential for drugs which modify immune responses and inflammatory genes to improve prognosis in early stage BC.

Joint effects of febrile acute infection and an interferon-γ polymorphism on breast cancer risk

Background

There is an inverse relationship between febrile infection and the risk of malignancies. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) plays an important role in fever induction and its expression increases with incubation at fever-range temperatures. Therefore, the genetic polymorphism of IFN-γ may modify the association of febrile infection with breast cancer risk.

Methodology and Principal Findings

Information on potential breast cancer risk factors, history of fever during the last 10 years, and blood specimens were collected from 839 incident breast cancer cases and 863 age-matched controls between October 2008 and June 2010 in Guangzhou, China. IFN-γ (rs2069705) was genotyped using a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry platform. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression. We found that women who had experienced ≥1 fever per year had a decreased risk of breast cancer [ORs and 95% CI: 0.77 (0.61–0.99)] compared to those with less than one fever a year. This association only occurred in women with CT/TT genotypes [0.54 (0.37–0.77)] but not in those with the CC genotype [1.09 (0.77–1.55)]. The association of IFN-γ rs2069705 with the risk of breast cancer was not significant among all participants, while the CT/TT genotypes were significantly related to an elevated risk of breast cancer [1.32 (1.03–1.70)] among the women with <1 fever per year and to a reduced risk of breast cancer [0.63 (0.40–0.99)] among women with ≥1 fever per year compared to the CC genotype. A marked interaction between fever frequencies and the IFN-γ genotypes was observed (P for multiplicative and additive interactions were 0.005 and 0.058, respectively).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate a possible link between febrile acute infection and a decreased risk of breast cancer, and this association was modified by IFN-γ rs2069705.

Joint effects of Epstein-Barr virus and polymorphisms in interleukin-10 and interferon-γ on breast cancer risk

BACKGROUND

The relationship between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and breast cancer (BC) is controversial. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) are believed to play a critical role in the host's responses to EBV infection, and their genetic variations may modify the association of EBV with BC risk.

METHODS

We examined serum levels of EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) immunoglobulin A (IgA) and nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) IgA along with the polymorphisms of IL-10 rs1800871 and IFN-γ rs2069705 in 354 incident BC cases and 504 age-matched controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

VCA IgA and EBNA-1 IgA levels were positively associated with BC risk. IL-10 rs1800871 (TC/CC) was associated with a reduced BC risk (OR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.55-1.00]) but had no interaction with EBV infection on BC risk. IFN-γ rs2069705 was not directly associated with BC risk but interacted with EBNA-1 IgA on BC risk. Among women with the CC genotype, EBNA-1 IgA seropositivity significantly increased the risk of BC compared to EBNA-1 IgA seronegativity (OR, 5.14 [95% CI, 1.76-14.98]).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that EBV may contribute to the risk of BC and that this contribution may be modified by genetic variations in IFN-γ.

TNF-alpha polymorphisms and breast cancer

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is an important pro-inflammatory cytokine in the development and progress in human cancer. TNF-α polymorphisms have been confirmed to influence the risk for several types of cancer, however, the associations between TNF-α polymorphisms and breast cancer (BC) remain controversial and ambiguous. The aim of this meta-analysis is to explore more precise estimations regarding this point. Electronic searches of several databases were conducted for all online publications on the associations between TNF-α-238, -308, -857, -863, -1031, -1210 polymorphisms and BC through March 2011. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to assess the strength of these associations in fixed- and random-effect models with Review manager 5.0. A total of 17 studies with 44,442 BC patients and 49,926 controls involved were identified. This meta-analysis showed no significant association between TNF-α-308 polymorphism and BC (AA + GA vs. GG: OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.82-1.09) in overall and (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 0.61-3.40) Asian populations, however, a negative association was shown in Caucasian subgroup (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.85-0.97). As regards the TNF-α-238 polymorphism, the OR values (95% CI) were 0.99 (0.94-1.05), 0.94 (0.78-1.14), and 1.00 (0.95-1.05) for the overall, Asian, and Caucasian studies, respectively. No significant associations were found for other polymorphisms. Furthermore, there was a coincidence in the sensitivity analysis of these associations. No publication bias was detected in this study. To sum up, no significant associations were found between the TNF-α-308, -238, -857, -863, -1031, -1210 polymorphisms and the risk for BC in overall populations, whereas a negative association was found between TNF-α-308 polymorphism and BC in Caucasian populations.