Relationship of common vascular endothelial growth factor polymorphisms and haplotypes with the risk of cervical cancer in Tunisians

VEGFA gene variants are associated with breast cancer progression

Angiogenesis is recognized as a hallmark of cancer, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of the angiogenic process and is related to cancer progression. Anti-VEGF therapy has been tried but with limited success and without useful stratification for angiogenesis markers. Further, the landscape of VEGF single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in breast cancer and their clinical relevance is not well studied, and their relation to tissue-based angiogenesis markers has not been explored. Here, we studied a selection of VEGFA SNPs in nontumor lymph nodes from a population-based breast cancer cohort (n = 544), and their relation to clinicopathologic variables, vascular tissue metrics, and breast cancer-specific survival. Two of the SNP candidates (rs833068GA genotype and rs25648CC genotype) showed associations with angiogenesis tissue markers, and the VEGFA rs833068GA genotype was associated with breast cancer-specific survival among ER-negative cases. We also found trends of association between the rs699947CA genotype and large tumor diameter and ER-negative tumors, and between the rs3025039CC genotype and large tumor diameter. Our findings indicate some associations between certain VEGF SNPs, in particular the rs833068GA genotype, and both vascular metrics and patient survival. These findings and their potential implications need to be validated by independent studies.

The Relation of VEGFA, VEGFR2, VEGI, and HIF1A Genetic Variants and Their Serum Protein Levels with Breast Cancer in Egyptian Patients

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Egyptian females. Polymorphisms in the angiogenesis pathway have been implicated previously in cancer risk and prognosis. The aim of the current study was to determine whether certain polymorphisms in the genes of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGI), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1A) associated with breast cancer development. The study included 154 breast cancer patients and 132 apparently healthy age-matched females as a control group. VEGFA rs25648 genotyping was performed using (ARMS) PCR technique; while VEGFR2 rs2071559, VEGI rs6478106, and HIF-1α rs11549465 were genotyped by the PCR-RFLP method. Serum levels of VEGF, VEGFR2, VEGI, and HIF1A proteins in breast cancer patients and controls were measured by ELISA. There was a significant association between the VEGFA rs25648 C allele and breast cancer risk (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.7-3.6, p < 0.001). VEGFA rs25648 C/C genotype was statistically significantly higher in breast cancer patients vs. control (p < 0.001). Participants with the T/T and T/C VEGFR2 rs2071559 genotypes had 5.46 and 5 higher odds, respectively, of having breast cancer than those with the C/C genotype. For the VEGI rs6478106 polymorphism, there was a higher proportion of C allele in breast cancer patients vs. control (p = 0.003). Moreover, the C/C genotype of VEGI rs6478106 was statistically significantly higher in breast cancer patients vs. control (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in genotypes and allele frequencies of HIF1A rs11549465 polymorphism between breast cancer cases and control individuals (p > 0.05). Serum levels of VEGFA, VEGI, and HIF1A were considerably greater in women with breast cancer than in the control (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the genetic variants VEGFA rs25648, VEGFR2 rs2071559, and VEGI rs6478106 revealed a significant association with increased breast cancer risk in Egyptian patients.

The relationship between VEGF-460(T>C) polymorphism and cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis based on 46 reports

BACKGROUND

Extensive studies on the link between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and various malignancy risks produced conflicting results, notably for VEGF-460(T/C). To evaluate this correlation more comprehensively and accurately, we perform a meta-analysis.

METHODS

Through retrieving 5 databases (Web of Science (WoS), Embase, Pubmed, Wanfang database (Wangfang), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)) and applying hand search, citation search, and gray literature search, 44 papers included 46 reports were enrolled. To evaluate the relationship between VEGF-460 and cancer risk, we pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Our results indicated that the VEGF-460 polymorphism is not related to malignancy susceptibility (dominant model, OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.87-1.09; recessive model, OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.82-1.10; heterozygous model, OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.90-1.10; homozygous model, OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.76-1.10; additive model, OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.90-1.07). While, in subgroup analysis, this SNP may reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

this meta-analysis indicated that VEGF-460 was irrelevant to overall malignancy risk, but it might be a protective factor for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Circulating vascular endothelial growth factor and cancer risk: A bidirectional mendelian randomization

In observational studies, circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been reported to be associated with certain types of cancer. The purpose of this study was to verify whether there is a causal relationship between circulating VEGF and different types of cancer and the direction of the causal relationship. Summary statistical data were obtained from the corresponding genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to investigate the causal relationship between circulating VEGF and the risk of several cancers, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, anus and anal canal cancer, prostate cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, thyroid cancer, malignant neoplasm of the brain and malignant neoplasm of the liver and intrahepatic bile ducts. A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and sensitivity tests were used to evaluate the validity of causality. A causal relationship was detected between circulating VEGF and colorectal cancer (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.11–1.32, p < 0.000) and colon adenocarcinoma (OR 1.245, 95% CI 1.10–1.412, p < 0.000). Suggestive evidence of association was detected in VEGF on malignant neoplasms of the rectum (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.00–1.34, p = 0.049). No causal relationship was found between circulating VEGF and other types of cancer, nor was there a reverse causal relationship from tumors to VEGF (p > 0.05). Circulating VEGF has a causal relationship with specific types of cancer. Our findings highlight and confirm the importance of circulating VEGF in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.

Association of VEGFA polymorphisms with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Chinese Han and Mongolian populations

NEW FINDINGS

What is the central question of this study? Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is an important growth factor involved in changes in the bronchial microvascular and airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) progression. What is the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in VEGFA with the risk of COPD in the Chinese Han and Mongolian populations? What is the main finding and its importance? The effect of five SNPs in the VEGFA gene was analysed and compared between the Chinese Han and Mongolian populations. A contribution of risk alleles rs833068, rs833070 and rs3024997 to COPD was detected in the Chinese Mongolian population only. The study provided data from different populations to validate the role of VEGFA polymorphisms in COPD and provided reliable SNPs to predict the risk of COPD.

ABSTRACT

We attempted to define the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) gene and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Chinese Han and Mongolian cohorts. Five SNPs were genotyped in cohorts of 684 COPD patients (350 Mongolian and 334 Han) and 784 healthy controls (350 Mongolian and 434 Han) using SNPscan multiplex PCR. SNP frequencies, genetic models and haplotypes were analysed using the chi-square test. The associations of SNPs with COPD and linkage disequilibrium were analysed using logistic regression and HaploView, respectively. We found that only rs833068G>A, rs833070T>C and rs3024997G>A were significantly associated with the risk of COPD in the Mongolian population (rs833068: P < 0.001, rs833070: P < 0.001, rs3024997: P = 0.002). In the analysis of genotype distributions, the A/A and G/A genotypes in rs833068 (A/A: odds ratio (OR) = 0.313, P < 0.001; G/A: OR = 0.724, P < 0.001) and rs3024997 (A/A: OR = 0.513, P = 0.008; G/A: OR = 0.671, P = 0.008) and the C/C and T/C genotypes in rs833070 (C/C: OR = 0.435, P = 0.007; T/C: OR = 0.593, P = 0.007) were associated with protection against COPD in the Mongolian population. The haplotype frequencies of GCCAT and GTCGC were significantly different between the patients and controls (GCCAT: P = 0.001; GTCGC: P < 0.001) in the Mongolian population. Our findings indicate that five SNPs in the VEGFA gene play divergent roles in the Han and Mongolian populations. rs833068A, rs833070C and rs3024997A were observed to be associated with the risk of COPD in the Mongolian population.

Transcriptome changes induced by RUNX3 in cervical cancer cells in vitro

Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) is a member of Runt domain family that is known to play key roles in various different types of tumor. It was recently demonstrated that RUNX3 may also be associated with cervical cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential association between transcriptome changes and RUNX3 expression in cervical cancer. A RUNX3 overexpression model was constructed using cervical cancer cell lines by RUNX3 plasmid transfection. It was demonstrated that the upregulated expression of RUNX3 inhibited proliferation of cervical cancer cell lines, particularly SiHa cells, and was associated with the expression of the IL-6, PTGS2, FOSL1 and TNF genes. In addition, it was revealed that the TNF and FoxO pathways may also be affected by RUNX3. Therefore, the expression of the RUNX3 gene may be involved in the occurrence and progression of cervical cancer.

Analysis of VEGF gene polymorphisms and serum VEGF protein levels contribution in polycystic ovary syndrome of patients

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a well-known factor in reproductive function and contributes to the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Genetic variations in VEGFA gene were suggested to contribute alterations in VEGF secretion and PCOS. This study evaluated the association of VEGFA SNPs with altered VEGF secretion level and PCOS among ethnically-matched control women. This prospective case-control study was conducted from 2016 to 2018 and comprised of 55 women with PCOS and 52 control subjects. ELISA was used to measure VEGF levels; and various other related bio chemicals whereas the genotyping of VEGFA variants was performed through the analysis of nine SNPs of VEGF. PRL, E2, PRGE testosterone and glucose level were found to be insignificantly different. The levels of FSH, LH, LH/FSH, TT, insulin, SHBG and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in the study group. Among the nine tested variants of VEGF SNPs, two SNPs rs3025020 and rs833061, consisted of TT (Recessive and Dominant homozygous, respectively) which were marginally higher in test. The SNP rs1570360 had significantly higher GG allele (32.73%) which was recessive homozygous. There was no significant difference observed in genotype frequencies related to higher value of VEGF. The genotype frequencies for the studied SNPs were in alignment with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). The mean serum VEGF levels got significantly increased in PCOS group. No significant association was found between VEGF genotypes and its serum levels. VEGF levels in rs699947 (AA-major homozygous), rs3025039 (CC-major homozygous) and rs833061 (TT & CC-major & minor homozygous) genotypes were significantly higher in PCOS. The study results evidently proved that the allelic variants in genes may be a factor for PCOS and VEGF serum levels with respect to few SNP variants only. These findings indicated that VEGF may be involved in PCOS status and confirmed the previous association between genetic variants in VEGF, serum level of VEGF protein and PCOS.

Haplotype-based association of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor gene polymorphisms with urothelial bladder cancer risk in Tunisian population

BACKGROUND/AIM

Accumulated data suggested that Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor is a major mediator in vasculogenesis, angiogenesis and recently in tumorigenesis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate for the first time the association between VEGF gene variants (-2549I/D (rs35569394), -2578C/A (rs699947), and +936C/T (rs3025039)) with urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) in Tunisian population.

METHODS

A total of 218 UBC patients and 204 controls were recruited and genotyped by Polymerase Chain Reaction technique. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to access the association between the VEGFA gene polymorphisms and UBC.

RESULTS

We found a significant decreased risk association of -2578 C/A polymorphism with UBC (OR (95% CI), 0.62 (0.41-0.94), P = .026) for CA genotype and (OR (95% CI), 0.40 (0.21-0.76), P = .005) for double homozygous mutant genotype. No associations were found in case of both polymorphic sites of VEGF, vis. -2549I/D and +936C/T, respectively. Haplotype analysis revealed a strong linkage disequilibrium between -2578C/A and -2549I/D and CIC combination is the significant haplotype associated with increased risk of UBC (OR (95% CI), 3.63 (1.47-8.97), P = .005). Regarding tumor grade/stage and family history of cancer, no associations were found for -2578C/A polymorphism.

CONCLUSION

CIC haplotype of VEGF gene may be important risk factor for UBC development in Tunisia.

Vascular endothelial growth factor G+405C polymorphism may contribute to the risk of developing papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common endocrine malignancy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a mediator implicated with cell proliferation, differentiation and migration, and monocyte/macrophage chemotaxis. In present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between VEGF gene polymorphisms (G+405C, T-460C, and A-2578C) and PTC susceptibility.

METHODS

DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes of 127 patients with PTC and 203 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed by real-time PCR. Association of genotypes with susceptibility of PTC was analyzed with multivariate logistic regression adjusted for age, gender and smoking status.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

In G+405C polymorphism, the frequencies of C allele (related with increased VEGF production) and combined CG+CC genotype were found to be higher (3.5 and 5-fold, respectively) among patients with PTC than controls (P<.001). However, VEGF T-460C and A-2578C polymorphisms are not associated with PTC risk. There was no relationship between VEGF polymorphisms and clinical/laboratory parameters of PTC. Haplotype analysis demonstrated that there was a strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) between -460/-2578 (D'=.89, r² =.79), weak LD between +405/-460 (D'=.422, r² =.035), and +405/-2578 (D'=.43, r² =.038) locuses. Additionally, the +405/-460/-2578 GTA haplotype was found to be protective, whereas CTA haplotype to be related with increased PTC risk. As a conclusion, we suggest that VEGF G+405C polymorphism is associated with increased risk of PTC.

Analysis of VEGFA Variants and Changes in VEGF Levels Underscores the Contribution of VEGF to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) contributes to the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and genetic variations in VEGFA gene were suggested to contribute to VEGF secretion and PCOS.

Aim

To evaluate the association of altered VEGF levels, stemming from the presence of specific VEGFA variants, with altered risk of PCOS.

Subjects and Methods

Retrospective case-control study, performed between 2012–2015. Study subjects comprised 382 women with PCOS, and 393 control subjects. ELISA measured VEGF levels; genotyping of VEGFA variants was done by allelic exclusion.

Results

Among the 12 tested VEGFA SNPs, minor allele frequency of only rs3025020 was significantly higher in PCOS cases than control women. Increased and reduced PCOS risk was seen with rs3025020 and rs2010963 genotypes, respectively. Increases and reduction in VEGF levels were associated with rs3025020 and rs2010963, respectively. Increased fasting insulin and HOMA-IR, and bioactive testosterone were linked with rs3025020, while carriage of rs2010963 was linked with reduction in fasting insulin, and free and bioactive testosterone. Of the 12 VEGFA variants, 9 were in LD, thus allowing construction of 9-locus haplotypes. Increased frequency of CAACAGCGA haplotype was seen in PCOS cases, after controlling for BMI, free and bioactive testosterone, SHBG, free insulin and HOMA-IR.

Conclusion

This study confirms the contribution of altered VEGF secretion, resulting from genetic variation in VEGFA gene into the pathogenesis of PCOS. This supports a role for VEGF as PCOS candidate locus.

Relationships between Common and Novel Interleukin-6 Gene Polymorphisms and Risk of Cervical Cancer: a Case-Control Study

We investigated the association between six common and novel interleukin-6 (IL-6) polymorphisms with the risk of cervical cancer (CC) among Tunisians. Study subjects comprised 112 CC cases and 164 control women. Genotyping of IL-6 rs2069845, rs2069840, rs1474348, rs1800795, rs1800797, rs2069827 variants was done by real-time PCR, with defined clusters. The allelic and genotypic distributions of the tested IL-6 SNPs were comparable between CC patients and control women. Stratification according to FIGO staging revealed that rs1800795 homozygous major allele genotype (P = 0.033; OR =0.49(0.25-0.95)) and major allele (P = 0.037; OR = 0.57 (0.33-0.97)) were protective of CC. Moreover, carriage of rs1474348 major allele was also protective of CC (P = 0.014; OR = 0.53(0.32-0.88)), while higher rs1474348 minor allele frequency was seen in CC patients with early FIGO stage (P = 0.044; OR = 0.39 (0.15-1.00)), thus implicating rs1474348 in CC evolution and progression of angiogenesis. Haploview analysis demonstrated high linkage disequilibrium (LD) between rs2069845, rs2069840, rs1474348 and rs1800795, and 6-locus haplotype analysis identified GACCCA haplotype to be positively associated with increased CC, while GAGGGG haplotype was negatively associated with CC, thus suggesting a protective role for this haplotype in CC. Furthermore, there was a significant association between the incidence of CC and the use hormonal contraception (P = 0.047; OR = 1.97 (0.94-4.13)) and smoking (P < 0.001; OR = 7.12 (2.97-17.04)). The IL-6 variants rs1800795 and rs1474348, and haplotypes GACCCA and GAGGGG, along with use of hormonal contraceptives and smoking, are major risk factors of CC susceptibility and evolution among Tunisian women.

Interplay among cytokines and T cell subsets in the progression and control of immune-mediated diseases

Cytokines serve as key mediators of inflammation and tissue damage in a variety of immune-mediated disorders. The induction, progression, and resolution of inflammation in such disorders are characterized by a dynamic balance between both the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines as well as the pathogenic and protective T cell subsets. Over the past two decades, the roles of the interleukin-17 (IL-17) /IL-23 axis and the T helper 17 (Th17)/ T regulatory (Treg) cell balance in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity and other inflammatory diseases have extensively been analyzed, and their significance validated. However, these studies, coupled with others devoted to well-established Th1/Th2 cytokines, have unraveled some challenging issues including the dual action of cytokines and the plasticity of T cell subsets. Nevertheless, major positive advances have also been made regarding cytokines and T cell subsets as therapeutic targets/agents. In this special issue, "Cytokines in Immune Pathology and Therapy," leading experts have shared their research work and perspectives on the roles of cytokines in the development and control of immune-mediated diseases. An outline of 14 articles in the first volume is presented here. The second volume will follow soon.