HHIPL-1 (rs2895811) gene polymorphism is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and cardiometabolic parameters in Mexicans patients with myocardial infarction

Thrombosis in the Coronary Microvasculature Impairs Cardiac Relaxation and Induces Diastolic Dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is proposed to be caused by endothelial dysfunction in cardiac microvessels. Our goal was to identify molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the development of cardiac microvessel disease and diastolic dysfunction in the setting of type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

We used Leprdb/db (leptin receptor-deficient) female mice as a model of type 2 diabetes and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and identified Hhipl1 (hedgehog interacting protein-like 1), which encodes for a decoy receptor for HH (hedgehog) ligands as a gene upregulated in the cardiac vascular fraction of diseased mice.

RESULTS

We then used Dhh (desert HH)-deficient mice to investigate the functional consequences of impaired HH signaling in the adult heart. We found that Dhh-deficient mice displayed increased end-diastolic pressure while left ventricular ejection fraction was comparable to that of control mice. This phenotype was associated with a reduced exercise tolerance in the treadmill test, suggesting that Dhh-deficient mice do present heart failure. At molecular and cellular levels, impaired cardiac relaxation in DhhECKO mice was associated with a significantly decreased PLN (phospholamban) phosphorylation on Thr17 (threonine 17) and an alteration of sarcomeric shortening ex vivo. Besides, as expected, Dhh-deficient mice exhibited phenotypic changes in their cardiac microvessels including a prominent prothrombotic phenotype. Importantly, aspirin therapy prevented the occurrence of both diastolic dysfunction and exercise intolerance in these mice. To confirm the critical role of thrombosis in the pathophysiology of diastolic dysfunction, we verified Leprdb/db also displays increased cardiac microvessel thrombosis. Moreover, consistently, with Dhh-deficient mice, we found that aspirin treatment decreased end-diastolic pressure and improved exercise tolerance in Leprdb/db mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, these results demonstrate that microvessel thrombosis may participate in the pathophysiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Various Expressions of PIK3C2A and TXNIP Genes and Their Potential Role as Independent Risk Factors for Chronic Stable Angina and Acute Coronary Syndrome

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Genetic factors play a significant role in the onset and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). PIK3C2A may contribute to the development of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) by affecting blood glucose levels and oxidative stress. The expression levels of TXNIP were significantly higher in patients with unstable angina pectoris. However, the situation is different in ACS. In the current study, we aim to investigate the role of PIK3C2A and TXNIP as independent risk factors for chronic stable angina (CSA) and ACS.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This study involved 215 subjects (60 patients with CSA, 55 patients with ACS, and 100 controls). All subjects were exposed for assaying gene expressions of PIK3C2A and TXNIP by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

It was found that TXNIP was upregulated, whereas PIK3C2A was downregulated in patients with CAD compared to the control group. PIK3C2A was significantly downregulated in patients with ACS compared to that in patients with CSA (p < 0.001), but TXNIP was not (p = 0.7). TXNIP was significantly upregulated in STEMI-ACS patients compared to CSA (p = 0.045) and NSTEMI ACS (p = 0.046), among non-diabetic (p = 0.023) smokers (p = 0.036) with hypertension (p = 0.005) and hypercholesterolemia (p = 0.001). ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve analysis revealed that PIK3C2A (0.981; p < 0.001; 98.18) was the most sensitive mRNA for discriminating ACS from control, followed by TXNIP (0.775; p < 0.001; 70.91). However, for discriminating ACS from CSA combined mRNAs, (PIK3C2A + TXNIP) (0.893; p < 0.001; 98.18) and PIK3C2A (0.892; p < 0.001; 81.82) are promising biomarkers. On the other hand, the most sensitive mRNA for differentiating CSA from control is mRNAs (PIK3C2A + TXNIP) (0.963; p < 0.001; 95), then TXINP (81.3; p < 0.001; 93.33), and finally, PIK3C2A (0.782; p < 0.001; 81.67). In the multivariate regression model, PIK3C2A ((p = 0.002), 0.118 (0.031-0.445)) and smoking status ((p = 0.034); 0.151 (0.026-0.866)) were independent variables for ACS. Moreover, PIK3C2A ((p < 0.013); 0.706 (0.614-0.812)), Hb ((p = 0.013); 0.525 (0.317-0.871)), and total cholesterol ((p = 0.04); 0.865 (0.784-0.955)) were significantly (p < 0.05) and independently related to the prognosis of CSA. Furthermore, PIK3C2A ((p = 0.002), 0.923 (0.877-0.971)), TXNIP ((p = 0.001); 2.809 (1.558-5.064)) the body weight ((p = 0.033); 1.254 (1.018-1.544)) were independently associated with CSA.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study concluded that the dysregulated mRNA PIK3C2A and TXNIP gene expressions may be useful in diagnosis of CAD and prediction of ACS development.

Susceptibility Loci for Type 2 Diabetes in the Ethnically Endogamous Indian Sindhi Population: A Pooled Blood Genome-Wide Association Study

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex metabolic derangement that has a strong genetic basis. There is substantial population-specificity in the association of genetic variants with T2D. The Indian urban Sindhi population is at a high risk of T2D. The genetic basis of T2D in this population is unknown. We interrogated 28 pooled whole blood genomes of 1402 participants from the Diabetes In Sindhi Families In Nagpur (DISFIN) study using Illumina's Global Screening Array. From a total of 608,550 biallelic variants, 140 were significantly associated with T2D after adjusting for comorbidities, batch effects, pooling error, kinship status and pooling variation in a random effects multivariable logistic regression framework. Of the 102 well-characterized genes that these variants mapped onto, 70 genes have been previously reported to be associated with T2D to varying degrees with known functional relevance. Excluding open reading frames, intergenic non-coding elements and pseudogenes, our study identified 22 novel candidate genes in the Sindhi population studied. Our study thus points to the potential, interesting candidate genes associated with T2D in an ethnically endogamous population. These candidate genes need to be fully investigated in future studies.

Osteopontin Gene Polymorphisms Are Associated with Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Premature Coronary Artery Disease

Osteopontin (OPN) is considered a clinical predictor of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to evaluate the association of the OPN gene polymorphisms rs2728127 and rs11730582 with the development of premature coronary artery disease (pCAD), cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiometabolic parameters. We evaluated 1142 patients with pCAD and 1073 controls. Both polymorphisms were determined by Taqman assays. Similar allele and genotype frequencies were observed in both groups; additionally, an association of these polymorphisms with CAD and cardiometabolic parameters was observed in both groups. In patients with pCAD, the rs11730582 was associated with a high risk of hypoadiponectinemia (OR = 1.300, P _additive = 0.003), low risk of hypertension (OR = 0.709, P _{codominant 1} = 0.030), and low risk of having high non-HDL cholesterol (OR = 0.637, P _additive = 0.038). In the control group, the rs2728127 was associated with a low risk of fatty liver (OR = 0.766, P _additive = 0.038); while the rs11730582 was associated with a low risk of hypoadiponectinemia (OR = 0.728, P _dominant = 0.022), and risk of having elevated apolipoprotein B (OR = 1.400, P _dominant = 0.031). Our results suggest that in Mexican individuals, the rs11730582 and rs2728127 OPN gene polymorphisms are associated with some abnormal metabolic variables in patients with pCAD and controls.

Variants of PCSK9 Gene Are Associated with Subclinical Atherosclerosis and Cardiometabolic Parameters in Mexicans. The GEA Project

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a chronic, inflammatory, and complex disease associated with vascular risk factors. Nowadays, the coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a specific marker of the presence and extent of atherosclerosis. Additionally, CAC is a predictor of future coronary events in asymptomatic individuals diagnosed with subclinical atherosclerosis (CAC > 0). In this study, our aim is to evaluate the participation of two polymorphisms of the PCSK9 gene as genetic markers for developing subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiometabolic risk factors in asymptomatic individuals. Methods: We analyzed two PCSK9 polymorphisms (rs2479409 and rs615563) in 394 individuals with subclinical atherosclerosis and 1102 healthy controls using real time- polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Under various inheritance models adjusted for different confounding factors, the rs2479409 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of developing subclinical atherosclerosis (OR = 1.53, P recessive = 0.041). Both polymorphisms were significantly associated with several cardiometabolic parameters. Conclusions: Our data suggest that rs2479409 polymorphism could be envisaged as a risk marker for subclinical atherosclerosis.

Role of Adiponectin Gene and Receptor Polymorphisms and Their mRNA Levels with Serum Adiponectin Level in Myocardial Infarction

Background and Aim

Genetic factors are vital participants in the development and progression of myocardial infarction (MI). Adiponectin has been assumed to have a protective role in MI and adiponectin receptors variants could be a determinant for atherosclerosis. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of ADIPOQ (rs2241766) and ADIPOR2 (rs10773989) polymorphisms and their association with mRNA levels and circulatory adiponectin levels in patients with MI.

Subjects and Methods

A total of 220 participants were classified into two groups: group 1 included 120 patients with MI, and group 2 involved 100 healthy participants as controls. Genotyping of ADIPOQ (rs2241766) and ADIPOR2 (rs10773989) polymorphisms were analyzed using an allele discrimination assay with real-time PCR and their relative expression or mRNA levels were determined by real-time PCR. Serum adiponectin level was determined using an ELISA technique.

Results

The ADIPOQ rs2241766 GG genotype and G allele and the CC genotype and C allele of ADIPOR2 rs10773989 were significantly prevalent in patients with MI and associated with increased risk of MI. We detected a marked reduction in serum adiponectin, ADIPOQ and ADIPOR2 mRNA levels in patients than control. The GG genotype of ADIPOQ rs2241766 and the CC genotype of ADIPOR2 rs10773989 had the lowest levels of their mRNA and adiponectin level in both patients and controls.

Conclusion

Adiponectin gene and receptor variants are potentially related to MI risk; furthermore, their expressions were markedly depressed in MI which suggests their use as potential biomarkers for MI.

The rs46522 Polymorphism of the Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme E2Z Gene Is Associated with Abnormal Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Myocardial Infarction: The Genetics of Atherosclerosis Disease Mexican Study

The participation of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2Z (UBE2Z) in atherosclerosis has been reported. We aimed to evaluate the association of the rs46522 polymorphism of the UBE2Z gene with myocardial infarction (MI) and other clinical and metabolic components in the Mexican population. A total of 2128 individuals (1023 patients with MI and 1105 healthy controls) were included. rs46522 was genotyped using the 5' exonuclease TaqMan genotyping assay. A similar polymorphism distribution was observed between patients and healthy controls. The association between rs46522 polymorphism and cardiometabolic parameters was evaluated separately in the two groups. In the control group, rs46522 polymorphism was associated with increased risk of developing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥130 mg/dL (odds ratio [OR] = 1.249, p_additive = 0.018; OR = 1.479, p_recessive = 0.015; OR = 1.589, p_{codominant 2} = 0.013). On the other hand, in MI patients, it was observed that rs46522 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of developing high levels of alanine transaminase (OR = 1.297, p_heterozygote = 0.043) and aspartate transaminase (OR = 1.453, p_dominant = 0.009; OR = 1.592, p_heterozygote = 0.001; OR = 1.632, p_{codominant 1} = 0.001). Our results suggest that the UBE2Z gene rs46522 polymorphism is associated with abnormal metabolic parameters in Mexican patients with MI.

Association between ADAMTS7 TagSNPs and the risk of myocardialinfarction

Purpose of the study

Genome-wide association studies have revealed an association of ADAMTS7 polymorphisms with the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Nonetheless, the role of ADAMTS7 polymorphisms on myocardial infarction (MI) risk remains poorly understood. Here, we aim to evaluate the effect of ADAMTS7 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on individual susceptibility to MI.

Study design

Genotyping of the four tagSNPs (rs1994016, rs3825807, rs4380028 and rs7173743) was performed in 232 MI cases and 661 control subjects using PCR-ligase detection reaction (LDR) method. The association of these four tagSNPs with MI risk was performed with SPSS software.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ADAMTS7 tagSNP rs3825807 exhibited a significant effect on MI risk. Compared with the TT homozygotes, the CT genotype (OR1.93, 95% CI1.30to 2.85, Pc=0.004) and the combined CC/CT genotypes (OR1.70, 95% CI1.16 to 2.50, Pc=0.028) were statistically significantly associated with the increased risk for MI. Further stratified analysis revealed a more significant association with MI risk among older subjects, hypertensives, non-diabetics and patients with hyperlipidaemia. Consistently, the haplotype rs1994016T–rs3825807C containing rs3825807 C allele exhibited increased MI risk (OR1.52, 95% CI1.10 to 2.10, p=0.010). However, we did not detect any association of the other three tagSNPs with MI risk.

Conclusions

Our finding suggest that ADAMTS7 tagSNP rs3825807 contributes to MI susceptibility in the Chinese Han population. Further studies are necessary to confirm the general validity of our findings and to clarify the underlying mechanism for this association.

A haplotype of the phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) gene is associated with myocardial infarction and with cardiometabolic parameters: the GEA study

The phosphodiesterase family is involved in a wide spectrum of diseases, including ischemic stroke. However, few studies have analyzed the relationship between phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) and myocardial infarction (MI). Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the association of the PDE4D gene polymorphisms with MI, and with cardiometabolic parameters in the Mexican population. Six polymorphisms (rs2910829, rs1423246, rs966221, rs4502776, rs13172481, and rs6869495) were genotyped in 1023 MI patients and 1105 healthy controls. A similar distribution of the six polymorphisms was observed in both studied groups. However, after evaluating the linkage disequilibrium, we detected a risk haplotype for MI (AGAGAA; OR = 1.148; P = 0.025). In addition, the polymorphisms were associated with the presence of some clinical and metabolic parameters (central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, Aspartate transaminase >p75, Lipoprotein (a) >30 mg/dL, TAT >p75, fatty liver, and vitamin D <30 ng/dL) in healthy controls. The results suggest that in the Mexican population, a PDE4D haplotype is associated with increased risk of developing MI, and that PDE4D polymorphisms are independently associated with the presence of cardiometabolic parameters.

Relationship between porcine miR-20a and its putative target low-density lipoprotein receptor based on dual luciferase reporter gene assays

Objective

Mutations in low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), which encodes a critical protein for cholesterol homeostasis and lipid metabolism in mammals, are involved in cardiometabolic diseases, such as familial hypercholesterolemia in pigs. Whereas microRNAs (miRNAs) can control LDLR regulation, their involvement in circulating cholesterol and lipid levels with respect to cardiometabolic diseases in pigs is unclear. We aimed to identify and analyze LDLR as a potential target gene of SSC-miR-20a.

Methods

Bioinformatic analysis predicted that porcine LDLR is a target of SSC-miR-20a. Wild-type and mutant LDLR 3′-untranslated region (UTR) fragments were generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned into the pGL3-Control vector to construct pGL3 Control LDLR wild-3′-UTR and pGL3 Control LDLR mutant-3′-UTR recombinant plasmids, respectively. An miR-20a expression plasmid was constructed by inserting the porcine pre-miR-20a-coding sequence between the HindIII and BamHI sites in pMR-mCherry, and constructs were confirmed by sequencing. HEK293T cells were co-transfected with the miR-20a expression or pMR-mCherry control plasmids and constructs harboring the corresponding 3′-UTR, and relative luciferase activity was determined. The relative expression levels of miR-20a and LDLR mRNA and their correlation in terms of expression levels in porcine liver tissue were analyzed using reverse-transcription quantitative PCR.

Results

Gel electrophoresis and sequencing showed that target gene fragments were successfully cloned, and the three recombinant vectors were successfully constructed. Compared to pMR-mCherry, the miR-20a expression vector significantly inhibited wild-type LDLR-3′-UTR-driven (p<0.01), but not mutant LDLR-3′-UTR-driven (p>0.05), luciferase reporter activity. Further, miR-20a and LDLR were expressed at relatively high levels in porcine liver tissues. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that porcine liver miR-20a and LDLR levels were significantly negatively correlated (r = −0.656, p<0.05).

Conclusion

LDLR is a potential target of miR-20a, which might directly bind the LDLR 3′-UTR to post-transcriptionally inhibit expression. These results have implications in understanding the pathogenesis and progression of porcine cardiovascular diseases.