Association of LEPR gene polymorphisms with the risk of hepatitis B virus-related liver disease in Guangxi Chinese: A case-control study

Correlation of IL-10 and IL18 with the development of liver cirrhosis associated with hepatitis B virus infection: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Patients who have been infected with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) are susceptible to developing liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The objective of this systematic review was to comprehensively scrutinize the existing evidence concerning the association between host genetic polymorphisms and HBV-associated LC.

METHODS

We searched databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for relevant articles published from building databases to 25 October 2023.

RESULT

We detected 104 relevant articles, relating to 84 individuals genes. Nine genes had the strong evidence of correlation, including IL-10, IL-18, IL-1B, TGF- β, TLR3, STAT4, IL-1RN, Tim3, and IFN receptors. A positive correlation was found for 33 genes but this data had not yet been replicated, 11 genes had limited or mixed evidence of a correlation, and 34 genes indicated no correlation. IL-10 and IL-18 had the most evidence of correlation. There was a notable amount of diversity in both the design and method of studies and data quality.

CONCLUSION

IL-10 and IL-18 had the most evidence of correlation. There was a notable amount of diversity in both the design and method of studies and data quality. It is of necessary to take into account the fundamental mechanism behind these associations and discern those that are confounded by the coexistence of other LC/HCC risk factors and response to therapy. These results are expected to guide future studies on the genetic susceptibility of HBV-related LC/HCC.

Genetic variant in the AGT gene (rs699-GG) is associated with severe COVID-19 in Brazilian patients

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the largest pandemic of the past century, and various genetic factors have played a significant role in this context. This study aimed to analyze the frequency and association between specific SNPs rs3806268 (NLRP3), rs4925543 (NLRP3), rs12150220 (NLRP1), rs455060 (NLRC4), rs699 (AGT), rs1137101 (LEPR), and rs1801133 (MTHFR) and severe/critical outcomes in Brazilian patients with COVID-19. A total of 100 patients were included in the study, comprising 66 cases and 34 controls. DNA was extracted, sequenced, and genotyped via next-generation sequencing (NGS). For non-parametric data, the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used. Fisher's test and multivariate logistic regression, considering AIC and BIC criteria, were employed for risk analysis. Odds Ratios (OR) were calculated, with significance set at p<0.05. Among the seven evaluated SNPs, only rs699-GG (AGT) (OR=8.07; p=0.04) was significantly associated with an increased risk of developing severe/critical COVID-19. Moreover, a borderline protective association was noted between rs1801133-GA (MTHFR) and the disease, although lacking statistical significance. In conclusion, the SNP rs699-GG (AGT) was associated with an increased risk of severe/critical COVID-19.

Leptin receptor Gln223Arg and Lys109Arg polymorphisms may be associated with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma risk: A system review and meta-analysis

Increasing evidence has suggested a strong association of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) susceptibility and Gln223Arg (rs1137101) and Lys109Arg (rs1137100) polymorphisms in leptin receptor (LEPR) genes. To provide a quantitative assessment for such correlation, we reviewed all related systems and conducted meta-analysis for case and control researches. A literature search of Web of Science, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus as well as China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases was collected. 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) together with odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Five case-control researches consisting of 1323 cases and 1919 control cases were incorporated into meta-analysis. Researches indicated A-allelic and AA genotype of rs1137101 were substantially related to boosted susceptibility of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC (mutant model, OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.36-2.41, p < .001; allelic model, OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.32-1.83, p < .001). On the contrary, we observed GG genotype of rs1137101 substantially related to reduced risk of HBV-related HCC (wild model, OR 0.59, 95%CI = 0.46-0.75, p < .001). We observed AA genotype of rs1137100 relevant to boosted HCC risk (mutant model, OR = 1.51, 95%CI = 1.14-2.01, p = .005) as well as in those with HBV-related HCCs (homozygous model, OR = 2.12, 95%CI = 1.49-3.02, p < .001; mutant model, OR = 1.67, 95%CI = 1.23-2.26, p = .001). G-allele and AA genotype of rs1137101 might be in connection with boosted HBV-related HCC susceptibility, and wild-type GG genotype might prevent diseases. AA genotype of rs1137100 might also improve HBV-related HCC susceptibility. Such conclusions ought to be validated by larger and better-designed researches.

The Inter-Relation between Leptin Receptor (Q223R) Gene Polymorphism and the Risk of Egyptian Patients with HCC

Background:

The relationship of leptin (LEP) and polymorphism of leptin receptor (LEPR) were studied in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and compared with those with liver cirrhosis to find out the extent of the risk of LEPR on patients with HCC.

Methods:

Serum LEP level and LEPR Q223R gene polymorphism were determined in 300 patients with liver disease categorized equally into five groups’ healthy volunteers, patients with hepatitis C (HCV), patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver cirrhosis and HCC. LEPR gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) then digested by the MSP1 restriction enzyme.

Results:

The isolated 212 bp of LEPR was sequenced. The serum LEP level was reduced in patients with cirrhotic and HCC. Serum LEP level had negatively correlated with both tumor grade and size in HCC patients. The data obtained from restriction fragment length polymorphismPCR and sequencing revealed the existence of a novel synonymous Q223R single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exon 223 of LEPR gene (1137101). LEPR Gln223Arg, GG and GA genotypes were found in all studied groups. LEPR Gln223Arg, AA genotype was found in NASH, HCC, and control. LEPR Gln223Arg GA genotype is associated with some patients with HCC.

Conclusion:

GA genotype of LEPR Gln223Arg may be regarded as a probable genetic risk factor for Egyptian patients with HCC.