-308G/A polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene and metabolic syndrome susceptibility: a meta-analysis

Revisiting the Immunometabolic Basis for the Metabolic Syndrome from an Immunonutritional View

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) implies different conditions where insulin resistance constitutes a major hallmark of the disease. The disease incurs a high risk for the development of cardiovascular complications, and takes its toll in regard to the gut-liver axis (pancreas, primary liver and colorectal)-associated immunity. The modulation of immunometabolic responses by immunonutritional factors (IFs) has emerged as a key determinant of the gut-liver axis' metabolic and immune health. IFs from plant seeds have shown in vitro and pre-clinical effectiveness primarily in dealing with various immunometabolic and inflammatory diseases. Only recently have immunonutritional studies established the engagement of innate intestinal immunity to effectively control immune alterations in inflamed livers preceding the major features of the MetS. However, integrative analyses and the demonstration of causality between IFs and specific gut-liver axis-associated immunometabolic imbalances for the MetS remain ill-defined in the field. Herein, a better understanding of the IFs with a significant role in the MetS, as well as within the dynamic interplay in the functional differentiation of innate immune key effectors (i.e., monocytes/macrophages), worsening or improving the disease, could be of crucial relevance. The development of an adequate intermediary phenotype of these cells can significantly contribute to maintaining the function of Tregs and innate lymphoid cells for the prevention and treatment of MetS and associated comorbidities.

Role of TNF-α in the Pathogenesis of Migraine

Background

Neurogenic neuroinflammation has a wide role in migraine pathogenesis including the transition from episodic migraine to chronic one. The seed molecule of neurogenic neuroinflammation, i.e., the TNF-α proinflammatory molecule, has gathered a lot of attention. This pleiotropic cytokine is a classical component of inflammatory soup, secreted by the microglial cell, and promotes a wide range of inflammatory reactions.

Aim

In this review, we aimed to provide a culminating and comprehending glimpse into the TNF-α in association with the migraine.

Method

A systematic literature survey method with a mixture of keywords was utilized to grasp the different elements that represent the association between TNF-α and migraine. Discussion. Highlighted the probable involvement of the TNF-α with migraine, the complexity of the matter such as activation of NF-KB signaling cascade, autoactivation, sensitization, and increased likelihood of transition cannot be neglected. Being TNF-α as a core node, it becomes the factor for linking diseases such as chronic inflammatory disorders, including COVID-19, and also interaction with other genes to develop severe conditions.

Conclusion

To this end, TNF-α plays a critical role in chronification, and inhibiting its signaling would likely be a crucial strategy for migraine therapy.

The Association of HHV-6 and the TNF-α (-308G/A) Promotor with Major Depressive Disorder Patients and Healthy Controls in Thailand

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a silent global health problem that can lead to suicide. MDD development is suggested to result from numerous risk factors, including genetic factors. A precise tool for MDD diagnosis is currently not available. Recently, inflammatory processes have been identified as being strongly involved in MDD development and the reactivation of human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6), upregulating cytokines such as TNF-α, which are associated with MDD. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association of HHV-6 with genetic factors, especially TNF-α mutation, in MDD patients and their relatives compared to healthy controls. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to evaluate MDD status, and 471 oral buccal samples were investigated for HHV-6 infection and viral copy number by qPCR. TNF-α (-308G/A) gene mutation and the cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 were analyzed by high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Whole-exome sequencing of buccal samples was performed to analyze for genetic factors. The results showed significantly higher HHV-6 positivities and viral loads in MDD patients (15/59 (25.67%) and 14,473 ± 16,948 copies/µL DNA) and their relatives (blood relatives 17/36 (47.22%) and 8146 ± 5656 copies/µL DNA); non-blood relatives 7/16 (43.75%) and 20,721 ± 12,458 copies/µL DNA) compared to the healthy population (51/360 (14.17%) and 6303 ± 5791 copies/µL DNA). The TNF-α (-308G/A) mutation showed no significant difference. Surprisingly, 12/26 (46.15%) participants with the TNF-α (-308G/A) mutation showed HHV-6 positivities at higher rates than those with wild-type TNF-α (-308G) (70/267 (26.22%)). HHV-6-positive participants with TNF-α (-308G/A) showed higher levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 than those of negative control. Exome analysis revealed that common mutations in immune genes were associated with depression. Therefore, this study unveiled the novel association of inflammatory gene TNF-α (-308G/A) mutations with HHV-6 reactivation, which could represent a combined risk factor for MDD. This result could induce further research on MDD development and clinical applications.

Enlightening the association between TNF-α -308 G > A and migraine: a meta-analysis with meta-regression and trial sequential analysis

BACKGROUND

Migraine is a complex neurological disorder that is characterized by a "lower threshold of neuronal hyperexcitability" with distinctive periodicity and complex vascular dysfunction. Genetic factors have impacted incredibly on the susceptibility of migraine and one such example is the TNF-α 308G > A.

AIM

Therefore, we aim to provide a glimpse of the association of the TNF-α 308G > A risk on the susceptibility of migraine.

METHOD

The pooled odds ratio with the associated 95% of confidence interval were calculated using different genetic models. Heterogeneity was accessed by using Cochran's Q Test and I² statistics and Begg's and Egger's tests were used for finding the publication bias, tests were two-sided, and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The Trial Sequential Analysis with Meta-regression Analysis were also utilized to find out the sample size requirement for meta-analysis to avoid type I error and source of heterogeneity respectively.

RESULT

A total of 13 studies with cases: 7193 and controls: 23,091 were included and after using different genetic models, no overall association with migraine and its clinical subtype migraine with aura was observed (Allele model "OR: 1.28, 95% C.I. [0.96-1.69] and OR: 0.99,95% C.I. [0.69-1.42]) respectively. Interestingly, after sub-grouping using the "ethnicity criteria" in the migraine group, it was observed that the allelic genetic model and the dominant model were found to be significantly associated with the Asian ethnic group (OR: 1.79, 95% C.I. [1.13-2.84], and OR: 1.85, 95% C.I. [1.0927; 3.1580].

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the present meta-analysis has provided evidence that 308G > A increases the risk of migraine only in the Asian population.

The Relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and Plasma Metals Modified by EGFR and TNF-α Gene Polymorphisms

With the escalating global prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), it is crucial to detect the high-risk population early and to prevent chronic diseases. Exposure to various metals has been indicated to promote MetS, but the findings were controversial, and the effect of genetic modification was not considered. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was proposed to be involved in the pathway of metabolic disorders, and tumor necrotic factor-α (TNF-α) was regarded as an early inflammatory biomarker for MetS. This research aimed to analyze the impact of EGFR and TNF-α gene polymorphisms on the prevalence of MetS under environmental or occupational exposure to metals. We gathered data from 376 metal industrial workers and 639 non-metal workers, including physical parameters, biochemical data, and plasma concentrations of six metals. According to the genomic database of Taiwan Biobank, 23 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on EGFR gene and 6 SNPs on TNF-α gene were incorporated in our research. We applied multivariable logistic regression to analyze the probability of MetS with various SNPs and metals. Our study revealed some susceptible and protective EGFR and TNF-α genotypes under excessive exposure to cobalt, zinc, selenium, and lead. Thus, we remind the high-risk population of taking measures to prevent MetS.