TLR4 and MMP2 polymorphisms and their associations with cardiovascular risk factors in susceptibility to aortic aneurysmal diseases

Association of Genetic Polymorphisms with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in the Processes of Apoptosis, Inflammation, and Cholesterol Metabolism

Background and Objectives: This study aims to identify the minor allele of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) DAB2IP rs7025486, IL6R rs2228145, CDKN2BAS rs10757278, LPA rs3798220, LRP1 rs1466535, and SORT1 rs599839 in order to assess the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation and define the linkage among these SNPs. Materials and Methods: A case-control study with AAA patients (AAA group) and non-AAA controls (control group) was carried out in a study population. DNA was isolated from whole blood samples; the SNPs were amplified using PCR and sequenced. Results: In the AAA group of 148 patients, 87.2% of the patients were male, 64.2% had a history of smoking, and 18.2% had relatives with AAA. The mean ± SD of age, BMI, and aneurysmal diameter in the AAA group were 74.8 ± 8.3 years, 27.6 ± 4.6 kg/m2, and 56.2 ± 11.8 mm, respectively. In comparison with 50 non-AAA patients, there was a significantly elevated presence of the SNPs DAB2IP rs7025486[A], CDKN2BAS rs10757278[G], and SORT1 rs599839[G] in the AAA group (p-values 0.040, 0.024, 0.035, respectively), while LPA rs3798220[C] was significantly higher in the control group (p = 0.049). A haplotype investigation showed that the SNPs DAB2IP, CDKN2BAS, and IL6R rs2228145[C] were significantly elevated in the AAA group (p = 0.037, 0.037, and 0.046) with minor allele frequencies (MAF) of 25.5%, 10.6%, and 15.4%, respectively. Only DAB2IP and CDKN2BAS showed significantly higher occurrences of a mutation (p = 0.028 and 0.047). Except for LPA, all SNPs were associated with a large aortic diameter in AAA (p < 0.001). Linkage disequilibrium detection showed that LPA to DAB2IP, to IL6R, to CDKN2BAS, and to LRP1 rs1466535[T] had D' values of 70.9%, 80.4%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. IL6R to LRP1 and to SORT1 had values for the coefficient of determination (r2) of 3.9% and 2.2%, respectively. Conclusions: In the investigated study population, the SNPs CDKN2BAS rs10757278, LPA rs3798220, SORT1 rs599839, DAB2IP rs7025486, and IL6R rs2228145 were associated with the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Individuals with risk factors for atherosclerosis and/or a family history of AAA should be evaluated using genetic analysis.

Toll-Like Receptor 4 Gene Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Schizophrenia: A Case-Control Study

Schizophrenia is a common psychiatric disorder that exhibits a variety of symptoms. The exact etiology and pathogenesis are still doubtful. However, genetic and environmental factors seem to have a role. Years ago, the role of the immune system was focused on auto-antibodies, cytokines, different types of immune cells and immune genes. The Toll-like receptors (TLR) are a cornerstone of the innate immune system, particularly TLR4. TLR4 primarily recognises gram-negative lipopolysaccharides bacteria. This case-control study, for the first time to our knowledge, examined the role of TLR4 gene polymorphisms in 142 Egyptian schizophrenic patients and 175 healthy controls. Using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were investigated in the TLR4 gene rs11536889, rs10759931, rs1927911, and rs1927914. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used in diagnosis and assessment. A statistically significant association was observed between rs11536889, rs1927911 and rs1927914, but no association was found between rs10759931. There was no association between the different SNP genotypes and PANSS, except between rs1927914 and general psychopathologic symptoms. This study shows a strong association between TLR4 rs11356889 and rs1927911 minor alleles and schizophrenia. These findings could be additional evidence for the immune system's role in schizophrenia development. However, more studies with a more significant sample number, TLR4 protein assessment, and a larger number of SNPs are recommended.

Identification of Hub Genes and MicroRNAs Associated With Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension by Integrated Bioinformatics Analyses

Objective

The aim of this study is the identification of hub genes associated with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH).

Materials and Methods

GSE15197 gene expression data was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by screening IPAH patients and controls. The 5,000 genes with the greatest variances were analyzed using a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Modules with the strongest correlation with IPAH were chosen, followed by a functional enrichment analysis. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed to identify hub gene candidates using calculated degrees. Real hub genes were found from the overlap of DEGs and candidate hub genes. microRNAs (miRNAs) targeting real hub genes were found by screening miRNet 2.0. The most important IPAH miRNAs were identified.

Results

There were 4,395 DEGs identified. WGCNA indicated that green and brown modules associated most strongly with IPAH. Functional enrichment analysis showed that green and brown module genes were mainly involved in protein digestion and absorption and proteoglycans in cancer, respectively. The top ten candidate hub genes in green and brown modules were identified, respectively. After overlapping with DEGs, 11 real hub genes were identified: EP300, MMP2, CDH2, CDK2, GNG10, ALB, SMC2, DHX15, CUL3, BTBD1, and LTN1. These genes were expressed with significant differences in IPAH versus controls, indicating a high diagnostic ability. The miRNA–gene network showed that hsa-mir-1-3p could associate with IPAH.

Conclusion

EP300, MMP2, CDH2, CDK2, GNG10, ALB, SMC2, DHX15, CUL3, BTBD1, and LTN1 may play essential roles in IPAH. Predicted miRNA hsa-mir-1-3p could regulate gene expression in IPAH. Such hub genes may contribute to the pathology and progression in IPAH, providing potential diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities for IPAH patients.

MMPs and ADAMs/ADAMTS inhibition therapy of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic vascular degenerative disease featured by progressive dilation and remodeling of the vascular wall, which may lead to aortic rupture and high mortality. The occurrence and development of AAA involve multiple mechanisms, including extracellular matrix degradation, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells and innate immunity. Extracellular matrix degradation is considered as the most important mechanism causing AAA. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key factors in this process, contributing greatly to the occurrence and development of AAA. But whether the zinc-dependent endopeptidases (ADAM/ADAMTS) are involved in this process is very little known. This study is a review about the role of MMPs and ADAM/ADAMT as well as the existing MMP inhibitors in abdominal aortic aneurysm, with the purpose of providing reference for the clinical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The association of toll-like receptor 4 gene polymorphisms with primary open angle glaucoma susceptibility: a meta-analysis

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG) cause irreversible blindness while current medications cannot completely inhibit disease progression. An understanding of immunopathogenesis is thus a keystone to develop novel drug targets and genetic markers are still required for early diagnosis. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is an essential player in inflammation in various diseases. However, the TLR4 polymorphisms have not been completely elucidated in both types of glaucoma. The aim of the present study was to identify the association between TLR4 polymorphism and glaucoma (POAG and NTG) via the use of a comprehensive review and meta-analysis. The relevant studies were collected from PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), and Web of Science to identify eight included articles, assessed for quality by a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for gene association study. A meta-analysis was applied to calculate the pooled odds-ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the association between TLR4 polymorphism and glaucoma. The results revealed that TLR4 rs1927911 A/G, rs12377632 C/T, and rs2149356 G/T significantly decrease the risk of POAG and NTG in allele contrast models 0.71-, 0.71-, and 0.67-fold, respectively. Moreover, rs4986790 A/G and rs4986791 C/T showed a stringent association with POAG in allele contrast, heterozygous, recessive, and overdominant models. In conclusion, this meta-analysis represented a significant correlation between TLR4 polymorphisms and both types of glaucoma suggesting that TLR4 might be involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma and may be applied as a genetic marker for disease screening.