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Lombardi A, Menconi F, Greenberg D, Concepcion E, Leo M, Rocchi R, Marinó M, Keddache M, Tomer Y. Dissecting the Genetic Susceptibility to Graves' Disease in a Cohort of Patients of Italian Origin. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2016; 7:21. [PMID: 27014188 PMCID: PMC4781855 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2016.00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune oligogenic disorder with a strong hereditary component. Several GD susceptibility genes have been identified and confirmed during the last two decades. However, there are very few studies that evaluated susceptibility genes for GD in specific geographic subsets. Previously, we mapped a new locus on chromosome 3q that was unique to GD families of Italian origin. In the present study, we used association analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) at the 3q locus in a cohort of GD patients of Italian origin in order to prioritize the best candidates among the known genes in this locus to choose the one(s) best supported by the association. DNA samples were genotyped using the Illumina GoldenGate genotyping assay analyzing 690 SNP in the linked 3q locus covering all 124 linkage disequilibrium blocks in this locus. Candidate non-HLA (human-leukocyte-antigen) genes previously reported to be associated with GD and/or other autoimmune disorders were analyzed separately. Three SNPs in the 3q locus showed a nominal association (p < 0.05): rs13097181, rs763313, and rs6792646. Albeit these could not be further validated by multiple comparison correction, we were prioritizing candidate genes at a locus already known to harbor a GD-related gene, not hypothesis testing. Moreover, we found significant associations with the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) gene, the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) gene, and the thyroglobulin (TG) gene. In conclusion, we identified three SNPs on chromosome 3q that may map a new GD susceptibility gene in this region which is unique to the Italian population. Furthermore, we confirmed that the TSHR, the CTLA-4, and the TG genes are associated with GD in Italians. Our findings highlight the influence of ethnicity and geographic variations on the genetic susceptibility to GD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Lombardi
- Division of Endocrinology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- *Correspondence: Angela Lombardi, ; Yaron Tomer,
| | | | - David Greenberg
- Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Erlinda Concepcion
- Division of Endocrinology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marenza Leo
- Endocrinology, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Mehdi Keddache
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yaron Tomer
- Division of Endocrinology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Bronx VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- *Correspondence: Angela Lombardi, ; Yaron Tomer,
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Hadj-Kacem H, Rebuffat S, Mnif-Féki M, Belguith-Maalej S, Ayadi H, Péraldi-Roux S. Autoimmune thyroid diseases: genetic susceptibility of thyroid-specific genes and thyroid autoantigens contributions. Int J Immunogenet 2009; 36:85-96. [PMID: 19284442 DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-313x.2009.00830.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune thyroid diseases are common polygenic multifactorial disorders with the environment contributing importantly to the emergence of the disease phenotype. Some of the disease manifestations, such as severe thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy, pretibial myxedema and thyroid antigen/antibody immune complex nephritis are unusual to rare. The spectrum of autoimmune thyroid diseases includes: Graves' disease (GD), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis, painless thyroiditis unrelated to pregnancy and thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. This spectrum present contrasts in terms of thyroid function, disease duration and spread to other anatomic location. The genetic basis of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is complex and likely to be due to genes of both large and small effects. In GD the autoimmune process results in the production of thyroid-stimulating antibodies and lead to hyperthyroidism, whereas in HT the end result is destruction of thyroid cells and hypothyroidism. Recent studies in the field of autoimmune thyroid diseases have largely focused on (i) the genes involved in immune response and/or thyroid physiology with could influence susceptibility to disease, (ii) the delineation of B-cell autoepitopes recognized by the main autoantigens, thyroglobulin, thyroperoxidase and TSH receptor, to improve our understanding of how these molecules are seen by the immune system and (iii) the regulatory network controlling the synthesis of thyroid hormones and its dysfunction in AITD. The aim of the present review is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the relation existing between some susceptibility genes, autoantigens and dysfunction of thyroid function during AITD.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Hadj-Kacem
- Unité Cibles pour le Diagnostic et la Thérapie, Centre de Biotechnologie de Sfax, Tunisie.
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Mafrica F, Fodale V. Down subjects and Oriental population share several specific attitudes and characteristics. Med Hypotheses 2007; 69:438-40. [PMID: 17331663 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.12.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2006] [Accepted: 12/18/2006] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Down's syndrome is characterized not only by a typical "habitus", mental retardation of variable gravity and several alterations of the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrenteric and immunitary system, but also by specific attitudes and characteristics that are in common with the Oriental population. Starting from the origin of the term mongolism, replaced with other terms such as Trisomy 21, Down's syndrome, and anomaly of Down because of the racist use made in the last century, we propose, in the light of modern knowledge about the heredity of features, a reflection on those aspects and attitudes which highlight a very particular twinning between a Down person and Asiatic peoples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Mafrica
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatric and Anesthesiological Sciences, University of Messina, Policlinico Universitario "G.Martino", Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
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Chistiakov DA. Immunogenetics of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. JOURNAL OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES 2005; 2:1. [PMID: 15762980 PMCID: PMC555850 DOI: 10.1186/1740-2557-2-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2004] [Accepted: 03/11/2005] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is an organ-specific T-cell mediated disease. It is a complex disease, with a strong genetic component. To date, significant progress has been made towards the identification and functional characterization of HT susceptibility genes. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances in our understanding of the genetic input to the pathogenesis of HT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitry A Chistiakov
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Ch, De Beriotstraat 32, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tammy M Martin
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, 3375 SW Terwilliger Boulevard, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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Abstract
Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), such as Graves' hyperthyroidism, are common disorders involving multiple genes and the environment. Some pathogenetic genes are probably shared between these diseases and non-endocrine autoimmune diseases, whereas others are disease specific. Population studies show that major histocompatibility complex alleles and CTLA4 confer risk for AITDs. Genetic studies have identified over 20 potential loci; only one, mapping to 5q31, has been convincingly replicated. Despite its recent emergence as an autoimmunity gatekeeper gene, linkage of CLTA4 to AITDs was described in only one Caucasian population subset. Like in the case of many complex genetic disorders, identifying AITD pathogenetic genes is limited by the ability of data analysis methods to discern the influence of genes of minor effect in a relatively small database.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hammadi Ayadi
- Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire Humaine, Faculté de Médecine, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
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Bednarczuk T, Hiromatsu Y, Seki N, Płoski R, Fukutani T, Kuryłowicz A, Jazdzewski K, Chojnowski K, Itoh K, Nauman J. Association of tumor necrosis factor and human leukocyte antigen DRB1 alleles with Graves' ophthalmopathy. Hum Immunol 2004; 65:632-9. [PMID: 15219383 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2004.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2003] [Revised: 02/13/2004] [Accepted: 02/19/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha plays a central role in the development of ophthalmopathy in patients with Graves' disease (GD). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of TNF promoter polymorphisms at positions -1031 (T-1031C), -863 (C-863A), -857 (C-857T), -308 (G-308A), and -238 (G-238A) with Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). We studied the distribution of TNF and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DRB1 alleles in 228 Polish white patients with GD, 106 of whom had ophthalmopathy (NOSPECS class > or = III) and 248 healthy subjects. TNF -308A and HLA-DRB1*03 alleles were significantly increased in patients with GD compared with healthy subjects. Stratification analysis revealed no independent association of -308A with GD when the DRB1*03 status was considered. Subdividing GD according to eye involvement revealed that the distribution of TNF promoter haplotypes differed significantly in patients with or without ophthalmopathy. The haplotype containing the -238A allele was absent in GO. The association of G-238A with GO was independent of DRB1 alleles. These results indicate that TNF G-308A is associated with susceptibility to GD (however, this association is not independent of HLA-DRB1*03) and that TNF G-238A is associated with the development of ophthalmopathy, suggesting that G-238A or a gene in linkage disequilibrium may be disease modifying in GD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Bednarczuk
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical Research Center in Warsaw, Poland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stelios Fountoulakis
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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Tomer Y, Davies TF. Searching for the autoimmune thyroid disease susceptibility genes: from gene mapping to gene function. Endocr Rev 2003; 24:694-717. [PMID: 14570752 DOI: 10.1210/er.2002-0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 275] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are complex diseases that are caused by an interaction between susceptibility genes and environmental triggers. Genetic susceptibility, in combination with external factors (e.g., dietary iodine), is believed to initiate the autoimmune response to thyroid antigens. Abundant epidemiological data, including family and twin studies, point to a strong genetic influence on the development of AITD. Various techniques have been used to identify the genes contributing to the etiology of AITD, including candidate gene analysis and whole genome screening. These studies have enabled the identification of several loci (genetic regions) that are linked with AITD, and in some of these loci putative AITD susceptibility genes have been identified. Some of these genes/loci are unique to Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), and some are common to both diseases, indicating that there is a shared genetic susceptibility to GD and HT. The putative GD and HT susceptibility genes include both immune modifying genes (e.g., human leukocyte antigen, cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4) and thyroid-specific genes (e.g., TSH receptor, thyroglobulin). Most likely these loci interact, and their interactions may influence disease phenotype and severity. It is hoped that in the near future additional AITD susceptibility genes will be identified and the mechanisms by which they induce AITD will be unraveled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaron Tomer
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Bone Diseases, Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA.
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Hadj Kacem H, Rebai A, Kaffel N, Masmoudi S, Abid M, Ayadi H. PDS is a new susceptibility gene to autoimmune thyroid diseases: association and linkage study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2003; 88:2274-80. [PMID: 12727986 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2002-021460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), including Graves' disease (GD), Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT), and primary idiopathic myxedema, is caused by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Genes involved in immune response and/or thyroid physiology appear to influence susceptibility to disease. The PDS gene (7q31), responsible for Pendred syndrome (congenital sensorineural hearing loss and goiter), encodes a transmembrane protein known as pendrin. Pendrin is an apical porter of iodide in the thyroid. To evaluate the contribution of PDS gene in the genetic susceptibility of AITD, we examined four microsatellite markers in the gene region. Two hundred thirty-three unrelated patients (GD,141; HT, 54; primary idiopathic myxedema, 38), 15 multiplex AITD families (104 individuals/46 patients) and 154 normal controls were genotyped. Analysis of case-control data showed a significant association of D7S496 and D7S2459 with GD (P = 10(-3)) and HT (P = 1.07 10(-24)), respectively. The family-based association test showed significant association and linkage between AITDs and alleles 121 bp of D7S496 and 173 bp of D7S501. Results obtained by transmission disequilibrium test are in good agreement with those obtained by the family-based association test. Indeed, evidence for linkage and association of allele 121 bp of D7S496 with AITD was confirmed (P = 0.0114). Multipoint nonparametric linkage analysis using MERLIN showed intriguing evidence for linkage with marker D7S496 in families with only GD patients [Z = 2.12, LOD = 0.81, P = 0.026]. Single-point and multipoint parametric LOD score linkage analysis was also performed. Again, the highest multipoint parametric LOD score was found for marker D7S496 (LOD = 1.23; P = 0.0086) in families segregating for GD under a dominant model. This work suggests that the PDS gene should be considered a new susceptibility gene to AITDs with varying contributions in each pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassen Hadj Kacem
- Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire Humaine, Faculté de Médecine de Sfax, CHU Hédi Chaker de Sfax, 3029 Sfax, Tunisia
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Ban Y, Davies TF, Greenberg DA, Concepcion ES, Tomer Y. The influence of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genes on autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD): results of studies in HLA-DR3 positive AITD families. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2002; 57:81-8. [PMID: 12100074 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2265.2002.01566.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Population-based, case-control studies have consistently shown association of Graves' disease (GD) with human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR3 in Caucasian populations. HLA association studies in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) have also suggested an association with DR3, as well as with other HLA alleles. In contrast, HLA linkage studies in autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) have been largely negative. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of HLA in AITD and to explain the observed associations, but lack of linkage, by examining only AITD families with the associated allele, DR3. PATIENTS We studied 99 probands (60 with GD and 39 with HT) from 99 multiplex, multigenerational Caucasian AITD families, and 135 age- and sex-matched Caucasian controls in association studies. In addition, a dataset of 34 Caucasian AITD families (out of the 99 families) with HLA-DR3 positive probands were analysed in linkage studies. DESIGN HLA typing was performed using the technique of group-specific polymerase chain reaction-amplification with restriction enzyme digestion. Whole genome screening was performed using the ABI microsatellite panels. For fine mapping of the HLA region, we used the following markers: D6S276, D6S464, D6S439, D6S273, tumour necrosis factor alpha and D6S1610. LOD scores were calculated using the LIPED and GeneHunter programs. RESULTS Case-control association analyses using the probands from our 99 Caucasian families showed an association of GD with DRB1*03 [P = 0.00032, relative risk (RR) = 3.4]. Linkage analysis for the HLA region in the 34 DR3 positive AITD families showed negative LOD scores throughout the region. The two-point LOD score at marker D6S273 (the closest to HLA-DRB1) was -3.0, and the multipoint LOD score was -7.6, demonstrating strong evidence against linkage to the HLA region in the subset of DR3 positive families. Whole genome screening in the subset of 34 DR3 positive families revealed one locus showing evidence for linkage to AITD: D3S1580 on chromosome 3q27 with a maximum two-point LOD score of 2.1. CONCLUSIONS The HLA locus did not cosegregate with disease in DR3 positive families, suggesting that HLA genes are not major genes for AITD expression even within DR3 positive families; Hence, although HLA-DR3 was associated with GD in the probands, it was most likely a modulating gene and not causative; and, as the DR3 positive families showed evidence for linkage with D3S1580, it may imply that the DR3 gene modulated the effect of a susceptibility gene within the D3S1580 locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Ban
- Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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