Association between lncRNA ANRIL genetic variants with the susceptibility to ischemic stroke: From a case-control study to meta-analysis

Apoptosis and long non-coding RNAs: Focus on their roles in ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a severe and sudden cerebrovascular event, associated with notably high rates of mortality and morbidity. The process of apoptosis, a genetically orchestrated form of programmed cell death, is divided into two pathways: intrinsic and extrinsic. The intricate involvement of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in the pathobiology of IS, particularly in modulating neuronal apoptosis, is a burgeoning area of research. This review synthesizes the current understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA on neuronal apoptosis in the context of ischemic stroke. Specifically, we highlight the roles of lncRNA such as ANRIL, C2dat1/2, H19, TUG1, MEG3, SNHG, and GAS5, which have been implicated in the facilitation of neuronal apoptosis. Conversely, the lncRNA N1LR has been shown to exert an inhibitory effect on this process. The role of MALAT1 in neuronal apoptosis remains a subject of ongoing debate, as its function oscillates between pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic roles, thus highlighting the need for further elucidation.

The Link between ANRIL Gene RS4977574 Polymorphism and Common Atherosclerosis Cardiovascular Complications: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study in Ukrainian Population

Materials and Methods

195 patients with ACS, 200 patients with LAS, and 234 control subjects were enrolled in this case-control study. Real-time PCR was used for ANRIL rs4977574 genotyping. SPSS software package (version 17.0, IBM, USA) was used for data analysis.

Results

A significant association between rs4977574 polymorphism and the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications was found under the recessive model regardless of adjustment for nongenetic risk factors (OR = 1.551; p = 0.025). Moreover, the link between rs4977574 locus and serum levels of total cholesterol (p = 0.021) and LDL (p = 0.022) was detected. A separate analysis in subgroups demonstrated the association of rs4977574 polymorphism with increased risk of ACS under the recessive model (OR = 1.501; p = 0.048). No relation between rs4977574 site and LAS development was revealed (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Obtained data suggested that ANRIL rs4977574-GG genotype can be a possible genetic marker for the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications in Ukrainian population.

Association of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms of rs2383206, rs2383207, and rs10757278 With Stroke Risk in the Chinese Population: A Meta-analysis

Several studies have reported that chromosome 9p21 is significantly associated with ischemic stroke (IS) risk, with the G allele associated with increased risk. However, controversial results have been reported in the literature. We systematically assessed the relationship between stroke and three 9p21 loci (rs2303206, rs2383207, and rs10757278) in this meta-analysis. First, we searched the PubMed and Embase databases for relevant studies. We then calculated odds ratios using the chi-squared test. The evaluation of experimental data was performed using bias tests and sensitivity analyses. We analyzed data from 16 studies involving 18,584 individuals of Chinese ancestry, including 14,033 cases and 14,656 controls. Our results indicated that chromosome 9p21 is significantly associated with IS (odds ratio: 1.15, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-1.20, p < 0.0001). Because the three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2383206, rs2383207, and 10757278) have a linkage disequilibrium relationship, all three may increase the risk of IS.

Genetic association of ANRIL with susceptibility to Ischemic stroke: A comprehensive meta-analysis

Background

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a complex polygenic disease with a strong genetic background. The relationship between the ANRIL (antisense non-coding RNA in the INK4 locus) in chromosome 9p21 region and IS has been reported across populations worldwide; however, these studies have yielded inconsistent results. The aim of this study is to clarify the types of single-nucleotide polymorphisms on the ANRIL locus associated with susceptibility to IS using meta-analysis and comprehensively assess the strength of the association.

Methods

Relevant studies were identified by comprehensive and systematic literature searches. The quality of each study was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Allele and genotype frequencies were extracted from each of the included studies. Odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals of combined analyses were calculated under three genetic models (allele frequency comparison, dominant model, and recessive model) using a random-effects or fixed-effects model. Heterogeneity was tested using the chi-square test based on the Cochran Q statistic and I2 metric, and subgroup analyses and a meta-regression model were used to explore sources of heterogeneity. The correction for multiple testing used the false discovery rate method proposed by Benjamini and Hochberg. The assessment of publication bias employed funnel plots and Egger’s test.

Results

We identified 25 studies (15 SNPs, involving a total of 11,527 cases and 12,216 controls maximum) and performed a meta-analysis. Eight SNPs (rs10757274, rs10757278, rs2383206, rs1333040, rs1333049, rs1537378, rs4977574, and rs1004638) in ANRIL were significantly associated with IS risk. Six of these SNPs (rs10757274, rs10757278, rs2383206, rs1333040, rs1537378, and rs4977574) had a significant relationship to the large artery atherosclerosis subtype of IS. Two SNPs (rs2383206 and rs4977574) were associated with IS mainly in Asians, and three SNPs (rs10757274, rs1333040, and rs1333049) were associated with susceptibility to IS mainly in Caucasians. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the reliability of the original results. Ethnicity and individual studies may be the main sources of heterogeneity in ANRIL.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that some single-nucleotide polymorphisms on the ANRIL locus may be associated with IS risk. Future studies with larger sample numbers are necessary to confirm this result. Additional functional analyses of causal effects of these polymorphisms on IS subtypes are also essential.

Association between lncRNA genetic variants and susceptibility to large artery atherosclerotic stroke

Studies have already illustrated the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the progression of atherosclerosis, while the potential role of lncRNA gene variation in susceptibility to large artery atherosclerotic stroke (LAAS) remains controversial. We therefore conducted this study to explore and verify the gene expression modules of LAAS. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in atherosclerosis were screened in 3 patients with LAAS, and 3 healthy control patients. A further 31 individuals were used to screen DEGs, and MALAT1, MEG3, or SENCR were identified. Real-time PCR and western blotting were used to assess the difference in DEGs between the atherosclerotic and the non-atherosclerotic artery models. A total of 454 DEGs were detected from the initial screening step, and MALAT1, MEG3, or SENCR were applied to predict the risk of LAAS. The AUC of MALAT1, MEG3, and SENCR in predicting the risk of LAAS was 0.746 (95% CI: 0.398-0.753; P = 0.005), 0.575 (95% CI: 0.398-0.753; P = 0.389), and 0.629 (95% CI: 0.449- .808; P = 0.141), respectively. Moreover, there were significant differences between the atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic artery models for the expression of MALAT1, GCNT1, VEGFA, and VCAM-1. This study found that the MALAT1 contributes to LAAS susceptibility, and might play an important role in the progression of LAAS.