Genetic variations in the genes encoding receptor activator nuclear factor κ B (RANK), receptor activator nuclear factor κ B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: a case-control study

Effects of receptor activator nuclear factor κB gene polymorphisms on the susceptibility to knee osteoarthritis: A case-control study

The present study aimed to explore genetic association of receptor activator nuclear factor κB (RANK) polymorphisms with individual susceptibility to knee osteoarthritis (OA) in different Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grades.This case-control study included 138 knee OA patients and 145 healthy individuals. RANK rs1805034 and rs8086340 polymorphisms were genotyped through polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The effects of RANK polymorphisms on knee OA risk were analyzed via χ test or Fisher exact test, and the results were expressed using odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs).The C allele of rs1805034 polymorphism had significantly higher frequency in knee OA patients than in controls (P = .044), indicating that this allele could increase the risk of knee OA (OR = 1.424, 95% CI = 1.010-2.008). Besides, the CC genotype and C allele of the rs1805034 polymorphism were significantly associated with elevated risk of knee OA in moderate grade (CC vs TT: P = .018, OR = 3.071, 95% CI = 1.187-7.941; C vs T: P = .012, OR = 1.787, 95% CI = 1.131-2.823). However, rs8086340 polymorphism had no significant association with knee OA riskThe C allele of RANK rs1805034 polymorphism is closely correlated with increased risk of knee OA, especially for moderate grade.

Genetic polymorphism of the OPG gene associated with breast cancer

Background

The receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK), its ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) have been reported to play a role in the pathophysiological bone turnover and in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Based on this we investigated the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within RANK, RANKL and OPG and their possible association to breast cancer risk.

Methods

Genomic DNA was obtained from Caucasian participants consisting of 307 female breast cancer patients and 396 gender-matched healthy controls. We studied seven SNPs in the genes of OPG (rs3102735, rs2073618), RANK (rs1805034, rs35211496) and RANKL (rs9533156, rs2277438, rs1054016) using TaqMan genotyping assays. Statistical analyses were performed using the χ²-tests for 2 x 2 and 2 x 3 tables.

Results

The allelic frequencies (OR: 1.508 CI: 1.127-2.018, p=0.006) and the genotype distribution (p=0.019) of the OPG SNP rs3102735 differed significantly between breast cancer patients and healthy controls. The minor allele C and the corresponding homo- and heterozygous genotypes are more common in breast cancer patients (minor allele C: 18.4% vs. 13.0%; genotype CC: 3.3% vs. 1.3%; genotype CT: 30.3% vs. 23.5%). No significantly changed risk was detected in the other investigated SNPs. Additional analysis showed significant differences when comparing patients with invasive vs. non-invasive tumors (OPG rs2073618) as well as in terms of tumor localization (RANK rs35211496) and body mass index (RANKL rs9533156 and rs1054016).

Conclusions

This is the first study reporting a significant association of the SNP rs3102735 (OPG) with the susceptibility to develop breast cancer in the Caucasian population.