Interleukin-12B-3'UTR polymorphism in association with IL-12p40 and IL-12p70 serum levels and silicosis severity

Association between the IL-6 polymorphisms and coal workers’ pneumoconiosis in a Chinese Hui population

Objective

To determine whether polymorphisms in IL-6 and IL-12 contribute to the etiology of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) in a Chinese Hui population, and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) in the treatment of CWP.

Introduction

Genes and the environments interplay in the development of CWP, and the association between the potential functional polymorphisms in many genes and CWP have been reported.

Methods

We genotyped the IL-6-634C/G (rs1800796) and IL-12B-1188A/C (rs3212227) polymorphisms in a case-control study including 160 CWP patients and 150 dust-exposed control subjects of Chinese Hui population, and analyzed the associations between these genetic variants and CWP risk. We also evaluated the efficacy and safety of HFOV for whole lung lavage (WLL) in the treatment of CWP.

Results

Carrying the C allele of IL-6-634C/G (rs1800796) was associated with decreased risk of CWP ( p < 0.05). No significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies of IL-12B-1188A/C was found between the CWP cases and control subjects ( p > 0.05). Compared with CWP patients with routine WLL, CWP patients received HFOV showed better pulmonary functions. HFOV treatment also yield a significant higher efficient rate (97.50%) than WLL treatment (81.25%, p = 0.001). CWP patients receiving HFOV and WLL treatment both showed significantly increased serum contents of Clara cell protein 16 (CC16) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and decreased serum contents of serum malonaldehyde (MDA). While the increasing of CC16 and SOD, and decreasing of MDA in patients receiving HFOV was more noticeable than patients receiving WLL.

Conclusions

Taking together, the −634C/G polymorphisms in IL-6 play a role in the etiology of CWP. HFOV, when applied in CWP patients, significant improves their pulmonary functions.

Is individual genetic susceptibility a link between silica exposure and development or severity of silicosis? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Silicosis is a lung disease of fibrotic nature resulting from the inhalation and deposition of dust containing crystalline silica. Subjects exposed to the same environmental factors may show distinct radiological manifestations, and since silicosis is known as a multifactorial disease, it is plausible that individual genetic susceptibility may play a role in the pathology. This review of the literature aims to provide an assessment of the present data on the genetic association studies in silicosis and describe the genes that potentially might influence silicosis susceptibility in silica-exposed individuals.

METHODS

We accessed the database of PubMed for articles published in English about interindividual genetic susceptibility to silicosis using terms related to the subject matter.

RESULTS

Following the evaluation process, 28 studies were included in this systematic review, including 23 original studies and 5 meta-analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of the advances in the knowledge of the importance of gene variations in silicosis, more studies need to be performed, in particular, special polygenic and genome-wide investigations.

IL-12p40 and sRAGE in serum correlate with chemically induced cleft palate in mice

Cleft palate (CP), a congenital defect in the oral and maxillofacial regions, is difficult to detect prenatally. This study investigated the correlation between differentially expressed proteins in serum and CP induced by all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in mice. We studied 80 mice in the following groups: male mice (male; n = 6), nonpregnant female control mice (NP-CRL; n = 6), healthy pregnant controls (P-CRL; Con; n = 24), pregnant mice with CP induced by atRA (n = 24), or pregnant mice with CP induced by TCDD (TCDD; n = 20). Pregnant mice were given with atRA (100 mg/kg) or TCDD (40 μg/kg), or corn oil by oral gavage at E10.5. The serum samples were collected and eight proteins-including interleukin (IL)-12p40, IL-12p70, receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), interferon (IFN)-γ, IFN-β, IL-10, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and epiregulin-were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Placental tissues were immunostained for IL-12p40 and RAGE from stages E13.5 to E16.5. In P-CRL mice, serum IL-12p40 was significantly increased at E13.5 and declined over E14.5-E16.5. P-CRL had lower IFN-γ levels at E13.5 compared with NP-CRL. The CP groups showed lower concentrations of IL-12p40 at E13.5-E14.5 and clearly higher concentrations of soluble RAGE (sRAGE) at E13.5 when compared with P-CRL. IL-12p40 immunostaining clearly decreased in placental tissue sections obtained from E13.5 to E14.5 in both CP groups. These findings suggest that reduced levels of IL-12p40 and increased levels of sRAGE in serum may be correlated with chemically induced CP in mice, but further studies would be required to establish this.

Association between polymorphisms of cytokine genes and brucellosis: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Owing to involvement of host genetic factors in susceptibility to brucellosis infection and its outcome, this study aimed to carry out a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to derive a precise evaluation of the association between the risk of brucellosis and its focal complication and all cytokines examined in case-control studies, including Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α, TNF-β, Transforming Growth Factor(TGF)-β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12B, IL-15, and IL-18 polymorphisms.

METHODS

A systematic literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus was performed to identify the relevant studies, and related information was extracted. The effect size (ES) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the association.

RESULTS

From 158 initial results, twenty-five eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, the pooled results showed that the dominant models of IFN-γ UTR5644, TGF-β rs1800470 and rs1800471, TNF-α rs1800629, and IL-10 rs1800872 were significantly less frequent in brucellosis patients than the controls. Also, the pooled analysis of the mutant allele vs. wild allele of TGF-β rs1800471 and IL-10 rs1800872 showed negative association with brucellosis risk. On the other hand, our pooled analysis demonstrated that the mutant allele of IL-4 rs2243250 and IL-18 rs1946519 were associated with increased susceptibility to brucellosis. In addition, the IFN-γ UTR5644 and TGF-β rs1800470 were more frequent in the patients without focal forms.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-4 rs2243250 and IL-18 rs1946519 have a positive correlation with brucellosis whereas the IFN-γ UTR5644, TGF-β rs1800470 and rs1800471, TNF-α rs1800629, and IL-10 rs1800872 showed a negative association with this disease. The association between the other single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and brucellosis risk was not confirmed in the current meta-analysis. PROSPERO Registration: CRD42018117203.

Levels of interleukin-(IL)-12p40 are markedly increased in Brucellosis among patients with specific IL-12B genotypes

Brucellosis remains a major zoonosis worldwide. Brucella antigens induce the production of T-helper 1 (Th1) cytokines such as interleukin-12 (IL-12) in humans. We aimed to investigate the association of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding the IL-12p40 cytokine (IL-12B) with brucellosis and to examine the functionality of these SNPs through measuring serum levels of IL-12p40. We genotyped IL-12B gene rs3212227, A>C; rs6887695 G>C polymorphisms in a case-control study on a total of 281 subjects including 153 patients with active brucellosis and 128 healthy controls, using RFLP and serum IL-12p40 levels, were assessed by ELISA. The rs3212227 minor allele (C) and homozygote genotype (CC) were more frequent in controls compared with patients with brucellosis (P = 0.006, OR = 0.608, 95%CI = 0.429-0.861 for the C allele; P = 0.024, OR = 0.443, 95% CI: 0.218-0.900 for the CC genotype). Comparison of IL-12B genotypes and serum levels of the IL-12p40 revealed that rs3212227 AA genotype, with higher frequency in patients than in controls, was associated with increased levels of the cytokine (P = 0.0001). Furthermore, the distribution of haplotype and genotype combinations in our study suggested that rs3212227C/rs6887695C haplotype or CC/GC or CC/CC genotype combinations may protect controls against Brucella infection by contributing to a functional downregulation of the serum IL-12p40 production in vivo, as shown by ELISA (P < 0.05). Overall, our study demonstrated that rs3212227 A variant was associated with higher levels of serum IL-12p40 and could possibly contribute to an inherited predisposition to brucellosis.

Associations between polymorphisms in IL-12A, IL-12B, IL-12Rβ1, IL-27 gene and serum levels of IL-12p40, IL-27p28 with esophageal cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate whether IL-12A, IL-12B, IL-12Rβ1, and IL-27 gene polymorphisms and serum levels of IL-12, IL-27 are associated with esophageal cancer.

METHODS

We genotyped IL-12A gene rs568408, IL-12B gene rs3212227, IL-12Rβ1 gene 378 C/G, IL-27 gene rs153109, rs17855750, and rs181206 polymorphisms in a case-control study of 426 esophageal cancer patients and 432 health controls, using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and serum IL-12p40 and IL-27p28 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Both serum IL-12p40 and IL-27p28 levels were significantly higher in controls than those in patients (P < 0.01). Rs568408 AG/AA, rs3212227 CC/AC, and IL-12Rβ1 378 GG/GC genotypes were associated with significantly increased risk of esophageal cancer (rs568408: χ(2) = 5.704, P = 0.017; rs3212227: χ(2) = 7.689, P = 0.006; IL-12Rβ1 378C/G: χ(2) = 5.206, P = 0.023). Moreover, rs3212227 CC/AC and 378 GG/GC genotypes were observed significantly associated with decreased serum IL-12p40 level in patients compare to other genotypes (rs3212227: t = 2.129, P = 0.034; IL-12Rβ1 378 C/G: t = 2.178, P = 0.030). Furthermore, frequency of rs3212227 CC/AC genotypes was significantly higher in patients with poor differentiation than those with AA genotype (χ(2) = 4.314, P = 0.035).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that the impaired production of IL-12p40 and IL-27p28 behaves as risk factors for esophageal cancer occurrence. IL-12B gene rs3212227 CC/AC and IL-12Rβ1 gene 378 GG/GC genotypes, which associated with decreased IL-12p40 level, may contribute to esophageal cancer susceptibility.

Molecular characterization of myostatin (MSTN) gene and association analysis with growth traits in the bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis)

Myostatin (MSTN) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily and functions as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle development and growth. In this study, the bighead carp MSTN gene (AnMSTN for short) was cloned and characterized. The 3,769 bp genomic sequence of AnMSTN consisted of three exons and two introns, and the full length cDNA (2,141 bp) of the gene had an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 375 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of AnMSTN showed 67.1-98.7 % homology with MSTNs of avian, mammalian and teleostean species. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the MSTNs were conserved throughout the vertebrates and AnMSTN belonged to MSNT-1 isoform. AnMSTN was expressed in various tissues with the highest expression in muscle. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms, g.1668T > C in intron 2 and g.2770C > A in 3' UTR, were identified in AnMSTN by sequencing PCR fragments, and genotyped by SSCP. Association analysis showed that g.2770C > A genotypes were significantly associated with total length, body length and body weight (P < 0.01). These results suggest that AnMSTN involves in the regulation of growth, and this polymorphism would be informative for further studies on selective breeding in bighead carp.

Genetic variation of IL-12B (+1188 region) is associated with its decreased circulating levels and susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the most common types of endocrine disease and the immune system plays a predominant role in its pathogenesis.

AIMS

The present study aimed to examine known gene polymorphisms within IL-12B (+1188) region and its circulating serum levels in Type 2 diabetic patients from the southeastern region of Iran and compare them with unrelated controls.

MATERIALS & METHODS

In this clinical study, peripheral blood was collected from 114 Type 2 diabetic patients and 100 healthy controls. Serum levels of IL-12B were measured by ELISA. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples and polymorphisms at the +1188 position of the IL-12B gene were assessed using PCR restriction fragment-length polymorphism.

RESULTS

Our findings demonstrated that the AA genotype and the A allele of IL-12B were increased significantly in Type 2 diabetic patients when compared with controls. Our results also showed that the circulating levels of IL-12B were significantly decreased in Type 2 diabetic patients when compared with controls.

CONCLUSION

According to the findings of the current study, we concluded that IL-12B and its +1188 polymorphism may play a prominent role in the pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes. Further replicative investigations using a larger sample size are essential to identify additional IL-12B genetic variants associated with a risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-12 and IL-27 genes with colorectal cancer risk

OBJECTIVES

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) plays an important role in antitumor immunity. Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is a novel IL-12 family member. The present studies demonstrate that IL-27 mediates potent antitumor activity. However, No studies have examined the association of these polymorphism with colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, we investigated the relationship of IL-12 and IL-27 gene polymorphisms and CRC.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed polymorphisms of IL-12 gene 16974 A/C and IL-27 gene -964 A/G, 2905 T/G, 4730 T/C in 410 patients with CRC and 450 controls, using PCR-RFLP method.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of IL-12 and IL-27 gene polymorphisms between the group of patients with CRC and the controls. Furthermore, no association was found between IL-12 family gene polymorphisms and different clinical stages in patients with CRC.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that IL-12 and IL-27 gene polymorphisms may not be involved in susceptibility to CRC.

Association of IL-12p40 +1188 A/C polymorphism with nasopharyngeal cancer risk and tumor extension

The interleukin 12 (IL-12) cytokine, encoded by polymorphic genes, plays a central role in the T helper 1 cell-mediated immunity against tumors. We investigated whether the 3' untranslated region +1188 A/C polymorphism (rs 3212227) influences the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) risk in Tunisian patients. DNA analysis of 247 patients and 284 healthy individuals showed a higher frequency of the 1188 C allele and the CC genotype in patients than in controls (P = 0.00001 and P = 0.00005) suggesting that the C variant allele is associated with the susceptibility to NPC. Additional testing showed that the homozygous CC genotype is also associated with advanced stage of the tumor extension at presentation (P = 0.022). Our data suggest that the impaired production of IL-12 behaves as a risk factor for NPC occurrence and progression.

Correlation between TNF-alpha and IL-12p40-containing cytokines in silicosis

The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-12p40-containing cytokines, in silicosis patients and healthy donors exposed to silica dust, in an attempt to clarify the reason for variety of clinical outcomes between humans with similar exposure history. Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-12p40, IL-12p70 and IL-23 in total group of 62 silicosis patients, 24 healthy donors with similar exposure history like patients and 19 healthy donors without exposure were determined by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The serum level of TNF-α was significantly higher in healthy donors exposed to SiO2 (22.4 ± 11.1 pg/mL) in comparison with non-exposed healthy donors (14.8 ± 8.8 pg/mL; p = 0.022) and similar to that in silicosis patients. In total, group of silicosis patients significantly elevated levels of TNF-α (20.9 ± 12.9 vs. 14.8 ± 8.8 pg/mL; p = 0.047) and IL-12p40 (94.5 ± 51.6 pg/mL vs. 68.7 ± 26.2 pg/mL; p = 0.029) compared to non-exposed healthy donors were observed. In addition, a strong positive correlation between TNF-α and IL-23 levels (r = 0.678; p = 0.022) and between TNF-α and IL-12p70 levels (r = 0.75; p = 0.0003) was detected in the group of exposed healthy donors, while in the group of silicosis patients, a significant positive correlation was observed only between TNF-α and IL-12p40 (r = 0.434; p = 0.00048), in contrast to other IL-12p40 containing cytokines. In conclusion, we could assume that the elevated serum levels of TNF-α are associated with exposition to silica particles, while the elevation of both TNF-α and IL-12p40 is associated with silicosis development and severity. Additionally, the balance between IL-12p40-containing cytokines may also contribute to the silicosis progression.

Changes of cytokine production and cell viability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from silicosis patients: effect of in vitro treatment with acetylsalicylic acid

In this study, IL-6 and IL-12p40 production and cell viability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from silicosis patients after in vitro stimulation were investigated. Furthermore, the effects of introducing acetylsalicylic acid to stimulated patients’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells on cytokine production and cell viability were determined. Nine patients with moderate silicosis, 11 with severe silicosis and 14 healthy subjects were recruited for this study. The level of IL-6 produced by patients peripheral blood mononuclear cells decreased depending on the stage of the disease. The addition of acetylsalicylic acid had significantly suppressive effect on the IL-6 production by lipopolysaccharide—stimulated patients’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Acetylsalicylic acid treatment of C3 binding glycoprotein—stimulated patients’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells led to significant upregulation of IL-12p40 production. Results showed a stage-dependent decrease of cell viability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from silicosis patients. Acetylsalicylic acid significantly decreased cell viability entirely in stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with severe silicosis. In conclusion, this study showed that the disease progression affects peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with silicosis and causes functional changes that became apparent after stimulation. Our study demonstrated that in severe silicosis the treatment with acetylsalicylic acid, as an anti-inflammatory agent, might not be beneficial for patients.

A novel functional polymorphism, 16974 A/C, in the interleukin-12-3' untranslated region is associated with risk of glioma

Genetic factors are important in the development of glioma. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a multifunctional cytokine that induces Interferon (IFN)-gamma secretion and plays an important role in antitumor immunity. Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is a novel IL-12 family member, and the present studies demonstrate that IL-27 mediates a potent antitumor activity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether IL-12 and IL-27 gene polymorphisms and their serum levels are associated with glioma. We analyzed IL-12 gene 16974 A/C and IL-27 gene -964 A/G, 2905 T/G, and 4730 T/C polymorphisms in 210 patients with glioma and 220 matched controls, using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method and DNA sequencing methods, while serum IL-12p40 and IL-27p28 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum IL-12p40 and IL-27p28 levels were decreased in patients with glioma compared with controls (p < 0.01). There were significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of the IL-12 gene 16974 A/C polymorphism between the group of patients with glioma and the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, genotypes carrying the IL-12 16974 C variant allele were associated with decreased serum IL-12p40 and IL-27p28 levels compared to the homozygous wild-type genotype in patients with glioma. The IL-12 gene 16974 A/C polymorphism may regulate expression of the serum IL-12p40 and IL-27p28, and associate with increased risk of glioma. Thus, genotypes carrying the IL-12 16974 C variant allele had a decreased ability to produce IL-12 and IL-27, which may contribute to glioma susceptibility.

Interleukin-10 (-592 C/A) and interleukin-12B (+16974 A/C) gene polymorphisms and the interleukin-10 ATA haplotype are associated with periodontitis in a Taiwanese population

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Single nucleotide polymorphisms are assumed to be associated with the differential production of cytokines. We evaluated gene polymorphisms of interleukin-10 (-592C>A, -819C>T and -1082G>A) and interleukin-12B (+16974) in patients with chronic periodontitis (n = 145) and generalized aggressive periodontitis (n = 65) in comparison with healthy controls (n = 126).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Gene promoter polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers. Genotype and allele frequencies were analyzed using the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The interleukin-10 -592 polymorphism showed significant differences among the three groups (p = 0.0330). The genotype frequencies of the -592 locus between the chronic periodontitis and healthy control groups were significantly different (AC vs. AA: odds ratio = 0.33). The combination ATA/ATA seemed to be associated with susceptibility to generalized aggressive periodontitis (p = 0.0276). Patients with the composite ATA/ACC were less likely to develop chronic periodontitis (p = 0.0248). The CC genotype of interleukin-12B (+16974) was related to chronic periodontitis (CC vs. AA, p = 0.0211; CC vs. AA+AC, p = 0.0187). The AC heterozygosity of interleukin-12B was significantly lower in chronic periodontitis vs. healthy controls (p = 0.0500).

CONCLUSION

The interleukin-10 gene polymorphism at position -592C>A may be associated with a lower risk for development of chronic periodontitis. The interleukin-10 haplotype ATA is associated with generalized aggressive periodontitis. On the other hand, interleukin-12B genetic variants at position +16974 are associated with susceptibility to chronic periodontitis.

Porcine IL12A and IL12B gene mapping, variation and evidence of association with lytic complement and blood leucocyte proliferation traits

Interleukin-12, a heterodimeric cytokine consisting of glycosylated subunits of 35 and 40 kDa, is a central molecule in controlling innate as well as adaptive immunity. This study was aimed to investigate the role of IL12A and IL12B as candidate genes for immune competence in pigs. The porcine genes were screened for polymorphism and association analysis was carried out by mixed model analysis with parameters of innate immunity, in vitro haemolytic complement activity in the classical and alternative pathways, in vivo complement activation expressed as C3c serum concentration, and blood leucocyte proliferation measured in F2 animals of a pig resource population based on cross of Duroc and Berlin miniature pig (DUMI resource population). A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter region (C > A) of IL12A was identified. Two SNPs were detected in intron 4 of IL12B at positions 192 (A > G) and 437 (C > T). Significant effects of IL12 genotypes on complement activity traits and mitogen-induced leucocyte proliferation were found. The IL12A and IL12B genes were assigned to chromosome13 and 16, respectively, by using radiation hybrid analysis and genetic mapping in the DUMI resource population. Mapping and association analyses promote the IL12 genes as functional and positional candidate gene for disease resistance in pigs.