Association of the NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3 ) gene variability with recurrent aphthous stomatitis in the Czech population

Impact of NLRP3 gene polymorphisms (rs10754558 and rs10733113) on HPV infection and cervical cancer in southern Chinese population

OBJECTIVE

Mutations in the NLRP3gene have previously been linked to certain forms of cancer, but there have not been any specific studies examining the association between NLRP3 polymorphisms and cervical cancer (CC). This study was therefore designed to investigate the effect of NLRP3 gene polymorphisms on HPV infection and cervical cancer in southern Chinese population.

METHODS

Multiplex PCR and next-generation sequencing approaches were used to assess the NLRP3 rs10754558 and rs10733113 polymorphisms in 404 cervical lesion patients, including 227 diagnosed with CC and 177 diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia(CIN), with 419 healthy female controls being included for comparison. Correlations between the rs10754558 and rs10733113 genotypes and alleles in these patients and CC and CIN were then analyzed.

RESULTS

No correlations were found between NLRP3 rs10754558 and rs10733113 and human papillomavirus(HPV) infection status. Relative to the healthy control group, the NLRP3 rs10754558 GG genotype, CG + GG genotype, and G allele frequencies were significantly increased among patients with cervical lesions (CC and CIN) (OR = 1.815,P = 0.013;OR = 1.383, P = 0.026; OR = 1.284, P = 0.014,respectively), whereas no such differences were observed for rs10733113. A higher cervical lesion risk was detected for patients over the age of 45 exhibiting the rs10754558 GG genotype (OR = 1.848, P = 0.040). Additionally, the risk of CC was elevated in patients with the rs10754558 GG genotype or the G allele relative to patients with the CC genotype or the C allele(OR = 1.830, P = 0.029; OR = 1.281, P = 0.039). The rs10733113 genotypes or alleles were not significantly associated with CC risk (P > 0.05). No association between rs10754558 and rs10733113 genotypes and CC patient clinicopathological features were observed (P > 0.05). Serum NLRP3, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels were significantly elevated in CC patients relative to healthy controls(P < 0.05). Relative to the CC genotype, CC patients harboring the rs10754558 GG genotype exhibited significantly elevated IL-1β and IL-18 levels(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The rs10754558 polymorphism in the NLRP3 gene may contribute to an elevated risk of CC, although it is not significantly correlated with HPV infection and CC progression.

Study of NLRP3 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (JSLE)

Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) is a multifaceted multifactorial disorder with an unclear etiopathogenesis. Environmental factors, genetic factors, and dysregulated and defective immune system responses are known to have a role in JSLE etiopathogenesis. NLRP3 inflammasome, as an important contributor to immune-mediated inflammatory responses, is assumed to be involved in JSLE etiopathogenesis. To determine whether the NLRP3 genetic variants are altered in patients with JSLE. Fifty-three patients diagnosed with JSLE and 56 healthy sex-matched controls were studied. NLRP3 (C/G rs10754558, C/T rs3806265, C/T rs4612666, A/C rs35829419) gene polymorphisms were evaluated using a TaqMan single-nucleotide polymorphism assay. C allele at position rs3806265 was detected in higher frequencies in patients than in the control group (37.74% vs 23.21%, P-value = .028). At the genotype level at the same position, CT has a significantly higher frequency in patients than the healthy subjects (75.47% vs 46.43%, P-value = .003). The NLRP3 rs3806265 CT genotype was detected at a higher frequency in patients with JSLE than in the healthy control group.

Gene polymorphisms and serum levels of mannose-binding lectin in Czech patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is one of the most prevalent oral mucosal immunological diseases. A recent case-control study in the Egyptian population suggested that single nucleotide polymorphism Gly54Asp (rs1800450) of the mannose-binding lectin 2 gene might affect the mannose-binding lectin serum level and recurrent aphthous stomatitis development. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of six functional mannose-binding lectin 2 gene polymorphisms and analyse their role in recurrent aphthous stomatitis susceptibility in the Czech population.

METHODS

The study included 227 subjects; 137 healthy people and 90 patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Six mannose-binding lectin 2 gene polymorphisms (rs11003125, rs7096206, rs7095891, rs5030737, rs1800450, rs1800451) were analysed by the SNaPshot assay method, mannose-binding lectin serum levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method in a subgroup of subjects (N = 87).

RESULTS

No significant differences in mean of mannose-binding lectin serum levels between healthy controls and patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis were observed (383 ng/ml ± 249 standard deviation (SD) vs. 316 ng/ml ± 177 SD in remission phase vs. 343 ng/ml ± 254 SD in active phase; p > 0.05), also the allele and genotype frequencies of the studied mannose-binding lectin 2 polymorphisms did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05, odds ratio (OR): 0.75-1.23). Moreover, the distribution of mannose-binding lectin 2 haplotypes and haplogenotypes was similar in the healthy subjects and patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (p > 0.05, OR: 0.75-1.23).

CONCLUSIONS

This study did not confirm the previously reported association of the mannose-binding lectin 2 Gly54Asp gene variant and low mannose-binding lectin serum level as the risk factors for susceptibility to recurrent aphthous stomatitis. In addition, no significant relationships between mannose-binding lectin 2 functional haplotypes or haplogenotypes and recurrent aphthous stomatitis were observed.

rs3806265 and rs4612666 of the NLRP3 Gene Are Associated With the Titer of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Antibody in Type 1 Diabetes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The NLRP3 gene is reportedly associated with several autoimmune diseases. However, in the Chinese Han population, whether NLRP3 polymorphisms are associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is unclear. Therefore, this study examined the associations of rs3806265 and rs4612666 of the NLRP3 gene with T1D susceptibility and the clinical characteristics of Chinese Han T1D patients.

METHODS

In total, 510 classic T1D patients and 531 healthy controls from the Chinese Han population were recruited for a case-control study. rs3806265 and rs4612666 of the NLRP3 gene were genotyped by MassARRAY. Logistic regression analysis and the chi-square test were used to compare the distributions of the alleles and genotypes of rs3806265 and rs4612666. The relationships between rs3806265 and rs4612666 and the clinical characteristics of T1D patients were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA. Student's t test was used to analyze normally distributed data. Bonferroni correction was used for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS

1) rs3806265 was associated with glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (GADA) titers (P = 0.02), and patients with the CC genotype had higher GADA titers than patients with the TT genotype. 2) rs4612666 was also associated with GADA titers (P=0.041). Compared with patients with the CC genotype, patients with the TT genotype had higher GADA titers. 3) rs3806265 and rs4612666 of the NLRP3 gene were not significantly associated with T1D susceptibility under different genetic models.

CONCLUSION

rs3806265 and rs4612666 of the NLRP3 gene were significantly associated with GADA titers in Chinese Han T1D patients.

CBD Promotes Oral Ulcer Healing via Inhibiting CMPK2-Mediated Inflammasome

Oral ulcer is a common oral inflammatory lesion accompanied by severe pain but with few effective treatments. Cannabidiol (CBD) is recently emerging for its therapeutic potential in a range of diseases, including inflammatory conditions and cancers. Here we show that CBD oral spray on acid- or trauma-induced oral ulcers on mice tongue inhibits inflammation, relieves pain, and accelerates lesion closure. Notably, the enrichment of genes associated with the NOD, LRR, and NLRP3 pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway is downregulated after CBD treatment. The expression of cleaved-gasdermin D (GSDMD) and the percentage of pyroptotic cells are reduced as well. In addition, CBD decreases the expression of cytidine/uridine monophosphate kinase 2 (CMPK2), which subsequently inhibits the generation of oxidized mitochondria DNA and suppresses inflammasome activation. These immunomodulating effects of CBD are mostly blocked by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) antagonist and partially antagonized by CB₁ receptor antagonist. Our results demonstrate that CBD accelerates oral ulcer healing by inhibiting CMPK2-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis, which are mediated mostly by PPARγ in the nucleus and partially by CB₁ in the plasma membrane.

Is vitamin D deficiency a risk factor for recurrent aphthous stomatitis? A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

A few studies have associated vitamin D deficiency with the occurrence of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). Hence, the aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to explore such a potential association.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted in June 2019. The inclusion criteria were (a) observational studies that assessed the relationship between vitamin D and RAS, and (b) the outcome measures reported quantitative vitamin D levels. Studies without control groups, case series, case reports, experimental studies, letter to editors, reviews, were excluded. The random effects model was conducted for meta-analyses using RevMan 5.3 software.

RESULTS

Five studies comprising 208 RAS patients and 241 healthy individuals were included. All studies except one reported significantly lower levels of vitamin D in RAS patients compared with the healthy individuals. The results of the pooled 5 studies revealed statistically significant lower levels of vitamin D in RAS patients (Mean Difference (MD) = -9.67 ng/ml, 95% CI = -15.68, -3.65; p ˂ .002).

CONCLUSION

The present meta-analysis suggests a significant association between low vitamin D levels and RAS. Further well-designed studies with adequate sample sizes are required to elucidate the role of vitamin D in pathogenesis of RAS.

Association of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity and biomarker levels: A case-control study in Chinese population

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic autoimmune disease with considerable genetic predisposition. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) is crucial for the innate immunity and implicated in SLE pathogenesis. Accordingly, we conducted a case-control study to find the association of NLRP3 variations with SLE susceptibility and disease activity.Three single nucleotide polymorphisms of NLRP3 (rs3806268, rs4612666, and rs10754558) were genotyped in 400 SLE patients and 400 healthy controls; the patients were further divided into mild-to-moderate or high disease activity subgroup. Serum cytokines, complements, and autoantibodies were also detected.We found that rs4612666 TT genotype conferred a higher risk of severe disease activity with adjusted odds ratio = 2.08, P = .02 and adjusted odds ratio  = 2.34, P = .01 in the codominant and recessive model, respectively. Nevertheless, there was no association between the 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms of NLRP3 gene and SLE susceptibility. In addition, C4 decreased significantly in rs3806268 GG (P < .001) and rs4612666 TT genotype carriers (P = .03). A higher trend of interleukin-1β and interleukin-γ release were identified in rs3806268 AA and rs10754558 CC genotype carriers, respectively.NLRP3 polymorphisms are associated with SLE disease activity and hypocomplementemia. Interleukin-1β and interleukin-γ levels in SLE patients are correlated with NLRP3 variants as well.

Single application of topical doxycycline in management of recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available evidence

Background

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a highly prevalent oral mucosal disease. The management of RAS is quite challenging, and as yet, there is no definitive cure. The present systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the efficacy of a single application of topical doxycycline for the management of RAS.

Methods

A comprehensive online search of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases was conducted to identify all relevant studies published up to March 31, 2019. All randomized clinical trials that assessed the efficacy of a single application of topical doxycycline in the management of RAS were included. Primary outcome measures were pain scores and/or healing time, while secondary outcomes included the associated side effects. RevMan 5.3 software was used for data analysis.

Results

Five clinical trials fulfilled the eligibility criteria, three of which were included in the meta-analysis. All of the included studies found doxycycline effective in alleviating signs and symptoms of RAS. The results of the pooled 3 studies revealed a statistically significant decrease in the healing time in favor of the doxycycline group as compared to the control groups (I² = 51%; MD: -1.77, 95% CI: − 2.11, − 1.42, P <0.00001); however, the results showed no significant differences between doxycycline and control groups with regard to pain reduction (I² = 96%; MD: -1.28, 95% CI: − 2.83, 0.27; P = 0.11).

Conclusion

Although still inconclusive, the available evidence suggests that a single application of topical doxycycline might be effective for reducing signs and symptoms of RAS. However, owing to the limited number of the included studies, further well-designed clinical trials with adequate sample sizes are required to discern the clinical efficacy of topical doxycycline in patients with RAS.

A family-based genome-wide association study of recurrent aphthous stomatitis

OBJECTIVES

The aetiology of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) remains unknown. Individuals may share features of genetic susceptibility, and there may also be a hereditary component. The aim was to identify patterns of association and segregation for genetic variants and to identify the genes and signalling pathways that determine the risk of developing RAS, through a family-based genome-wide association study (GWAS).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

DNA was extracted from buccal swabs of 91 individuals in 16 families and analysed in an Illumina core exome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. A family-based association test (dFAM) was used to derive SNP association values across all chromosomes.

RESULTS

None of the final 288,452 SNPs reached the genome-wide significant threshold of 5 × 10^-8 . The most significant pathways were the Ras and PI3K-Akt signalling pathways, pathways in cancer, circadian entrainment and the Rap 1 signalling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

This confirms that RAS is not monogenic but results as a consequence of interactions between multiple host genes and possibly also environmental factors. The present approach provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying RAS and raises the possibility of identifying individuals at risk of acquiring this condition.

Gene variability in matrix metalloproteinases in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

BACKGROUND

The development of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), inflammatory disease of oral mucosa, is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. The aim of this study was to investigate polymorphisms located in seven genes coding different types of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-collagenases (MMP1, MMP8, and MMP13), gelatinases (MMP2 and MMP9), stromelysin (MMP3), and membrane-type metalloproteinase (MMP16) in patients with RAS and healthy controls.

METHODS

Totally, 223 subjects were included in this case-control study and their detailed anamnestic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were recorded. Seventy-seven patients with RAS and 146 controls were genotyped for seventeen polymorphisms in the MMPs genes using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or PCR with restriction analysis.

RESULTS

Allele, genotype, and haplotype frequencies of the studied polymorphisms between RAS patients and controls were similar, except for allele distributions of MMP1 rs1144393, MMP9 rs3918242, and MMP16 rs10429371, which were different between patients with RAS and healthy controls (P = .023, P = .049 and P = .025, all P_corr  > 0.05, respectively). Moreover, the comparison of genotype frequencies (TT vs CC + CT) of the MMP16 rs10429371 variant showed a marginally significant difference between RAS patients and controls (P = .05, P_corr  > 0.05, OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 0.95-2.98).

CONCLUSIONS

No significant relationship between investigated polymorphisms in seven MMPs genes and RAS development in the Czech population was observed in this study.

Essentials of recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), also known as canker sores, is the most common disease of the oral mucosa. Unlike caries and periodontal disease, patients with RAS are unable to prevent it. The clinical picture of RAS is characterized by recurrent episodes of solitary or multiple painful ulcerations without association with systemic diseases. The objective of this review is to present the essential characteristics of RAS, including its definition, pathogenesis, clinical and microscopic characteristics, proposed experimental models and recommended pharmacological management. This understanding can serve as a theoretical framework for research proposals.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis and gene variability in selected interleukins: a case-control study

Genetic factors, especially those related to immune system functioning, have been intensively studied to determine their role in the development of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). The aim of the present study was to analyze gene variability in interleukin (IL)2, IL4 (and its receptor α, IL4Rα), IL10, and IL13, which were selected based on literature review and/or their functional relevance, in Czech patients with RAS and in healthy controls. In total, 252 subjects (178 controls and 74 patients with RAS) were enrolled in this case-control study, and their detailed anamnestic, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained. Nine polymorphisms in the genes encoding interleukins were determined using PCR techniques. There were no significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies of the IL2, IL4, IL4Rα, IL10, and IL13 polymorphisms rs2069762/rs2069763, rs2243250/rs79071878, rs1801275, rs1800896, and rs1800925, respectively, between controls and patients with RAS. The minority alleles rs1800871 and rs1800872, which encode variants of IL10, were associated with a statistically significantly higher risk of RAS, as confirmed by the results of genotype and haplotype analyses. We suggest that variability in the IL10 gene may play an important role in the development of RAS in the Czech population.