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Szeto ACH, Ferreira ACF, Mannion J, Clark PA, Sivasubramaniam M, Heycock MWD, Crisp A, Jolin HE, Kozik P, Knolle MD, McKenzie ANJ. An αvβ3 integrin checkpoint is critical for efficient T H2 cell cytokine polarization and potentiation of antigen-specific immunity. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:123-135. [PMID: 36550322 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01378-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Naive CD4+ T lymphocytes initially undergo antigen-specific activation to promote a broad-spectrum response before adopting bespoke cytokine expression profiles shaped by intercellular microenvironmental cues, resulting in pathogen-focused modular cytokine responses. Interleukin (IL)-4-induced Gata3 upregulation is important for the helper type 2 T cell (TH2 cell) polarization associated with anti-helminth immunity and misdirected allergic inflammation. Whether additional microenvironmental factors participate is unclear. Using whole mouse-genome CRISPR-Cas9 screens, we discovered a previously unappreciated role for αvβ3 integrin in TH2 cell differentiation. Low-level αvβ3 expression by naive CD4+ T cells contributed to pan-T cell activation by promoting T-T cell clustering and IL-2/CD25/STAT5 signaling. Subsequently, IL-4/Gata3-induced selective upregulation of αvβ3 licensed intercellular αvβ3-Thy1 interactions among TH2 cells, enhanced mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, supported differentiation and promoted IL-5/IL-13 production. In mice, αvβ3 was required for efficient, allergen-driven, antigen-specific lung TH2 cell responses. Thus, αvβ3-expressing TH2 cells form multicellular factories to propagate and amplify TH2 cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Martin D Knolle
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.,Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
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Zoran T, Seelbinder B, White PL, Price JS, Kraus S, Kurzai O, Linde J, Häder A, Loeffler C, Grigoleit GU, Einsele H, Panagiotou G, Loeffler J, Schäuble S. Molecular Profiling Reveals Characteristic and Decisive Signatures in Patients after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Suffering from Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8020171. [PMID: 35205926 PMCID: PMC8880021 DOI: 10.3390/jof8020171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite available diagnostic tests and recent advances, diagnosis of pulmonary invasive aspergillosis (IPA) remains challenging. We performed a longitudinal case-control pilot study to identify host-specific, novel, and immune-relevant molecular candidates indicating IPA in patients post allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). Supported by differential gene expression analysis of six relevant in vitro studies, we conducted RNA sequencing of three alloSCT patients categorized as probable IPA cases and their matched controls without Aspergillus infection (66 samples in total). We additionally performed immunoassay analysis for all patient samples to gain a multi-omics perspective. Profiling analysis suggested LGALS2, MMP1, IL-8, and caspase-3 as potential host molecular candidates indicating IPA in investigated alloSCT patients. MMP1, IL-8, and caspase-3 were evaluated further in alloSCT patients for their potential to differentiate possible IPA cases and patients suffering from COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) and appropriate control patients. Possible IPA cases showed differences in IL-8 and caspase-3 serum levels compared with matched controls. Furthermore, we observed significant differences in IL-8 and caspase-3 levels among CAPA patients compared with control patients. With our conceptual work, we demonstrate the potential value of considering the human immune response during Aspergillus infection to identify immune-relevant molecular candidates indicating IPA in alloSCT patients. These human host candidates together with already established fungal biomarkers might improve the accuracy of IPA diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Zoran
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (T.Z.); (S.K.); (C.L.); (G.U.G.); (H.E.)
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics Unit, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany; (B.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Bastian Seelbinder
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics Unit, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany; (B.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Philip Lewis White
- Public Health Wales, Microbiology Cardiff, UHW, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK; (P.L.W.); (J.S.P.)
| | - Jessica Sarah Price
- Public Health Wales, Microbiology Cardiff, UHW, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK; (P.L.W.); (J.S.P.)
| | - Sabrina Kraus
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (T.Z.); (S.K.); (C.L.); (G.U.G.); (H.E.)
| | - Oliver Kurzai
- Research Group Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany; (O.K.); (A.H.)
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, Julius Maximilians University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2/E1, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Joerg Linde
- Friedrich—Loeffler Institute, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, 07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Antje Häder
- Research Group Fungal Septomics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany; (O.K.); (A.H.)
| | - Claudia Loeffler
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (T.Z.); (S.K.); (C.L.); (G.U.G.); (H.E.)
| | - Goetz Ulrich Grigoleit
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (T.Z.); (S.K.); (C.L.); (G.U.G.); (H.E.)
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (T.Z.); (S.K.); (C.L.); (G.U.G.); (H.E.)
| | - Gianni Panagiotou
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics Unit, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany; (B.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Juergen Loeffler
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany; (T.Z.); (S.K.); (C.L.); (G.U.G.); (H.E.)
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Sascha Schäuble
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics Unit, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knoell Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany; (B.S.); (G.P.)
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (S.S.)
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Specjalski K, Jassem E. MicroRNAs: Potential Biomarkers and Targets of Therapy in Allergic Diseases? Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2019; 67:213-223. [PMID: 31139837 PMCID: PMC6597590 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-019-00547-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that are 18-22 nucleotides long and highly conserved throughout evolution. Currently, they are considered one of the fundamental regulatory mechanisms of genes expression. It has been demonstrated that miRNAs are involved in many biologic processes, such as signal transduction, cell proliferation and differentiation, apoptosis and stress responses. More recently, the role of miRNA has also been revealed in numerous immunological and inflammatory disorders, including allergic inflammation. Specific miRNA profiles were demonstrated in asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. A core set of miRNAs involved in atopic diseases include upregulated miR-21, miR-223, miR-146a, miR-142-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-146b, miR-155 and downregulated let-7 family, miR-193b and miR-375. Most of the involved miRNAs increase secretion of Th2 cytokines (miR-1248, miR-146b), decrease secretion of Th1 cytokines (miR-513-5p, miR-625-5p) or promote differentiation of T cells towards Th2 (miR-21, miR-19a). In asthma miR-140-3p, miR-708 and miR-142-3p play a role in hyperplasia and hypertrophy of bronchial smooth muscle cells. Some single miRNAs or, more probably, their sets hold the promise for their use as biomarkers of atopic diseases. They are also promising target of future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Specjalski
- Department of Allergology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7, 80-210, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Ewa Jassem
- Department of Allergology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7, 80-210, Gdańsk, Poland
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Huo Y, Zhang HY. Genetic Mechanisms of Asthma and the Implications for Drug Repositioning. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9050237. [PMID: 29751569 PMCID: PMC5977177 DOI: 10.3390/genes9050237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 04/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic disease that is caused by airway inflammation. The main features of asthma are airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and reversible airway obstruction. The disease is mainly managed using drug therapy. The current asthma drug treatments are divided into two categories, namely, anti-inflammatory drugs and bronchodilators. However, disease control in asthma patients is not very efficient because the pathogenesis of asthma is complicated, inducing factors that are varied, such as the differences between individual patients. In this paper, we delineate the genetic mechanisms of asthma, and present asthma-susceptible genes and genetic pharmacology in an attempt to find a diagnosis, early prevention, and treatment methods for asthma. Finally, we reposition some clinical drugs for asthma therapy, based on asthma genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Huo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Hong-Yu Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
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Abstract
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a pulmonary disease caused by Aspergillus induced hypersensitivity. It usually occurs in immunocompetent but susceptible patients with bronchial asthma and cystic fibrosis. If ABPA goes undiagnosed and untreated, it may progress to bronchiectasis and/or pulmonary fibrosis with significant morbidity and mortality. ABPA is a well-recognized entity in adults; however, there is lack of literature in children. The aim of the present review is to summarize pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, clinical features, and treatment of ABPA with emphasis on the pediatric population. A literature search was undertaken through PubMed till April 30, 2018, with keywords “ABPA or allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis” with limitation to “title.” The relevant published articles related to ABPA in pediatric population were included for the review. The ABPA is very well studied in adults. Recently, it is increasingly being recognized in children. There is lack of separate diagnostic criteria of ABPA for children. Although there are no trials regarding treatment of ABPA in children, steroids and itraconazole are the mainstay of therapy based on studies in adults and observational studies in children. Omalizumab is upcoming therapy, especially in refractory ABPA cases. There is a need to develop the pediatric-specific cutoffs for diagnostic criteria in ABPA. Well-designed trials are required to determine appropriate treatment regimen in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kana Ram Jat
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Pankaj C Vaidya
- Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Joseph L Mathew
- Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sunil Jondhale
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Meenu Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Nurden AT. Should studies on Glanzmann thrombasthenia not be telling us more about cardiovascular disease and other major illnesses? Blood Rev 2017; 31:287-299. [PMID: 28395882 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare inherited bleeding disorder caused by loss of αIIbβ3 integrin function in platelets. Most genetic variants of β3 also affect the widely expressed αvβ3 integrin. With brief mention of mouse models, I now look at the consequences of disease-causing ITGA2B and ITGB3 mutations on the non-hemostatic functions of platelets and other cells. Reports of arterial thrombosis in GT patients are rare, but other aspects of cardiovascular disease do occur including deep vein thrombosis and congenital heart defects. Thrombophilic and other risk factors for thrombosis and lessons from heterozygotes and variant forms of GT are discussed. Assessed for GT patients are reports of leukemia and cancer, loss of fertility, bone pathology, inflammation and wound repair, infections, kidney disease, autism and respiratory disease. This survey shows an urgent need for a concerted international effort to better determine how loss of αIIbβ3 and αvβ3 influences health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan T Nurden
- Institut de Rhythmologie et de Modélisation Cardiaque, Plateforme Technologique d'Innovation Biomédicale, Hôpital Xavier Arnozan, Pessac, France.
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Pillois X, Nurden AT. Linkage disequilibrium amongst ITGA2B and ITGB3 gene variants in patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia confirms that most disease-causing mutations are recent. Br J Haematol 2016; 175:686-695. [PMID: 27469266 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.14283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We recently reported mutation analysis of the largest cohort of Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) patients so far examined. Sanger sequencing of coding regions, splice sites, upstream and downstream regions of the ITGA2B and ITGB3 genes identified 78 causal genetic variants (55 novel); 4 large deletions or duplications were also detected. We have now analysed the expression of non-causal gene polymorphisms in the sequenced regions of both genes in selected members of this cohort. We identified 10 mostly silent variants in ITGA2B and 37 in ITGB3; all were present in control donor databases. Three non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms present were human platelet alloantigen (HPA) variants. A series of haplogroups, often including HPA-3b in ITGA2B, repeated with little variation across unrelated families of wide geographical origins and with different GT-causing mutations whether in ITGA2B or ITGB3. In contrast, a deleterious heterozygous c.1440-13_c.1440-1del in intron 14 of ITGA2B shared a common ITGA2B haplogroup composed of at least five gene polymorphisms and re-occurred in seven European families with no known family relationships. Our results highlight the value of gene polymorphism analysis in GT and are consistent with the bulk of disease-causing mutations in GT being of recent origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Pillois
- Institut de Rhythmologie et de Modélisation Cardiaque, Plateforme Technologique d'Innovation Biomédicale, Hôpital Xavier Arnozan, Pessac, France.,Université de Bordeaux, INSERM U1034, Pessac, France
| | - Alan T Nurden
- Université de Bordeaux, INSERM U1034, Pessac, France
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Rodrigues J, Caruthers C, Azmeh R, Dykewicz MS, Slavin RG, Knutsen AP. The spectrum of allergic fungal diseases of the upper and lower airways. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2016; 12:531-50. [PMID: 26776889 DOI: 10.1586/1744666x.2016.1142874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fungi cause a wide spectrum of fungal diseases of the upper and lower airways. There are three main phyla involved in allergic fungal disease: (1) Ascomycota (2) Basidiomycota (3) Zygomycota. Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) causes chronic rhinosinusitis symptoms and is caused predominantly by Aspergillus fumigatus in India and Bipolaris in the United States. The recommended treatment approach for AFRS is surgical intervention and systemic steroids. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (APBA) is most commonly diagnosed in patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis. Long term systemic steroids are the mainstay treatment option for ABPA with the addition of an antifungal medication. Fungal sensitization or exposure increases a patient's risk of developing severe asthma and has been termed severe asthma associated with fungal sensitivity (SAFS). Investigating for triggers and causes of a patient's asthma should be sought to decrease worsening progression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carrie Caruthers
- a Allergy & Immunology , Saint Louis University , St. Louis , MO , USA
| | - Roua Azmeh
- a Allergy & Immunology , Saint Louis University , St. Louis , MO , USA
| | - Mark S Dykewicz
- a Allergy & Immunology , Saint Louis University , St. Louis , MO , USA
| | - Raymond G Slavin
- a Allergy & Immunology , Saint Louis University , St. Louis , MO , USA
| | - Alan P Knutsen
- a Allergy & Immunology , Saint Louis University , St. Louis , MO , USA
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Chen J, Green J, Yurdagul A, Albert P, McInnis MC, Orr AW. αvβ3 Integrins Mediate Flow-Induced NF-κB Activation, Proinflammatory Gene Expression, and Early Atherogenic Inflammation. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2015. [PMID: 26212910 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2015.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cell interactions with transitional matrix proteins, such as fibronectin, occur early during atherogenesis and regulate shear stress-induced endothelial cell activation. Multiple endothelial cell integrins bind transitional matrix proteins, including α5β1, αvβ3, and αvβ5. However, the role these integrins play in mediating shear stress-induced endothelial cell activation remains unclear. Therefore, we sought to elucidate which integrin heterodimers mediate shear stress-induced endothelial cell activation and early atherogenesis. We now show that inhibiting αvβ3 integrins (S247, siRNA), but not α5β1 or αvβ5, blunts shear stress-induced proinflammatory signaling (NF-κB, p21-activated kinase) and gene expression (ICAM1, VCAM1). Importantly, inhibiting αvβ3 did not affect cytokine-induced proinflammatory responses or inhibit all shear stress-induced signaling, because Akt, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and extracellular regulated kinase activation remained intact. Furthermore, inhibiting αv integrins (S247), but not α5 (ATN-161), in atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E knockout mice significantly reduced vascular remodeling after acute induction of disturbed flow. S247 treatment similarly reduced early diet-induced atherosclerotic plaque formation associated with both diminished inflammation (expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, plaque macrophage content) and reduced smooth muscle incorporation. Inducible, endothelial cell-specific αv integrin deletion similarly blunted inflammation in models of disturbed flow and diet-induced atherogenesis but did not affect smooth muscle incorporation. Our studies identify αvβ3 as the primary integrin heterodimer mediating shear stress-induced proinflammatory responses and as a key contributor to early atherogenic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Chen
- Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana
| | - Jonette Green
- Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana
| | - Arif Yurdagul
- Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana; Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana
| | - Patrick Albert
- Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana
| | - Marshall C McInnis
- Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana
| | - A Wayne Orr
- Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana.
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Alexandrova E, Miglino N, Hashim A, Nassa G, Stellato C, Tamm M, Baty F, Brutsche M, Weisz A, Borger P. Small RNA profiling reveals deregulated phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway in bronchial smooth muscle cells from asthmatic patients. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2015; 137:58-67. [PMID: 26148798 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant expression of small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs) and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) in particular, define several pathologic processes. Asthma is characterized by airway hyperreactivity, chronic inflammation, and airway wall remodeling. Asthma-specific miRNA profiles were reported for bronchial epithelial cells, whereas sncRNA expression in asthmatic bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) cells is almost completely unexplored. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether the primary BSM sncRNA expression profile is altered in asthmatic patients and identify targets of differentially expressed sncRNAs. METHODS Small RNA sequencing was used for sncRNA profiling in BSM cells (from 8 asthmatic and 6 nonasthmatic subjects). sncRNA identification and differential expression analysis was performed with iMir software. Experimentally validated miRNA targets were identified by using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, and putative piRNA targets were identified by using miRanda software. RESULTS BSM cells from asthmatic patients showed abnormal expression of 32 sncRNAs (26 miRNAs, 5 piRNAs, and 1 small nucleolar RNA). Target prediction for deregulated miRNAs and piRNAs revealed experimentally validated and predicted mRNA targets expressed in the BSM cells. Thirty-eight of these mRNAs represent major targets for deregulated miRNAs and might play important roles in the pathophysiology of asthma. Interestingly, 6 of these mRNAs were previously associated with asthma, considered as novel therapeutic targets for treatment of this disease, or both. Signaling pathway analysis revealed involvement of 38 miRNA-targeted mRNAs in increased cell proliferation through phosphatase and tensin homolog and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS BSM cells of asthmatic patients are characterized by aberrant sncRNA expression that recapitulates multiple pathologic phenotypes of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Alexandrova
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy; Genomix4Life Srl, Campus of Medicine, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Nicola Miglino
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Adnan Hashim
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Giovanni Nassa
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Claudia Stellato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Michael Tamm
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Florent Baty
- Division of Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics, Kantonsspital St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Martin Brutsche
- Division of Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics, Kantonsspital St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy; Molecular Pathology and Medical Genomics Unit, "SS. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona-Schuola Medica Salernitana" University Hospital, Salerno, Italy.
| | - Pieter Borger
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Integrins: therapeutic targets in airway hyperresponsiveness and remodelling? Trends Pharmacol Sci 2014; 35:567-74. [PMID: 25441775 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2014.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Revised: 08/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Integrins are a group of transmembrane heterodimeric proteins that mediate cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions. Integrins have been under intense investigation for their role in inflammation in asthma. Clinical trials investigating integrin antagonists, however, have shown that these compounds are relatively ineffective. Airway remodelling is another pathological feature of asthma that is thought to make an important contribution to airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and lung function decline. Recent studies have identified integrins as important players in this process, with a particular role for β1 and αv integrins. Here we review the role of these integrins in airway remodelling and hyperresponsiveness in obstructive airway disease and their potential as pharmacological targets for future treatment.
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Li MP, Xiong Y, Xu A, Zhou JP, Tang J, Zhang ZL, Zhou HH, Zhang W, Chen XP. Association of platelet ITGA2B and ITGB3 polymorphisms with ex vivo antiplatelet effect of ticagrelor in healthy Chinese male subjects. Int J Hematol 2014; 99:263-71. [PMID: 24474638 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-014-1502-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Revised: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Ticagrelor (TIC) is the first reversible P2Y12 receptor antagonist that exhibits rapid antiplatelet effect by indirect inhibition of the GPIIb/IIIa complex. Polymorphisms in genes coding GPIIb/IIIa, namely ITGA2B and ITGB3, are associated with aspirin resistance and risk for thrombotic diseases. We assessed whether ITGA2B and ITGB3 polymorphisms can influence the ex vivo antiplatelet activity of ticagrelor in Chinese population. A total of 196 healthy Chinese male individuals were recruited. ADP-induced platelet aggregation was determined using optical aggregometry at baseline and after incubation of the platelet-rich plasma with 15 and 50 μM ticagrelor, respectively. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in ITGA2B (rs5911 G>T) and ITGB3 (rs4642 A>G and rs4634 G>A) were genotyped by sequencing. TIC at both concentrations of 15 and 50 μM decreased ADP-induced platelet aggregation significantly (P < 0.05, respectively). As compared to ITGA2B rs5911 GG homozygotes, individuals with the rs5911 TG genotype showed significantly increased inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA) by both 15 and 50 μM ticagrelor incubation (P < 0.05, respectively). Neither rs4642 nor rs4634 polymorphism affected ticagrelor-induced IPA. We suggest that the ITGA2B rs5911 GG genotype is associated with decreased ex vivo antiplatelet activity of ticagrelor in healthy Chinese male subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mu-Peng Li
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
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13
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Karamizadeh Z, Kamali Sarvestani E, Saki F, Karamifar H, Amirhakimi GH, Namavar Shooshtarian MH, Ashkani-Esfahani S. Investigation of osteopontin levels and genomic variation of osteopontin and its receptors in Type 1 diabetes mellitus. J Endocrinol Invest 2013; 36:1090-3. [PMID: 24084141 DOI: 10.3275/9098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Failure in self-tolerance towards β-cells in diabetes mellitus (DM) pathogenesis involves a series of complex events that are governed by environmental and genetic factors. Considering the importance of osteopontin (OPN) in T-helper-1 (Th1) cells development, the aim of this study was to evaluate the serum level and gene polymorphism of OPN in Iranian Type 1 diabetic (T1DM) children. METHODS In this case-control study, 87 T1DM children and 86 healthy ones were enrolled. Blood samples of both groups were checked for OPN level. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were genotyped by RFLP analysis for OPN rs1126772, its receptor integrin α4 (ITGA4) rs 1449263, and CD44 rs8193. RESULTS Serum levels of OPN in diabetic children were significantly higher in cases compared to the control group (p=0.023), but there was no significant relationship between OPN rs1126772 (p=0.79), its receptor integrin α4 (p=0.31), and CD44 rs8193 (p=0.45), and T1DM. CONCLUSION Higher amounts of OPN were seen in T1DM children. It is assumed that OPN might have inducing effects on T1DM development, particularly when genetically susceptible individuals are predisposed by an environmental insult. However, the 3 SNPs of OPN and its receptors did not show noticeable association with T1DM. The power of our study (~19%) was insufficient to observe any significant statistical difference between the groups; moreover, this study does not exclude the possibility of association of other SNPs of OPN and its receptors with this disease, and more studies are needed to clarify the issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Karamizadeh
- Pediatric Endocrinology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Zhang Y, Han Y, Dong L, Yu H, Cheng L, Zhao X, Ding M. Genetic variation of ITGB3 is associated with asthma in Chinese Han children. PLoS One 2013; 8:e56914. [PMID: 23451109 PMCID: PMC3579922 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that integrins are involved in the aetiology of asthma. Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the integrin β3 (ITGB3) gene are significantly associated with asthma in Western populations. Given the important roles of environmental exposures in the development of asthma, we evaluated the associations between six SNPs in ITGB3 and asthma in Chinese Han children. A total of 321 unrelated Chinese children with asthma and 315 healthy children were recruited for the study. SNP genotyping was performed by high-resolution melting analysis (HRM). The selected SNPs were well genotyped by HRM, and SNP rs3809865 in the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of ITGB3 was found to be strongly associated with asthma (adjusted p = 0.004). The minor allele of rs3809865 showed a protective effect against asthma (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.43–0.8). The seed regions of two miRNAs (hsa-mir-124 and hsa-mir-506) were predicted to bind to the sequence containing rs3809865 by TargetScan and PITA. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that the T allele of rs3809865 was more efficiently targeted by hsa-mir-124 than was the A allele, which suggested that rs3809865 could affect the binding of hsa-mir-124 to ITGB3. Furthermore, the transfection of A549 cells with hsa-mir-124 resulted in the downregulation of ITGB3 expression. Our results revealed that rs3809865 was significantly associated with asthma due to its effect on the binding of hsa-mir-124 to ITGB3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, QiLu Children’s hospital of Shandong university, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yuling Han
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, QiLu Children’s hospital of Shandong university, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, QiLu hospital of Shandong university, Jinan, Shandong, China
- * E-mail: (YLH) (YH); (MJD) (MD)
| | - Liang Dong
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, QiLu hospital of Shandong university, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Huafeng Yu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, QiLu Children’s hospital of Shandong university, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Lu Cheng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, QiLu Children’s hospital of Shandong university, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiuxia Zhao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, QiLu Children’s hospital of Shandong university, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Mingjie Ding
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, QiLu Children’s hospital of Shandong university, Jinan, Shandong, China
- * E-mail: (YLH) (YH); (MJD) (MD)
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Chen C, Kudo M, Rutaganira F, Takano H, Lee C, Atakilit A, Robinett KS, Uede T, Wolters PJ, Shokat KM, Huang X, Sheppard D. Integrin α9β1 in airway smooth muscle suppresses exaggerated airway narrowing. J Clin Invest 2012; 122:2916-27. [PMID: 22772469 DOI: 10.1172/jci60387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2011] [Accepted: 05/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Exaggerated contraction of airway smooth muscle is the major cause of symptoms in asthma, but the mechanisms that prevent exaggerated contraction are incompletely understood. Here, we showed that integrin α9β1 on airway smooth muscle localizes the polyamine catabolizing enzyme spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) in close proximity to the lipid kinase PIP5K1γ. As PIP5K1γ is the major source of PIP2 in airway smooth muscle and its activity is regulated by higher-order polyamines, this interaction inhibited IP3-dependent airway smooth muscle contraction. Mice lacking integrin α9β1 in smooth muscle had increased airway responsiveness in vivo, and loss or inhibition of integrin α9β1 increased in vitro airway narrowing and airway smooth muscle contraction in murine and human airways. Contraction was enhanced in control airways by the higher-order polyamine spermine or by cell-permeable PIP2, but these interventions had no effect on airways lacking integrin α9β1 or treated with integrin α9β1-blocking antibodies. Enhancement of SSAT activity or knockdown of PIP5K1γ inhibited airway contraction, but only in the presence of functional integrin α9β1. Therefore, integrin α9β1 appears to serve as a brake on airway smooth muscle contraction by recruiting SSAT, which facilitates local catabolism of polyamines and thereby inhibits PIP5K1γ. Targeting key components of this pathway could thus lead to new treatment strategies for asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Chen
- Lung Biology Center, Department of Medicine, UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94143-2922, USA
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Fungi and allergic lower respiratory tract diseases. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2012; 129:280-91; quiz 292-3. [PMID: 22284927 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.12.970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 302] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2011] [Accepted: 12/12/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is a common disorder that in 2009 afflicted 8.2% of adults and children, 24.6 million persons, in the United States. In patients with moderate and severe persistent asthma, there is significantly increased morbidity, use of health care support, and health care costs. Epidemiologic studies in the United States and Europe have associated mold sensitivity, particularly to Alternaria alternata and Cladosporium herbarum, with the development, persistence, and severity of asthma. In addition, sensitivity to Aspergillus fumigatus has been associated with severe persistent asthma in adults. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is caused by A fumigatus and is characterized by exacerbations of asthma, recurrent transient chest radiographic infiltrates, coughing up thick mucus plugs, peripheral and pulmonary eosinophilia, and increased total serum IgE and fungus-specific IgE levels, especially during exacerbation. The airways appear to be chronically or intermittently colonized by A fumigatus in patients with ABPA. ABPA is the most common form of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM); other fungi, including Candida, Penicillium, and Curvularia species, are implicated. The characteristics of ABPM include severe asthma, eosinophilia, markedly increased total IgE and specific IgE levels, bronchiectasis, and mold colonization of the airways. The term severe asthma associated with fungal sensitization (SAFS) has been coined to illustrate the high rate of fungal sensitivity in patients with persistent severe asthma and improvement with antifungal treatment. The immunopathology of ABPA, ABPM, and SAFS is incompletely understood. Genetic risks identified in patients with ABPA include HLA association and certain T(H)2-prominent and cystic fibrosis variants, but these have not been studied in patients with ABPM and SAFS. Oral corticosteroid and antifungal therapies appear to be partially successful in patients with ABPA. However, the role of antifungal and immunomodulating therapies in patients with ABPA, ABPM, and SAFS requires additional larger studies.
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Ferreira CM, Chen JL, Li J, Shimomura K, Yang X, Lussier YA, Pinto LH, Solway J. Genetic interactions between chromosomes 11 and 18 contribute to airway hyperresponsiveness in mice. PLoS One 2012; 7:e29579. [PMID: 22253740 PMCID: PMC3254621 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2011] [Accepted: 11/30/2011] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We used two-dimensional quantitative trait locus analysis to identify interacting genetic loci that contribute to the native airway constrictor hyperresponsiveness to methacholine that characterizes A/J mice, relative to C57BL/6J mice. We quantified airway responsiveness to intravenous methacholine boluses in eighty-eight (C57BL/6J X A/J) F2 and twenty-seven (A/J X C57BL/6J) F2 mice as well as ten A/J mice and six C57BL/6J mice; all studies were performed in male mice. Mice were genotyped at 384 SNP markers, and from these data two-QTL analyses disclosed one pair of interacting loci on chromosomes 11 and 18; the homozygous A/J genotype at each locus constituted the genetic interaction linked to the hyperresponsive A/J phenotype. Bioinformatic network analysis of potential interactions among proteins encoded by genes in the linked regions disclosed two high priority subnetworks - Myl7, Rock1, Limk2; and Npc1, Npc1l1. Evidence in the literature supports the possibility that either or both networks could contribute to the regulation of airway constrictor responsiveness. Together, these results should stimulate evaluation of the genetic contribution of these networks in the regulation of airway responsiveness in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M. Ferreira
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Neurobiology and Physiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - James L. Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Jianrong Li
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Kazuhiro Shimomura
- Department of Neurobiology and Physiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Xinan Yang
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Yves A. Lussier
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Lawrence H. Pinto
- Department of Neurobiology and Physiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Julian Solway
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Arjomandi M, Galanter JM, Choudhry S, Eng C, Hu D, Beckman K, Chapela R, Rodríguez-Santana JR, Rodríguez-Cintrón W, Ford J, Avila PC, Burchard EG. Polymorphism in Osteopontin Gene (SPP1) Is Associated with Asthma and Related Phenotypes in a Puerto Rican Population. PEDIATRIC ALLERGY IMMUNOLOGY AND PULMONOLOGY 2011; 24:207-214. [PMID: 22276228 DOI: 10.1089/ped.2011.0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2011] [Accepted: 08/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that osteopontin, a cytokine with suggested immunoregulatory functions, may contribute to pathogenesis of asthma. To determine whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SPP1, the gene encoding osteopontin, are associated with risk of asthma, we genotyped 6 known SNPs in SPP1 in the well-characterized Genetics of Asthma in Latino Americans population of 294 Mexican and 365 Puerto Rican parent-child asthma trios. The associations between SNPs and asthma or asthma-related phenotypes were examined by transmission disequilibrium tests as implemented in the family-based association test program. Three polymorphisms, 1 in exon 7 (rs1126616C) and 2 in the 3'-untranslated region (rs1126772A and rs9138A) of SPP1, were associated with diagnosis of asthma, severity of asthma, asthma in subjects with elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE) (IgE >100 IU/mL), and postbronchodilator FEV(1) in Puerto Ricans (P values=0.00007-0.04). The CC genotype of rs1126616 conferred an odds ratio of 1.7 (95% CI=[1.3, 2.3], P value adjusted for multiple comparisons=0.001) for asthma compared with the CT and TT genotypes. Furthermore, haplotype analysis identified rs1126616C-rs1126772A-rs9138A to be associated with an increased risk for asthma, severity of asthma, and asthma in subjects with elevated IgE (P=0.03). There was no association between the SPP1 SNPs and asthma outcomes in Mexicans. Our findings suggest that the SPP1 gene is a risk factor for asthma and asthma-related phenotypes in Puerto Ricans, and are consistent with previous animal and human studies on the role of osteopontin in pathogenesis of asthma.
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Smit LAM, Bouzigon E, Bousquet J, Le Moual N, Nadif R, Pin I, Lathrop M, Demenais F, Kauffmann F, Siroux V. Mold allergen sensitization in adult asthma according to integrin β3 polymorphisms and Toll-like receptor 2/+596 genotype. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011; 128:185-191.e7. [PMID: 21570717 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2010] [Revised: 03/25/2011] [Accepted: 04/01/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Integrin β3 (ITGB3) and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) are candidate genes for asthma and sensitization to mold allergens. Integrin β3 forms a complex with TLR2, and this biological interaction is required for the response of monocytes to TLR2 agonists such as fungal glucan. OBJECTIVE To study whether genetic interaction between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding the TLR2-ITGB3 complex enhances susceptibility to mold sensitization. METHODS Association analysis was conducted in 1243 adults (524 with asthma) who participated in the follow-up of the Epidemiological Study on the Genetics and Environment of Asthma. Allergic sensitization to mold allergens was determined by skin prick testing. Association of mold sensitization with 14 ITGB3 SNPs was tested under an additive genetic model. Interaction between ITGB3 SNPs and TLR2/+596, which was previously shown to be associated with asthma, was studied. RESULTS A positive skin prick test to mold was found in 115 subjects with asthma (22.0%) and in 61 subjects without asthma (8.5%). The ITGB3 rs2056131 A allele was associated with mold sensitization in subjects with asthma with an odds ratio (95% CI) of 0.60 (0.43-0.83; P = .001). Ten other ITGB3 SNPs were significantly associated with mold sensitization in TLR2/+596TT subjects with asthma (P = .03-.002), whereas much weaker associations were found in carriers of the TLR2/+596 C allele (P = .60-.04). Interaction between TLR2/+596 and these ITGB3 SNPs was statistically significant (P interaction = .05-.001). CONCLUSION TLR2/+596 genotype may influence the association between ITGB3 SNPs and mold sensitization in adults with asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidwien A M Smit
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Chu M, Yang P, Hou S, Li F, Chen Y, Kijlstra A. Behçet's disease exhibits an increased osteopontin serum level in active stage but no association with osteopontin and its receptor gene polymorphisms. Hum Immunol 2011; 72:525-9. [PMID: 21513757 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2011.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2010] [Revised: 03/02/2011] [Accepted: 03/31/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Osteopontin (OPN) and its receptors have been reported to be involved in a number of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. This study was designed to analyze the OPN serum level in Behçet's disease (BD) and the association of gene polymorphisms of OPN and its receptors with BD. The serum level of OPN in active BD patients, inactive BD patients, and controls was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of OPN and 4 SNPs of OPN receptors were genotyped in 318 BD patients and 313 controls using a polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The OPN level was significantly increased in the serum of active BD patients compared with inactive BD patients and controls. SNP analysis indicated an increased frequency of the OPN rs1126772 A allele in BD patients compared with controls. However, the significance was lost after Bonferroni correction. The prevalence of other SNPs of OPN and its receptors did not differ between BD patients and controls. The results suggest that an increased serum OPN level was associated with clinical severity of BD. There was no association of the tested SNPs of OPN and its receptors with BD in Chinese Han patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingliang Chu
- Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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21
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Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in asthma and cystic fibrosis. Clin Dev Immunol 2011; 2011:843763. [PMID: 21603163 PMCID: PMC3095475 DOI: 10.1155/2011/843763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2010] [Accepted: 02/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a Th2 hypersensitivity lung disease in response to Aspergillus fumigatus that affects asthmatic and cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Sensitization to A. fumigatus is common in both atopic asthmatic and CF patients, yet only 1-2% of asthmatic and 7-9% of CF patients develop ABPA. ABPA is characterized by wheezing and pulmonary infiltrates which may lead to pulmonary fibrosis and/or bronchiectasis. The inflammatory response is characterized by Th2 responses to Aspergillus allergens, increased serum IgE and eosinophilia. A number of genetic risks have recently been identified in the development of ABPA. These include HLA-DR and HLA-DQ, IL-4 receptor alpha chain (IL-4RA) polymorphisms, IL-10-1082GA promoter polymorphisms, surfactant protein A2 (SP-A2) polymorphisms, and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR) mutations. The studies indicate that ABPA patients are genetically at risk to develop skewed and heightened Th2 responses to A. fumigatus antigens. These genetic risk studies and their consequences of elevated biologic markers may aid in identifying asthmatic and CF patients who are at risk to the development of ABPA. Furthermore, these studies suggest that immune modulation with medications such as anti-IgE, anti-IL-4 and/or IL-13 monoclonal antibodies may be helpful in the treatment of ABPA.
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Napolioni V, Lombardi F, Sacco R, Curatolo P, Manzi B, Alessandrelli R, Militerni R, Bravaccio C, Lenti C, Saccani M, Schneider C, Melmed R, Pascucci T, Puglisi-Allegra S, Reichelt KL, Rousseau F, Lewin P, Persico AM. Family-based association study of ITGB3 in autism spectrum disorder and its endophenotypes. Eur J Hum Genet 2010; 19:353-9. [PMID: 21102624 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2010.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The integrin-β 3 gene (ITGB3), located on human chromosome 17q21.3, was previously identified as a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for 5-HT blood levels and has been implicated as a candidate gene for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We performed a family-based association study in 281 simplex and 12 multiplex Caucasian families. ITGB3 haplotypes are significantly associated with autism (HBAT, global P=0.038). Haplotype H3 is largely over-transmitted to the affected offspring and doubles the risk of an ASD diagnosis (HBAT P=0.005; odds ratio (OR)=2.000), at the expense of haplotype H1, which is under-transmitted (HBAT P=0.018; OR=0.725). These two common haplotypes differ only at rs12603582 located in intron 11, which reaches a P-value of 0.072 in single-marker FBAT analyses. Interestingly, rs12603582 is strongly associated with pre-term delivery in our ASD patients (P=0.008). On the other hand, it is SNP rs2317385, located at the 5' end of the gene, that significantly affects 5-HT blood levels (Mann-Whitney U-test, P=0.001; multiple regression analysis, P=0.010). No gene-gene interaction between ITGB3 and SLC6A4 has been detected. In conclusion, we identify a significant association between a common ITGB3 haplotype and ASD. Distinct markers, located toward the 5' and 3' ends of the gene, seemingly modulate 5-HT blood levels and autism liability, respectively. Our results also raise interest into ITGB3 influences on feto-maternal immune interactions in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Napolioni
- Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry and Neurogenetics, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
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Thompson EE, Sun Y, Nicolae D, Ober C. Shades of gray: a comparison of linkage disequilibrium between Hutterites and Europeans. Genet Epidemiol 2010; 34:133-9. [PMID: 19697328 DOI: 10.1002/gepi.20442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Founder or isolated populations have advantages for genetic studies due to decreased genetic and environmental heterogeneity. However, whereas longer-range linkage disequilibrium (LD) in these populations is expected to facilitate gene localization, extensive LD may actually limit the ability for gene discovery. The North American Hutterite population is one of the best characterized young founder populations and members of this isolate have been the subjects of our studies of complex traits, including fertility, asthma and cardiovascular disease, for >20 years. Here, we directly assess the patterns and extent of global LD using single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes with minor allele frequencies (MAFs) > or =5% from the Affymetrix GeneChip Mapping 500 K array in 60 relatively unrelated Hutterites and 60 unrelated Europeans (HapMap CEU). Although LD among some marker pairs extends further in the Hutterites than in Europeans, the pattern of LD and MAF are surprisingly similar. These results indicate that (1) identifying disease genes should be no more difficult in the Hutterites than in outbred European populations, (2) the same common susceptibility alleles for complex diseases should be present in the Hutterites and outbred European populations, and (3) imputation algorithms based on HapMap CEU should be applicable to the Hutterites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma E Thompson
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Illinois, USA.
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Rogers AJ, Raby BA, Lasky-Su JA, Murphy A, Lazarus R, Klanderman BJ, Sylvia JS, Ziniti JP, Lange C, Celedón JC, Silverman EK, Weiss ST. Assessing the reproducibility of asthma candidate gene associations, using genome-wide data. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009; 179:1084-90. [PMID: 19264973 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.200812-1860oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Association studies have implicated many genes in asthma pathogenesis, with replicated associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and asthma reported for more than 30 genes. Genome-wide genotyping enables simultaneous evaluation of most of this variation, and facilitates more comprehensive analysis of other common genetic variation around these candidate genes for association with asthma. OBJECTIVES To use available genome-wide genotypic data to assess the reproducibility of previously reported associations with asthma and to evaluate the contribution of additional common genetic variation surrounding these loci to asthma susceptibility. METHODS Illumina Human Hap 550Kv3 BeadChip (Illumina, San Diego, CA) SNP arrays were genotyped in 422 nuclear families participating in the Childhood Asthma Management Program. Genes with at least one SNP demonstrating prior association with asthma in two or more populations were tested for evidence of association with asthma, using family-based association testing. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We identified 39 candidate genes from the literature, using prespecified criteria. Of the 160 SNPs previously genotyped in these 39 genes, 10 SNPs in 6 genes were significantly associated with asthma (including the first independent replication for asthma-associated integrin beta(3) [ITGB3]). Evaluation of 619 additional common variants included in the Illumina 550K array revealed additional evidence of asthma association for 15 genes, although none were significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. CONCLUSIONS We replicated asthma associations for a minority of candidate genes. Pooling genome-wide association study results from multiple studies will increase the power to appreciate marginal effects of genes and further clarify which candidates are true "asthma genes."
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela J Rogers
- Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 181 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Ma SF, Flores C, Dudek SM, Nicolae DL, Ober C, Garcia JG. A common cortactin gene variation confers differential susceptibility to severe asthma. Genet Epidemiol 2008; 32:757-66. [PMID: 18521921 PMCID: PMC3774307 DOI: 10.1002/gepi.20343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Genomic regions with replicated linkage to asthma-related phenotypes likely harbor multiple susceptibility loci with relatively minor effects on disease susceptibility. The 11q13 chromosomal region has repeatedly been linked to asthma with five genes residing in this region with reported replicated associations. Cortactin, an actin-binding protein encoded by the CTTN gene in 11q13, constitutes a key regulator of cytoskeletal dynamics and contractile cell machinery, events facilitated by interaction with myosin light chain kinase; encoded by MYLK, a gene we recently reported as associated with severe asthma in African Americans. To evaluate potential association of CTTN gene variation with asthma susceptibility, CTTN exons and flanking regions were re-sequenced in 48 non-asthmatic multiethnic samples, leading to selection of nine tagging polymorphisms for case-control association studies in individuals of European and African descent. After ancestry adjustments, an intronic variant (rs3802780) was significantly associated with severe asthma (odds ratio [OR]: 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-2.43; p=0.003) in a joint analysis. Further analyses evidenced independent and additive effects of CTTN and MYLK risk variants for severe asthma susceptibility in African Americans (accumulated OR: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.40-6.13, p=0.004). These data suggest that CTTN gene variation may contribute to severe asthma and that the combined effects of CTTN and MYLK risk polymorphisms may further increase susceptibility to severe asthma in African Americans harboring both genetic variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shwu-Fan Ma
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Carlos Flores
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Steven M. Dudek
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Dan L. Nicolae
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Carole Ober
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Joe G.N. Garcia
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Pinto JM, Thanaviratananich S, Hayes MG, Naclerio RM, Ober C. A Genome-Wide Screen for Hyposmia Susceptibility Loci. Chem Senses 2008; 33:319-29. [DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjm092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Thompson EE, Pan L, Ostrovnaya I, Weiss LA, Gern JE, Lemanske RF, Nicolae DL, Ober C. Integrin beta 3 genotype influences asthma and allergy phenotypes in the first 6 years of life. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007; 119:1423-9. [PMID: 17556058 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2007.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2007] [Revised: 03/20/2007] [Accepted: 03/26/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The integrin beta3 gene (ITGB3) encodes a subunit of the platelet and monocyte-specific fibrinogen receptor and the widely expressed vitronectin receptor, which have diverse roles in cell migration, adhesion, and signaling. Previous work from our laboratory reported associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ITGB3 and asthma and allergic sensitization in 4 populations. OBJECTIVE To examine whether SNPs in ITGB3 are associated with the development of asthma and allergic phenotypes in early life. METHODS We typed 13 SNPs in 206 children participating in a birth cohort study and tested for associations with asthma and allergy phenotypes in the first 6 years of life. RESULTS Our study revealed significant associations between SNPs in ITGB3 and asthma, wheezing, and IgE levels, suggesting an early role for this gene in the development of asthma and allergy. In particular, SNPs at the 3' end of the gene were significantly associated with IgE levels beginning at 1 year of age, whereas a SNP in intron 1 showed significant interaction effects with viral respiratory illness in infancy on asthma susceptibility. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that genetic variation in ITGB3 contributes to asthma susceptibility and allergic sensitization, and that the effects of this gene begin early in life. Similar to our earlier study, different SNPs in the gene are associated with asthma and IgE. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS ITGB3 may play an important role in the development of asthma and allergy and may represent a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma E Thompson
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill., USA.
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Abstract
Epidemiological and twin studies have demonstrated that asthma is under genetic and environmental influences. Numerous candidate gene association studies as well as genome-wide linkage scans have followed, aiming to elucidate the genetic architecture underlying this complex disease. Several promising asthma susceptibility genes were identified, and a comprehensive catalogue of these genes seems a realistic goal within 5 to 10 years. However, a key challenge is to understand the combination of genes and environmental factors that gives rise to the disease in a specific individual. Currently, most of the reports of asthma susceptibility genes are either preliminary or controversial, with little knowledge about the genetic mechanisms leading to abnormal function of the gene that promotes the development of asthma. Replications of published associations are relatively few. Many factors, including the inherent complexity of asthma as well as methodological issues, can explain these inconsistencies. Promising genetic tools are emerging with the completion of the International HapMap Project that will increase the scope of gene-discovery investigations. It is hoped that these tools, combined with validation studies in additional populations, will enable the creation of a comprehensive catalogue of susceptibility genes for asthma. Notwithstanding the difficulties in making sense of the vast amount of new genetic data, we already see the emergence of new biological pathways of atopy, airway remodeling, and asthma that may lead to novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohan Bossé
- McGill University, Génome Québec Innovation Center, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Thompson MD, Takasaki J, Capra V, Rovati GE, Siminovitch KA, Burnham WM, Hudson TJ, Bossé Y, Cole DEC. G-protein-coupled receptors and asthma endophenotypes: the cysteinyl leukotriene system in perspective. Mol Diagn Ther 2007; 10:353-66. [PMID: 17154652 DOI: 10.1007/bf03256212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Genetic variation in specific G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) is associated with a spectrum of respiratory disease predispositions and drug response phenotypes. Although certain GPCR gene variants can be disease-causing through the expression of inactive, overactive, or constitutively active receptor proteins, many more GPCR gene variants confer risk for potentially deleterious endophenotypes. Endophenotypes are traits, such as bronchiole hyperactivity, atopy, and aspirin intolerant asthma, which have a strong genetic component and are risk factors for a variety of more complex outcomes that may include disease states. GPCR genes implicated in asthma endophenotypes include variants of the cysteinyl leukotriene receptors (CYSLTR1 and CYSLTR2), and prostaglandin D2 receptors (PTGDR and CRTH2), thromboxane A2 receptor (TBXA2R), beta2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2), chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), and the G protein-coupled receptor associated with asthma (GPRA). This review of the contribution of variability in these genes places the contribution of the cysteinyl leukotriene system to respiratory endophenotypes in perspective. The genetic variant(s) of receptors that are associated with endophenotypes are discussed in the context of the extent to which they contribute to a disease phenotype or altered drug efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles D Thompson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, and Department of Medical Genetics and Microbiology, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Ober C, Pan L, Phillips N, Parry R, Kurina LM. Sex-specific genetic architecture of asthma-associated quantitative trait loci in a founder population. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2006; 6:241-6. [PMID: 16579875 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-006-0041-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Identifying genes that influence susceptibility to asthma-related and atopy-related phenotypes has been challenging, owing to clinical heterogeneity and a complex underlying genetic architecture that includes both gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. In this article, we report the results of genome-wide linkage and association studies of eight asthma-associated quantitative traits in the Hutterites, a founder population of European descent. Our study revealed significant sex-specific genetic architecture for at least five of these traits, and identified 13 genome-wide significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) by linkage or association that are present in only one of the sexes (nine in males, four in females).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Ober
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, 920 E. 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally E Wenzel
- National Jewish Medical and Research Center for Immunology, Denver, Colorado, USA.
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Weiss LA, Kosova G, Delahanty RJ, Jiang L, Cook EH, Ober C, Sutcliffe JS. Variation in ITGB3 is associated with whole-blood serotonin level and autism susceptibility. Eur J Hum Genet 2006; 14:923-31. [PMID: 16724005 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder affecting more males than females. Heritability estimates for autism can rise above 90%, and genes influencing the serotonin system are strong candidates for autism susceptibility genes, as drugs selectively acting on the serotonin system are some of the most effective treatments for maladaptive behaviors seen in autism. ITGB3 was recently identified as a male quantitative trait locus (QTL) for whole-blood serotonin levels in the Hutterites (P = 0.0003). Here, we demonstrate associations between variation in ITGB3 and serotonin levels in two outbred samples (P = 0.010 and 0.015). Lastly, we show that a coding variant of ITGB3 is associated with autism susceptibility in a large multiplex sample (P = 0.00082), and that this variation has different effects in males and females (P = 0.0018).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A Weiss
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Chan A, Newman DL, Shon AM, Schneider DH, Kuldanek S, Ober C. Variation in the type I interferon gene cluster on 9p21 influences susceptibility to asthma and atopy. Genes Immun 2006; 7:169-78. [PMID: 16437122 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gene.6364287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
A genome-wide screen for asthma and atopy susceptibility alleles conducted in the Hutterites, a founder population of European descent, reported evidence of linkage with a short tandem repeat polymorphism (STRP) within the type I interferon (IFN) gene cluster on chromosome 9p21. The goal of this study was to identify variation within the IFN gene cluster that influences susceptibility to asthma and atopic phenotypes. We screened approximately 25 kb of sequence, including the flanking sequence of all 15 functional genes and the single coding exon in 12, in Hutterites representing different IFNA-STRP genotypes. We identified 78 polymorphisms, and genotyped 40 of these (in 14 genes) in a large Hutterite pedigree. Modest associations (0.003<P<0.05) with asthma, bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR), and atopy were observed with individual variants or genes, spanning the entire 400 kb region. However, pairwise combinations of haplotypes between genes showed highly significant associations with different phenotypes (P<10(-5)) that were localized to specific pairs of genes or regions of this cluster. These results suggest that variation in multiple genes in the type I IFN cluster on 9p22 contribute to asthma and atopy susceptibility, and that not all genes contribute equally to all phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Chan
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60636, USA
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Tan Z, Shon AM, Ober C. Evidence of balancing selection at the HLA-G promoter region. Hum Mol Genet 2005; 14:3619-28. [PMID: 16236759 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddi389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
HLA-G is a class Ib HLA gene with unique tissue expression pattern and immunomodulatory properties. Polymorphisms in the HLA-G promoter region have been associated with miscarriage and asthma, whereas expression levels have been associated with a wide range of pathologic conditions as well as survival of embryos after in vitro fertilization and of organs after transplantation. Here, we characterize the sequence variation and haplotype structure of the HLA-G promoter and flanking sequences in 44 African Americans, 47 European Americans and 43 Han Chinese by haplotype-specific PCR and sequencing. In all three populations, we observed high levels of nucleotide variation, an excess of intermediate-frequency alleles, and a genealogy with two common haplotypes separated by deep branches, features that are suggestive of balancing selection acting in this region. Comparisons to HLA-A and a pseudogene, HLA-J, suggested that the observed pattern of sequence variation in the HLA-G promoter region is not likely due to other selected HLA genes. We suggest that the mechanism for this selection is related to the highly regulated expression pattern of HLA-G and that high- and low-expressing promoters may be favored under temporally and/or spatially varying selective pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Tan
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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Ober C, Thompson EE. Rethinking genetic models of asthma: the role of environmental modifiers. Curr Opin Immunol 2005; 17:670-8. [PMID: 16214315 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2005.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2005] [Accepted: 09/21/2005] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is a common, chronic disease with a complex etiology. To date, more than 35 genes have been associated with asthma or related phenotypes in multiple populations, but none of them has been shown to contribute to risk in all populations studied. We suggest that genetic susceptibility is both context dependent and developmentally regulated, and that ignoring the environmental context will miss many important associations and clues to pathogenesis. We define 'environment' broadly to include the in utero environment, maternal affection status and sex, and propose that epigenetic mechanisms are the link between our genes and our environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Ober
- Department of Human Genetics, 920 East 58(th) Street, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
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