Polymorphisms in the promoter region of the basic fibroblast growth factor gene are not associated with myocardial infarction in a Slovene population with type 2 diabetes

The -553 T/A polymorphism in the promoter region of the FGF2 gene is associated with increased breast cancer risk in Polish women

INTRODUCTION

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) is an important signalling molecule contributing to angiogenesis, tumour growth and progression and its expression is implicated in breast cancer (BC) development. We investigated whether -553 T/A FGF2 gene polymorphism is associated with the risk and progression of BC in Polish women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The -553 T/A polymorphism was genotyped in 230 breast cancer patients and 245 control subjects, using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) approach. Moreover, FastQuant human angiogenesis array was used to measure FGF2 levels in tumour (n = 127) and serum (n = 76) samples.

RESULTS

The T/A genotypes (OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.20-3.74) (p = 0.08) and the combined heterozygotes T/A and homozygote A/A (OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.24-3.83) (p = 0.006) had an increased risk of BC. The median FGF2 levels in the tumours of A allele carriers were significantly increased compared to T/T patients, whereas in serum FGF2 levels were hardly altered among different genotype carriers. Significantly higher frequency of A allele was found in patients with lymph node metastases (OR = 2.53; 95% CI: 1.23-5.17) (p = 0.009) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive tumour (OR = 3.22, 95% CI: 1.49-6.99) (p = 0.002). Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the A allele predicted worse disease-free survival (DFS) in BC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows for the first time that the -553 T/A FGF2 gene polymorphism may be associated with a risk of BC developing and progression in Polish women and may have prognostic value for the assessment of BC high-risk groups.

VEGF and bFGF gene polymorphisms in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are important in the proliferation and survival of the malignant hematopoietic neoplasms, including non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) play an important role in the initiation of angiogenesis. Both VEGF and bFGF have been reported to have prognostic significance in NHL. The present study aimed to determine an association between the VEGF and bFGF gene polymorphisms and disease susceptibility and progression. VEGF (rs3025039; 936 C>T) and bFGF (rs308395, -921 G>C) variants were determined in 78 NHL patients and 122 healthy individuals by PCR-RFLP technique. The presence of the VEGF 936T allele was found to significantly associate with worse prognosis of the disease (expressed by the highest International Prognostic Index (IPI)) (0.41 versus 0.20, P = 0.044 for IPI 4 among patients having and lacking the T allele). The VEGF 936T variant was also more frequent among patients with IPI 4 than in controls (OR = 3.37, P = 0.029). The bFGF -921G variant was more frequently detected among patients with aggressive as compared to those with indolent histological subtype (0.37 versus 0.18, P = 0.095) and healthy individuals (0.37 versus 0.19, OR = 2.51, P = 0.038). These results imply that VEGF and bFGF gene polymorphisms have prognostic significance in patients with NHL.

VEGF and bFGF gene polymorphisms in Polish patients with B-CLL

Among a variety of angiogenic factors involved in the B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were identified. Their levels have been regarded as prognostic markers of the progression of disease. The objective of the present study was to assess whether polymorphisms located within the genes coding for these key angiogenic activators contribute to disease susceptibility and/or progression in patients with B-CLL. For this purpose, 180 individuals were investigated, including 68 B-CLL patients and 112 healthy controls. All individuals were typed for the VEGF (936 C > T) and bFGF (−921 C > G) alleles using PCR–RFLP technique. Only a slight prevalence of the VEGF T variant was observed among patients as compared to healthy individuals (p = 0.095) with a significant difference when high risk (stage III/IV) patients were considered (OR = 3.81, p = 0.045). No other significant association was observed between the VEGF polymorphism and progression of the disease. The VEGF alleles and genotypes segregated similarly in patients with different stage of the disease according to Rai classification. No significant relationships were also observed for the bFGF polymorphism with either susceptibility to B-CLL (when compared to control group) or progression of the disease. These results suggest the possible association of the VEGF polymorphism with high risk B-CLL.

Polymorphisms of interleukin-4, -10 and 12B genes and diabetic retinopathy

In diabetic retinopathy (DR) and other angiogenesis-associated diseases, increased levels of cytokines, inflammatory cells, and angiogenic factors are present. We investigated the hypothesis that rs2243250 polymorphism of the interleukin 4 (IL-4) gene or rs1800896 polymorphism of the interleukin 10 (IL-10) gene, and rs3212227 polymorphism of the 3’ untranslated region (3’ UTR) of the interleukin-12 p40 gene (IL12B) may be associated with the development of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes (DM2). This cross sectional case — control study included 189 patients with PDR and 187 patients with type 2 diabetes without PDR. Polymorphisms rs1800896 of the IL-10 gene, rs2243250 of the IL-4 gene, and rs3212227 of IL12B gene were analyzed by ARMS -PCR and RFLP -PCR methods. Multivariate analysis demonstrated the GG genotype of the rs1800896 polymorphism of the IL-10 gene to be associated with increased risk for PDR (OR=1.99; 95% CI=1.11–3.57; P=0.02), whereas the TT genotype of the rs2243250 polymorphism of the IL-4 gene and the AA genotype of the rs3212227 polymorphism of the IL-12 gene were not independent risk factors for PDR. Our findings suggest that the genetic variations at the IL-10 promoter gene might be a genetic risk factor for PDR in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes.

Deficiency of mast cells in coronary artery endarterectomy of male patients with type 2 diabetes

Background

Type 2 diabetes is an important risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). Focal or diffuse inflammation is often present in the vessels of patients with CAD. Mast cells are frequently present in the plaques as well as in the inflammatory infiltrates in the atherosclerotic vessel wall. In the study we wanted to examine whether there are differences in the morphology, number and distribution of mast cells and in their ability to modify the atherosclerotic process in coronary arteries (CA) in the diabetic vs. the hypertensive population of patients with CAD.

Methods

Coronary artery endarterectomy specimens were obtained from patients with diabetes or hypertension as the only risk factor for CAD. The specimens were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and Sulphated Alcian Blue for mast cells and with immunofluorescent methods for fibrinogen-fibrin and IgG deposits in the vessel wall. Both morphological and stereological assessments were conducted for mast cells and mononuclear cell infiltrates.

Results

The histological analysis of the vessel wall of diabetic patients in comparison with hypertensive patients showed a damaged endothelial cells layer and deposits of fibrin-fibrinogen and IgG in the tunica intima and media. The stereological count revealed a diminished numerical density of mast cells and a significantly higher volume density of the mononuclear cells. Mast cells displayed cytoplasmic vacuolization, extracellular extrusion of granule and pyknotic nuclei.

Conclusion

This preliminary study suggests that the impaired mast cells might be the reason for more extensive inflammatory and immunologic atherosclerotic changes in the CA vessel wall of CAD patients with type 2 diabetes.

Trial registration

134/88;C3-0564-381-92