Common genetic variation in the Estrogen Receptor Beta (ESR2) gene and osteoarthritis: results of a meta-analysis

The influence of sex hormones on musculoskeletal pain and osteoarthritis

The association of female sex with certain rheumatic symptoms and diseases is now indisputable. Some of the most striking examples of this association occur in individuals with musculoskeletal pain and osteoarthritis, in whom sex-dependent changes in incidence and prevalence of disease are seen throughout the lifecourse. Joint and muscle pain are some of the most common symptoms of menopause, and there is increasingly compelling evidence that changes in or loss of sex hormones (be it natural, autoimmune, pharmacological, or surgical) influence musculoskeletal pain propensity and perhaps disease. However, the effects of modulation or replacement of sex hormones in this context are far less established, particularly whether these approaches could represent a preventative or therapeutic opportunity once symptoms have developed. In this Review, we present evidence for the association of changes in sex hormones with musculoskeletal pain and painful osteoarthritis, discussing data from diverse natural, therapeutic, and experimental settings in humans and relevant animal models relating to hormone loss or replacement and the consequent effects on health, pain, and disease. We also postulate mechanisms by which sex hormones could mediate these effects. Further research is needed; however, increased scientific understanding of this complex area could lead to real benefits in musculoskeletal and women's health.

Selective inhibition of progesterone receptor in osteochondral progenitor cells, but not in mature chondrocytes, modulated subchondral bone structures

OBJECTIVE

The presence or relative proportion of progesterone nuclear receptors (PR) in different tissues may contribute to sexual dimorphism in these tissues. PR is expressed in chondrocytes, but its function is mostly unknown. We hypothesized that the PR may regulate chondrocyte metabolism and affect subchondral bone structure.

METHODS

We utilized genetic fate mapping and immunohistochemistry to elucidate PR expression in and effect on cartilage. To define sex-dependent and chondrocyte-specific effects of the PR on subchondral bone, we selectively deleted PR in osteochondrogenic progenitor cells marked by Prx1 (Prx1; PRcKO) and Collagen 2 (Col2; PRcKO), or in matured chondrocytes marked by aggrecan (Acan; PRcKO) and evaluated subchondral bone structure at 4 months of age. Chondrocyte aging was monitored by anti-senescence marker p16INK4a, and MMP13, one of the Senescence-Associated Secretary Phenotype (SASP) components.

RESULTS

Compared to wild-type (WT) mice, the female Prx1; PRcKO and the Col2; PRcKO mice had greater total subchondral bone volume and greater subchondral cortical bone thickness, with increased estimated subchondral bone stiffness and failure load in both female and male Col2; PRcKO mice. Moreover, Col2; PRcKO mice from both sexes had greater bone formation and bone strength at the femurs. In contrast, we did not observe any subchondral bone changes in Acan; PRcKO mice other than higher work-to-failure observed in the male Acan; PRcKO mice. Despite no detected difference in articular cartilage between the WT and the PR; chondrocyte conditional deletion mice, there were greater numbers of senescent chondrocytes and increased MMP13 expression, especially in the male mutant mice.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that selective inhibition of PR in osteoprogenitor cells, but not in terminally differentiated chondrocytes, induced an increased subchondral bone phenotype and high estimated subchondral bone strength, which might be associated with the development of osteoarthritis in older age.

Association of ESRα Gene Pvu II T>C, XbaI A>G and BtgI G>A Polymorphisms with Knee Osteoarthritis Susceptibility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Based on 22 Case-Control Studies

BACKGROUND

Many studies have reported the association of estrogen receptor α gene (ESRα) ESRα PvuII T>C, XbaI A>G and BtgI G>A polymorphisms with Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) risk, but the results remained controversial. In order to drive a more precise estimation, the present systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to investigate the association between ESRα polymorphisms and KOA susceptibility.

METHODS

Eligible articles were identified by search of databases including PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge and Google scholar up to March 1, 2017. Data were extracted by two independent authors and pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 22 case-control studies in eleven publications with 6,575 KOA cases and 7,459 controls were included in the meta-analysis. By pooling all the studies, either ESRα PvuII T>C and XbaI A>G polymorphisms was not associated with KOA risk in the overall population. However, ESRα BtgI G>A was significantly associated with KOA risk under all five genetic models. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, a significant association was observed between ESRα PvuII T>C polymorphism and KOA risk in Asians under heterozygote model. In addition, significant association was found between ESRα XbaI A>G polymorphism and KOA in Caucasians under allelic, homozygote, dominant and recessive models.

CONCLUSION

The present meta-analysis suggests that ESRα BtgI G>A rather than ESRα PvuII T>C and XbaI A>G polymorphisms is associated with an increased KOA risk in overall population. Moreover, we have found that ESRα PvuII T>C and XbaI A>G polymorphisms associated with KOA susceptibility by ethnicity backgrounds.

No association of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs8044769 in the fat mass and obesity-associated gene with knee osteoarthritis risk and body mass index: A population-based study in China

OBJECTIVES

Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have reported significant association of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs8044769 in the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) with osteoarthritis (OA) risk in European populations. However, these findings have not been confirmed in Chinese populations.

METHODS

We systematically genotyped rs8044769 and evaluated the association between the genetic variants and OA risk in a case-controlled study including 196 OA cases and 442 controls in a northern Chinese population. Genotyping was performed using the Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX platform.

RESULTS

We found that the variant T allele of rs8044769 showed no significant association of OA risk (p = 0.791), or association with body mass index (BMI) (pmeta = 0.786) in an additive genetic model. However, we detected a significant interaction between rs8044769 genotypes and BMI on OA risk (p = 0.037), as well as a borderline interaction between rs8044769 genotypes and age on OA risk (p = 0.062).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that rs8044769 in the FTO gene may not modify individual susceptibility to OA or increased BMI in the Chinese population. Further studies are warranted to validate and extend our findings.Cite this article: Prof L. Jiang. No association of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs8044769 in the fat mass and obesity-associated gene with knee osteoarthritis risk and body mass index: A population-based study in China. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:169-174. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.55.2000589.

Changes in Membrane Receptors and Ion Channels as Potential Biomarkers for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint condition, is currently difficult to detect early enough for any of the current treatment options to be completely successful. Early diagnosis of this disease could increase the numbers of patients who are able to slow its progression. There are now several diseases where membrane protein biomarkers are used for early diagnosis. The numbers of proteins in the membrane is vast and so it is a rich source of potential biomarkers for OA but we need more knowledge of these before they can be considered practical biomarkers. How are they best measured and are they selective to OA or even certain types of OA? The first step in this process is to identify membrane proteins that change in OA. Here, we summarize several ion channels and receptors that change in OA models and/or OA patients, and may thus be considered candidates as novel membrane biomarkers of OA.

Associations between estrogen receptor-beta polymorphisms and endometriosis risk: a meta-analysis

Background

Many epidemiological studies have suggested an association between estrogen receptor-beta (ER-β) polymorphisms with endometriosis risk. However, the results of these studies have been inconsistent. In the present study, we performed a meta-analysis to clarify the associations between the ER-β rs4986938 and rs1256049 polymorphisms and endometriosis risk.

Methods

Eligible publications were retrieved from the PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and several Chinese language databases. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random or fixed effect model.

Results

A total of eight studies (1100 cases/1485 controls) for the rs4986938 polymorphism and four studies (353 cases/450 controls) for the rs1256049 polymorphism were included in this meta-analysis. Regarding the rs4986938 polymorphism, no obvious associations were found for all genetic models when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis. In the subgroup analyses by ethnicity, study sample size, endometriosis-associated infertility, and stage of endometriosis, a significantly increased risk was observed among mixed populations (dominant model, OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.56–2.64) and among cases with endometriosis-associated infertility (dominant model, OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.26–2.67). Regarding the rs1256049 polymorphism, no obvious associations were found for all genetic models in the overall population. Subgroup analyses by ethnicity and study sample size revealed that only one study of a mixed population with small sample size showed an increased risk of endometriosis. No publication bias was found in the present study.

Conclusions

The results of this meta-analysis suggest that the ER-β rs4986938 and rs1256049 polymorphisms may not be associated with endometriosis risk, while the observed increased risk of endometriosis-associated infertility may be due to bias by the inclusion of small-scale studies.

Virtual Slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/13000_2014_184