Polymorphisms in endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase genes are associated with cervical cancer risk in a Chinese Han population

Assessment of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease before and after lung transplantation

The interplay between purinergic receptors as well as pattern recognition receptors like Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) might have a role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to determine and compare the concentrations of the damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and gene expression of their respective receptors as well as NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecules in the peripheral blood of patients with end-stage COPD before and 1 year after lung transplantation (LT). Lung function was assessed by spirometry and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was applied for detection of TLR2, TLR4, P2X7R, P2Y2R, IL1B, CASP1, and NLRP3 expression. High-sensitivity ELISA kits were used for extracellular (e) Hsp70 and IL-1β, and luminescence assay for eATP measurements. Concentrations of eHsp70 and eATP as well as IL-1β were significantly increased in the plasma of end-stage COPD patients and significantly decreased after LT. In addition, TLR4, P2Y2R, IL1B, CASP1, and NLRP3 expression was up-regulated in COPD patients before LT, while it was significantly suppressed after LT. In conclusion, it could be assumed that NLRP3 inflammasome is activated in the peripheral blood of end-stage COPD patients and that eHsp70 and eATP could be responsible for its activation through triggering their receptors. On the other hand, previously enhanced pro-inflammatory reactions seem to be suppressed to the healthy population levels in lung recipients without allograft rejection.

The Role of Aminopeptidase ERAP1 in Human Pathology-A Review

Aminopeptidases are a group of enzymatic proteins crucial for protein digestion, catalyzing the cleavage of amino acids at the N-terminus of peptides. Among them are ERAP1 (coding for endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1), ERAP2 (coding for endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2), and LNPEP (coding for leucyl and cystinyl aminopeptidase). These genes encoding these enzymes are contiguous and located on the same chromosome (5q21); they share structural homology and functions and are associated with immune-mediated diseases. These aminopeptidases play a key role in immune pathology by cleaving peptides to optimal sizes for binding to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and contribute to cellular homeostasis. By their ability to remove the extracellular region of interleukin 2 and 6 receptors (IL2, IL6) and the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNF), ERAP1 and ERAP2 are involved in regulating the innate immune response and, finally, in blood pressure control and angiogenesis. The combination of specific genetic variations in these genes has been linked to various conditions, including autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases and cancer, as well as hematological and dermatological disorders. This literature review aims to primarily explore the impact of ERAP1 polymorphisms on its enzymatic activity and function. Through a systematic examination of the available literature, this review seeks to provide valuable insights into the role of ERAP1 in the pathogenesis of various diseases and its potential implications for targeted therapeutic interventions. Through an exploration of the complex interplay between ERAP1 and various disease states, this review contributes to the synthesis of current biomedical research findings and their implications for personalized medicine.

rs217727 of lncRNA H19 is Associated with Cervical Cancer Risk in the Chinese Han Population

Background

Long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been revealed to involve in cervical cancer (CC) developing. The current study was designed to explore the association of SNPs (rs217727, rs2366152, rs1859168, rs10505477) located in the lncRNA H19, HOTAIR, HOTTIP and CASC8 genes with the risk of CC in a Chinese Han population.

Methods

Four SNPs were selected and genotyped in 1426 participants (274 CIN patients, 448 CC patients, and 704 healthy control individuals) using MassArray. The association of these SNPs with susceptibility to CC was evaluated.

Results

Significant differences in allelic distribution of rs217727 were observed in the comparison of CC with control (P = 0.001), indicating the risk of rs217727-A allele in CC (OR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.12-1.58). The inheritance model analysis revealed that 2AA+GA genotype represented a certain risk of CC (P = 0.001, OR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.13-1.62). The stratified analysis revealed a risk of the rs217727-A allele for cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (P = 0.002, OR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.11-1.60).

Conclusion

rs217727 in lncRNA H19 exhibited a significant correlation with CC susceptibility, particularly SCC, and A/A genotype of this SNP might present as a risk in CC.

Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation plays an important role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis and might be involved in ongoing chronic inflammation. This study aimed to determine interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) plasma concentration as well as IL1B, NLRP3 and caspase-1 (CASP1) gene expression in the Croatian COPD patients. 109 patients with stable COPD and age- and sex-matched 95 controls were included in the study. Plasma IL-1β concentration was measured by Luminex technology, and gene expression analysis was performed using TaqMan assays. It was shown that COPD patients had increased concentration of IL-1β and enhanced gene expression of IL1B, NLRP3 and CASP1 compared to controls. There was no difference in IL-1β or IL1B, NLRP3 and CASP1 in patients with COPD regarding airflow obstruction severity and smoking history. Finally, the diagnostic potential of the determined parameters was evaluated, and it was found that IL-1β correctly classified 89% of cases in the combination with common inflammatory biomarkers, white blood cell count and fibrinogen, showing a potential in COPD prediction. In conclusion, up-regulation of IL1B, NLRP3, CASP1 and increased IL-1β concentration suggest the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in the systemic compartment of patients with stable COPD.

Increased HSP70 and TLR2 Gene Expression and Association of HSP70 rs6457452 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism with the Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Croatian Population

Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) engages Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and 4 when found in the extracellular compartment and contributes to inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Since there is growing evidence for the genetic risk factors for COPD, the gene expression of HSP70, TLR2 and TLR4 was determined, as well as the association between HSP70, TLR2 and TLR4 single nucleotide polymorphisms, (SNPs) and COPD. The gene expression was assessed in peripheral blood cells of 137 COPD patients and 95 controls by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), while a total of nine SNPs were genotyped by TaqMan allelic discrimination real-time PCR. HSP70 and TLR2 gene expression was increased in COPD patients compared to the controls, regardless of the disease severity and smoking status of participants. The rs6457452 SNP of HSP70 was associated with COPD, indicating the protective role of the T allele (OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.24-0.89, p = 0.022). Furthermore, COPD C/T heterozygotes showed a decreased HSP70 mRNA level compared to COPD C/C homozygotes. In conclusion, HSP70 and TLR2 may have a role in the pathogenesis of COPD, and the HSP70 rs6457452 variant might influence the genetic susceptibility to COPD in the Croatian population.

Investigating the phosphinic acid tripeptide mimetic DG013A as a tool compound inhibitor of the M1-aminopeptidase ERAP1

ERAP1 is a zinc-dependent M1-aminopeptidase that trims lipophilic amino acids from the N-terminus of peptides. Owing to its importance in the processing of antigens and regulation of the adaptive immune response, dysregulation of the highly polymorphic ERAP1 has been implicated in autoimmune disease and cancer. To test this hypothesis and establish the role of ERAP1 in these disease areas, high affinity, cell permeable and selective chemical probes are essential. DG013A 1, is a phosphinic acid tripeptide mimetic inhibitor with reported low nanomolar affinity for ERAP1. However, this chemotype is a privileged structure for binding to various metal-dependent peptidases and contains a highly charged phosphinic acid moiety, so it was unclear whether it would display the high selectivity and passive permeability required for a chemical probe. Therefore, we designed a new stereoselective route to synthesize a library of DG013A 1 analogues to determine the suitability of this compound as a cellular chemical probe to validate ERAP1 as a drug discovery target.

The Role of Antigen Processing and Presentation in Cancer and the Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Immunotherapy

Recent clinical successes of cancer immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are rapidly changing the landscape of cancer treatment. Regardless of initial impressive clinical results though, the therapeutic benefit of ICIs appears to be limited to a subset of patients and tumor types. Recent analyses have revealed that the potency of ICI therapies depends on the efficient presentation of tumor-specific antigens by cancer cells and professional antigen presenting cells. Here, we review current knowledge on the role of antigen presentation in cancer. We focus on intracellular antigen processing and presentation by Major Histocompatibility class I (MHCI) molecules and how it can affect cancer immune evasion. Finally, we discuss the pharmacological tractability of manipulating intracellular antigen processing as a complementary approach to enhance tumor immunogenicity and the effectiveness of ICI immunotherapy.

Polymorphisms in ERAP1 and ERAP2 Genes Are Associated With Tuberculosis in the Han Chinese

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase (ERAP1 and ERAP2) genes are associated with the pathogenesis of bacterial and viral infections. To search for the variations in the ERAP1 and ERAP2 genes associated with tuberculosis (TB), 449 TB cases and 435 healthy individuals of the Han population in the Yunnan province of China were included in the present study. Eleven SNPs of ERAPs were genotyped using the SNaPshot SNP assay. Allelic, genotypic, and haplotypic association analyses were performed between the TB and control groups. Furthermore, stratification analyses among pulmonary TB (PTB), extrapulmonary TB (EPTB), and healthy controls; and initial treatment TB (ITTB), retreatment TB (RTB), and healthy controls were also performed. The TT genotype of rs26618 in ERAP1 exhibited a protective factor for TB, compared with the role of the CC/CT genotype (P = 0.003; OR = 1.490, 95% CI: 1.140-1.940). In ERAP2, the frequency of the G allele of rs2549782 was higher in the case group than in the control group (0.491 vs. 0.417, P = 0.002, OR = 1.350, 95% CI: 1.118-1.631), and the TT genotype exhibited a protective factor for TB, compared with the role of the GG/GT genotype (P = 0.001; OR = 1.650, 95% CI: 1.230-2.220). The frequency of the C allele of rs1056893 was higher in the case group than in the control group (0.468 vs. 0.394, P = 0.002, OR = 1.350, 95% CI: 1.118-1.631), and the genotype exhibited a difference in the log-additive model (P = 0.002; OR = 1.350, 95% CI: 1.120-1.630). The frequencies of the haplotype rs27037-rs27044-s30187-rs26618-rs26653-rs3734016-GCCCGC in ERAP1 (0.290 vs. 0.240, P-adj = 0.028, OR = 1.320, 95% CI: 1.063-1.638) and the haplotypes rs2549782-rs2248374-rs2287988-rs1056893-GTAGC in ERAP2 (0.446 vs. 0.348, P-adj = 4.80E-05, OR = 1.510, 95% CI: 1.246-1.829) was higher in the TB groups, while the frequencies of the haplotypes rs2549782-rs2248374-rs2287988-rs1056893-TAGAT (0.478 vs. 0.539, P-adj = 0.020, OR = 0.782, 95% CI: 0.649-0.943) were lower in the TB groups. The allelic and genotypic associations were also investigated in the subsequent stratification between the PTB, EPTB and control groups as well as between the ITTB, RTB, and control groups. In conclusion, variations in ERAP1 and ERAP2 genes were identified to be associated with TB in the Han Chinese population.