Association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism LEP-R c.668A>G (p.Gln223Arg, rs1137101) of leptin receptor gene with endometrial cancer

Association between genetic polymorphisms of leptin receptor and preeclampsia in Chinese women

OBJECTIVE

Leptin signaling plays an important role in regulating metabolism and reproduction. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between polymorphisms of leptin receptor (LEPR) gene A223G and A668G and preeclampsia (PE) and evaluated influences of genotypes on clinical, metabolic, and oxidative stress indices in Chinese women.

METHODS

This is a case-control study including 322 patients with PE and 1295 healthy pregnant women. The two polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragments length polymorphism method. Clinical and biochemical parameters were analyzed.

RESULTS

The frequencies of the AA + AG genotypes (28.6% vs. 36.1%) and A allele (14.9% vs. 19.8%) of LEPR A223G polymorphism, and those of the AA + AG genotypes (17.7% vs. 24.6%) and A allele (9.0% vs. 12.9%) of LEPR A668G polymorphism were significantly lower in the PE group than those in the control group. The 223A and 668A alleles were protective factors against PE in the regression model, which included age and delivery body mass index as covariates (OR = 0.684, 95% CI: 0.506-0.926, p = .014; OR = 0.650, 95% CI: 0.456-0.927, p = .017, respectively). When the 668GG/223GG combined genotype served as the reference category, the 668A/223A combined allele had further enhanced the protective effect on PE (OR = 0.558, 95% CI: 0.374-0.833, p = .004). Patients possessing the LEPR 223A allele had higher total antioxidant capacity and lower oxidative stress index (p < .05), while those with the LEPR 668A allele had higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (p = .045) compared with those carrying the corresponding GG genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

The 223A and 668A alleles of LEPR polymorphisms are genetic protective factors for PE in Chinese women. The two alleles may exert a beneficial effect on oxidative stress and lipid metabolism in patients.

Alternative splicing of PSMD13 mediated by genetic variants is significantly associated with endometrial cancer risk

OBJECTIVE

Accumulating evidence has shown that aberrant alternative splicing events are closely associated with the onset and development of cancer. However, whether genetic variants-associated alternative splicing is linked to risk of endometrial cancer remains largely uncertain.

METHODS

We identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) locates in the splicing number trait locus (sQTL) of endometrial cancer using the CancerSplicing QTL database. In parallel with bioinformatics analysis, we conducted a case-control study comprising 2,000 cases and 2,013 controls to assess the association between identified SNP which possesses mRNA splicing function and endometrial cancer susceptibility. Furthermore, we used the Kaplan-Meier Plotter, The Human Protein Atlas, SPNR, and Spliceman2 databases for sQTL and differential gene expression analyses to identify the genetic variant which most potentially influence the risk of endometrial cancer through alternative splicing to reveal the potential mechanism by which candidate SNPs regulate the risk of endometrial cancer.

RESULTS

The results indicated that SNP rs7128029 A

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that SNP rs7128029-mediated alternative splicing events in PSMD13 are associated with endometrial cancer risk and may be a potential early screening biomarker for endometrial cancer-susceptible populations.

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Key Words

• 26S Proteasome Non-ATPase Regulatory Subunit 13
• Alternative Splicing
• Endometrial Cancer
• Single Nucleotide Polymorphism

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MESH Headings

• Female
• Humans
• Alternative Splicing/genetics
• Case-Control Studies
• Databases, Factual
• Endometrial Neoplasms/genetics
• Odds Ratio
• Risk
• Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

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Grants

• (2022)626 Natural Science Foundation of Guangzhou City
• (2022)402 Zunyi City Science and Technology Plan Project
• 2018 F-913 Zunyi Medical University

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Affiliation(s)

Sisi He Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
Rong Cao The Second Clinical College, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Yan Mao Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
Na Li Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
Yanzhe Wang Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
Hu Ma Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
Kunming Tian Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.

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Recent Advances in the Knowledge of the Mechanisms of Leptin Physiology and Actions in Neurological and Metabolic Pathologies

Excess body weight is frequently associated with low-grade inflammation. Evidence indicates a relationship between obesity and cancer, as well as with other diseases, such as diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, in which inflammation and the actions of various adipokines play a role in the pathological mechanisms involved in these disorders. Leptin is mainly produced by adipose tissue in proportion to fat stores, but it is also synthesized in other organs, where leptin receptors are expressed. This hormone performs numerous actions in the brain, mainly related to the control of energy homeostasis. It is also involved in neurogenesis and neuroprotection, and central leptin resistance is related to some neurological disorders, e.g., Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. In peripheral tissues, leptin is implicated in the regulation of metabolism, as well as of bone density and muscle mass. All these actions can be affected by changes in leptin levels and the mechanisms associated with resistance to this hormone. This review will present recent advances in the molecular mechanisms of leptin action and their underlying roles in pathological situations, which may be of interest for revealing new approaches for the treatment of diseases where the actions of this adipokine might be compromised.

Role of adipocytokines in endometrial cancer progression

Endometrial cancer is considered a significant barrier to increasing life expectancy and remains one of the most common malignant cancers among women in many countries worldwide. The increasing mortality rates are potentially proportional to the increasing obesity incidence. Adipose tissue secretes numerous adipocytokines, which may play important roles in endometrial cancer progression. In this scenario, we describe the role of adipocytokines in cell proliferation, cell invasion, cell adhesion, inflammation, angiogenesis, and anti-apoptotic action. A better understanding of the mechanisms of these adipocytokines may open up new therapeutic avenues for women with endometrial cancer. In the future, larger prospective studies focusing on adipocytokines and specific inhibitors should be directed at preventing the rapidly increasing prevalence of gynecological malignancies.

Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in LEP and LEPR Associated With Breast Cancer Risk: Results From a Multicenter Case-Control Study in Chinese Females

Background

Leptin (LEP) plays a physiological role through its specific receptor (LEPR) and is involved in the occurrence and development of breast cancer. Our current study aimed at determining the influence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes coding for LEP and LEPR on breast cancer risk.

Methods

In the present study, 963 breast cancer cases and 953 controls were enrolled. Five SNPs of LEP and two of LEPR were chosen to evaluate the correlation of selected SNPs with breast cancer susceptibility among women in northern and eastern China. Analyses were further stratified by body mass index (BMI), waist–hip rate (WHR), estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor status. The expression patterns of risk variant-associated genes were detected by expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis with eQTLGen and The Cancer Genome Atlas database.

Results

There were significant differences between breast cancer cases and control groups in the menopausal status and family history of breast cancer. Two SNPs (rs1137101 and rs4655555) of the LEPR gene decreased overall breast cancer risk, and other five SNPs showed no significant association with breast cancer risk. rs1137101 (GA vs. GG; adjusted OR = 0.719, 95% CI = 0.578–0.894, p = 0.003) and rs4655555 (TT vs. AA; adjusted OR = 0.574, 95% CI = 0.377–0.873, p = 0.009) significantly decreased breast cancer risk after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. In subgroup analyses, the GA and GA + AA genotypes of LEPR rs1137101 associated with decreased breast cancer risk in the subgroup of BMI ≤ 24 kg/m² or WHR ≥ 0.85 after Bonferroni correction. Furthermore, we found that the expressions of rs4655555-associated gene LEPR and leptin receptor overlapping transcript (LEPROT) were upregulated in breast cancer tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues, and a higher expression of LEPR in tumor tissues was correlated with poor prognosis of breast cancer patients using The Cancer Genome Atlas Breast Invasive Carcinoma (TCGA-BRCA) data.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that the polymorphisms rs1137101 and rs4655555 located in the LEPR gene decreased breast cancer risk in Chinese females, which might be a research-worthy bio-diagnostic marker and applied for early prediction and risk assessment of breast cancer.

The Prognosis of Leptin rs2167270 G > A (G19A) Polymorphism in the Risk of Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Although the effect of the LEP G19A (rs2167270) polymorphism on cancers is assumed, the results of its influence have been contradictory. A meta-analysis was conducted to precisely verify the relationships between LEP G19A and the development of digestion-related cancers.

Methods

Investigators systematically searched the literature in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science and used STATA software 14.0 for the meta-analysis. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the associations. Subgroup analyses stratified by ethnicity, cancer type, and cancer system were further conducted to assess the relationship between the LEP G19A polymorphism and digestion-related cancers.

Results

In the overall population, we found a significant relationship with overall cancer (allele comparison: OR = 0.921, p = 0.000; dominant comparison: OR = 0.923, p = 0.004; recessive comparison: OR = 0.842, p = 0.000; homozygote model: OR = 0.0843, p = 0.001). In a subgroup analysis conducted by ethnicity, we obtained significant results in Asians (Asian allele comparison: OR = 0.885, p = 0.000; dominant comparison: OR = 0.862, p = 0.000; homozygote model: OR = 0.824, p = 0.039; and heterozygote comparison: OR = 0.868, p = 0.000) but not in Caucasians. In a subgroup analysis conducted by cancer type and cancer system, we obtained significant results that the LEP G19A polymorphism may decrease the risk of colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, digestive system cancer, and urinary system cancer.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis revealed that the LEP G19A polymorphism may decrease the risk of cancer.

Clinical Efficacy of Treating Endometrial Cancer with Xiaoaiping Tablets under Comprehensive Nursing Intervention and Their Effect on Quality of Life

Objective

To explore the clinical efficacy of treating endometrial cancer with Xiaoaiping tablets under comprehensive nursing intervention and their effect on quality of life.

Methods

The clinical data of 120 endometrial cancer patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from February 2019 to February 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were split into the experimental group and the control group according to their admission order, with 60 cases each. Conventional treatment and Xiaoaiping tablet regimen were received by all patients, those in the control group accepted the general nursing, and those in the experimental group accepted the comprehensive nursing intervention for 12 months, so as to compare their clinical efficacy, quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy, FACT), negative emotion scores (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HAD), and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ) scores between the two groups.

Results

No statistical differences in the patients' general information between the two groups were observed (P > 0.05); compared with the control group after nursing, the experimental group obtained a significantly higher objective remission rate (80.0%), significantly higher disease control rate (90.0%) (P < 0.05), significantly better QOL (P < 0.001), significantly lower negative emotion scores (P < 0.001), and significantly better MCMQ scores (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Adopting Xiaoaiping tablets under comprehensive nursing intervention can improve the negative emotions of patients with endometrial cancer, enhance their confidence in medical treatment, present better efficacy, and obviously promote their QOL. Therefore, comprehensive nursing intervention should be promoted and applied in practice.

Leptin Receptor (rs1137101) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (rs925946) Gene Variants Are Associated with Obesity in the Early- but Not in the Late-Onset Population of Hungarian Psoriatic Patients

Background: Psoriatic patients have considerably higher odds of being obese compared with the general population; however, the exact pathophysiological link between psoriasis and obesity needs to be elucidated. Methods: To investigate the association of psoriasis with established obesity-related gene variants, we conducted a population-based case-control study including 3541 subjects (574 psoriasis cases and 2967 controls from the general Hungarian population). Genotyping of 20 SNPs at ADIPOQ, BDNF, FTO, GNPDA2, LEPR, MC4R, NEGR1, NPY, PPARG, TMEM18, and UCP2 were determined, and differences in genotype and allele distributions were investigated. Multiple logistic regression analyses were implemented. Results: Analysis revealed an association between the G allele of the rs1137101 polymorphism (LEPR gene) and obesity risk (OR: 3.30 (1.45; 7.50), p = 0.004) in the early-onset group of psoriatic patients. Furthermore, the T allele of rs925946 polymorphism (BDNF gene) was also associated with increased risk of obesity in early-onset psoriasis (OR: 2.26 (1.24; 4.14), p = 0.008). Conclusions: Our results suggest that in psoriatic patients, there are prominent differences in the causes of obesity that should be accounted for, including not only environmental factors but also patient characteristics, such as the time of disease onset as well as genetic factors.