The role of NKX2-5 gene polymorphisms in congenital heart disease (CHD): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor as a Potential Biomarker in Congenital Heart Defects: A Systematic Review

Background

Several studies have investigated the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) variants, serum levels, and correlations with other extrinsic factors in congenital heart defects (CHDs); however, the findings need confirmation. The present systematic review evaluates the association between CHDs and genetic polymorphisms and serum expressions.

Methods

Relevant literature was searched through electronic databases using keywords and MeSH terms. VEGF activity was comparatively assessed between cyanotic and acyanotic CHDs, and the association between different polymorphisms and heart defects was evaluated.

Results

We ultimately evaluated 12 studies regarding the association between VEGF serum patterns and found that serum VEGF levels were upregulated or downregulated in correlation with hypoxia and hemoglobin levels and were significantly associated with cyanotic CHDs compared with acyanotic CHDs. Our results also showed a significant role for different single-nucleotide polymorphisms, including rs699947, rs2010963, and rs3025039.

Conclusion

The findings of the current study suggested a significant association between CHDs and VEGF genetic polymorphisms or varied serum levels. Nevertheless, more comprehensive studies may provide conclusive results and valuable insights into the pathogenesis of CHDs and relevant treatment strategies.

Genetic Risk Score Constructed from Polymorphisms in the VEGFA, TBX5, and SMAD7 Genes Provides Novel Insights into the Molecular Mechanisms of the Tetralogy of Fallot and Ventricular Septal Defect (Case-Control Study from the Pakistani Population)

Congenital heart defects are common and complex birth-defect malformations in developed and developing countries. It is a multifactorial disease that involves the interaction of either gene-gene or gene-environment. This comparative study was the first report on the genotypic-phenotypic correlation in the Pakistani population. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were further tested for association with maternal diabetes mellitus or hypertension. In addition, the cumulative genetic risk score (GRS) for low to moderately-associated SNPs was calculated for each study subject, which can ultimately guide us for better therapeutic options and prevention strategies. According to the predefined selection criteria, 376 subjects were recruited. The multiplex mini-sequencing genotyping technique opted for the cost-effective genotyping of selected loci. The association of variants with the disease was examined using logistic regression analysis. The statistical and graphical analysis was conducted using SPSS, Haploview, SNPStats, and GraphPad Prism. The results for all SNPs analysis suggested a nonsignificant association with overall congenital heart defect risk except rs3809923. However, interestingly on stratified analysis variants, rs3809923 and rs3809922 showed an association only with tetralogy of Fallot. The remaining risk factor analysis for maternal hypertension and diabetes mellitus association with SNPs were nonsignificant. The GRS was the first time constructed for this low to moderately-associated variants. Interestingly, the cumulative GRS was significantly different from the control group revealing the cumulative effect of these polymorphisms panel in patients. In conclusion, the use of GRS in the clinical setting can predict better risk association and patient outcomes.

Association of maternal hypertension and diabetes with variants of the NKX2-5, LEFTY1 and LEFTY2 genes in children with congenital heart defects: a case-control study from Pakistani Population

BACKGROUND

Globally, congenital heart defect (CHD) is the most common congenital malformation, responsible for higher morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. It is a complex multifactorial disease influenced by gene-environment and gene-gene interactions. The current study was the first attempt to study these polymorphisms in common clinical phenotypes of CHD in Pakistan and the association between maternal hypertension and diabetes with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in children.

METHODS

A total of 376 subjects were recruited in this current case-control study. Six variants from three genes were analyzed by cost-effective multiplex PCR and genotyped by minisequencing. Statistical analysis was done by GraphPad prism and Haploview. The association of SNPs and CHD was determined using logistic regression.

RESULTS

The risk allele frequency was higher in cases as compared to healthy subjects, but the results were not significant for rs703752. However, stratification analysis suggested that rs703752 was significantly associated with the tetralogy of Fallot. The rs2295418 was significantly associated with maternal hypertension (OR = 16.41, p = 0.003), while a weak association was present between maternal diabetes and rs360057 (p = 0.08).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, variants in transcriptional and signaling genes were associated with Pakistani pediatric CHD patients that showed varied susceptibility between different clinical phenotypes of CHD. In addition, this study was the first report regarding the significant association between maternal hypertension and the LEFTY2 gene variant.