Cytokine gene polymorphisms in Italian preterm infants: association between interleukin-10 -1082 G/A polymorphism and respiratory distress syndrome

Interesting effects of interleukins and immune cells on acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a medical condition characterized by widespread inflammation in the lungs with consequent proportional loss of gas exchange function. ARDS is linked with severe pulmonary or systemic infection. Several factors, including secretory cytokines, immune cells, and lung epithelial and endothelial cells, play a role in the development and progression of this disease. The present study is based on Pubmed database information (1987-2022) using the words "Acute respiratory distress syndrome", "Interleukin", "Cytokines" and "Immune cells". Cytokines and immune cells play an important role in this disease, with particular emphasis on the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors. Neutrophils are one of several important mediators of Inflammation, lung tissue destruction, and malfunction during ARDS. Some immune cells, such as macrophages and eosinophils, play a dual role in releasing inflammatory mediators, recruitment inflammatory cells and the progression of ARDS, or releasing anti-inflammatory mediators, clearing the lung of inflammatory cells, and helping to improve the disease. Different interleukins play a role in the development or inhibition of ARDS by helping to activate various signaling pathways, helping to secrete other inflammatory or anti-inflammatory interleukins, and playing a role in the production and balance between immune cells involved in ARDS. As a result, immune cells and, inflammatory cytokines, especially interleukins play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease Therefore, understanding the relevant mechanisms will help in the proper diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

The association of IL-10-1082G/A gene polymorphism with the risk of acute lung injury/respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/RDS): A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several records have reported that single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the interleukin 10 (IL-10)-1082G/A locus affects the risk of acute lung injury/respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/RDS), but the exact association between them has not been elucidated.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aims to elucidate the relationship between SNP at the IL-10-1082G/A locus and susceptibility to ALI/RDS by the method of meta-analysis, to identify the early warning indicators of ALI/RDS.

METHODS

Studies on IL-10-1082G/A SNP associated with ALI/RDS were obtained by thorough retrieval of four English databases from each database construction to April 1, 2022. We processed the data using Stata 15.0 software.

RESULTS

Eight eligible records were entered into this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis demonstrated that SNP at the IL-10-1082G/A locus contributed to the risk of ALI/RDS in the allelic (G vs. A: OR= 0.74, 95%CI: 0.55∼0.98) and recessive gene models (Genotype GG vs. GA+AA: OR= 0.57, 95%CI: 0.35∼0.93). The subgroup analysis based on case type showed that SNP at IL-10-1082G/A locus contributed to the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) under all the gene models (Allele G vs. A: OR= 0.45, 95%CI: 0.29∼0.72; Genotype GG+GA vs. AA: OR= 0.36, 95%CI: 0.22∼0.58; Genotype GG vs. GA+AA: OR= 0.30, 95%CI: 0.09∼0.97; Genotype GA vs. AA: OR= 0.44, 95%CI: 0.27∼0.73), except the homozygous model. However, it was not found that SNP at the IL-10-1082G/A locus contributed to ALI or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Moreover, the risk of ALI/RDS in Asia was associated with the IL-10-1082G/A locus in the allelic, recessive, and heterozygous models, while we did not observe this association across the Caucasian populations.

CONCLUSION

SNP at the IL-10-1082G/A locus contributed to the risk of ALI/RDS, allele G and genotype GG increasing the ALI/RDS risk, especially in Asia. Besides, allele G, genotype GG+GA, GG, and GA at the IL-10-1082G/A locus can increase susceptibility to NRDS.

IL-10 c.-592C>A (rs1800872) polymorphism is associated with cervical cancer

PURPOSE

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an immunoregulatory cytokine and its cervical and serum concentrations have been associated with a poor prognosis of cervical cancer. The rs1800872 polymorphism (c.-592C>A) in the promotor region of the IL-10 gene affects the production and expression of IL-10 and thus is able to determine the immune response profile in the cervix. Therefore, the aim of this work is to state the association between IL-10 c.-592C>A polymorphism and cervical cancer.

METHODS

Genomic DNA was extracted from patient's peripheral blood and tumor biopsy. Socio-demographic, sexual behavior and reproductive characteristics data were collected using a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Co-dominant model in logistic binary regression adjusted for confounders, showed that patients presenting with C/A genotype had 2.15 times more chances for developing cervical cancer (OR 2.15; CI_95% 1.02-4.56). The dominant model, C/A + A/A, was also independently associated with 2.71 times more chances for cervical cancer development when compared to control patients (OR 2.71; CI_95% 1.05-4.47).

CONCLUSION

Our study analyses show the association between cervical cancer and IL-10 c.-592C>A polymorphism, demonstrating that the allele A presence was independently associated with higher risks of cervical cancer development.

Association between interleukin-10 genetic variant (-1082G>A) with detection and severity of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm neonates

BACKGROUND

Abnormal cytokine production derived from specific polymorphisms can have effect on development of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether polymorphisms of IL10 in preterm newborn are associated with RDS.

METHODS

A total of one hundred and one venous blood samples were collected from preterm neonates, and they were classified as 51 with no RDS and 50 with RDS. Grading of RDS, history of surfactant administration or ventilator was assessed in the diseased group. Genetic variant of IL10-1082G/A (rs1800896) was genotyped by PCR-RFLP.

RESULTS

The RDS group showed a higher prevalence of IL10-1082 AA and lower prevalence of IL10-1082 GG (p < .001). We found that the incidence of the allele G in the IL10-1082 polymorphism was lower in the RDS group (24%) than the non-RDS group (51%) (p < .001). Allele model (A vs. G): OR = 0.304, 95% CI: 0.166-0.554, p ≤ .001; Dominant model (AA vs. AG + GG): OR = 0 0.470, 95% CI: 0.282-0.783, p = .04. More severe grades of RDS, need for surfactant and mechanical ventilation, were significantly associated with AA genotype when compared to AG + GG genotypes. IL10 (AG + GG) genotypes were considered as an independent predictor for lower risk of RDS within preterm neonates.

CONCLUSION

IL10-1082 A/A genotype associated with increased susceptibility to RDS. Also, A allele has been associated with increase severity of RDS in preterm neonates. Regression analysis revealed that IL10 AG + GG genotypes were considered as independent predictors for lower risk development of RDS within preterm neonates.

HIF-1 transcription activity: HIF1A driven response in normoxia and in hypoxia

Background

HIF1A (Hypoxia-Inducible-Factor 1A) expression in solid tumors is relevant to establish resistance to therapeutic approaches. The use of compounds direct against hypoxia signaling and HIF1A does not show clinical efficiency because of changeable oxygen concentrations in solid tumor areas. The identification of HIF1A targets expressed in both normoxia and hypoxia and of HIF1A/hypoxia signatures might meliorate the prognostic stratification and therapeutic successes in patients with high-risk solid tumors.

Methods

In this study, we conducted a combined analysis of RNA expression and DNA methylation of neuroblastoma cells silenced or unsilenced for HIF1A expression, grown in normoxia and hypoxia conditions.

Results

The analysis of pathways highlights HIF-1 (heterodimeric transcription factor 1) activity in normoxia in metabolic process and HIF-1 activity in hypoxia in neuronal differentiation process. HIF1A driven transcriptional response in hypoxia depends on epigenetic control at DNA methylation status of gene regulatory regions. Furthermore, low oxygen levels generate HIF1A-dependent or HIF1A-independent signatures, able to stratify patients according to risk categories.

Conclusions

These findings may help to understand the molecular mechanisms by which low oxygen levels reshape gene signatures and provide new direction for hypoxia targeting in solid tumor.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12881-019-0767-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Fine mapping of 2q35 high-risk neuroblastoma locus reveals independent functional risk variants and suggests full-length BARD1 as tumor-suppressor

A previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified common variation at the BARD1 locus as being highly associated with susceptibility to high-risk neuroblastoma, but the mechanisms underlying this association have been not extensively investigated. Here, we performed a fine mapping analysis of BARD1 locus (2q35) using GWAS data from 556 high-risk neuroblastoma patients and 2,575 controls of European-American ancestry, and identified two independent genome-wide neuroblastoma-associated loci. Functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) prioritization identified two causative variants that independently contributed to neuroblastoma risk, and each replicated robustly in multiple independent cohorts comprising 445 high-risk cases and 3,170 controls (rs17489363: combined p = 1.07 × 10-31 , OR:1.79, 95% CI:1.62-1.98 and rs1048108: combined p = 7.27 × 10-14 , OR:0.65, 95% CI:0.58-0.73). Particularly, the T risk allele of rs17489363 in the canonical promoter region of full-length BARD1 altered binding site of the transcription factor HSF1 and correlated with low expression of full-length BARD1 mRNA and protein. Low-level expression of full-length BARD1 associated with advanced neuroblastoma. In human neuroblastoma cells, attenuating full-length BARD1 increased proliferation and invasion capacity. In conclusion, we have identified two potentially causative SNPs at the BARD1 locus associated with predisposition to high-risk neuroblastoma, and have shown that full-length BARD1 may act as tumor suppressor.

Association of IL-10 Gene Polymorphism (-819C > T, -592C > A and -1082G > A) with Preterm Birth

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the association of IL-10 gene and its polymorphisms with preterm birth (PTB).

METHODS

Five hundred and fifty nine women with term birth and 559 with preterm birth were recruited from Lucknow, India. Genetic association analysis was conducted between cases and controls. Subjects recruited as cases were women (aged between 18-40 y) with singleton delivery before 37 wk of gestation and controls were with delivery after or on 37 wk. The genotyping was performed for rs1800871, rs1800872 and rs1800896 for assessing the allelic distribution, haplotypic association and linkage disequilibrium analysis. IL-10mRNA levels were evaluated by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.

RESULTS

The risk of PTB was found significant in women carrying IL-10 (-1082) GA genotype [OR=1.72(1.7-2.5), p=0.006]. The haplotypic analysis of studied polymorphisms for rs1800871, rs1800872 and rs1800896 depicted the association of ATA (p=0.02) and ATC (p=0.01) haplotypes with PTB. The IL-10 mRNA levels were significantly lower in cases (p=0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

IL-10 marks a protective impact in the inflammatory pathway of PTB.

Association between Interleukin-10-1082 G/A and Tumor Necrosis Factor- 308 G/A Gene Polymorphisms and Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Iranian Preterm Infants

Cytokine polymorphisms may contribute to the prevalence of respiratory distress syndrome. The present study was done to investigate the frequency of interleukin- (IL-) 10 and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α gene polymorphisms and their association with the risk of RDS in preterm infants. One-hundred and nineteen patients with RDS and 119 healthy preterm infants were enrolled. PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to determine the frequency of IL-10 and TNF-α genotypes at -1082 A and -308 A, respectively. One-hundred and nineteen out of 238 infants had RDS (50%). The age of the mothers and gestational age ranged 17–45 (mean: 28.6 ± 5.3) years and 24–34 (mean: 34.3 ± 2.38) weeks, respectively. Totally, 23 deaths were recorded in the RDS group. Incidence of TNF-α-308 A/A and TNF-α-308 G/A was 84% and 16%, respectively. TNF-a-308 G/G was not found in both groups. Prevalence of IL-10-1082 G/G and IL-10-1082 G/A variants was 65.5% and 34.5%, respectively. IL-10-1082 A/A was not found in both groups. The incidence of the allele G in the IL-10-1082 polymorphism was lower in RDS group (P < 0.05). We found that the risk of RDS was correlated to sex, gestational age, and IL-10-1082.

Maternal Interleukin Genotypes Are Associated With NICU Outcomes Among Low-Birth-Weight Infants

BACKGROUND

Maternal interleukin (IL) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with obstetrical outcomes. Conversely, infant SNPs are associated with subsequent neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) outcomes. Little is known about relationships between maternal SNPs and neonatal outcomes.

PURPOSE

To examine the relationships between maternal IL genotypes and neonatal outcomes.

METHODS

An ancillary study was conducted among mothers ( N = 63) who delivered very low-birth-weight infants ( N = 74). Maternal DNA was extracted from breast milk and genotyped. Outcomes included fecal calprotectin, length of stay, scores for neonatal acute physiology with perinatal extension (SNAPPE-II), weight gain, oxygen needs, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, sepsis, retinopathy of prematurity, blood transfusions, and feeding intolerance. Multivariate analyses examined the relationships between maternal IL SNPs and outcomes, controlling for gestational age and the ratio of maternal milk to total milk.

RESULTS

Absence of a minor allele in 2 IL6 SNPs was associated with fecal calprotectin ( p = .0222, p = .0429), length of stay ( p = .0158), SNAPPE-II ( p = .0497), weight gain ( p = .0272), and days on oxygen ( p = .0316). IL6 genotype GG (rs1800795) was associated with length of stay ( p = .0034) and calprotectin ( p = .0213). Minor-allele absence in 2 IL10 SNPs was associated with days on oxygen ( p = .0320). There were associations between IL10 genotype TT (rs1800871) and calprotectin ( p = .0270) and between IL10 genotypes AA (rs1800872 and rs1800896) and calprotectin ( p = .0158, p = .0045).

CONCLUSION

Maternal IL SNPs are associated with NICU outcomes. A potential clinical application includes an antenatal risk profile to identify neonatal needs.

Effect of Promoter Polymorphisms on Cytokine Concentration in Preterm Breast Milk and Subsequent Infant Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Breast milk concentrations of immune components are variable between women and interleukin (IL) differences may be associated with infant outcomes. Molecular mechanisms for milk variability remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The aims were to (1) examine the relationship between maternal IL genotypes and milk concentrations of IL4, IL6, and IL10, (2) describe the trajectories of milk IL change, (3) examine whether maternal IL genotypes predict IL trajectories and/or average weekly IL concentration, and (4) examine if weekly IL levels and/or IL trajectories are associated with infant outcomes.

METHODS

Milk aliquots were collected from each feeding of mother's own milk and pooled weekly. DNA was extracted from 1 sample of each mother's breast milk whey (n = 64), and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL genes were genotyped. Milk IL concentrations were measured and trajectory analysis examined IL milk change over time. Multivariate breast milk IL concentration analyses controlled for gestational age and prepregnancy body mass index. Multivariate infant outcome (n = 73) analyses controlled for gestational age and the ratio of human milk to total milk.

RESULTS

Trajectory analysis resulted in linear group shapes, with 2 distinct subgroups in IL6 and 3 subgroups in IL4 and IL10. Trajectory groups trended toward significance with calprotectin, intraventricular hemorrhage, and blood transfusions. Multivariate analyses resulted in trending associations between maternal SNPs and subsequent IL6 and IL10 milk levels. There was a trending relationship between IL milk levels and both fecal calprotectin and intraventricular hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

Maternal IL SNPs may affect IL breast milk levels and IL milk levels may be associated with infant outcomes.

Association between maternal tumor necrosis factor-α G308A polymorphism and interferon-γ A874T polymorphism and risk of preterm birth: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE(S)

This article was undertaken to investigate the association between tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) G308A polymorphism and interferon-γ (INF-γ) A874T polymorphism and risk of preterm birth (PTB) by performing a meta-analysis of available studies.

STUDY DESIGN

Articles were chosen based on PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science, and China Biology Medicine (CBM) databases with no language restriction from their inceptions to 1 March, 2014. Specific inclusion criteria were used to evaluate articles. Meta-analysis was performed by using a random or fixed effect model with STATA 11.0 software. We estimated the summary odds ratios (ORs) with its corresponding 95% confidence interval (95%CI) to assess the association.

RESULTS

21 eligible case-control studies with a total of 2103 cases and 5070 controls were finally included into this meta-analysis. Pooled analysis showed that A allele of TNF-α G308A was not associated with increased PTB risk (OR=0.84, 95%CI: 0.65-1.07, p=0.167 for G vs. A). Stratifying analysis for ethnicity and different definition of PTB also indicated that A allele was not associated with increased PTB risk. However, the meta-analysis showed that INF-γ A874T polymorphism was associated with the increased risk of PTB (OR=1.14, 95%CI: 1.11-1.73, p=0.004 for A vs. T). Stratifying analysis was not performed due to the small sample size.

CONCLUSION(S)

TNF-α G308A polymorphism was not associated with an increased risk of PTB, but INF-γ A874T polymorphism may contribute to increasing susceptibility to PTB. Detection of polymorphism of INF-γ A874T might be a promising biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of preterm delivery.

Common genetic variants in NEFL influence gene expression and neuroblastoma risk

The genetic etiology of sporadic neuroblastoma is still largely obscure. In a genome-wide association study, we identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with neuroblastoma at the CASC15, BARD1, LMO1, DUSP12, HSD17B12, HACE1, and LIN28B gene loci, but these explain only a small fraction of neuroblastoma heritability. Other neuroblastoma susceptibility genes are likely hidden among signals discarded by the multiple testing corrections. In this study, we evaluated eight additional genes selected as candidates for further study based on proven involvement in neuroblastoma differentiation. SNPs at these candidate genes were tested for association with disease susceptibility in 2,101 cases and 4,202 controls, with the associations found replicated in an independent cohort of 459 cases and 809 controls. Replicated associations were further studied for cis-effect using gene expression, transient overexpression, silencing, and cellular differentiation assays. The neurofilament gene NEFL harbored three SNPs associated with neuroblastoma (rs11994014: Pcombined = 0.0050; OR, 0.88; rs2979704: Pcombined = 0.0072; OR, 0.87; rs1059111: Pcombined = 0.0049; OR, 0.86). The protective allele of rs1059111 correlated with increased NEFL expression. Biologic investigations showed that ectopic overexpression of NEFL inhibited cell growth specifically in neuroblastoma cells carrying the protective allele. NEFL overexpression also enhanced differentiation and impaired the proliferation and anchorage-independent growth of cells with protective allele and basal NEFL expression, while impairing invasiveness and proliferation of cells homozygous for the risk genotype. Clinically, high levels of NEFL expression in primary neuroblastoma specimens were associated with better overall survival (P = 0.03; HR, 0.68). Our results show that common variants of NEFL influence neuroblastoma susceptibility and they establish that NEFL expression influences disease initiation and progression.

Impact of interleukin-6 -174 G>C gene promoter polymorphism on neuroblastoma

BACKGROUND

Common variants in DNA may predispose to onset and progression of neuroblastoma (NB). The genotype GG of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1800795 (-174 G>C) in interleukin (IL)-6 promoter has been associated with lower survival of high-risk NB.

RESULT

To evaluate the impact of IL-6 SNP rs1800795 on disease risk and phenotype, we analyzed 326 Italian NB patients and 511 controls. Moreover, we performed in silico and quantitative Real Time (qRT)-PCR analyses to evaluate the influence of the SNP on gene expression in 198 lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) and in 31 NB tumors, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to verify the association between IL-6 gene expression and patient survival. We found that IL-6 SNP is not involved in susceptibility to NB development. However, our results show that a low frequency of genotype CC is significantly associated with a low overall survival, advanced stage, and high-risk phenotype. The in silico (p = 2.61 × 10(-5)) and qRT-PCR (p = 0.03) analyses showed similar trend indicating that the CC genotype is correlated with increased level of IL-6 expression. In report gene assay, we showed that the -174 C variant had a significantly increased transcriptional activity compared with G allele (p = 0.0006). Moreover, Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that high levels of IL-6 are associated with poor outcome in children with NB in two independent gene expression array datasets.

CONCLUSIONS

The biological effect of SNP IL-6-174 G>C in relation to promotion of cancer progression is consistent with the observed decreased survival time. The present study suggests that SNP IL-6-174 G>C may be a useful marker for NB prognosis.

Single-nucleotide polymorphism associations with preterm delivery: a case-control replication study and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to replicate single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associations with preterm birth (PTB; birth at <37 completed weeks of gestation) and synthesize currently available evidence using meta-analysis.

METHODS

Spontaneous PTB cases and controls were selected from an existing cohort. Candidate SNPs were taken from an existing genotype panel. A systematic review was conducted for each SNP in the panel to determine suitability as a PTB candidate. Those with significant associations previously reported in Caucasians were selected for replication. Candidate SNPs were already genotyped in cases and controls and clinical data were accessed from state perinatal and cerebral palsy databases. Association analysis was conducted between each SNP and PTB, and meta-analysis was conducted if there were ≥ 3 studies in the literature. Maternal and fetal SNPs were considered as separate candidates.

RESULTS

A cohort of 170 cases and 583 controls was formed. Eight SNPs from the original panel of genotyped SNPs were selected as PTB candidates and for replication on the basis of systematic literature review results. In our cohort, fetal factor V Leiden (FVL) was significantly associated with PTB (odds ratio (OR): 2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31-5.17), and meta-analysis confirmed this association (OR: 2.71, 95% CI: 1.15-6.4).

CONCLUSION

Replication and meta-analysis support an increased risk of PTB in Caucasians with the fetal FVL mutation.

Resveratrol accelerates erythroid maturation by activation of FoxO3 and ameliorates anemia in beta-thalassemic mice

Resveratrol, a polyphenolic-stilbene, has received increased attention in the last decade due to its wide range of biological activities. Beta(β)-thalassemias are inherited red cell disorders, found worldwide, characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis and red cell oxidative damage with reduced survival. We evaluated the effects of low-dose-resveratrol (5 μM) on in vitro human erythroid differentiation of CD34(+) from normal and β-thalassemic subjects. We found that resveratrol induces accelerated erythroid-maturation, resulting in the reduction of colony-forming units of erythroid cells and increased intermediate and late erythroblasts. In sorted colony-forming units of erythroid cells resveratrol activates Forkhead-box-class-O3, decreases Akt activity and up-regulates anti-oxidant enzymes as catalase. In an in vivo murine model for β-thalassemia, resveratrol (2.4 mg/kg) reduces ineffective erythropoiesis, increases hemoglobin levels, reduces reticulocyte count and ameliorates red cell survival. In both wild-type and β-thalassemic mice, resveratrol up-regulates scavenging enzymes such as catalase and peroxiredoxin-2 through Forkhead-box-class-O3 activation. These data indicate that resveratrol inhibits Akt resulting in FoxO3 activation with upregulation of cytoprotective systems enabling the pathological erythroid precursors to resist the oxidative damage and continue to differentiate. Our data suggest that the dual effect of resveratrol on erythropoiesis through activation of FoxO3 transcriptional factor combined with the amelioration of oxidative stress in circulating red cells may be considered as a potential novel therapeutic strategy in treating β-thalassemia.

Replication of GWAS-identified neuroblastoma risk loci strengthens the role of BARD1 and affirms the cumulative effect of genetic variations on disease susceptibility

Several neuroblastoma (NB) susceptibility loci have been identified within LINC00340, BARD1, LMO1, DUSP12, HSD17B12, DDX4, IL31RA, HACE1 and LIN28B by genome-wide association (GWA) studies including European American individuals. To validate and comprehensively evaluate the impact of the identified NB variants on disease risk and phenotype, we analyzed 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in an Italian population (370 cases and 809 controls). We assessed their regulatory activity on gene expression in lymphoblastoid (LCLs) and NB cell lines. We evaluated the cumulative effect of the independent loci on NB risk and high-risk phenotype development in Italian and European American (1627 cases and 2575 controls) populations. All NB susceptibility genes replicated in the Italian dataset except for DDX4 and IL31RA, and the most significant SNP was rs6435862 in BARD1 (P = 8.4 × 10(-15)). BARD1 showed an additional and independent SNP association (rs7585356). This variant influenced BARD1 mRNA expression in LCLs and NB cell lines. No evidence of epistasis among the NB-associated variants was detected, whereas a cumulative effect of risk variants on NB risk (European Americans: P (trend) = 6.9 × 10(-30), Italians: P (trend) = 8.55 × 10(13)) and development of high-risk phenotype (European Americans: P (trend) = 6.9 × 10(-13), Italians: P (trend) = 2.2 × 10(-1)) was observed in a dose-dependent manner. These results provide further evidence that the risk loci identified in GWA studies contribute to NB susceptibility in distinct populations and strengthen the role of BARD1 as major genetic contributor to NB risk. This study shows that even in the absence of interaction the combination of several low-penetrance alleles has potential to distinguish subgroups of patients at different risks of developing NB.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory and thrombotic/fibrinolytic genes in patients with acute ischemic stroke in relation to TOAST subtype

BACKGROUND

The genetic basis of complex diseases like ischemic stroke probably consists of several predisposing risk factors, such as genes involved in inflammation and thrombotic pathways. On this basis the aim of our study was to evaluate the role of SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) of some pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory and coagulation/fibrinolytic genes in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 144 consecutive Caucasian adult patients who were hospitalized in the Internal Medicine Department at the University of Palermo between November 2006 and January 2008, and who met inclusion criteria. The cases were patients admitted with a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke, and age-matched (± 3 years) control subjects: patients admitted to our Internal Medicine Department for any cause other than acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and for routine checkup examinations. Molecular analysis of alleles at the -308 nucleotide (-308G/A) of TNF-α gene, -1082/-819 haplotypes of IL-10 gene, IL-1RN exon 2 VNR polymorphism, alleles at the -174 nucleotide (-174G/C) of IL-6 gene, PAI-1675 5G/4G polymorphism, alleles at the -7351 nucleotide (-7351C/T) of tPA gene was undertaken in both patient groups.

RESULTS

We analyzed 96 subjects with acute ischemic stroke and 48 control subjects. We observed a significantly higher frequency of IL-10 1082 AA genotype in stroke patients with a significant risk trend. We also reported a higher frequency in stroke subjects with a significant risk trend of the TPA 7351-CT genotype and of IL-1RN-VNTR 86 bp 2/2 genotype. Moreover, we observed a significant relationship with TOAST subtype only with regard to CC TPA genotype and 1/1 IL-1 VNTR 86 bp and lacunar strokes.

CONCLUSIONS

Ischemic stroke is a common multifactor disease, which is affected by a number of genetic mutations and environmental factors. Our findings showing a relationship between pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory and thrombotic/fibrinolytic genes SNPs and ischemic stroke may contribute to delineate a possible stroke risk profile in subjects with cerebrovascular risk factors.

Association of IL-10-1082 G/G genotype with lower mortality of acute respiratory distress syndrome in a Chinese population

We aimed to investigate whether interleukin-10 (IL-10) -1082 G/G genotype is associated with lower mortality of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a Chinese population. A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in 314 cases of ARDS and 210 controls who were admitted to an intensive care unit with sepsis, trauma, aspiration or massive transfusions. Cases were followed for 30-day mortality. The -1082G/G genotype was associated with lower development of ARDS (OR=0.51; 95% CI 0.34-0.76; P=0.001). Among patients with ARDS, the -1082G/G genotype was associated with lower 30-day mortality (OR=0.44; 95% CI 0.25-0.76; P=0.003). In conclusion, IL-10-1082 G/G genotype is associated with lower development and mortality of ARDS in a Chinese population.

Peroxiredoxin-2 expression is increased in beta-thalassemic mouse red cells but is displaced from the membrane as a marker of oxidative stress

Peroxiredoxin 2 (Prx2), the third most abundant cytoplasmic protein in red blood cells (RBCs), is involved in the defense against oxidative stress. Although much is known about Prx2 in healthy RBCs, its role in pathological RBCs remains largely unexplored. Here, we show that the expression and net content of Prx2 are markedly increased in RBCs from two mouse models of beta-thalassemia (beta-thal; Hbb(th/th) and Hbb(th3/+) strains). We also demonstrate that the increased expression of Prx2 correlates with the severity of the disease and that the amount of Prx2 bound to the membrane is markedly reduced in beta-thal mouse RBCs. To explore the impact of oxidative stress on Prx2 membrane association, we examined Prx2 dimerization and membrane translocation in murine RBCs exposed to various oxidants (phenylhydrazine, PHZ; diamide; H(2)O(2)). PHZ-treated RBCs, which mimic the membrane damage in beta-thal RBCs, exhibited a kinetic correlation among Prx2 membrane displacement, intracellular methemoglobin levels, and hemichrome membrane association, suggesting the possible masking of Prx2 docking sites by membrane-bound hemichromes, providing a possible mechanism for the accumulation of oxidized/dimerized Prx2 in the cytoplasm and the increased membrane damage in beta-thal RBCs. Thus, reduced access of Prx2 to the membrane in beta-thal RBCs represents a new factor that could contribute to the oxidative damage characterizing the pathology.

Reduced mortality and increased BPD with histological chorioamnionitis and leukocytosis in very-low-birth-weight infants

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between leukocytosis, mortality and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBW) born to mothers with histological chorioamnionitis.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study from a single level 3 neonatal intensive care unit. The study sample included infants born to mothers with histological chorioamnionitis (n=252). Total white blood cells (WBCs) after birth were measured. Leukocytosis was defined as a total WBC count >30 000 per mm(3) in the first 2 days of life. Outcomes investigated included BPD and death. Both unadjusted and multivariable analyses were carried out.

RESULT

After controlling for potential confounding variables, infants who developed a leukocytosis after birth had increased odds of BPD (4.6, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.0 to 10.3), but decreased odds of death (0.3, 95% CI: 0.1 to 0.90).

CONCLUSION

In our population of VLBW infants born to mothers with histological chorioamnionitis, leukocytosis after birth is associated with a decrease in mortality but an increase in BPD.

Galectin-1 and its involvement in hepatocellular carcinoma aggressiveness

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Despite several efforts to elucidate hepatocellular carcinoma molecular pathogenesis, it is still not fully understood. To acquire further insights into the molecular mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma, we performed a systematic functional genomic approach on human HuH-7 and JHH-6 cells. The subsequent analysis of the differentially expressed genes in human specimens revealed a molecular signature of 11 genes from which we selected the LGALS1 gene, which was overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma. The expression analysis in humans of Galectin-1 (Gal-1), the protein encoded by LGALS1, showed a Gal-1 preferential accumulation in the stromal tissue around hepatocellular carcinoma tumors. Moreover, a significant association between increased expression of Gal-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma and the presence of metastasis was observed. Interestingly, Gal-1 overexpression resulted in an increase of cell migration and invasion. In conclusion, this study provides a portfolio of targets useful for future investigations into molecular marker-discovery studies on a large number of patients and functional assays. In addition, our data provide evidence that Gal-1 plays a role in hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration and invasion, and we suggest that further studies should be conducted to fully establish the role of Gal-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis and evaluate Gal-1 as a potential molecular therapeutic target.

A predicted functional single-nucleotide polymorphism of bone morphogenetic protein-4 gene affects mRNA expression and shows a significant association with cutaneous melanoma in Southern Italian population

PURPOSE

An altered expression of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) has been found in malignant melanoma cells. We performed an association study to investigate the effect of putative functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of BMP4 on development of cutaneous melanoma (CM).

METHODS

We selected the predicted functional SNPs 6007 C/T (rs17563) and -3445 T/G (rs4898820) by the combination of three computational tools (FASTSNP, F-SNP and SNP Function Portal) plus another tool (SNP@promoter) skilled in identifying SNPs in transcription regulatory regions. Both SNPs were genotyped in a case-control study of 215 individuals with CM and 342 controls. We also evaluated the BMP4 hypothetical mRNA secondary structure by GeneBee program, the BMP4 mRNA levels and protein concentrations according to the genotype of two selected SNPs in transformed B-cells of 80 controls and in plasma samples of 38 controls, respectively.

RESULTS

The BMP4 T-allele was associated with CM (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.09-1.78, P = 0.007). The T-allele was predicted to change mRNA structure and the BMP4 mRNA levels were significantly higher in T-allele carriers compared with C-allele carriers (P = 0.01), even the BMP4 protein plasma levels were higher among T-allele carries, but without reaching the statistical significance. No significant association was found between the SNP -3445 T/G alleles and either the risk of CM, or the mRNA levels of BMP4.

CONCLUSIONS

This study evidences the relevance of using bioinformatics tools in searching for cancer-associated gene polymorphisms and suggests that the predicted functional SNP 6007 C/T affects BMP4 gene expression and the risk to development of CM.

The broad effects of the functional IL-10 promoter-592 polymorphism: modulation of IL-10, TIMP-3, and OPG expression and their association with periodontal disease outcome

Periodontal diseases are infectious diseases, in which periodontopathogens trigger chronic inflammatory and immune responses that lead to tissue destruction. It occurs through the generation of metalloproteinases and the activation of bone resorption mechanisms. Anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 seem to attenuate periodontal tissue destruction through the induction of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and the inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis osteoprotegerin (OPG). A high individual variation in levels of IL-10 mRNA is verified in periodontitis patients, which is possibly determined by genetic polymorphisms. In this study, the IL-10 promoter -592C/A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), which is associated with a decrease in IL-10 production, was analyzed by RFLP in 116 chronic periodontitis (CP) patients and 173 control (C) subjects, and the IL-10, TIMPs, and OPG mRNA expression levels in diseased gingival tissues were determined by real-time-PCR. The IL-10-592 SNP CA (P=0.0012/OR=2.4/CI:1.4-4.1), AA (P=0.0458/OR=2.3/CI:1.1-4.9), and CA+AA (P=0.0006/OR=2.4/CI:1.4-3.4) genotypes and the allele A (P=0.0036/OR=1.7/CI:1.2-2.4) were found to be significantly more prevalent in the CP group when compared with control subjects. Both CA and AA genotypes were associated with lower levels of IL-10, TIMP-3, and OPG mRNA expression in diseased periodontal tissues and were also associated with disease severity as mean pocket depth. Taken together, the results presented here demonstrate that IL10-592 SNP is functional in CP, being associated with lower levels of IL-10 mRNA expression, which is supposed to consequently decrease the expression of the downstream genes TIMP-3 and OPG, and influence periodontal disease outcome.