Association of TNF-α Gene Promoter Polymorphisms With Susceptibility of Cervical Cancer in Southwest China

Inflammatory and immune response genes: A genetic analysis of inhibitor development in Iranian hemophilia A patients

A major problem of hemophilia A (HA) treatment is the development of factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitor, which usually occurs shortly after initiating replacement therapy. Several studies showed the correlation between inhibitor development and polymorphisms in inflammatory and immune response genes of HA patients; however, literature data are not available to prove this association in Iranian population. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between FVIII inhibitor formation and the polymorphisms of 16 inflammatory and immune response genes in Iranian severe HA patients (FVIII activity < 1%). This case-control study was performed on 55 patients with severe HA inhibitors and 45 samples without inhibitors from Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care center. After extraction of whole genomic DNA from blood samples and design of primers for 16 genes, the genotyping was performed by Tetra primer ARMS PCR, and the validation of single nucleotide polymorphisms was determined by DNA sequencing. The data indicated that there was a significant association between inhibitor development, and F13A1 (TT), DOCK2 (CC& CT), and MAPK9 (TT) genotypes. Moreover, a considerably increased inhibitor risk carrying T, C, and T allele for F13A1, DOCK2, and MAPK9 genes was observed in patients with inhibitors, respectively. In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference between the genotypic and allelic frequencies for other genes in patients with inhibitors compared to patients without inhibitors. These results demonstrate that only polymorphisms in F13A1, DOCK2, and MAPK9 genes are associated with the risk of developing FVIII inhibitors in Iranian HA patients.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha gene polymorphisms and haplotypes in Egyptian children with nephrotic syndrome

BACKGROUND

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) characterized by complex pathogenesis and clinical course with relapses; and needs novel breakthroughs for decades. Polymorphisms of cytokines genes including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)may influence susceptibility to NS as well as different patients' steroid responses. In the current study, we demonstrated the potential roles of TNF-α promoter gene polymorphisms [-238, -308, -863] and haplotypes in susceptibility to childhood NS. Also, elucidating their possible influence on patients' steroid response and serum TNF-α level.

METHODS

This case-control study included 150 children suffering from NS and 150 healthy children. Polymerase chain reaction- restriction-fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed to evaluate different TNF-α gene polymorphism. TNF-α serum levels were assessed by ELISA.

RESULTS

Serum TNF-α levels were significantly higher in NS patients than in controls and in steroid resistant NS (SRNS) than in steroid sensitive NS (SSNS) (P<0.001 for each). The risk of NS in patients carrying TNF-α-238GA genotype, and TNF-α-308GA or AA genotypes and allele A was significantly increased compared to healthy children. While no significant association was detected between TNF-α-863 and NS. The risk of resistance to steroid therapy was significantly high in NS carrying TNF-α-238GA genotype and A allele, TNF-α-308, AA genotypes and A allele, and TNF-α-863CA, AA genotypes and A allele. The TNF-α GCG (-308/-863/-238) haplotype has protective roles against NS and steroid resistance. However, the risk of NS was significantly high in TNF-α AAG and AAA haplotype's carriers compared to healthy children. Additionally the risk of steroid resistance was significantly high in TNF-α AAA haplotype's NS carrier (OR (95%CI): 2.2 (1.19-4.36), P=0.01). Moreover, we found significant higher serum TNF-α levels NS patients including SSNS and SRNS carrying mutant allele TNF-α-238GA genotype, -308GA and AA and -863CA and AA wild genotype's carriers than in those GG, GG and CC respectively. Interstingely, TNF-α levels were significantly higher in healthy children carrying TNF-α(-308/-863/-238) [AAG and AAA haplotypes], NS cases carrying [ACA, AAG, AAA haplotypes], and in SSNS carrying [ACA and AAA haplotypes] than in those carrying GCG, haplotype of wild alleles.

CONCLUSION

This study reported, for the first time, that TNF-α promoter gene polymorphisms and/or haplotypes are risk factors of NS and resistance to steroid among Egyptian children.

Association between Toll-like receptor and tumor necrosis factor immunological pathways in uterine cervical neoplasms

INTRODUCTION

The immune system plays a critical role in the defense against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and its persistence. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are membrane receptors responsible for activation of the innate immune response, and an association between TLR expression and uterine cervical cancer has been shown. Tumor necrosis factors (TNFs) are among the main mediators of skin and mucosa inflammation. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the association between TLR and TNF immune expression and cervical cancer and premalignant cervical lesions.

METHODS

A total of 64 embedded tissues were obtained from gynecological procedures, including 35 specimens with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 10 specimens with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) as well as 19 normal cervical samples. The expression of TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TNF-α and TNF-β was measured by immunohistochemistry and graded into low and high levels of expression.

RESULTS

There was an association between the expression levels of TLR2 and those of TNF-α and TNF-β (p = 0.01 and p = 0.021, respectively) in the cervical cancer and CIN groups. TLR4 expression was associated with TNF-α and TNF-β expression (p = 0.016 and p = 0.025, respectively) in these 2 groups. By contrast, TLR3 was not statistically associated with TNF-α or TNF-β in any of the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

There might be an association of the TLR2 and TLR4 pathways with the immunological response of TNF-α and TNF-β in cervical cancer. These markers are also expressed at higher levels in cervical cancer and premalignant lesions compared to normal controls.

Influence of tumor necrosis factor alpha gene promoter polymorphisms and its serum level on migraine susceptibility in Egyptian patients

BACKGROUND

Migraine is a common chronic neurological disorder with still largely unknown pathogenesis. We aimed to explore the possible role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene polymorphisms as risk factors of migraine, and whether they influence the TNF-α level.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred patients with migraine and 200 controls were enrolled in this study. Polymorphisms of TNF-α gene were detected using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Serum TNF-α level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

TNF-α-308 GA, AA genotypes and A allele, TNF-α-857 CT genotype and T allele were associated with increased risk of migraine, while the TNF-α-238 polymorphism was not. TNF-α-308 GA, AA genotypes and A allele or AA genotype were associated with increased risk of migraine with aura (MA) and migraine without aura (MO) respectively; this was more significant in female patients with MA than in males. TNF-α-857 CT genotype was associated with increased risk of MO, or MA in females or males. While -857T allele was significantly associated with MO or MA in males and with MA only in females. On the other hand, we didn't find any significant associations of TNF-α-238 polymorphism with MO, or MA in males or females. TNF-α levels were higher in patients with migraine, MA, or MO than in controls (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

TNF-α polymorphisms were associated with migraine, MA, or MO in Egyptians.

Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (-238 / -308) and TNFRII-VNTR (-322) Polymorphisms as Genetic Biomarkers of Susceptibility to Develop Cervical Cancer Among Tunisians

Host genetic factors may confer susceptibility to Cervical Cancer. TNF-α as pro-inflammatory cytokine participates in the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Allelic variation of immuno-modulatory genes is associated with alteration in immune function. This study investigated the associations between TNF-α-308G>A, -238G>A, and TNFRII - VNTR-322 and cervical cancer in Tunisian women. Genotypes of those polymorphisms were detected in 130 cases and 260 controls. The variant heterozygote -308 G/A was associated with a 41% decreased risk of cervical cancer (GG vs A/A; p = 0.002; OR = 0.41; 95% CI =0.23-0.76). Furthermore, compared with dominant variant G/G, the (G/A+A/A) genotypes was significantly associated with a decreased risk of CC (GG vs G/A+A/A; p = 0.026; OR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.40-0.97). The FIGO stratified analysis showed that the minor variant A/A and combined G/A+A/A of TNFα-238 G>A and TNFα-308 G>A increased the risk of the tumor evolution, respectively, (P = 0.011; OR = 2.98; 95% CI = 1.16-7.72) (P = 0.008; OR = 2.76; 95% CI = 1.20-6.41), (P = 0.000; OR = 16.33; 95% CI = (5.10-55.23) (P = 0.000; OR = 7.54; 95% CI = 2.68-22.29). There was statistically significant relationship between the incidence of the TNF-α mutations and the clinical progression of cancer according to the FIGO classification. In our study, the haploview analysis revealed no LD between rs1800629 and rs361525. TNF-α and TNFRII polymorphisms might be genetic risk factors for cervical cancer in Tunisian population.