Functional SNPs in HSPA1A gene predict risk of coronary heart disease

Association of Long Noncoding RNA Expression Signatures with Stress-Induced Myocardial Perfusion Defects

Stress-induced myocardial perfusion defects found in dipyridamole-thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography imaging may indicate vascular perfusion abnormalities and risk of obstructive or nonobstructive coronary heart disease. Besides nuclear imaging and subsequent coronary angiography (CAG), no blood test can indicate whether dysregulated homeostasis is associated with stress-induced myocardial perfusion defects. This study investigated the expression signature of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and genes involved in vascular inflammation and stress response in the blood of patients with stress-induced myocardial perfusion abnormalities (n = 27). The results revealed an expression signature consisting of the upregulation of RMRP (p < 0.01) and downregulations of THRIL (p < 0.01) and HIF1A (p < 0.01) among patients with a positive thallium stress test and no significant coronary artery stenosis within 6 months after baseline treatment. We developed a scoring system based on the expression signatures of RMRP, MIAT, NTT, MALAT1, HSPA1A, and NLRP3 to predict the need for further CAG among patients with moderate-to-significant stress-induced myocardial perfusion defects (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.963). Therefore, we identified a dysregulated expression profile of lncRNA-based genes in the blood that could be valuable for the early detection of vascular homeostasis imbalance and personalized therapy.

Protein persulfidation: Rewiring the hydrogen sulfide signaling in cell stress response

The past few decades have witnessed significant progress in the discovery of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) as a ubiquitous gaseous signaling molecule in mammalian physiology, akin to nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. As the third gasotransmitter, H₂S is now known to exert a wide range of physiological and cytoprotective functions in the biological systems. However, endogenous H₂S concentrations are usually low, and its potential biologic mechanisms responsible have not yet been fully clarified. Recently, a growing body of evidence has demonstrated that protein persulfidation, a posttranslational modification of cysteine residues (RSH) to persulfides (RSSH) elicited by H₂S, is a fundamental mechanism of H₂S-mediated signaling pathways. Persulfidation, as a biological switch for protein function, plays an important role in the maintenance of cell homeostasis in response to various internal and external stress stimuli and is also implicated in numerous diseases, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. In this review, the biological significance of protein persulfidation by H₂S in cell stress response is reviewed providing a framework for understanding the multifaceted roles of H₂S. A mechanism-guided perspective can help open novel avenues for the exploitation of therapeutics based on H₂S-induced persulfidation in the context of diseases.

Analysis of the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) genetic variants in nonsegmental vitiligo patients

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that courses with skin depigmentation because of the destruction of melanocytes. Vitiliginous melanocyte is prone to damage because of oxidative stress which activates cellular stress response and the release of heat shock proteins such as HSP70 promoting immune activation against the melanocyte. Variants in HSP70 genes (HSPA) might alter their expression and thus modulate vitiligo susceptibility. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the role of the 5' untranslated region HSPA1A G/C (rs1043618) and the exonic HSPA1B A/G (rs1061581) and HSPA1L T/C (rs2227956) gene variants in nonsegmental vitiligo.

METHODS

A total of 200 nonsegmental vitiligo patients and 208 age/gender-matched healthy subjects were genotyped for rs1043618, rs1061581, and rs2227956 variants by PCR-RFLP.

RESULTS

Variants rs1043618 and rs1061581 were not associated with vitiligo susceptibility. On the other hand, the rs2227956 C allele and TC genotype were associated with protection against vitiligo. A similar effect was observed for the GAC haplotype. Any of the aforementioned HSP70 gene variants were associated with the clinical characteristics of vitiligo.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the HSPA1L rs2227956 gene variant might influence the susceptibility to vitiligo. Being the first study of HSP70 gene variants in vitiligo, further research is encouraged to corroborate these results.

A Genomic Study of the Japanese Population Focusing on the Glucocorticoid Receptor Interactome Highlights Distinct Genetic Characteristics Associated with Stress Response

All living organisms have been programmed to maintain a complex inner equilibrium called homeostasis, despite numerous adversities during their lifespan. Any threatening or perceived as such stimuli for homeostasis is termed a stressor, and a highly conserved response system called the stress response system has been developed to cope with these stimuli and maintain or reinstate homeostasis. The glucocorticoid receptor, a transcription factor belonging to the nuclear receptors protein superfamily, has a major role in the stress response system, and research on its interactome may provide novel information regarding the mechanisms underlying homeostasis maintenance. A list of 149 autosomal genes that have an essential role in GR function or are prime examples of GRE-containing genes was composed in order to gain a comprehensive view of the GR interactome. A search for SNPs on those particular genes was conducted on a dataset of 3554 Japanese individuals, with mentioned polymorphisms being annotated with relevant information from the ClinVar, LitVar, and dbSNP databases. Forty-two SNPs of interest and their genomic locations were identified. These SNPs have been associated with drug metabolism and neuropsychiatric, metabolic, and immune system disorders, while most of them were located in intronic regions. The frequencies of those SNPs were later compared with a dataset consisting of 1465 Korean individuals in order to find population-specific characteristics based on some of the identified SNPs of interest. The results highlighted.that rs1043618 frequencies were different in the two populations, with mentioned polymorphism having a potential role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in response to environmental stressors. This SNP is located in the HSPA1A gene, which codes for an essential GR co-chaperone, and such information showcases that similar gene may be novel genomic targets for managing or combatting stress-related pathologies.

Role of HSP70 chaperone in protein aggregate phenomenon of GNE mutant cells: Therapeutic lead for GNE Myopathy

Limited treatment options and research in understanding the pathomechanisms of rare diseases has raised concerns about their therapeutic development. One such poorly understood ultra-rare neuromuscular disorder is GNE Myopathy (GNEM) which is caused due to mutation in key sialic acid biosynthetic enzyme, GNE. Treatment with sialic acid or its derivatives/precursors slows the disease progression, but curative strategies need to be explored further. Pathologically, muscle biopsy samples of GNEM patients reveal rimmed vacuole formation due to aggregation of β-amyloid, Tau, presenilin proteins with unknown mechanism. The present study aims to understand the mechanism of protein aggregate formation in GNE mutant cells to decipher role of chaperones in disease phenotype. The pathologically relevant GNE mutations expressed as recombinant proteins in HEK cells was used as a model system for GNEM to estimate extent of protein aggregation. We identified HSP70, a chaperone, as binding partner of GNE. Downregulation of HSP70 with altered BAG3, JNK, BAX expression levels was observed in GNE mutant cells. The cell apoptosis was observed in GNE mutation specific manner. An activator of HSP70 chaperone, BGP-15, rescued the phenotypic defects due to GNE mutation, thereby, reducing protein aggregation significantly. The results were further validated in rat skeletal muscle cell lines carrying single Gne allele. Our study suggests that HSP70 activators can be a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of ultra-rare GNE Myopathy disease.

IL-6 and HSPA1A Gene Polymorphisms May Influence the Levels of the Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Parameters and Their Response to a Chronic Swimming Training

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the most common polymorphisms in the IL-6 and HSP70 genes affect the circulating heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), as well as inflammatory and prooxidant-antioxidant parameters in healthy men undergoing chronic endurance training. The subjects were randomly assigned to a 12-week swimming training (ST group) or control group (CON). Fasting blood samples were collected pre- and post-study period to assessment: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, serum levels of lipid hydroperoxides (LHs), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and HSP70. Subjects were genotyped for IL-6-174G/C, HSPA1A + 190 G/C and HSPA1B + 1538 A/G single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by real-time PCR. After a 12-week study period, a decrease in TNFα, HSP70, and GPx was observed in the ST group, but not the CON group. IL-6 SNP affected serum TNFα levels (main effect of genotype). Higher TNFα levels (pre- and post-study period) was observed in CC CON than in other IL-6 genotypes of CON and ST groups. However, a post-training decrease in TNFα was observed in both GG and CC IL-6 genotypes of ST group. In turn, only GG IL-6 genotype of the ST group was related to a post-training decrease in HSP70 (main time and genotype interaction). Moreover, pre- and post-training LHs were lower in GG than GC/CC HSPA1A genotypes of the ST group (main genotype effect). In conclusion, polymorphisms within the IL-6 and HSPA1A genes seem to affect baseline levels of some inflammatory parameters and prooxidant-antioxidant status and/or their changes after chronic swimming training. However, the results should be confirmed in a study with a larger sample size, one that includes individuals with sedentary lifestyles.

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.

Updates on Genes and Genetic Mechanisms Implicated in Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) is estimated to affect over 30 million people worldwide by 2040 and is highly prevalent in the Asian population. PACG is more severe and carries three times the higher risk of blindness than primary open-angle glaucoma, thus representing a significant public health concern. High heritability and ethnic-specific predisposition to PACG suggest the involvement of genetic factors in disease development. In the recent past, genetic studies have led to the successful identification of several genes and loci associated with PACG across different ethnicities. The precise cellular and molecular roles of these multiple loci in the development and progression of PACG remains to be elucidated. Nonetheless, these studies have significantly increased our understanding of the emerging cellular processes and biological pathways that might provide more significant insights into the disease’s genetic etiology and may be valuable for future clinical applications. This review aims to summarize and update the current knowledge of PACG genetics analysis research.

The Neurochaperonopathies: Anomalies of the Chaperone System with Pathogenic Effects in Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Disorders

The chaperone (or chaperoning) system (CS) constitutes molecular chaperones, co-chaperones, and chaperone co-factors, interactors and receptors, and its canonical role is protein quality control. A malfunction of the CS may cause diseases, known as the chaperonopathies. These are caused by qualitatively and/or quantitatively abnormal molecular chaperones. Since the CS is ubiquitous, chaperonopathies are systemic, affecting various tissues and organs, playing an etiologic-pathogenic role in diverse conditions. In this review, we focus on chaperonopathies involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems: the neurochaperonopathies (NCPs). Genetic NCPs are linked to pathogenic variants of chaperone genes encoding, for example, the small Hsp, Hsp10, Hsp40, Hsp60, and CCT-BBS (chaperonin-containing TCP-1- Bardet–Biedl syndrome) chaperones. Instead, the acquired NCPs are associated with malfunctional chaperones, such as Hsp70, Hsp90, and VCP/p97 with aberrant post-translational modifications. Awareness of the chaperonopathies as the underlying primary or secondary causes of disease will improve diagnosis and patient management and open the possibility of investigating and developing chaperonotherapy, namely treatment with the abnormal chaperone as the main target. Positive chaperonotherapy would apply in chaperonopathies by defect, i.e., chaperone insufficiency, and consist of chaperone replacement or boosting, whereas negative chaperonotherapy would be pertinent when a chaperone actively participates in the initiation and progression of the disease and must be blocked and eliminated.

Heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) polymorphisms affect the risk of coke-oven emission-induced neurobehavioral damage

OBJECTIVES

Epidemiology studies indicated that coke-oven workers with long-term exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) often have some neurobehavioral abnormalities especially impairment for cognitive function, while the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Numerous studies have indicated the antioxidant and anti-apoptosis roles of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70). The genetic polymorphisms in HSP70 genes are associated with multiple diseases including neurotoxicity. However, it is unclear whether HSP70 polymorphisms are related to the neurotoxicity of PAH. We, therefore, investigate the possible association between HSP70 polymorphisms and neurobehavioral abnormalities.

METHODS

188 coke-oven workers and 137 control workers were recruited in this study. Emotional and cognitive function was assessed using the WHO/NCTB. HSP70 polymorphisms (HSP70-1 G190C, HSP70-2 G1267 A and HSP70-hom T2437C) were checked by PCR-RFLP.

RESULTS

The results indicated that HSP70-1 CC genotypes in coke-oven workers were associated with poor neurobehavioral performance such as the attention /response speed and visual perception/memory, while the HSP70-2 AA genotypes were associated with lower short-term auditory memory.

CONCLUSIONS

HSP70-1 CC and HSP70-2 AA genotypes in coke-oven workers may increase the risk for neurobehavioral damage, especially attention, learning and memory.

Detection of functional polymorphisms in the hsp70 gene and association with cold stress response in Inner-Mongolia Sanhe cattle

The genetic mechanisms underlying the cattle resilience to severe cold temperatures are still unknown. In this study, we observed that four blood biochemical parameters were significantly altered, i.e., blood adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and potassium (K+) after expose to - 32 °C for 3 h. This was observed using 105 healthy Sanhe heifers with similar weight (398.17 ± 34.06 kg) and age (19.30 ± 4.91 months). A total of 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in 5'-flanking region of the hsp70 gene in Sanhe cattle, while only 10 SNPs were segregating when comparing genetic variations between Sanhe cattle and 285 Chinese Holstein samples. Statistically significant associations between the genomic markers SNP-42-, SNP-105+, SNP-181+, and SNP-205+ with blood T3 and between SNP-105+ and blood T4 were observed by applying the general linear model procedure and Bonferroni t test. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the T alleles of SNP-42- and SNP-205+ in the GC box and Kozak sequence of the hsp70 gene, respectively, significantly decreased the green fluorescent proteins activity in vitro GFP reporter assays. These findings suggest that these two SNPs are causative polymorphisms involved in the regulation of hsp70 promoter activity and might contribute to the observed association between the hsp70 gene and T3 and T4 levels in Sanhe cattle. Thus, hsp70 gene is a promising candidate gene to be validated in independent cattle populations and functional studies related to cold stress resilience in cattle.

Association Studies of HSPA1A and HSPA1L Gene Polymorphisms With Schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder with a strong genetic component. The HSP70 chaperones are particularly interesting in terms of schizophrenia, especially with regard to neurodevelopmental hypothesis, because they are critical regulators in normal neural physiological function as well as in cell stress responses.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aimed to determine whether genetic variants in the HSPA1A (rs1008438, rs562047) and HSPA1L (rs2075800) genes are associated with the risk of paranoid schizophrenia and the clinical presentation of the disease.

METHODS

A total of 1080 unrelated Polish subjects of Caucasian origin (401 schizophrenia cases and 679 healthy controls) were recruited. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were genotyped using PCR-RFLP (rs562047) or TaqMan (rs1008438, rs2075800) assays. All analyses were conducted for the full sample and within subgroups stratified by gender.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in genotype or allele distributions of all polymorphisms tested between the schizophrenia and control groups. We also failed to find any schizophrenia predisposing haplotype in the whole group. A sex-stratified analysis revealed haplotypic association with paranoid schizophrenia in men, albeit the risk effect was contributed only by a rare haplotypes. More importantly, rs562047 variant was significantly associated with PANSS total and PANSS negative scores in schizophrenia.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support previously reported associations between HSPA1A and HSPA1B SNPs and schizophrenia symptomatology. Further population-based prospective studies with larger sample sizes from different ethnic groups should be performed to clarify the role of different HSP70 genes in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Interaction of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) polymorphisms and occupational hazards increases the risk of hypertension in coke oven workers

OBJECTIVES

The interaction between genetic, epigenetic inheritance and environmental factors determines susceptibility to hypertension. Previous epidemiology studies have shown that coke oven workers who are frequently exposed to various occupational hazards have remarkable increase in the risk for hypertension. Among many genetic variants identified in hypertension, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was found to play important roles in the pathogenesis of hypertension and associated diseases. We therefore explore the possible role of HSP70 polymorphisms and their interaction with occupational environment in hypertension risk.

METHODS

We carried out a case-control study among 367 coke oven workers in northwest China, focused on three common HSP70 polymorphisms (HSP70-1 G190C, HSP70-2 A1267G and HSP70-hom T2437C), and evaluated the association of HSP70 gene polymorphisms with work sites for high risk of hypertension.

RESULTS

The results indicated that HSP70-1 GC and CC genotype had 2.73-fold and 4.26-fold increased relative risk (95% CI 1.33 to 5.55 and 1.17 to 15.53), respectively, comparing with HSP70-1 GG genotype. HSP70-2 AG and GG conferred a 47% and 36% reduced risk (95% CI 0.23 to 0.99 and 0.14 to 0.92) comparing with HSP70-2 AA genotype. Further analysis of the interaction of HSP70 polymorphisms with occupational environment indicated a strong positive interaction between HSP70 genotype (HSP70-1 GC+CC, HSP70-2 AA and HSP70-hom TC+CC) and oven top workplace.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, these data indicate that HSP70 polymorphisms interact with occupational hazards might increase the risk of hypertension in coke oven workers.

Concurrent action of purifying selection and gene conversion results in extreme conservation of the major stress-inducible Hsp70 genes in mammals

Several evolutionary mechanisms alter the fate of mutations and genes within populations based on their exhibited functional effects. To understand the underlying mechanisms involved in the evolution of the cellular stress response, a very conserved mechanism in the course of organismal evolution, we studied the patterns of natural genetic variation and functional consequences of polymorphisms of two stress-inducible Hsp70 genes. These genes, HSPA1A and HSPA1B, are major orchestrators of the cellular stress response and are associated with several human diseases. Our phylogenetic analyses revealed that the duplication of HSPA1A and HSPA1B originated in a lineage proceeding to placental mammals, and henceforth they remained in conserved synteny. Additionally, analyses of synonymous and non-synonymous changes suggest that purifying selection shaped the HSPA1 gene diversification, while gene conversion resulted in high sequence conservation within species. In the human HSPA1-cluster, the vast majority of mutations are synonymous and specific genic regions are devoid of mutations. Furthermore, functional characterization of several human polymorphisms revealed subtle differences in HSPA1A stability and intracellular localization. Collectively, the observable patterns of HSPA1A-1B variation describe an evolutionary pattern, in which purifying selection and gene conversion act simultaneously and conserve a major orchestrator of the cellular stress response.

Reduced Hsp70 and Glutamine in Pediatric Severe Malaria Anemia: Role of Hemozoin in Suppressing Hsp70 and NF-κB activation

Severe malarial anemia [SMA, hemoglobin (Hb) <5.0 g/dL] is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality among children residing in Plasmodium falciparum transmission regions. Exploration of molecular pathways through global gene expression profiling revealed that SMA was characterized by decreased HSPA1A, a heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 coding gene. Hsp70 is a ubiquitous chaperone that regulates Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines known to be important in malaria pathogenesis (e.g., IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α). Since the role of host Hsp70 in malaria pathogenesis is unexplored, we investigated Hsp70 and molecular pathways in children with SMA. Validation experiments revealed that leukocytic HSP70 transcripts were reduced in SMA relative to non-severe malaria, and that intraleukocytic hemozoin (PfHz) was associated with lower HSP70. HSP70 was correlated with reticulocyte production and Hb. Since glutamine (Gln) up-regulates Hsp70, modulates NF-κB activation, and attenuates over-expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, circulating Gln was measured in children with malaria. Reduced Gln was associated with increased risk of developing SMA. Treatment of cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with PfHz caused a time-dependent decrease in Hsp70 transcripts/protein, and NF-κB activation. Gln treatment of PBMCs overcame PfHz-induced suppression of HSP70 transcripts/protein, reduced NF-κB activation, and suppressed over-expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Findings here demonstrate that SMA is characterized by reduced intraleukocytic HSP70 and circulating Gln, and that PfHz-induced suppression of HSP70 can be reversed by Gln. Thus, Gln supplementation may offer important immunotherapeutic options for futures studies in children with SMA.

Transcriptome Profiling of Patient-Specific Human iPSC-Cardiomyocytes Predicts Individual Drug Safety and Efficacy Responses In Vitro

Understanding individual susceptibility to drug-induced cardiotoxicity is key to improving patient safety and preventing drug attrition. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) enable the study of pharmacological and toxicological responses in patient-specific cardiomyocytes (CMs) and may serve as preclinical platforms for precision medicine. Transcriptome profiling in hiPSC-CMs from seven individuals lacking known cardiovascular disease-associated mutations and in three isogenic human heart tissue and hiPSC-CM pairs showed greater inter-patient variation than intra-patient variation, verifying that reprogramming and differentiation preserve patient-specific gene expression, particularly in metabolic and stress-response genes. Transcriptome-based toxicology analysis predicted and risk-stratified patient-specific susceptibility to cardiotoxicity, and functional assays in hiPSC-CMs using tacrolimus and rosiglitazone, drugs targeting pathways predicted to produce cardiotoxicity, validated inter-patient differential responses. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated pathway correction prevented drug-induced cardiotoxicity. Our data suggest that hiPSC-CMs can be used in vitro to predict and validate patient-specific drug safety and efficacy, potentially enabling future clinical approaches to precision medicine.

Genetic Associations of Primary Angle-Closure Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

TOPIC

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the genetic associations of primary angle-closure disease (PACD).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

To confirm the genetic biomarkers for PACD, including primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and related phenotypes.

METHODS

We searched in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for genetic studies of PACG or other PACD published from the start dates of the databases to May 11, 2015. We estimated the summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each polymorphism in PACG, primary angle-closure suspect (PACS), and primary angle-closure (PAC) using fixed- or random-effect models. We also performed sensitivity analysis to test the robustness of the results.

RESULTS

Our literature search yielded 6463 reports. Among them, we identified 24 studies that fulfilled the eligibility criteria for meta-analysis, involving 28 polymorphisms in 11 genes/loci. We affirmed the association of PACG and combined PACS/PAC/PACG with 10 polymorphisms in 8 genes/loci, including COL11A1 (rs3753841-G, OR, 1.22; P = 0.00046), HGF (rs17427817-C, OR, 2.02; P = 6.9E-07; rs5745718-A, OR, 2.11; P = 9.9E-07), HSP70 (rs1043618, GG+GC, OR, 0.52; P = 0.0010), MFRP (rs2510143-C, OR, 0.66; P = 0.012; rs3814762-G, OR, 1.40; P = 0.0090), MMP9 (rs3918249-C, OR, 1.35; P = 0.034), NOS3 (rs7830-A, OR, 0.80; P = 0.036), PLEKHA7 (rs11024102-G, OR, 1.24; P = 8.3E-05), and PCMTD1-ST18 (rs1015213-A, OR, 1.59; P = 0.00013). Sensitivity analysis indicated that the results were robust.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we confirmed multiple polymorphisms in 8 genes/loci as genetic biomarkers for PACD, among which 3 were identified in a genome-wide association study (COL11A1, PLEKHA7, and PCMTD1-ST18), and 5 were identified in candidate gene studies (HGF, HSP70, MFRP, MMP9, and NOS3).

Analysis of heat shock protein 70 gene polymorphisms Mexican patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal lung disease of unknown etiology. Genetic variation within different major histocompatibility complex (MHC) loci contributes to the susceptibility to IPF. The effect of 70 kDa heat shock proteins (HSP70) gene polymorphisms in the susceptibility to IPF is unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the association between HSP70 polymorphisms and IPF susceptibility in the Mexican population.

Methods

Four HSP70 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were evaluated using real time PCR assays in 168 IPF patients and 205 controls: +2763 C>T of HSPA1L (rs2075800), +2437 of HSP HSPA1L A>G (rs2227956), +190 of HSPA1A G>C (rs1043618) and +1267 of HSPA1B G>A (rs1061581).

Results

The analysis of the recessive model revealed a significant decrease in the frequency of the genotype HSPA1B AA (rs1061581) in IPF patients (OR = 0.27, 95 % CI = 0.13–0.57, Pc = 0.0003) when compared to controls. Using a multivariate logistic regression analysis in a codominant model the HSPA1B (rs1061581) GA and AA genotypes were associated with a lower risk of IPF compared with GG (OR = 0.22, 95 % CI = 0.07–0.65; p = 0.006 and OR = 0.17, 95 % CI = 0.07–0.41; p = <0.001). Similarly, HSPA1L (rs2227956) AG genotype (OR = 0.34, 95 % CI = 0.12–0.99; p = 0.04) and the dominant model AG + GG genotypes were also associated with a lower risk of IPF (OR = 0.24, 95 % CI = 0.08–0.67; p = 0.007). In contrast, the HSPA1L (rs2075800) TT genotype was associated with susceptibility to IPF (OR = 2.52, 95 % CI = 1.32–4.81; p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that HSPA1B (rs1061581), HSPA1L (rs2227956) and HSPA1 (rs1043618) polymorphisms are associated with a decreased risk of IPF.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12890-015-0127-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Effects of Climate Change on Cardiac Health

The earth's climate is changing and increasing ambient heat levels are emerging in large areas of the world. An important cause of this change is the anthropogenic emission of greenhouse gases. Climate changes have a variety of negative effects on health, including cardiac health. People with pre-existing medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease (including heart failure), people carrying out physically demanding work and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. This review evaluates the evidence base for the cardiac health consequences of climate conditions, with particular reference to increasing heat exposure, and it also explores the potential further implications.

Analysis of the expression and polymorphism of APOE, HSP, BDNF, and GRIN2B genes associated with the neurodegeneration process in the pathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma

Glaucoma is characterized by optic neuropathy of the RGC or retinal nerve fiber. The aim of this study was to evaluate a relationship between the neurodegenerative genes' polymorphisms of the APOE (rs449647), BDNF (rs2030324), GRIN2B (rs3764028), and HSP70-1 (rs1043618) and the occurrence risk of POAG and to investigate its effect on allele-specific gene expression. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. Analysis of the genes' polymorphisms was performed using PCR-RFLP. The level of mRNA expression was determined by QRT-PCR. We showed a statistically significant association of BDNF and APOE genes' polymorphisms with a risk of POAG occurrence. There was a statistically significant association of the rs2030324 polymorphism with progression of POAG based on cup disc ratio value and rs1043618 polymorphism based on nerve fiber index and rim area. Furthermore, we found that mean HSP70-1 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the case of individuals with the G/G genotype than in the case of minor allele carriers, that is, G/C and C/C. We also found that BDNF and HSP70-1 expression level are associated with the progression of POAG based on rim area value. In conclusion, our results suggest that BDNF, APOE, and HSP70-1 genes might be associated with a risk of POAG occurrence in the Polish population.

BDNF and HSP gene polymorphisms and their influence on the progression of primary open-angle glaucoma in a Polish population

INTRODUCTION

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease that is often associated with high intraocular pressure (IOP). One of the effects of elevated IOP is disorder of neurotrophic molecules transport, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and recruit specific cellular proteins called "heat shock proteins" (HSPs). The aim of this study was to evaluate a relationship between the BDNF and HSP70-1 gene polymorphisms with risk occurrence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study consisted of 167 patients with POAG (mean age: 73 ±9) and 193 healthy subjects (mean age: 64 ±13). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. Analysis of the gene polymorphisms was performed using PCR-RFLP, using the following restriction enzymes: NlaIII (rs6265) and BsrBI (rs1043618). The Heidelberg retinal tomography (HRT) clinical parameters were also analyzed. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each genotype and allele were calculated.

RESULTS

Comparison of the distributions of genotypes and alleles of the 196G/A polymorphism of the BDNF gene as well as 190G/C polymorphism of the HSP70-1 gene and analysis of the odds ratio (OR) showed no statistically significant differences between POAG patients and controls (p > 0.05). However, there was a statistically significant association of the 196G/A of BDNF and 190G/C of HSP70-1 gene polymorphisms with progression of POAG depending on values of clinical parameters. 196G/A of BDNF correlated with the parameters GDx and RA (p = 0.03; p = 0.002, respectively), while 190G/C of HSP70-1 correlated with c/d and RA (p = 0.014, p = 0.024, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The BDNF 196G/A and HSP70-1 190G/C gene polymorphisms may be related to progression of POAG.

Fever, immunity, and molecular adaptations

The heat shock response (HSR) is an ancient and highly conserved process that is essential for coping with environmental stresses, including extremes of temperature. Fever is a more recently evolved response, during which organisms temporarily subject themselves to thermal stress in the face of infections. We review the phylogenetically conserved mechanisms that regulate fever and discuss the effects that febrile-range temperatures have on multiple biological processes involved in host defense and cell death and survival, including the HSR and its implications for patients with severe sepsis, trauma, and other acute systemic inflammatory states. Heat shock factor-1, a heat-induced transcriptional enhancer is not only the central regulator of the HSR but also regulates expression of pivotal cytokines and early response genes. Febrile-range temperatures exert additional immunomodulatory effects by activating mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades and accelerating apoptosis in some cell types. This results in accelerated pathogen clearance, but increased collateral tissue injury, thus the net effect of exposure to febrile range temperature depends in part on the site and nature of the pathologic process and the specific treatment provided.

Association between heat shock protein 70 gene polymorphisms and clinical outcomes in intensive care unit patients with sepsis

Objective:

The objective of the following study is to evaluate the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) gene, gene expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and medical intensive care unit (MICU) stay and organ failure in sepsis.

Materials and Methods:

MICU patients with sepsis were genotyped for rs1061581, rs2227956, rs1008438 and rs1043618 polymorphisms in HSP70 gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis or allele-specific PCR. Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of IL-6 and TNF-α were quantitated in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Outcomes were recorded.

Results:

108 patients (48 male) aged 40.7 ± 16.0 (mean ± standard deviation) years included H1N1 infection (36), scrub typhus (29) and urosepsis (12). Seventy-one (65.7%) had dysfunction of three or more organ systems, 66 patients (61.1%) were treated by mechanical ventilation, 21 (19.4%) needed dialysis. ICU stay was 9.3 ± 7.3 days. Mortality was 38.9%. One or more SNPs were noted in 101/108 (93.5%) and organ failure was noted in only 1/7 patients without a single SNP. The A allelotypes of rs1061581 and rs1008438 were associated with hematological dysfunction (P = 0.03 and 0.07) and longer ICU stay (P = 0.05 and 0.04), whereas IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA levels were associated with central nervous system dysfunction.

Conclusions:

HSP70 genotypes may determine some adverse outcomes in patients with sepsis.

Heat shock protein 70 gene polymorphisms are associated with paranoid schizophrenia in the Polish population

HSP70 genes have been considered as promising schizophrenia candidate genes based on their protective role in the central nervous system under stress conditions. In this study, we analyzed the potential implication of HSPA1A +190G/C, HSPA1B +1267A/G, and HSPA1L +2437T/C polymorphisms in the susceptibility to paranoid schizophrenia in a homogenous Caucasian Polish population. In addition, we investigated the association of the polymorphisms with the clinical variables of the disease. Two hundred and three patients with paranoid schizophrenia and 243 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Polymorphisms of HSPA1A, -1B, and -1L genes were genotyped using the PCR-RFLP technique. Analyses were conducted in entire groups and in subgroups that were stratified according to gender. There were significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of HSPA1A polymorphism between the patients and controls. The +190CC genotype and +190C allele were over-represented in the patients and significantly increased the risk for developing schizophrenia (OR = 3.45 and OR = 1.61, respectively). Interestingly, such a risk was higher for females with the +190CC genotype than for males with the +190CC genotype (OR = 5.78 vs. OR = 2.76). We also identified the CGT haplotype as a risk haplotype for schizophrenia and demonstrated the effects of HSPA1A and HSPA1B genotypes on the psychopathology and age of onset. Our study provided the first evidence that the HSPA1A polymorphism may potentially increase the risk of developing paranoid schizophrenia. Further independent analyses in different populations to evaluate the role of gender are needed to replicate these results.

Association analysis of HSP70A1A haplotypes with heat tolerance in Chinese Holstein cattle

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding and untranslated regions of heat shock 70 kDa protein 1A (HSP70A1A), an inducible molecular chaperone that is responsible for cellular protection against heat stress, have been reported as being associated with heat tolerance. A fragment of the HSP70A1A gene was amplified in Chinese Holstein cattle and eight novel mutations were found. We performed comprehensive linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotype analyses of the eight SNPs of the HSP70A1A gene and examined their involvement in heat resistance in 600 Chinese Holstein cattle. Our results revealed the presence of significant differences between individuals carrying haplotype 1 and those without haplotype 1 for most of the heat-tolerance traits. Haplotype 1 increased the risk of heat stress; however, association analysis of its combination with haplotype 2 showed the lowest rectal temperature and red blood cell K(+) level, moderate respiratory rate, and the highest red blood cell NKA level, suggesting a heterozygote advantage in the penetration of the phenotype. Protein expression levels in white blood cells among haplotype combinations further confirmed the hypothesis that heterozygotes for haplotypes 1 and 2 are more sensitive to heat stress. We presume that these mutations may be useful in the future as molecular genetic markers to assist selection for heat tolerance in cattle.

An exploration of heat tolerance in mice utilizing mRNA and microRNA expression analysis

BACKGROUND

Individuals who rapidly develop hyperthermia during heat exposure (heat-intolerant) are vulnerable to heat associated illness and injury. We recently reported that heat intolerant mice exhibit complex alterations in stress proteins in response to heat exposure. In the present study, we further explored the role of genes and molecular networks associated with heat tolerance in mice.

METHODOLOGY

Heat-induced physiological and biochemical changes were assessed to determine heat tolerance levels in mice. We performed RNA and microRNA expression profiling on mouse gastrocnemius muscle tissue samples to determine novel biological pathways associated with heat tolerance.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Mice (n = 18) were assigned to heat-tolerant (TOL) and heat-intolerant (INT) groups based on peak core temperatures during heat exposures. This was followed by biochemical assessments (Hsp40, Hsp72, Hsp90 and Hsf1 protein levels). Microarray analysis identified a total of 3,081 mRNA transcripts that were significantly misregulated in INT compared to TOL mice (p<0.05). Among them, Hspa1a, Dnajb1 and Hspb7 were differentially expressed by more than two-fold under these conditions. Furthermore, we identified 61 distinct microRNA (miRNA) sequences significantly associated with TOL compared to INT mice; eight miRNAs corresponded to target sites in seven genes identified as being associated with heat tolerance pathways (Hspa1a, Dnajb1, Dnajb4, Dnajb6, Hspa2, Hspb3 and Hspb7).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of mRNA and miRNA data from the skeletal muscle of adult mice following heat stress provides new insights into the pathophysiology of thermoregulatory disturbances of heat intolerance.

Role of BCL2-associated athanogene 1 in differential sensitivity of human endothelial cells to glucocorticoids

OBJECTIVE

Chronic therapy with synthetic glucocorticoids has been associated with cardiovascular side effects, although differential interindividual susceptibility to glucocorticoids has been observed. The objective of this study was to identify the molecular mechanisms leading to differential glucocorticoid responses in endothelial cells.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

We tested the sensitivity of 42 human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to dexamethasone as determined by changes in gene expression, promoter transactivation, and procoagulant activity. We identified that 16 HUVECs were sensitive in every test, 14 HUVECs were sensitive in at least 1 test and 12 HUVECs were resistant in every test to dexamethasone. Nuclear translocation assays revealed that Dex-sensitive HUVECs have higher basal and Dex-stimulated levels of nuclear glucocorticoid receptor compared with Dex-resistant HUVECs. Cycloheximide assays revealed that Dex-resistant HUVECs have significantly shorter glucocorticoid receptor protein half-lives than Dex-sensitive HUVECs. Dex-resistant HUVECs have a stronger interaction of glucocorticoid receptor with the proteasomal recruiting protein, BCL2-associated athanogene 1 (BAG1), as shown by immunoprecipitation assays. Silencing BAG1 expression increased Dex-sensitivity in resistant HUVECs, whereas BAG1 overexpression decreased Dex-sensitivity in sensitive HUVECs. Finally, Dex-resistant HUVECs presented higher BAG1 expression than Dex-sensitive HUVECs.

CONCLUSIONS

In vitro endothelial sensitivity to Dex varies within individuals and is inversely proportional to BAG1 protein expression and glucocorticoid receptor protein turnover.

Association of frizzled-related protein (MFRP) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) single nucleotide polymorphisms with primary angle closure in a Han Chinese population: Jiangsu Eye Study

PURPOSE

Primary angle closure (PAC) is the early stage of primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). It is believed that the formation of PAC is regulated by a tissue remodeling pathway. This study investigated the association between gene variants in extracellular matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), frizzled-related protein (MFRP), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), and PAC.

METHODS

The study was part of the Jiangsu Eye Study. The sample consisted of 232 subjects with PAC and 306 controls obtained from a population-based prevalence survey conducted in Funing County in Jiangsu Province, China. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) included rs17576 and rs3918249 in MMP-9, rs1801133 in MTHFR, rs3814762 in MFRP, and rs1043618 in HSP70. SNP genotyping was performed with a TaqMan MGB probe using the real-time PCR system.

RESULTS

Among the five SNPs tested, only MFRP rs3814762 and HSP70 rs1043618 showed a nominal association with PAC. The frequency of the minor T allele of MFRP rs3814762 was higher in the control group than in the PAC group (uncorrected p=0.016 and p=0.027, for alleles and genotypes, respectively) and conferred an odds ratio (OR) of 0.67 in the allelic analysis, indicating a protective role of the SNP in developing PAC. In contrast, the frequency of the CC genotype of HSP70 rs1043618 was higher in the PAC group than in the control group (uncorrected p=0.048 and p=0.022 for the genotypes general model and recessive model, respectively) and conferred an OR of 1.79 in the recessive model, indicating a harmful role in developing PAC. However, the differences did not remain statistically significant after Bonferroni correction. The remaining three SNPs showed no differences in the distribution of the genotypes and allele frequencies between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study reveals a suggestive association of MFRP and HSP70 with PAC in a Han Chinese population. The results from this population-based survey will serve as the baseline for prospective observation of the role of tissue remodeling pathway in the development of PACG.

Development of stable HSPA1A promoter-driven luciferase reporter HepG2 cells for assessing the toxicity of organic pollutants present in air

HSPA1A (HSP70-1) is a highly inducible heat shock gene up-regulated in response to environmental stresses and pollutants. The aim of our study was to evaluate the sensitivity of the stable metabolically competent HepG2 cells containing a human HSPA1A promoter-driven luciferase reporter (HepG2-luciferase cells) for assessing the toxicity of organic pollutants present in air. The HepG2-luciferase cells were validated by heat shock treatment and testing three organic compounds (pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, and formaldehyde) that are ubiquitous in the air. The maximal level of HSPA1A (HSP70-1) and relative luciferase activity induced by heat shock were over three and nine times the control level, respectively. Pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, and formaldehyde all induced significantly elevated levels of relative luciferase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Extractable organic matter (EOM) from urban traffic and coke oven emissions in ambient air were tested on the HepG2-luciferase cells. The traffic EOM induced significant increase in relative luciferase activity at concentrations of picogram per liter. The coke oven EOM produced a strong dose-dependent induction of relative luciferase activity up to six times the control value. Significant increases in relative luciferase activity were observed at concentrations that were as low, or lower than the concentrations that the tested organic pollutants decreased cell viability, and increased malondialdehyde concentration, Olive tail moment, and micronuclei frequency. Therefore, we conclude that the HepG2-luciferase cells are a valuable tool for rapid screening of the overall toxicity of organic pollutants present in air.

Genetic variations of HSPA1A, the heat shock protein levels, and risk of atherosclerosis

HSPA1A is a serum and intracellular heat shock protein with antiapoptotic and antithrombotic properties. The present study examines the hypothesis that a decrease in the synthesis of this protein in relation to certain polymorphisms of the regulatory region of the HSPA1A gene can define a vascular disease risk phenotype. A randomly selected population was studied and stratified into groups according to the degree of vascular risk. After applying the Task Force Chart to 452 people, the subjects were divided into three groups: group 0 (no vascular risk factor or risk < 5%), n = 239; group 1 (moderate (10-20%) risk, with no clinical cardiovascular disease), n = 161; and group 2 (overt atherosclerosis), n = 52. Serum and intragranulocytic HSPA1A was quantified, and direct Sanger sequencing was performed in all subjects. An analysis was made of the association of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (db rs1008438 -110A/C and db rs1043618 +190 G/C) with circulating and intragranulocytic HSPA1A and the risk of atherosclerosis. The atherosclerotic subjects showed significantly lower circulating HSPA1A levels than the other groups, regardless of the genotype. The patients with CC genotype for both polymorphisms showed significantly lower intragranulocytic HSPA1A levels than the other genotypes. Serum HSPA1A concentrations could be proposed as a biomarker of cardiovascular disease. CC homozygosis for polymorphisms db rs1008438 and db rs1043618 is associated with a decrease in the intragranulocytic production of HSPA1A. Given the antiatherogenic functions of intracellular HSPA1A, the -110A and +190 G alleles could constitute potential genetic biomarkers of a less severe clinical phenotype for the risk of developing atherosclerosis.

Variants in exon 11 of MEF2A gene and coronary artery disease: evidence from a case-control study, systematic review, and meta-analysis

Background

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common heart disease worldwide. Association of CAD with variants in the myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A) gene, the first identified CAD-causing gene, has attracted special attention but the results are controversial. We aimed to evaluate this genetic association via a case-control study and meta-analysis.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We performed a case-control association study to investigate the relationship between variations in exon 11 of MEF2A gene and CAD in 1045 sporadic patients and 1008 controls enrolled angiographically among southern Chinese population, and then the data from this study were compared and discussed in a systematic review and meta-analysis with all available published studies on MEF2A gene and CAD. In total, eight variants were identified (21-bp deletion, CAG repeats, CCG repeats, a CCA deletion and four SNPs). No significant link was observed between the common (CAG)_n polymorphism and CAD, whereas the rare 21-bp deletion was detected only in five affected individuals. The meta-analysis of (CAG)_n polymorphism and CAD risk, including nine studies with 3801 CAD patients and 4020 controls, also provided no convincing evidence for the genetic association, even upon stratification by race (mainly Whites and Chinese). However, the 21-bp deletion was regarded as a potentially logical, albeit undetermined, candidate for CAD in the following systematic review.

Conclusions/Significance

Our findings failed to demonstrate a correlation between (CAG)_n polymorphism with CAD, however, we concluded that the rare 21-bp deletion might have a more compelling effect on CAD than the common (CAG)_n polymorphism, and MEF2A genetic variant might be a rare but specific cause of CAD/MI.

Variations in HSPA1B at 6p21.3 are associated with lung cancer risk and prognosis in Chinese populations

The heat shock protein Hsp70 is crucial for regulating cellular homeostasis in stressed cells. Although the tumorigenic potential and prognostic applications of Hsp70 have been widely investigated, it remains unclear whether genetic variations of the human isoforms HSPA1L, HSPA1A, and HSPA1B are associated with cancer risk and prognosis. In this study, we genotyped six tagSNPs in these genes in 1,152 paired patients with lung cancer and controls, and then validated the results in additional cohorts of 1,781 patients with lung cancer and 1,038 controls. In addition, we evaluated the associations of these tagSNPs with survival in 330 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with additional validation in another 331 patients with advanced NSCLC. Functions of the risk variants identified were investigated using cell-based reporter assays. We found that the HSPA1B rs6457452T allele was associated with increased lung cancer risk compared with the rs6457452C allele in both data sets and also pooled analysis (adjusted OR = 1.41; P = 2.8 × 10(-5)). The HSPA1B rs2763979TT genotype conferred poor survival outcomes for patients with advanced NSCLC in two independent cohorts and pooled analysis [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.80, 1.61, and 1.66; P = 0.013, 0.036, and 0.002, respectively]. Lastly, we also found that the rs2763979T and rs6457452T alleles were each sufficient to reduce expression of transcriptional reporter constructs, when compared with the rs2763979C and rs6457452C alleles, respectively. Taken together, our findings define that functional HSPA1B variants are associated with lung cancer risk and survival. These Hsp70 genetic variants may offer useful biomarkers to predict lung cancer risk and prognosis.

Objective assessment of stress levels and health status using routinely measured clinical laboratory parameters as biomarkers

Observed stress intensity was estimated using a scoring system from 0-100. Health status was estimated using the readily available laboratory measurements of C-reactive protein, neutrophil count, and fasting plasma glucose. We found that the stress score determined was linked to patient health status. Further studies are indicated.

Variants of HSPA1A in combination with plasma Hsp70 and anti-Hsp70 antibody levels associated with higher risk of acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVES

It was the aim of our study to investigate whether polymorphisms of HSP70 have an affect on antigen and antibody levels in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients and normal controls, and the possible joint effect of variants and antigen and antibody levels on the risk of ACS.

METHODS

Three single nucleotide polymorphisms of HSPA1A and HSPA1L were evaluated in 520 ACS patients and 520 age- and sex-matched controls. Plasma extracellular Hsp70 (eHsp70) and anti-Hsp70 antibody levels were determined using ELISA.

RESULTS

Individuals with +190G/C (rs1043618) CC genotype in HSPA1A had higher levels of eHsp70 in controls and lower levels of anti-Hsp70 body in ACS, compared with +190G/C GG carriers. Significantly increased ACS risks of 2.93 and 3.53 fold were found in subjects with the +190G/C CC genotype and high eHsp70 levels or low anti-Hsp70 antibody levels, respectively. The highest risk of ACS was found in subjects with +190G/C CC genotypes, high eHsp70 and low anti-Hsp70 antibody levels compared with those in the reference group (OR = 7.57, 95% CI 3.04-18.87).

CONCLUSIONS

The +190G/C polymorphism of HSPA1A may contribute to influence eHsp70 levels in controls and anti-Hsp70 antibody levels in ACS, and the +190G/C genotypes, eHsp70 and anti-Hsp70 antibody levels may have a joint effect on the risk of ACS.

Arterial thrombus formation in cardiovascular disease

The pathogenesis of arterial thrombosis is complex and dynamic. Unlike venous thrombi, arterial thrombi typically form under conditions of high blood flow and are mainly composed of platelet aggregates, giving them the appearance of 'white clots'. Strong evidence suggests that arterial thrombi originate as a consequence of an injured atherosclerotic plaque, and that their formation involves the release of prothrombotic material (such as tissue factor), platelet aggregation, and platelet adhesion to the vascular wall. The initially labile platelet plaque is then stabilized by insoluble fibrin produced upon activation of the coagulation cascade. Inherited genetic factors (gene polymorphisms) and acquired predisposing conditions (such as the concentration and activity of clotting factors) can influence both the composition and the size of an arterial thrombus. Further research is needed to elucidate the functions of blood coagulation proteins and cellular elements that are critical to the pathogenesis of arterial thrombosis. This Review explains mechanisms of pathological arterial thrombus formation and discusses genetic and acquired risk factors of atherothrombosis.

Novel association analysis between 9 short tandem repeat loci polymorphisms and coronary heart disease based on a cross-validation design

OBJECTIVE

To investigate genes associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) screened with a novel cross-validation design.

METHODS

On the basis of age at the onset of the first episode of CHD, stratified sampling by age (<50 years, 50-59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years and >80 years) was performed. Alleles of the nine CODIS STR loci including D3S1358, vWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, and D7S820, were determined using the STR Profiler Plus PCR amplification kit. Allele frequencies were compared with a control population. The mean age of patients with and without the alleles was compared. Cross-validation was based on differences in both frequency values and ages instead of adjustment procedure for multiple testing.

RESULTS

There were statistical differences in frequency values between the CHD group and the control population for three alleles, and also statistical differences in the age at first onset of CHD for two alleles; at least one allele, D21S11-28.2, was statistically different with regards to both frequency values and age. It was confirmed that D21S11-28.2 is truly related with CHD.

CONCLUSIONS

A single true CHD-related allele could be discriminated from the sampling errors through cross-validation. It appears that CHD-related genes may be located near to loci D21S11.

Polymorphisms in the Hsp70 gene locus are genetically associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) play a role in the delivery and presentation of antigenic peptides and are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of multifactorial diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate genes encoding cytosolic Hsp70 proteins for associations of allelic variants with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

Case-control studies of two independent Caucasian SLE cohorts were performed. In a haplotype-tagging single-nucleotide polymorphism approach, common variants of HspA1L, HspA1A and HspA1B were genotyped and principal component analyses were performed for the cohort from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF). Relative quantification of mRNA was carried out for each Hsp70 gene in healthy controls. Conditional regression analysis was performed to determine if allelic variants in Hsp70 act independently of HLA-DR3.

RESULTS

On analysis of common genetic variants of HspA1L, HspA1A and HspA1B, a haplotype significantly associated with SLE in the Erlangen-SLE cohort was identified, which was confirmed in the OMRF cohort. Depending on the cohorts, OR ranging from 1.43 to 1.88 and 2.64 to 3.16 was observed for individuals heterozygous and homozygous for the associated haplotype, respectively. Patients carrying the risk haplotype or the risk allele more often displayed autoantibodies to Ro and La in both cohorts. In healthy controls bearing this haplotype, the amount of HspA1A mRNA was significantly increased, whereas total Hsp70 protein concentration was not altered.

CONCLUSIONS

Allelic variants of the Hsp70 genes are significantly associated with SLE in Caucasians, independently of HLA-DR3, and correlate with the presence of autoantibodies to Ro and La. Hence, the Hsp70 gene locus appears to be involved in SLE pathogenesis.

HLA complex-linked heat shock protein genes and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia susceptibility

Three heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) genes, HSPA1L, HSPA1A, and HSPA1B, are located within the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class III region. HSPs act as stress signals and regulate natural killer cell response to cancer. HSP70 gene polymorphisms show disease associations partly due to their linkage disequilibrium with HLA alleles. To systematically evaluate their associations with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), we examined the three functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs2227956 (T493M) in HSPA1L, rs1043618 in HSPA1A 5'UTR, and rs1061581 (Q351Q) in HSPA1B by TaqMan assays or polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 114 ALL cases and 414 controls from Wales (UK), in 100 Mexican Mestizo ALL cases and 253 controls belonging to the same ethnic group, and in a panel of 82 HLA-typed reference cell line samples. Homozygosity for HSPA1B rs1061581 minor allele G was associated with protection (odds ratio (OR) = 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.16-0.78; P = 0.007) with gene-dosage effect (additive model) reaching significance (P = 0.0001) in the Welsh case-control group. This association was replicated in the second case-control group from Mexico (OR (recessive model) = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.24-0.96; P = 0.03), and the pooled analysis yielded a strong association (Mantel-Haenszel OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.27-0.69, P = 0.0004). The association was stronger in males in each group and in the pooled analysis. A three-SNP haplotype including the major allele A of rs1061581 showed a highly significant increase in Welsh cases compared with respective controls (6.7% vs 1.8%; P = 0.0003) due to the difference between male cases and controls. The protective allele of rs1061581 occurred more frequently on the HLA-DRB3 haplotypes (especially DRB1*03) in the cell line panel, but the HSPA1B association was independent from the HLA-DRB4 association previously detected in the same case-control group from Wales (adjusted P = 0.001). Given the cancer promoting roles played by HSPs intracellularly as well as roles in immune surveillance when expressed on the cell surface and the known correlations between expression levels and the HSP polymorphisms, these results are likely to indicate a primary association and warrant detailed assessment in childhood ALL development.

Genetic variations in HSPA8 gene associated with coronary heart disease risk in a Chinese population

Background

There is ample evidence that Hsp70 takes part in the progress of coronary heart disease (CHD). This implies that genetic variants of Hsp70 genes such as HSPA8 (HSC70) gene might contribute to the development of CHD. The present study aimed to investigate whether certain genetic variants of HSPA8 gene are associated with CHD in Han Chinese people.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A total of 2006 subjects (1003 CHD cases and 1003 age- and sex- matched healthy controls) were recruited. Genetic variants in the HSPA8 gene were identified by sequencing of the gene in 60 unrelated Chinese. Four tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (tagSNPs) (rs2236659, rs2276077, rs10892958, and rs1461496) were selected and genotyped. The function of the significant SNP was evaluated using luciferase reporter assays in two cell lines. By sequencing the promoter and all exons and introns of the HSPA8 gene, 23 genetic variants were identified. One promoter SNP rs2236659 was associated with susceptibility to CHD. Carriers of the “C” allele of rs2236659 had decreased CHD risk with odds ratio (OR) of 0.78 (95% CI: 0.62, 0.98; P = 0.033) after adjustment for conventional risk factors. Haplotype analyses indicated that haplotype GCGC contributed to a lower CHD risk (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.93; P = 0.006) compared with the common haplotype AGGT. In a transfection assay, the C allele of rs2236659 showed a 37–40% increase in luciferase expression of the reporter gene luciferase in endothelial and non-endothelial cells compared with the T allele.

Conclusions/Significance

These findings suggest that genetic variants in HSPA8 gene (especially promoter SNP rs2236659) contribute to the CHD susceptibility by affecting its expression level.

Functional promoter -1271G>C variant of HSPB1 predicts lung cancer risk and survival

PURPOSE Heat-shock protein 27 (Hsp27), encoded by HSPB1, plays crucial roles in tumorigenesis and cell survival and is reported to be an independent prognosis marker for cancer. We hypothesized that genetic variants of the HSPB1 gene may be associated with lung cancer susceptibility and survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS We first resequenced the full-length HSPB1 gene and then genotyped three selected tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 1,152 paired Chinese lung cancer patient cases and controls. Another 500 paired patient cases and controls were used for replication. We also evaluated the roles of these tagSNPs in the overall survival of 248 patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and validated the results in another 335 patients with advanced NSCLC. The genotype-phenotype correlation was assessed in 309 workers with occupational exposure to polycyclic-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as well as by luciferase reporter assay and Western blotting analysis. RESULTS The -1271C allele was associated with a significantly increased lung cancer risk in the two independent patient case-control studies (P < .05 for both), but it conferred a favorable survival for patients with advanced NSCLC in two independent cohorts (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.66 and 0.75, respectively). The occupational PAH-exposed workers carrying the -1271C allele showed higher DNA damage levels than those with the -1271G allele (P = .027). Furthermore, the -1271C allele significantly decreased luciferase activity in four cell lines and resulted in lower Hsp27 expression levels in normal lung tissues when compared with -1271G allele (P < .05). CONCLUSION The functional HSPB1 promoter -1271G>C variant may affect lung cancer susceptibility and survival by modulating endogenous Hsp27 synthesis levels.

The genetics of cardiovascular disease: new insights from emerging approaches

The prospect that sequencing the human genome would see rapid translation of a greater understanding of cardiovascular genetics into novel diagnostics and therapeutics has so far met with only limited success. However, diverse technological advances and exploitation of novel animal models of cardiovascular development and disease are providing ever more insight into cardiovascular diseases and development, and bring closer the prospect of 'post-genomic' diagnostics and therapies. Here we review some of these emerging approaches (genome wide association studies, deep sequencing, microRNA regulation, and zebrafish as a model of cardiovascular disease and development) and discuss their potential for finally fulfilling the promise of application to clinical cardiovascular medicine.

Association of eNOS and HSP70 gene polymorphisms with glaucoma in Pakistani cohorts

PURPOSE

To investigate the involvement of stress-regulating genes, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary closed angle glaucoma (PCAG).

METHODS

POAG and PCAG patients recruited from different areas of Pakistan were diagnosed on the basis of clinical history, raised intraocular pressure (IOP), cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) and visual field defects. Their blood was collected and genomic DNA was extracted from it, followed by PCR amplification and VNTR typing of the eNOS gene, while the HSP70 SNP was analyzed with PCR-RFLP. For both of the polymorphisms, the genotype distribution of the POAG and PCAG patients was compared with unaffected controls.

RESULTS

HSP70 polymorphism was found to be significantly associated with PCAG (chi(2)=15.29 [p<0.001], OR=2.63 [95% CI=1.55-4.48]), with p<0.001 for the dominant model and OR=2.09 (95% CI=1.10-3.96) , with p<0.01 for the recessive model, but not with POAG (chi(2)=2.96 [p>0.05]). As opposed to this significant eNOS association, was seen with PCAG (chi(2)=6.33 [p<0.05], OR=2.09 [95% CI=1.12-3.89]), with p<0.01 for the dominant model, as well as with POAG (chi(2)=8.89 [p<0.05], OR=2.23 [95% CI=1.26-3.39]), with p<0.01 for dominant model. For the eNOS case, we found a significant association with the risk allele "a" for POAG patients (chi(2)=9.29 [p<0.01], OR=2.02 [95% CI=1.25-3.28, p=0.001]) and PCAG patients (chi(2)=7.59 [p<0.01], OR=1.99 [95% CI=1.18-3.37, p<0.01]). Similarly, in the HSP70 case, there was a significant association with the risk allele "C" for POAG patients (chi(2)=3.57 [p=0.05], OR=1.38 [95% CI=0.97-1.94, p<0.05]) and PCAG patients (chi(2)=18.32 (p<0.001), OR=2.16 [95% CI=1.49-3.13, p<0.001]).

CONCLUSIONS

The intron 4 polymorphism of eNOS is associated with POAG, as well as PCAG, while the G+190C polymorphism in HSP70 is associated with PCAG, but not with POAG in the Pakistani population.