Janus kinase 2 polymorphisms are associated with risk in patients with gastric cancer in a Chinese population

Molecular landscape of the JAK2 gene in chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm patients from the state of Amazonas, Brazil

JAK2V617F (dbSNP: rs77375493) is the most frequent and most-studied variant in BCR::ABL1 negative myeloproliferative neoplasms and in the JAK2 gene. The present study aimed to molecularly characterize variants in the complete coding region of the JAK2 gene in patients with BCR::ABL1 negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms. The study included 97 patients with BCR::ABL1 negative myeloproliferative neoplasms, including polycythemia vera (n=38), essential thrombocythemia (n=55), and myelofibrosis (n=04). Molecular evaluation was performed using conventional PCR and Sanger sequencing to detect variants in the complete coding region of the JAK2 gene. The presence of missense variants in the JAK2 gene including rs907414891, rs2230723, rs77375493 (JAK2V617F), and rs41316003 were identified. The coexistence of variants was detected in polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia. Thus, individuals with high JAK2V617F variant allele frequency (≥50% VAF) presented more thrombo-hemorrhagic events and manifestations of splenomegaly compared with those with low JAK2V617F variant allele frequency (<50% VAF). In conclusion, individuals with BCR::ABL1 negative neoplasms can display >1 variant in the JAK2 gene, especially rs2230722, rs2230724, and rs77375493 variants, and those with high JAK2V617F VAF show alterations in the clinical-laboratory profile compared with those with low JAK2V617F VAF.

JAK-STAT signaling pathway-related gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis in eastern Chinese Han population

OBJECTIVE

A case-control study was utilized to investigate the relationship between genetic variation of JAK-STAT signaling pathway-related genes and the susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODS

Fifteen SNPs in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway-related genes from 660 AS patients and 646 healthy controls were genotyped using iMLDR technology (JAK1: rs2230587, rs2230588, rs2780815, rs310241; JAK2: rs2274472, rs2230722, rs2230724, rs10758669; STAT1: rs10199181, rs1547550, rs2066802, rs45463799, rs6718902; STAT3: rs3744483; STAT5A: rs1135669).

RESULTS

Allele analysis revealed that the T allele of STAT1 rs6718902 was a protective agent for male AS patients (OR = 0.765, 95% CI = 0.644-0.909). Inheritance models showed that GG + CG as well as GG genotypes of STAT1 rs1547550 had a significant risk of developing AS in males (OR = 5.374, 95%CI = 2.505-11.526; OR = 5.186, 95%CI = 2.412-11.153). The TT + CT and TT genotypes at STAT1 rs6718902 were observed to be associated with a significantly decreased risk of AS compared to CC genotypes among male patients and male controls (OR = 0.637, 95%CI = 0.485-0.837; OR = 0.597, 95%CI = 0.422-0.845). Furthermore, the genotypes of JAK1 gene rs2230588, rs2780815, and rs310241 were correlated with the severity of clinical conditions in female AS patients, while the JAK2 rs2230724 genotypes may affect disease ability in male AS patients.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicated that JAK-STAT signaling pathway-related gene single nucleotide polymorphisms may be associated with AS susceptibility in eastern Chinese Han population. Key Points • The T allele of rs6718902 on the STAT1 gene may be a protective agent for male AS patients. • STAT1 rs1547550 GG + CG and GG genotypes were observed to be connected with a risk of male AS patients. However, STAT1 rs6718902 TT + CT and TT genotypes reduced the susceptibility risk of male AS patients compared to wild-type CC. • The JAK1 genes rs2230588, rs2780815, and rs310241 may affect disease functional status in female AS patients, while the JAK2 rs2230724 genotype was related to disease activity in male AS patients.

SNPs in the interleukin-12 signaling pathway are associated with breast cancer risk in Puerto Rican women

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a proinflammatory cytokine that links innate and adaptive immune responses against tumor cells. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL-12 genes have been associated with cancer risk. However, limited studies have assessed the role of IL-12 in breast cancer (BC) risk comprehensively, and these were done in European and Asian populations. Here, we evaluated the association of the IL-12 signaling pathway and BC risk in Puerto Rican women. A genetic association study was completed with 461 BC cases and 463 non-BC controls. By logistic regression, IL-12 signaling SNPs were associated with an increased BC risk, including rs2243123 (IL12A), rs3761041, rs401502 and rs404733 (IL12RB1), rs7849191 (JAK2), rs280500 (TYK2) and rs4274624 (STAT4). Conversely, other SNPs were associated with reduced BC risk including rs438421 (IL12RB1), rs6693065 (IL12RB2), rs10974947, and rs2274471 (JAK2), rs10168266 and rs925847 (STAT4), and rs2069718 (IFNG). Analyses based in hormone receptors such as estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors also revealed protective (for SNPs rs3212227-IL12B; rs3024896 and rs3821236-STAT4) and predisposing (for rs2069705-IFNG SNP) BC associations. Haplotype analysis showed a decreased BC risk for IL12B and STAT4 SNPs, whereas increased risk for IL12RB1 SNPs. This study suggests a role of the IL-12 signaling axis and BC risk. SNPs in this pathway may alter IL-12 induced anti-tumor responses and modulate BC predisposition in a population-specific context. Functional studies will be necessary to confirm these findings, which potentially may benefit IL-12 related immunotherapeutic approaches towards BC.

Association between hOGG1 polymorphism rs1052133 and gastric cancer

Purpose

To conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the association of the human8-oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (hOGG1) gene polymorphism rs1052133 with gastric cancer (GC) through a systematic review and meta-analysis of genetic association study.

Results

A total of 15 articles from published papers were included in our analysis. The meta-analyses for hOGG1 rs1052133, composed of 4024GC patients and 6022controls, showed low heterogeneity for the included populations in all the genetic models, except for the Caucasian population under allelic genetic model, the Asian population under addictive model and Caucasian population under dominant model. The analyses of all the genetic models in overall pooled populations did not identify any significant association between GC and hOGG1 rs1052133 (Allelic model: C vs. G, p = 0.746; Addictive model: CC vs. GG, p = 0.888; Recessive model: CC +GC vs. GG, p = 0.628; Dominant model: CC vs. GG+GC, p = 0.147), even though stratified analyses were conducted in different ethnicities under each genetic model.

Materials and Methods

All case-control association studies on hOGG1 and GC reported up to December 15, 2016 in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Chinese Biomedical Database were retrieved. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated for single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) using fixed- and random- effects models according to between-study heterogeneity. Publication bias analyses were conducted using Begg test.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis showed there was no association between hOGG1 rs1052133 and GC. Given the limited sample size, further investigations including more ethnic groups are required to validate the association.

Tag SNPs of long non-coding RNA TINCR affect the genetic susceptibility to gastric cancer in a Chinese population

Tissue differentiation-inducing non-protein coding RNA (TINCR) is required for normal epidermal differentiation. TINCR is also strongly overexpressed in human gastric cancer (GC) and contributes to carcinogenesis and tumor progression. However, the association between TINCR polymorphisms and the risk of any diseases, such as GC, remains unknown. In the present study, the tag single nucleotide polymorphisms rs8113645, rs2288947, rs8105637, and rs12610531 were analyzed in 602 patients with GC and 602 age- and sex-matched controls. Polymorphisms were genotyped using TaqMan technology. Carriers of variant rs8113645 and rs2288947 alleles indicated reduced risks of GC (p = 0.003 and 0.037, respectively). A allele genotypes of rs8113645 and G allele genotypes of rs2288947 (rs8113645 GA and AA; rs2288947 AG and GG) were also significantly associated with decreased GC risk (p < 0.05). Stratification analysis displayed that the correlations between GC risk and variant genotypes of both rs8113645 and rs2288947were more evident in younger individuals, men, nonsmokers, and individuals from rural areas. We also demonstrated that rs8113645 GA+AA genotype carriers had lower TINCR mRNA expression levels compared with common genotype in both normal and GC tissues (p < 0.05). These results suggest that long non-coding RNA TINCR polymorphisms may be implicated in GC development.

Effects of potentially functional polymorphisms in suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) on the risk of head and neck squamous cancer

BACKGROUND

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) has been identified as an inhibitor of JAK/STAT pathway that plays a significant role in carcinogenesis. SOCS3 and JAK2 polymorphisms may influence the gene expression or function, contributing to the disease susceptibility; however, such effect has not been evaluated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

METHODS

A case-control study was performed to test the associations of SOCS3 and JAK2 polymorphisms with risk of HNSCC in 576 cases and 1552 cancer-free controls from China. Seven potentially functional polymorphisms predicted by bioinformatics tools were genotyped using Infinium BeadChip platform. The association between genotypes and HNSCC risk was estimated by computing odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

We found that rs2280148 located at 3'-untranslated region of SOCS3 was significantly associated with an increased risk of HNSCC (additive model: adjusted OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.03-1.43, P = 0.021). Moreover, rs8064821 located in the promoter region of SOCS3 was linked with a decreased risk of the cancer (additive model: adjusted OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.71-0.97, P = 0.022). Combined analysis of these variants by the number of risk alleles showed a significant locus-dosage effect on the risk of HNSCC (P_trend = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

We provided the first evidence that SOCS3 polymorphisms may influence the risk of HNSCC, which could be applied as novel biomarkers to identify individuals at high risk of the disease.

The association analysis of hOGG1 genetic variants and gastric cancer risk in a Chinese population

Human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (hOGG1) is known to play an important role in the prevention of carcinogenesis, including gastric cancer (GC). We performed a case-control study to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of hOGG1 are associated with GC risk in a Chinese population. Two potential functional tagSNPs (rs159153 and rs1052133) and a previously reported risk SNP (rs125701) were genotyped in 1,275 GC patients and 1,436 controls. We found that SNP rs125701 G > A was significantly associated with the increased GC risk [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05-1.79 in additive model]. Besides, the functional studies demonstrated that the minor A allele of rs125701 significantly reduced the transcriptional activity of hOGG1 promoter and enhanced the methylation level of CpG site of cg15357639. In conclusion, our results suggested that the SNP rs125701 in hOGG1 promoter was associated with the elevated GC risk, which could act as a new potential biomarker for GC susceptibility. Further functional verification of rs125701 in GC pathogenesis is warranted.

Association analysis of DACT1 genetic variants and gastric cancer risk in a Chinese Han population: a case-control study

Purpose

Disheveled-binding antagonist of beta-catenin 1 (DACT1) is involved in tumorigenesis through influencing cell apoptosis and proliferation. We aimed to investigate the effect of three tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DACT1 (rs863091 C>T, rs17832998 C>T, and rs167481 C>T) on the occurrence of gastric cancer (GC), their association with specific clinical characteristics, and consideration of the functional relevance of GC-related SNPs.

Subjects and methods

In this hospital-based case–control study, the genotypes were acquired using the TaqMan-MGB method consisting of 602 cases and 602 controls. DACT1 messenger RNA level was evaluated in 76 paired tumoral and normal tissues using quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations among the DACT1 SNPs and GC.

Results

We found a significant association between the variant genotypes of rs863091 and decreased risk of GC (TT vs CC: P=0.009, adjusted odds ratio =0.34, 95% confidence interval =0.15–0.77; CT + TT vs CC: P=0.030, adjusted odds ratio =0.74, 95% confidence interval =0.57–0.97). In further stratified analyses, rs863091 variant genotypes were associated with a reduced risk of GC in younger individuals (<60 years) and males. No overall significant association with GC risk was observed in SNP rs17832998 or rs167481. Additionally, we assessed DACT1 messenger RNA levels in GC and found that DACT1 expressions of individuals carrying CT and TT genotypes were much higher than those with CC genotype.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the DACT1 rs863091 C>T polymorphism may be associated with a decreased risk of GC in the Chinese Han population and influence DACT1 expression.

Tag SNPs in long non-coding RNA H19 contribute to susceptibility to gastric cancer in the Chinese Han population

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 is involved in tumor development, progression, and metastasis. This case-control study assessed the association between H19 genetic variants and susceptibility to gastric cancer (GC) in a Chinese Han population. We genotyped four lncRNA H19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs217727 C > T, rs2839698 C > T, rs3741216 A > T, rs3741219 T > C) in 500 GC patients and 500 healthy controls. Carriers of variant rs217727T and rs2839698T alleles showed increased GC risk (P = 0.008 and 0.011, respectively). Compared with the common genotype, CT + TT rs217727 and CT + TT rs2839698 genotypes were associated with significantly increased GC risk (P = 0.040, adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-1.71; P = 0.033, adjusted OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.02-1.69, respectively). Further stratified analyses revealed that the association between GC risk and variant genotypes of rs217727 was more profound in younger individuals (≤59 years) and non-smokers, while the association between risk and the rare rs2839698 genotype persisted in men and rural subjects. rs2839698 CT and TT genotypes were also associated with higher serum H19 mRNA levels compared with the CC genotype. These findings suggest that lncRNA H19 SNPs may contribute to susceptibility to GC.

Polymorphisms in immune mediators associate with risk of cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

The immune system is critical for controlling the progression of HPV cervical disease and the development of cancer. This study aimed to identify cervical cancer susceptibility alleles in candidate immune-modulating genes.

METHODS

Our family-based study involved a cohort of 641 probands (women with ICC/CIN III) and their biologic parents or siblings (641 trios). In the discovery phase (stage 1), involving 288 of the trios, 80 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 11 immune-modulating genes (IFNG, IFNGR1, IFNGR2, JAK1, JAK2, STAT1, STAT6, IL12A, TNF, LTA and LTB) were evaluated on the GoldenGate platform. We used the combined dataset for a total of 641 trios (stage 2) and the Taqman platform to validate the SNPs that had proved significant in the discovery dataset. The transmission disequilibrium test was used to detect significant shifts in allelic transmissions in the datasets.

RESULTS

Two SNPs in JAK2 and one SNP in STAT6 showed significant allelic association with cervical cancer in the stage 1 discovery dataset and were replicated in the larger joint analysis stage 2 dataset (JAK2 rs10815144, P=0.0029 and rs12349785, P=0.0058; and STAT6 rs3024971, P=0.0127). An additional SNP in exon 19 of JAK2 (rs2230724) was also examined in the combined dataset due to its strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) with rs10815144. It was also significant (P=0.0335).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest an association of SNPs in JAK2 and STAT6 with cervical cancer. This association should be investigated in additional cervical cancer populations.