Significant Association of Interleukin4 Intron 3 VNTR Polymorphism with Susceptibility to Gastric Cancer in a South Indian Population from Telangana

Role of cytokines in multiple myeloma: IL-1RN and IL-4 VNTR polymorphisms

INTRODUCTION

The IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra or IL-1RN) is a member of the IL-1 superfamily that functions as a competitive antagonist of the cell surface IL-1 receptor, thereby regulating various immune and inflammatory responses related to IL-1. IL-1 induces tumor growth and metastasis, while IL-1RN inhibits the secretion of IL-1α and IL-6 in cancer cells. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine, can be secreted by many types of immune cells. In this study, it was aimed to reveal the effects of IL-1RN and IL-4 VNTR polymorphisms on disease development and survival in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this study, 244 patients diagnosed with MM in hematology clinic between January 2010 and January 2021, and 179 healthy individuals were included. The genotypes of the IL-1RN VNTR polymorphism were statistically compared before treatment between patients having undergone stem cell transplantation and healthy controls, as were the genotypes of IL-4 VNTR polymorphism. Additionally, the statistically significant effects of these genotypes on survival were examined.

RESULTS

In the statistical analysis of the distribution of IL-1RN VNTR gene variants, 1/3 and 1/4 genotypes were found to be significantly higher in patients with MM compared to the healthy controls (p = 0.035). There was no significant difference between the MM patient group and the healthy controls in terms of IL-4 VNTR genotype distribution. PFS of patients with IL-1RN VNTR non-2-allele carrier genotypes was significantly shorter, but no significant effect was found on OS (p = 0.03, p = 0.786, respectively). Patients with IL-1RN VNTR non-2-allele carrier genotypes had 1.718-fold increased risk of shorter PFS.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, with this study, the effects of IL-1RN VNTR and IL-4 VNTR polymorphisms on MM were evaluated for the first time in the literature. This study will shed light on ones on cytokine-MM relationship and epigenetic mechanisms.

Possible Roles of Interleukin-4 and -13 and Their Receptors in Gastric and Colon Cancer

Interleukin (IL)-4 and -13 are structurally and functionally related cytokines sharing common receptor subunits. They regulate immune responses and, moreover, are involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of human neoplasms. Three different receptors have been described for IL-4, but only IL-4 receptor type II (IL-4Rα/IL-13Rα1) is expressed in solid tumors. While IL-13 can also bind to three different receptors, IL-13 receptor type I (IL-4Rα/IL-13Rα1/IL-13Rα2) and type II (IL-4Rα/IL-13Rα1) are expressed in solid tumors. After receptor binding, IL-4 and IL-13 can mediate tumor cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis in gastric or colon cancer. This review summarizes the results about the role of IL-4/IL-13 and their receptors in gastric and colon cancer.

Association of TGF-β1, IL-4, and IL-10 Polymorphisms With Chronic Kidney Disease Susceptibility: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Anti-inflammatory cytokine polymorphisms in the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and IL-10 genes have been implicated as risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the results from published studies are inconsistent. Our meta-analysis reviews and summarizes the cumulative evidence for these associations.

Methods

A systematic literature search of five databases was performed up to October 2019. Two authors independently extracted data and evaluated the quality of included studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were generated from random-effects or fixed-effects models using Stata 12.0.

Results

Nineteen studies from 10 countries satisfied our inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, the pooled analysis showed that TGF-β1 rs1800469 was associated with decreased susceptibility to CKD (CC + TC vs. TT, OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.15–0.76, P = 0.009; CC vs. TT, OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.15–0.73, P = 0.006), whereas TGF-β1 rs1800471 was associated with increased CKD susceptibility (CC vs. CG + GG, OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.02–2.77, P = 0.041). In stratified analyses based on ethnicity, TGF-β1 rs1800469 was associated with CKD susceptibility in Asians and Caucasians, and there was an association of TGF-β1 rs1800470 and IL-4 rs8179190 with CKD in Asians. Stratified analyses also associated TGF-β1 rs1800471 with CKD susceptibility in Caucasians. Neither overall meta-analyses nor stratified analyses identified an association of the IL-10 rs1800869 and rs1800871 polymorphisms with susceptibility to CKD.

Conclusions

Available data suggest that common polymorphisms in the TGF-β1 and IL-4 genes including rs1800469, rs1800470, rs1800471, and rs8179190 may be important genetic contributors to CKD susceptibility.

Positive correlation between interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene 86bp VNTR polymorphism and colorectal cancer susceptibility: a case-control study

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Genetic variations in cytokine genes and their receptors lead to the severity of the disease. The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) is a cytokine that inhibits interleukin-1 (IL-1) activity by binding to IL-1 receptors. Also, interleukin-4 (IL-4) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that can play an important role in several cancers. The present case-control study was aimed to evaluate the association of IL-4 and IL1RN VNTR polymorphisms with the susceptibility to CRC in a sample of Iranian population provided by the Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease at Taleghani Hospital, Tehran. A total of 123 patients diagnosed with CRC and 152 healthy controls were recruited in the present study. Genomic DNA was extracted by salting out method from whole blood and genotyping of IL1RN and IL-4 VNTR polymorphisms were determined by PCR-based technology. Our study manifested the frequency of 1/2 and 2/4 genotypes of IL1RN 68bp VNTR polymorphism are significantly different between both groups (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.01 respectively). However, we could not find any correlation between IL-4 VNTR polymorphism and CRC cancer. It seems that 1/2 and 2/4 genotypes of IL1RN are correlated with CRC susceptibility in our population, although, more studies are needed to confirm our results.

Ethnic variation of IL-4 intron 3 VNTR gene polymorphism; its association with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complication (neuropathy) in Egyptian subjects

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has multigenetic and environmental interactive factors. Although diabetic neuropathies (DPN) are the most common, but at the same time, the least recognized and understood long-term complication of diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the association of IL-4 VNTR gene polymorphism with T2DM complicated with neuropathy in Egyptian subjects. This is a case control study including 102 T2DM Egyptian patients, plus 188 unrelated healthy individuals as controls. They were evaluated for variable number tandem repeat (VNTR); 70 base pair repeats located in the intron 3; of IL-4 gene using the PCR technique. Homozygote frequency of the three-repeat allele (A1/A1) genotype of IL-4 VNTR was nearly equal among diabetic cases and controls (60.8% vs. 62.2%, respectively). Heterozygous frequency of (A1/A2) genotype was higher among controls compared to cases (33.5% vs. 19.6%, respectively) but not statistically significant. The (A2) allele had a significantly higher frequency in diabetic cases compared to controls (29.3% vs. 21.0%, respectively) while the (A1) allele had lower frequency but not significant one (70.7% vs. 79.0%, respectively). Comparing cases complicated with diabetic neuropathy vs. noncomplicated cases regarding their polymorphic IL-4 (VNTR) genotypes revealed a nonsignificant lower frequency of (A1A1) genotype (57.1% vs. 65.1%, respectively, p = .57) with a higher combined (A2A2 + A1/A2) genotype frequency (42.9% vs. 34.9%, respectively). Only two haplotypes (A1) & (A2) of IL-4 (VNTR) gene were recognized among Egyptian population; (A2) allele may influence in diabetes but not its complication (neuropathy) among Egyptian diabetic patients.

Association of insertion-deletions polymorphisms with colorectal cancer risk and clinical features

AIM

To investigate the association between 16 insertion-deletions (INDEL) polymorphisms, colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and clinical features in an admixed population.

METHODS

One hundred and forty patients with CRC and 140 cancer-free subjects were examined. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples. Polymorphisms and genomic ancestry distribution were assayed by Multiplex-PCR reaction, separated by capillary electrophoresis on the ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer instrument and analyzed on GeneMapper ID v3.2. Clinicopathological data were obtained by consulting the patients’ clinical charts, intra-operative documentation, and pathology scoring.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis showed that polymorphism variations in IL4 gene was associated with increased CRC risk, while TYMS and UCP2 genes were associated with decreased risk. Reference to anatomical localization of tumor Del allele of NFKB1 and CASP8 were associated with more colon related incidents than rectosigmoid. In relation to the INDEL association with tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage risk, the Ins alleles of ACE, HLAG and TP53 (6 bp INDEL) were associated with higher TNM stage. Furthermore, regarding INDEL association with relapse risk, the Ins alleles of ACE, HLAG, and UGT1A1 were associated with early relapse risk, as well as the Del allele of TYMS. Regarding INDEL association with death risk before 10 years, the Ins allele of SGSM3 and UGT1A1 were associated with death risk.

CONCLUSION

The INDEL variations in ACE, UCP2, TYMS, IL4, NFKB1, CASP8, TP53, HLAG, UGT1A1, and SGSM3 were associated with CRC risk and clinical features in an admixed population. These data suggest that this cancer panel might be useful as a complementary tool for better clinical management, and more studies need to be conducted to confirm these findings.

Correlation of serum levels of IL-4, IFN-γ and TNF-α with clinicopathologic features in patients with gastric cancer

AIM

To detect the serum levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in gastric cancer (GC) patients and analyze their correlation with clinicopathologic features.

METHODS

A total of 50 GC patients and 50 healthy subjects were included in this study. We detected their serum levels of IL-4, IFN-γ and TNF-α by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and collected their clinicopathological data. Then we analyzed the correlation between the serum levels of IL-4, IFN-γ, TNF-α and the clinicopathologic features by spearman correlation analysis.

RESULTS

Compared to healthy subjects, serum levels of IL-4 and TNF-α significantly increased (57.62 pg/mL vs 42.63 pg/mL, P < 0.05; 315.08 pg/mL vs 34.21 pg/mL, P < 0.05), but serum level of IFN-γ significantly decreased (14.95 pg/mL vs 24.92 pg/mL, P < 0.05) in GC patients. There was a positive correlation between serum level of IL-4 and the depth of tumor invasion(r = 0.571, P < 0.05), but there was a negative correlation between serum level of IFN-γ and the number of metastatic lymph nodes (r = -0.526, P < 0.05) and depth of tumor invasion (r = -0.671, P < 0.05). Serum level of TNF-α was positively correlated with tumor differentiation (r = 0.816, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

GC patients have altered serum levels of IL-4, IFN-γ and TNF-α, and they may be related to the occurrence and development of GC, and have certain clinical value in predicting the biological behavior of GC and in developing treatment strategies.

Functionality and opposite roles of two interleukin 4 haplotypes in immune cells

Cytokines expression can be influenced by polymorphisms in their respective coding genes. We associated the CTI/TTD haplotype (Hap-1) and TCI/CCI haplotype (Hap-2) in the IL4 gene formed by the -590, +33 and variable number of tandem repeat polymorphisms with the severity of chronic periodontitis in humans. The functionality of these IL4 haplotypes in the response of immune cells to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) with Ionomycin and IL-1β (as inflammatory stimuli) was evaluated. Gene expression (quantitative real-time PCR), profile of secreted cytokines (multiplex) and phenotypic polarization of T cells (flow cytometry) were the outcomes assessed. Green fluorescent protein reporter plasmid constructs containing specific IL4 haplotype were transiently transfected into JM cells to assess the influence of the individual haplotypes on promoter activity. In response to inflammatory stimuli the immune cells from Hap-1 haplotype had increased expression of anti-inflammatory IL4; conversely, the Hap-2 haplotype showed higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The haplotype CTI proved to be the most important for the regulation of IL4 promoter, regardless of the nature of the inflammatory stimulation; whereas the polymorphism in the promoter region had the least functional effect. In conclusion, IL4 haplotypes studied are functional and trigger opposite immune responses: anti-inflammatory (Hap-1) and pro-inflammatory (Hap-2). In addition, we identified the CTI haplotype as the main responsible for the regulation of IL4 transcriptional activity.

Decreased expression of Siglec-8 associates with poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer after surgical resection

The expression of sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin (Siglec) family has been detected in many malignant tumors and correlated with patient outcomes. The present study aims to investigate the prognostic value of Siglec-8 expression and refine current risk stratification system in patients with gastric cancer. Two independent sets of patients (n = 78; n = 356, respectively) with gastric cancer from Zhongshan Hospital were enrolled into this study. The expression of Siglec-8 was detected by immunohistochemistry. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the prognostic value of Siglec-8 expression and clinical outcomes. A novel molecular prognostic stratification system combining intratumoral Siglec-8 expression with TNM stage was determined by means of receiver operating characteristic analysis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified that intratumoral Siglec-8 low expression was an independent prognostic factor for dismal overall survival of patients with gastric cancer. Incorporating intratumoral Siglec-8 expression into the current TNM staging system showed more accuracy for predicting prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. Our study suggested that intratumoral Siglec-8 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival of patients with gastric cancer. Incorporating Siglec-8 expression level into current TNM staging system might add more comprehensive prognostic information for patients with gastric cancer and lead to a more precise risk stratification system for predicting clinical outcomes.