Associations between fucosyltransferase 3 gene polymorphisms and ankylosing spondylitis: A case-control study of an east Chinese population

Genetic variation of FUT3 gene in the Han population from Northern China

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The FUT3 gene encodes α(1,3/1,4)-fucosyltransferase, which is a crucial enzyme in the synthesis of Lewis antigens. FUT3 gene variants show race-specific differences. In this study, we conducted a systematic sequence analysis of the FUT3 coding sequence. The objective was to explore genetic variations of the FUT3 gene within the Han population of Northern China.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cohort of 313 blood donors was recruited for the study. The coding sequence of the FUT3 gene was amplified using polymerase chain reaction, followed by sequencing and haplotype construction.

RESULTS

Twelve single nucleotide variations (SNVs) were identified within the coding sequence of the FUT3 gene. Notably, the c.59 T > G site exhibited the highest mutation frequency of 43.13%, followed by the c.508G > A and c.1067 T > A sites with mutation frequencies of 27.48% and 16.93%, respectively. Le was the most common haplotype, accounting for 67.57% of the cases, and Le/Le was the most common diplotype, accounting for 46.33% of the cases. The study also highlighted a significant difference in mutation frequencies of FUT3 gene between the Han Chinese of Northern China and the Dai of Xishuangbanna, China, but not the Han Chinese in Beijing in the North and the Southern Han Chinese, emphasising that Han Chinese in Northern China are genetically most distant from Europeans and closest to East Asians.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study characterises FUT3 gene variations in Han Chinese from Northern China, and provides basic genetic data for genetics, forensic medicine, and genotyping of Lewis blood groups.

Correlation of FUT3 and FUT6 Gene Polymorphisms With Helicobacter pylori Infection

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori infection is a significant pathogen in gastrointestinal diseases. Previous studies have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are factors associated with H. pylori infection. Notably, Leb and Sialyl-Lex antigens, regulated by the FUT3 and FUT6 genes, play a crucial role in H. pylori infection. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between FUT3 and FUT6 gene polymorphisms and H. pylori infection in the Han population of northern China.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An immunoturbidimetric assay was employed to detect H. pylori infection, categorizing subjects into infected and noninfected groups. Gene variants were identified through sequencing. Finally, FUT3 and FUT6 gene polymorphisms were analyzed to assess their association with H. pylori infection.

RESULTS

The frequency of the T allele (rs778805) and the G allele (rs61147939) in the infection group was significantly higher than that in the noninfection group (63.4% vs. 55.1%, p = 0.045; 55.2% vs. 47.0%, p = 0.042, respectively). In the infection group, the frequency of the AA genotype (rs3745635) in the recessive model, the TT genotype (rs778805) in the recessive model, and the GG genotype (rs61147939) in the recessive model were significantly higher than the noninfection group (5.8% vs. 2.3%, p = 0.042; 41.9% vs. 29.3%, p = 0.022; 34.9% vs. 20.5%, p = 0.0068, respectively). The frequency of the A13 haplotype and the A13/A13 diplotype of the FUT6 gene was significantly higher in the infection group than in the noninfection group (55.56% vs. 46.32%, p = 0.019; 34.94% vs. 20.30%, p = 0.045, respectively). The rs778805-rs17855739-rs28362459-rs3745635 combination was identified as the best interaction model (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that FUT3 and FUT6 gene polymorphisms are significantly associated with H. pylori infection in the Han Chinese from northern China.

Estimation of Lewis Blood Group Status by Fluorescence Melting Curve Analysis in Simultaneous Genotyping of c.385A>T and Fusion Gene in FUT2 and c.59T>G and c.314C>T in FUT3

Lewis blood group status is determined by two fucosyltransferase activities: those of FUT2-encoded fucosyltransferase (Se enzyme) and FUT3-encoded fucosyltransferase (Le enzyme). In Japanese populations, c.385A>T in FUT2 and a fusion gene between FUT2 and its pseudogene SEC1P are the cause of most Se enzyme-deficient alleles (Se^w and se^fus), and c.59T>G and c.314C>T in FUT3 are tag SNPs for almost all nonfunctional FUT3 alleles (le⁵⁹, le^59,508, le^59,1067, and le^202,314). In this study, we first conducted a single-probe fluorescence melting curve analysis (FMCA) to determine c.385A>T and se^fus using a pair of primers that collectively amplify FUT2, se^fus, and SEC1P. Then, to estimate Lewis blood group status, a triplex FMCA was performed with a c.385A>T and se^fus assay system by adding primers and probes to detect c.59T>G and c.314C>T in FUT3. We also validated these methods by analyzing the genotypes of 96 selected Japanese people whose FUT2 and FUT3 genotypes were already determined. The single-probe FMCA was able to identify six genotype combinations: 385A/A, 385T/T, se^fus/se^fus, 385A/T, 385A/se^fus, and 385T/se^fus. In addition, the triplex FMCA successfully identified both FUT2 and FUT3 genotypes, although the resolutions of the analysis of c.385A>T and se^fus were somewhat reduced compared to that of the analysis of FUT2 alone. The estimation of the secretor status and Lewis blood group status using the form of FMCA used in this study may be useful for large-scale association studies in Japanese populations.

Fluorescence Melting Curve Analysis for Concurrent Genotyping of Three Tag SNPs in FUT3

The synthesis of Lewis blood group antigens is governed by two fucosyltransferase genes, FUT2 and FUT3. Evidence is accumulating to suggest that functional polymorphisms of FUT2 and FUT3 are associated with a variety of clinical conditions. Fluorescence melting curve analysis (FMCA), using three different dual-labeled probes for concurrent genotyping of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of FUT3, c.59T>G, c.314C>T, and c.484G>A for Lewis-negative allele inference, was developed and validated using Ghanaian and Caucasian subjects. Although two other SNPs, c.55G>A, and c.61C>T, are located in the probe sequence for c.59T>G, it seems feasible to detect these two SNPs along with c.59T>G. The results obtained by probe-based FMCA were in perfect accordance with those obtained by Sanger sequencing for 106 Ghanaians and 100 Caucasians. The present method is useful and reliable for estimating Lewis-negative alleles on a relatively large scale.

Rapid genotyping of 508G>A (rs3745635) and 1067T>A (rs3894326) of FUT3 by a duplex Eprobe-mediated melting curve analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Lewis histo-blood group phenotypes are regulated by the action of FUT3-encoded α(1,3/1,4)fucosyltransferase and FUT2-encoded α(1,2)fucosyltransferase. Since Lewis phenotypes are suggested to be associated with various clinical conditions, a method for large-scale FUT3 genotyping is desirable. In worldwide populations, 508G>A and 1067T>A of FUT3 are two of three common causal single nucleotide polymorphisms for Lewis-negative alleles.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We developed a duplex Eprobe-mediated melting curve analysis for genotyping 508G>A and 1067T>A simultaneously and applied this method to 106 Ghanaian and 140 Japanese subjects.

RESULTS

The results of both 508G>A and 1067T>A genotyping by duplex Eprobe-mediated melting curve analysis were completely in agreement with the results of a DNA sequence analysis in 106 Ghanaians and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in 140 Japanese subjects.

CONCLUSION

The present duplex Eprobe-mediated melting curve analysis is valid and credible for large-scale estimation of Lewis-negative alleles.

Estimation of Lewis-negative alleles by high-resolution melting analysis of three tag SNPs of FUT3

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The expression of type 1 chain Lewis blood group antigens is regulated by secretor-type α(1,2)fucosyltransferase, encoded by FUT2, and Lewis α(1,3/1,4)fucosyltransferase, encoded by FUT3. Accumulating evidence has linked Lewis phenotypes or genotypes to various clinical conditions. Thus, in addition to FUT2, large-scale FUT3 genotyping is important. Because FUT3 has two paralogous genes (FUT5 and FUT6) with high DNA sequence similarity, we should select the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers carefully for FUT3 genotyping. Previously, we suggested that 13G>A (rs28362458), 59T>G (rs28362459) and 202T>C (rs812936) could be selected as tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for detection of Lewis-negative alleles (le).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, three high-resolution melting (HRM) analyses for genotyping these SNPs were developed and applied for 140 Japanese, eight Ghanaians and four Sinhalese subjects.

RESULTS

Each of three genotypes of 13G>A (G/G, G/A, A/A), 59T>G (T/T, T/G, G/G) and 202T>C (T/T, T/C, C/C) was discriminated clearly. Although we need to be careful in interpretation of results due to SNPs other than the 59T>G in the amplicon, the results of 59T>G genotyping were in full agreement with the results by a previous PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in 140 Japanese. In addition, three heterozygotes of 202C substitution were identified, and no one having a 13A substitution was found in 140 Japanese.

CONCLUSION

The present HRM analyses are useful and reliable methods for large-scale estimation of le alleles.

The effect of electronic moxibustion combined with rehabilitation nursing on the lumbar pain and stiffness of ankylosing spondylitis patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of electronic moxibustion combined with rehabilitation nursing on the lumbar pain and stiffness of ankylosing spondylitis patients.

METHODS

Ninety-four ankylosing spondylitis patients were recruited as the study cohort and randomly assigned into a control group, which underwent rehabilitation nursing, and a research group, which underwent electronic moxibustion combined with rehabilitation nursing. The clinical effects in the two groups were compared, and the occipital-wall distances, finger-floor distances, spine mobility, morning stiffness durations, overall morning stiffness levels, lower back pain, motor performance of the upper and lower limbs, and the quality of life were compared between the two groups before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

The effective rate in the research group was significantly higher than it was in the control group (91.49% vs. 74.47%, P < 0.001). The research group patients had significantly greater occipital-wall distances, better spine mobility and shorter finger-floor distances than the control group after the intervention (all P < 0.05). The research group patients also showed significantly shorter morning stiffness durations, lower overall morning stiffness levels, and the lower visual analogue scale (VAS) lower back scores than the control group (all P < 0.05). The motor performance of the upper and lower limbs in the research group was significantly better than it was in the control group after the intervention (P < 0.05). The research group had significantly higher quality of life scores than the control group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Electronic moxibustion combined with rehabilitation nursing in ankylosing spondylitis patients shows significant advantages compared with rehabilitation nursing alone. The combination, which can improve the quality of life, and the motor performance of the upper and lower limbs, and relieve patients' lumbar pain and stiffness, is worthy of further promotion and application.