PD-1 gene rs10204525 and rs7421861 polymorphisms are associated with increased risk and clinical features of esophageal cancer in a Chinese Han population

Genetic variants in PD-1 and its ligands, gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND

The etiology of allergic rhinitis (AR), in which genetic and environmental factors are closely intertwined, has not yet been completely clarified. Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and its ligands (PD-L1 and PD-L2) regulate the immune and inflammatory responses during the development of immune-related and atopic diseases. To clarify the associations of genetic variants in PD-1, PD-L1 and PD-L2 with susceptibility to AR, gene-gene and gene-environment interactions were investigated.

METHODS

A total of 452 AR patients and 495 controls were enrolled in this hospital-based case-control study. Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PDCD1, PDCD1LG1 and PDCD1LG2 genes were genotyped. The correlations between SNPs and AR incidence, as well as gene-gene and gene-environment interactions were explored. Differentially expressed genes were screened by the Limma package in two Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets of AR patients. Expression qualitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis was performed via the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database.

RESULTS

The rs2297136 (A/G) in PDCD1LG1 was associated with a significantly increased risk of AR, whereas the PDCD1LG2 rs16923189 G allele was associated with a reduced risk of AR. In the subgroups according to AR-related phenotypes, the rs2297136 G allele increased, while the rs16923189 G allele reduced AR risk. Gene-gene interactions and gene-environment interactions (e.g., PDCD1LG1 polymorphisms with factors such as smoke, main road and cooking fumes) were verified in AR patients, but they were not significant after Bonferroni correction.

CONCLUSION

PDCD1LG1 rs2297136 and PDCD1LG2 rs16923189 are associated with susceptibility to AR in this Chinese population. The PD-1/PD-L1 and PD-1/PD-L2 signaling pathways may regulate gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in the pathogenesis of AR.

Associations of PD-1 and PD-L1 gene polymorphisms with cancer risk: a meta-analysis based on 50 studies

Programmed death-1 and its ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1), immune checkpoints proteins, play a crucial role in anti-tumor responses. A large number of studies have evaluated the relationships of PD-1/PD-L1 polymorphisms with risk of cancer, but evidence for the associations remains inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to examine the associations between PD-1/PD-L1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and cancer predisposition. Results showed that PD-1.3 and PD-L1 rs17718883 were significantly correlated with overall cancer risk. PD-1.5 was prominently linked with cervical cancer (CC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), TC (thyroid cancer), brain tumor, AML (acute myelocytic leukemia) and UCC (urothelial cell carcinoma) risk, PD-1.9 with breast cancer (BC), AML, esophageal cancer (EC) and ovarian cancer (OC) risk, and PD-1.3 with colorectal cancer (CRC) and BCC (basal cell carcinoma) risk. PD-1.1 polymorphism slightly elevated BC and OC susceptibility, whereas the rs4143815 variant notably decreased the risk of gastric cancer (GC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and OC, but increased the risk of BC. PD-1.6 was closely linked with AML risk, PD-L1 rs2890658 with NSCLC, HCC and BC risk, rs17718883 with HCC and GC risk, rs10815225 with GC risk, and rs2297136 with NSCLC and HCC risk. Interestingly, the rs7421861, rs10815225, and rs10815225 markedly reduced cancer susceptibility among Asians. The rs7421861 polymrophism decreased cancer risk among Caucasians, rather than the rs10815225 elevated cancer risk. Our results supported that PD-1 and PD-L1 SNPs were dramatically correlated with cancer risk.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Shadows: Uncovering their Function in Non-Coding Region of Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is a complex disease influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in non-coding regions of the genome have emerged as crucial contributors to esophageal cancer susceptibility. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of SNPs in non-coding regions and their association with esophageal cancer. The accumulation of SNPs in the genome has been implicated in esophageal cancer risk. Various studies have identified specific locations in the genome where SNPs are more likely to occur, suggesting a location-specific response. Chromatin conformational studies have shed light on the localization of SNPs and their impact on gene transcription, posttranscriptional modifications, gene expression regulation, and histone modification. Furthermore, miRNA-related SNPs have been found to play a significant role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). These SNPs can affect miRNA binding sites, thereby altering target gene regulation and contributing to ESCC development. Additionally, the risk of ESCC has been linked to base excision repair, suggesting that SNPs in this pathway may influence disease susceptibility. Somatic DNA segment alterations and modified expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) have also been associated with ESCC. These alterations can lead to disrupted gene expression and cellular processes, ultimately contributing to cancer development and progression. Moreover, SNPs have been found to be associated with the long non-coding RNA HOTAIR, which plays a crucial role in ESCC pathogenesis. This review concludes with a discussion of the current and future perspectives in the field of SNPs in non-coding regions and their relevance to esophageal cancer. Understanding the functional implications of these SNPs may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the development of personalized approaches for esophageal cancer prevention and treatment.

The PD-1 single-nucleotide polymorphism rs11568821 and rs2227981 as a novel prognosis model in a triple-negative breast cancer patient

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study is to determine the relationship between polymorphisms rs11568821 C/T and at rs2227981 G/A in the programmed cell death 1 gene (PDCD1) and the clinicopathologic characteristics of triple negative breast cancer patient (TNBC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 30 TNBC patients and 30 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed with allelic discrimination using PCR with TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays.

RESULTS

The presence of CC/CT in rs11568821and GG/AG in rs2227981 were not associated with the risk of progression of TNBC. The correlation between rs11568821 minor allele distribution and risk of TNBC has borderline significance (p = 0.0619). The rs2227981 polymorphism has a significant association with grade G (G3, p = 0.0229). There was a trend toward significance (p = 0.063448) in the minor allele presentation and Ki67 > 20% for rs2227981. Other clinical features (e.g. age, TNM stage) did not significantly correlate with the rs11568821 or the rs2227981 polymorphism.

CONCLUSION

rs2227981 is associated with grading; hence PDCD1 can be used as a prognostic marker in TNBC.

Rs10204525 Polymorphism of the Programmed Death (PD-1) Gene Is Associated with Increased Risk in a Saudi Arabian Population with Colorectal Cancer

Checkpoint programmed death-1 (PD-1) has been identified as an immunosuppressive molecule implicated in the immune evasion of transformed cells. It is highly expressed in tumor cells in order to evade host immunosurveillance. In this study, we aimed to assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of PD-1 and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the Saudi population. For this case-control study, the TaqMan assay method was used for genotyping three SNPs in the PD-1 gene in 100 CRC patients and 100 healthy controls. Associations were estimated using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for multiple inheritance models (codominant, dominant, recessive, over-dominant, and log-additive). Moreover, PD-1 gene expression levels were evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR in colon cancer tissue and adjacent colon tissues. We found that the PD-1 rs10204525 A allele was associated with an increased risk of developing CRC (OR = 2.35; p = 0.00657). In addition, the PD-1 rs10204525 AA homozygote genotype was associated with a high risk of developing CRC in the codominant (OR = 21.65; p = 0.0014), recessive (OR = 10.97; p = 0.0015), and additive (OR = 1.98; p = 0.012) models. A weak protective effect was found for the rs2227981 GG genotype (OR = 2.52; p = 0.034), and no significant association was found between the rs2227982 and CRC. Haplotype analysis showed that the rs10204525, rs2227981, rs2227982 A-A-G haplotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of CRC (OR = 6.79; p =0.031).

Lack of Association Between PDCD-1 Polymorphisms and Colorectal Cancer Risk: A Case-Control Study

Functional variants of immune-related genes may be implicated in the occurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, Programmed cell death (PDCD)-1.6 (rs10204525 T/C), PDCD-1.7 (rs7421861 A/G), and PDCD-1.9 (rs2227982 A/G) loci were selected to explore gene expression and the potential susceptibility to the development of CRC. Here, 1,003 CRC patients and 1,303 controls were included and three PDCD-1 tagging loci were selected and analyzed by using SNPscan genotyping assays. SHESIS software was harnessed to obtain the haplotypes of the PDCD-1 gene. We found that the genotype and allele distribution of PDCD-1 tagging loci did not significantly affect the risk of CRC. Adjustment for body mass index, age, smoking, alcohol using and sex also found that PDCD-1 tagging loci did not influence the occurrence of CRC. In conclusion, this study suggests that the PDCD-1 tagging loci (rs10204525, rs7421861, and rs2227982) are not correlated with CRC susceptibility.

Genetics, Immunity and Nutrition Boost the Switching from NASH to HCC

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading contributor to the global burden of chronic liver diseases. The phenotypic umbrella of NAFLD spans from simple and reversible steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which may worsen into cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Notwithstanding, HCC may develop also in the absence of advanced fibrosis, causing a delayed time in diagnosis as a consequence of the lack of HCC screening in these patients. The precise event cascade that may precipitate NASH into HCC is intricate and it entails diverse triggers, encompassing exaggerated immune response, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and oxidative stress, organelle derangement and DNA aberrancies. All these events may be accelerated by both genetic and environmental factors. On one side, common and rare inherited variations that affect hepatic lipid remodeling, immune microenvironment and cell survival may boost the switching from steatohepatitis to liver cancer, on the other, diet-induced dysbiosis as well as nutritional and behavioral habits may furtherly precipitate tumor onset. Therefore, dietary and lifestyle interventions aimed to restore patients' health contribute to counteract NASH progression towards HCC. Even more, the combination of therapeutic strategies with dietary advice may maximize benefits, with the pursuit to improve liver function and prolong survival.

Relationship of Programmed Death-1 (PD-1) and Programmed Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) Polymorphisms with Overall Cancer Susceptibility: An Updated Meta-Analysis of 28 Studies with 60 612 Subjects

Background

Programmed death-1 and its ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) regulate tumor immunotherapy. A large number of studies have explored the relationship between PD-1, PD-L1, and different tumor susceptibility. However, these conclusions are not always consistent. Therefore, we updated this meta-analysis.

Material/Methods

MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE and other databases were searched systematically to obtain related research. Then, we used STATA15.0 software to carry out the final meta-analysis. The computational advantage is better than OR to evaluate this relationship.

Results

A total of a total of 28 related studies were involved in our meta-analysis. It was found that PD-1 rs11568821 and rs7421861 increased the overall cancer probability in the allelic genetic model, while PD-1 rs36084323 effectively reduced the risk of cancer in the dominant genetic model. In the homozygous genetic model, PD-L1 rs17718883 effectively increased the probability of tumorigenesis. PD-L1rs4143815 is associated with a reduced incidence of cancer in heterozygote, homozygote and dominant genetic patterns. Subgroup analysis showed that PD-1rs2227981 can promote the susceptibility to breast cancer, while PD-1rs2227982 can reduce the susceptibility to breast cancer. PD-L1 rs2890658 can significantly reduce the risk of lung and liver cancer.

Conclusions

PD-1rs11568821, rs36084323, rs7421861, pD-L1rs17718883, and rs4143815 are associated with tumor susceptibility. However, a review based on more experimental evidence is needed to verify our findings.

A PDCD1 Role in the Genetic Predisposition to NAFLD-HCC?

Obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are contributing to the global rise in deaths from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathogenesis of NAFLD-HCC is not well understood. The severity of hepatic steatosis, steatohepatitis and fibrosis are key pathogenic mechanisms, but animal studies suggest altered immune responses are also involved. Genetic studies have so far highlighted a major role of gene variants promoting fat deposition in the liver (PNPLA3 rs738409; TM6SF2 rs58542926). Here, we have considered single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate immunoregulatory genes (MICA rs2596542; CD44 rs187115; PDCD1 rs7421861 and rs10204525), in 594 patients with NAFLD and 391 with NAFLD-HCC, from three European centres. Associations between age, body mass index, diabetes, cirrhosis and SNPs with HCC development were explored. PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 SNPs were associated with both progression to cirrhosis and NAFLD-HCC development, while PDCD1 SNPs were specifically associated with NAFLD-HCC risk, regardless of cirrhosis. PDCD1 rs7421861 was independently associated with NAFLD-HCC development, while PDCD1 rs10204525 acquired significance after adjusting for other risks, being most notable in the smaller numbers of women with NAFLD-HCC. The study highlights the potential impact of inter individual variation in immune tolerance induction in patients with NAFLD, both in the presence and absence of cirrhosis.

Immune Checkpoint Molecules-Inherited Variations as Markers for Cancer Risk

In recent years, immunotherapy has been revolutionized by a new approach that works by blocking receptors called immune checkpoints (IC). These molecules play a key role in maintaining immune homeostasis, mainly by suppressing the immune response and by preventing its overactivation. Since inhibition of the immune response by IC can be used by cancer to avoid recognition and destruction by immune system, blocking them enhances the anti-tumor response. This therapeutic approach has brought spectacular clinical effects. The ICs present heterogeneous expression patterns on immune cells, which may affect the effectiveness of immunotherapy. The inherited genetic variants in regulatory regions of ICs genes can be considered as potential factors responsible for observed inter-individual differences in ICs expression levels on immune cells. Additionally, polymorphism located in exons may introduce changes to ICs amino acid sequences with potential impact on functional properties of these molecules. Since genetic variants may affect both expression and structure of ICs, they are considered as risk factors of cancer development. Inherited genetic markers such as SNPs may also be useful in stratification patients into groups which will benefit from particular immunotherapy. In this review, we have comprehensively summarized the current understanding of the relationship between inherited variations of CTLA-4, PDCD1, PD-L1, BTLA, TIM-3, and LAG-3 genes in order to select SNPs which can be used as predictive biomarkers in personalized evaluation of cancer risk development and outcomes as well as possible response to immunotherapy.