LMO1 Gene Polymorphisms Reduce Neuroblastoma Risk in Eastern Chinese Children: A Three-Center Case-Control Study

LMO family gene polymorphisms and Wilms tumor susceptibility in Chinese children: a five-center case-control study

BACKGROUND

Wilms tumor is the most prevalent embryonal kidney malignancy in children worldwide. Previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified that LIM domain only 1 (LMO1) gene polymorphisms affected the susceptibility to develop certain tumor types. Apart from LMO1, the LMO gene family members also include LMO2-4, each of which has oncogenic potential.

METHODS

We conducted this five-center case‒control study to assess the correlations between single nucleotide polymorphisms in LMO family genes and Wilms tumor susceptibility. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate the strength of the association.

RESULTS

We found LMO1 rs2168101 G > T and rs11603024 C > T as well as LMO2 rs7933499 G > A were significantly associated with Wilms tumor risk. Stratified analysis demonstrated a protective role of rs2168101 GT/TT genotypes against Wilms tumor in the subgroups of age ≤ 18 months, males and clinical stages I/II compared to the rs2168101 GG genotype. Nevertheless, carriers with the rs11603024 TT genotype were more likely to have an increased risk of Wilms tumor than those with rs11603024 CC/CT genotypes in age > 18 months. And the rs11603024 was identified as a protective polymorphism for reducing the risk of Wilms tumor in the sex- and gender- subgroup. Likewise, carriers with the rs7933499 GA/AA genotypes were at significantly elevated risk of Wilms tumor in age ≤ 18 months and clinical stages I/II.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our study identified the importance of LMO family gene polymorphisms on Wilms tumor susceptibility in Chinese children. Further investigations are needed to validate our conclusions.

Genetic predisposition to neuroblastoma results from a regulatory polymorphism that promotes the adrenergic cell state

Childhood neuroblastomas exhibit plasticity between an undifferentiated neural crest-like mesenchymal cell state and a more differentiated sympathetic adrenergic cell state. These cell states are governed by autoregulatory transcriptional loops called core regulatory circuitries (CRCs), which drive the early development of sympathetic neuronal progenitors from migratory neural crest cells during embryogenesis. The adrenergic cell identity of neuroblastoma requires LMO1 as a transcriptional cofactor. Both LMO1 expression levels and the risk of developing neuroblastoma in children are associated with a single nucleotide polymorphism, G/T, that affects a GATA motif in the first intron of LMO1. Here, we showed that WT zebrafish with the GATA genotype developed adrenergic neuroblastoma, while knock-in of the protective TATA allele at this locus reduced the penetrance of MYCN-driven tumors, which were restricted to the mesenchymal cell state. Whole genome sequencing of childhood neuroblastomas demonstrated that TATA/TATA tumors also exhibited a mesenchymal cell state and were low risk at diagnosis. Thus, conversion of the regulatory GATA to a TATA allele in the first intron of LMO1 reduced the neuroblastoma-initiation rate by preventing formation of the adrenergic cell state. This mechanism was conserved over 400 million years of evolution, separating zebrafish and humans.

Associations between LMO1 gene polymorphisms and central nervous system tumor susceptibility

IMPORTANCE

LIM domain only 1 (LMO1) gene polymorphisms were previously found to be implicated in the risk of several cancers. No available studies were performed regarding the predisposing effect of LMO1 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on central nervous system (CNS) tumor risk.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine whether the LMO1 gene SNPs were associated with the risk of CNS tumor by applying a case-control study with 191 cases and 248 controls in China.

METHODS

The contributions of LMO1 gene SNPs to the risk of CNS tumor was evaluated by multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

Based on the calculations of odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), we failed to detect a significant relationship between each LMO1 gene SNP (rs110419 A>G, rs4758051 G>A, rs10840002 A>G, rs204938 A>G, and rs2168101 G>T) and CNS tumor risk, respectively. A negative association was also found in the combined effects on these five SNPs and CNS tumor risk. The stratification analysis further demonstrated the individuals with rs204938 AG/GG genotype confer to increased risk of CNS tumor compared with those with an AA genotype in males (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.01-2.98, P = 0.046).

INTERPRETATION

We concluded that LMO1 gene SNPs may not strong enough to influence the risk of CNS tumor in Chinese children. More studies are required to verify this association.

LIM domain only 1: an oncogenic transcription cofactor contributing to the tumorigenesis of multiple cancer types

ABSTRACT

The LIM domain only 1 (LMO1) gene belongs to the LMO family of genes that encodes a group of transcriptional cofactors. This group of transcriptional cofactors regulates gene transcription by acting as a key "connector" or "scaffold" in transcription complexes. All LMOs, including LMO1, are important players in the process of tumorigenesis. Unique biological features of LMO1 distinct from other LMO members, such as its tissue-specific expression patterns, interacting proteins, and transcriptional targets, have been increasingly recognized. Studies indicated that LMO1 plays a critical oncogenic role in various types of cancers, including T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, neuroblastoma, gastric cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. The molecular mechanisms underlying such functions of LMO1 have also been investigated, but they are currently far from being fully elucidated. Here, we focus on reviewing the current findings on the role of LMO1 in tumorigenesis, the mechanisms of its oncogenic action, and the mechanisms that drive its aberrant activation in cancers. We also briefly review its roles in the development process and non-cancer diseases. Finally, we discuss the remaining questions and future investigations required for promoting the translation of laboratory findings to clinical applications, including cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Association between NER pathway gene polymorphisms and neuroblastoma risk in an eastern Chinese population

Neuroblastoma is a common childhood malignancy. Nucleotide excision repair (NER) polymorphisms have been shown to influence cancer susceptibility by modifying DNA repair efficiency. To investigate the association of NER gene polymorphisms with neuroblastoma risk, we constructed a three-center case-control study. A total of 19 candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in NER genes were analyzed. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidential intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the associations. We identified five independent SNPs that were significantly associated with neuroblastoma risk, including XPA rs1800975 (dominant model: adjusted OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.55-0.98, p = 0.033), XPA rs3176752 (recessive model: adjusted OR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.12-6.91, p = 0.028), XPD rs3810366 (dominant: adjusted OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.05-1.97, p = 0.022; recessive: adjusted OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.18-2.11, p = 0.002), XPD rs238406 (dominant: adjusted OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.48-0.84, p = 0.002; recessive: adjusted OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.48-0.94, p = 0.021), and XPG rs2094258 (recessive: adjusted OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.03-2.04, p = 0.036). Stratified analysis was carried out. Furthermore, these findings were strengthened by false-positive report probability (FPRP) analysis and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis. In conclusion, our study indicates that five SNPs in NER genes are correlated with neuroblastoma susceptibility in the eastern Chinese population, providing novel insight into the genetic underpinnings of neuroblastoma. However, further large-scale studies are required to verify these findings.

Homozygous of MRP4 Gene rs1751034 C Allele Is Related to Increased Risk of Intravenous Immunoglobulin Resistance in Kawasaki Disease

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis in childhood, which mainly causes damage to coronary arteries, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is the initial therapy. IVIG resistance increased risk of coronary complication in KD. And genetic background is involved in the occurrence of IVIG resistance. Our previous study indicated the susceptibility of Multi-drug resistance protein 4 (MRP4) SNPs to KD. This study was to clarify the relationship between MRP4 polymorphisms and IVIG resistance.

Methods: We genotyped the six polymorphisms of MRP4 gene in 760 cases of KD using Taqman methods.

Results: Among the six polymorphisms, only the rs1751034 polymorphism was significantly associated with IVIG resistance in KD [CC vs. TT: adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.21–5.34; CC vs. TT/TC: adjusted OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.12–4.83, p = 0.023]. Combined analysis of three polymorphisms indicated that patients with 3–6 risk genotypes exhibited significantly elevated risk of IVIG resistance, when compared with those with 0–2 risk genotypes (adjusted OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.04–2.22, p = 0.0295). Stratified analysis revealed that in term of age and gender, rs1751034 CC carriers were associated with increased risk of IVIG resistance in those aged ≤ 60 months (adjusted OR = 2.65, 95% CI = 1.23–5.71, p = 0.0133). The presence of three or more risk genotypes was significantly associated with risk of IVIG resistance in children younger than 5 years of age and males.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that MRP4 rs1751034 CC is associated with increased risk of IVIG resistance in KD.

Genetic predisposition and chromosome instability in neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric tumor of embryonic origin. About 1-2% of all NBs are familial cases, and genetic predisposition is suspected for the remaining cases. During the last decade, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and high-throughput sequencing approaches have been used to identify associations among common and rare genetic variants and NB risk. Substantial data has been produced by large patient cohorts that implicate various genes in NB tumorigenesis, such as CASC15, BARD1, CHEK2, LMO1, LIN28B, AXIN2, BRCA1, TP53, SMARCA4, and CDK1NB. NB, as well as other pediatric cancers, has few recurrent mutations but several copy number variations (CNVs). Almost all NBs show both numerical and structural CNVs. The proportion between numerical and structural CNVs differs between localized and metastatic tumors, with a greater prevalence of structural CNVs in metastatic NB. This genomic chaos frequently identified in NBs suggests that chromosome instability (CIN) could be one of the major actors in NB oncogenesis. Interestingly, many NB-predisposing variants occur in genes involved in the control of genome stability, mitosis, and normal chromosome separation. Here, we discuss the relationship between genetic predisposition and CIN in NB.

Association between METTL3 gene polymorphisms and neuroblastoma susceptibility: A nine-centre case-control study

Neuroblastoma ranks as the most commonly seen and deadly solid tumour in infancy. The aberrant activity of m6 A-RNA methyltransferase METTL3 is involved in human cancers. Therefore, functional genetic variants in the METTL3 gene may contribute to neuroblastoma risk. In the current nine-centre case-control study, we aimed to analyse the association between the METTL3 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and neuroblastoma susceptibility. We genotyped four METTL3 gene SNPs (rs1061026 T>G, rs1061027 C>A, rs1139130 A>G, and rs1263801 G>C) in 968 neuroblastoma patients and 1814 controls in China. We found significant associations between these SNPs and neuroblastoma risk in neither single-locus nor combined analyses. Interestingly, in the stratified analysis, we observed a significant risk association with rs1061027 AA in subgroups of children ≤ 18 months of age (adjusted OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.03-3.41, P = .040) and females (adjusted OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.07-3.24, P = .028). Overall, we identified a significant association between METTL3 gene rs1061027 C>A polymorphism and neuroblastoma risk in children ≤18 months of age and females. Our findings provide novel insights into the genetic determinants of neuroblastoma.

TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphism and neuroblastoma susceptibility in eastern Chinese children: a three-center case-control study

TP53 is a tumor suppressor gene that regulates cell growth, apoptosis and DNA repair. Previous studies have reported the contribution of TP53 Arg72Pro (rs1042522 C>G) polymorphism to pathogenesis of multiple tumors. Hence, we evaluated the association between this polymorphism and neuroblastoma susceptibility in eastern Chinese children. The Taqman genotyping assay was performed in 373 patients and 762 controls. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the strength of the association. No significant association was found between the TP53 gene rs1042522 C>G polymorphism and neuroblastoma susceptibility in the overall analysis (CG vs. CC: adjusted OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.70-1.22, P=0.567; GG vs. CC: adjusted OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.69-1.42, P=0.947; CG/GG vs. CC: adjusted OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.72-1.23, P=0.639; or GG vs. CC/CG: adjusted OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.75-1.43, P=0.814) and stratified analysis by age, gender, sites of origin, and clinical stages. The TP53 gene rs1042522 C>G polymorphism may not be a risk factor for neuroblastoma in eastern Chinese children. Future studies are needed to confirm this negative result and to reveal additional functional TP53 variants predisposing to neuroblastoma.

LMO1 polymorphisms and the risk of neuroblastoma: Assessment of meta-analysis of case-control studies

Neuroblastoma (NB), a neuroendocrine tumour, is one of the most prevalent cancers in children. The link between LMO1 polymorphisms and NB has been investigated by several groups, rendering inconclusive results. Here, with this comprehensive systematic review and up‐to‐date meta‐analysis, we aim to distinctively elucidate the possible correlation between LMO1 polymorphisms and NB susceptibility. Eligible studies were systematically researched and identified using PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases up to 10 February 2019. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the strength of the associations. Our findings revealed that rs110419 and rs2168101 polymorphisms were significantly associated with a decreased risk of NB in all genetic models. In addition, the rs4758051 variant appeared protective against NB in homozygous, dominant and allele genetic models, whereas the rs10840002 variant markedly decreased the risk of NB in the allele model. In contrast, the rs204938 polymorphism showed a positive association with NB susceptibility in allele genetic models. In summary, our meta‐analysis is the first to provide clear evidence of an association between specific polymorphisms of LMO1 and susceptibility to NB. Of note, additional larger well‐designed studies would be helpful to further evaluate and confirm this association.

Association of miR-146a, miR-149 and miR-196a2 polymorphisms with neuroblastoma risk in Eastern Chinese population: a three-center case-control study

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common malignancy in childhood, which originates from the developing sympathetic nervous system. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in primary miRNA (pri-miRNA) have shown to associate with cancer susceptibility, including neuroblastoma. Three precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA) SNPs (pre-miR-146a rs2910164, pre-miR-149 rs2292832 and pre-miR-196a2 rs11614913) were found to contribute to pathogenesis of various diseases. Here, to evaluate the association among these three pre-miRNA SNPs and neuroblastoma susceptibility in Eastern Chinese children, we carried out a three-center case-control study involving 312 neuroblastoma cases and 762 healthy controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the association of these three polymorphisms with neuroblastoma risk. However, no significant association was observed among these three SNPs and neuroblastoma susceptibility, in either overall or subgroups analysis by tumor sites, gender and age. Further larger studies consisting of diverse ethnic populations are required to clarify the associations among these three pre-miRNAs polymorphisms and neuroblastoma risk.