Interactions between Gene Variants within the COL1A1 and COL5A1 Genes and Musculoskeletal Injuries in Physically Active Caucasian

Associations of collagen type 1 α1 gene polymorphisms and musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries: a meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis

Numerous studies have investigated the role of collagen type 1 α1 (COL1A1) polymorphisms in musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries (MSTIs), yielding conflicting results. This study was designed to synthesize existing evidence and clarify the relationship between COL1A1 polymorphisms and MSTI susceptibility. We conducted a comprehensive literature search using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Wanfang databases. Associations were assessed using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) across five genetic models. Subgroup analyses were performed based on ethnicity and injury type. Additionally, trial sequential analysis (TSA) was utilized to assess information size and statistical power. We analyzed a total of 16 articles from 358 retrieved studies, encompassing 2094 MSTI cases and 4105 controls. Our pooled data revealed that individuals with the TT genotype of the rs1800012 polymorphism had a significantly reduced risk of MSTIs (TT vs. GG, OR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.35-0.82, P = 0.004; TT vs. TG + GG, OR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.36-0.80, P = 0.002). Ethnicity-based stratification showed a significant association in Caucasians but not Asians. However, no significant association was observed between the rs1107946 polymorphism and MSTIs, regardless of ethnicity or injury type. TSA indicated that the sample sizes may have been insufficient to yield conclusive results. In conclusion, our study supports the protective effect of the TT genotype of the rs1800012 polymorphism against MSTIs, particularly among Caucasians. However, the rs1107946 polymorphism does not appear to influence MSTI susceptibility.

Are commercial genetic injury tests premature?

INTRODUCTION

Several direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing companies have emerged that claim to be able to test for susceptibility for musculoskeletal injuries. Although there are several publications on the emergence of this industry, none have critically evaluated the evidence for the use of genetic polymorphisms in commercial tests. The aim of this review was to identify, where possible, the polymorphisms and to evaluate the current scientific evidence for their inclusion.

RESULTS

The most common polymorphisms included COL1A1 rs1800012, COL5A1 rs12722, and GDF5 rs143383. The current evidence suggests that it is premature or even not viable to include these three polymorphisms as markers of injury risk. A unique set of injury-specific polymorphisms, which do not include COL1A1, COL5A1, or GDF5, identified from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) is used by one company in their tests for 13 sports injuries. However, of the 39 reviewed polymorphisms, 22 effective alleles are rare and absent in African, American, and/or Asian populations. Even when informative in all populations, the sensitivity of many of the genetic markers was low and/or has not been independently validated in follow-up studies.

CONCLUSIONS

The current evidence suggests it is premature to include any of the reviewed polymorphisms identified by GWAS or candidate gene approaches in commercial genetic tests. The association of MMP7 rs1937810 with Achilles tendon injuries, and SAP30BP rs820218 and GLCCI1 rs4725069 with rotator cuff injuries does warrant further investigation. Based on current evidence, it remains premature to market any commercial genetic test to determine susceptibility to musculoskeletal injuries.

Are COL22A1 Gene Polymorphisms rs11784270 and rs6577958 Associated with Susceptibility to a Non-Contact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Polish Athletes?

Understanding the risk factors and etiology of ACL ruptures (anterior cruciate ligament) is crucial due to the injury’s high occurrence, significant financial cost to the healthcare sector, and clinical consequences. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that rs11784270 A/C and rs6577958 C/T SNPs (single gene polymorphism) within COL22A1 are associated with ACL ruptures (ACLR) in Polish soccer players. Methods: 228 athletes with ACLR (157 male, age 26 ± 4, 71 female, age 26 ± 6) and 202 control athletes (117 male, age 26 ± 6, 85 female, age 29 ± 2) engaged in the study. The buccal cell swabs were genotyped using TaqMan® pre-designed SNP genotyping assays, following the manufacturer’s recommendations. The R program and SNPassoc package were used to determine the genotype and allele frequency distributions under the various inheritance models (co-dominant, dominant, recessive, and over-dominant). Further, p-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. We found no association between the analyzed polymorphisms and the risk of non-contact ACL ruptures in any of the studied models. Although the genetic variants investigated in this study were not associated with the risk of non-contact ACL ruptures, we assumed that the COL22A1 gene remains a candidate for further investigations in musculoskeletal injuries.

Association of COL5A1 gene polymorphisms and musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries: a meta-analysis based on 21 observational studies

Objective

Inconsistent findings existed on the correlation of collagen type V α1 (COL5A1) gene polymorphisms and musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries (MSTIs). The purpose of this study was to collect and combine the current evidences by a meta-analysis approach.

Methods

Six online databases were searched up to August, 2021. The methodological quality of each individual study was evaluated based upon Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). The strength of the effect size was presented by odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) in five genetic models. The data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.3.

Results

Twenty-one studies were eligible to this meta-analysis. The study quality was deemed fair to excellent according to NOS. In the overall analyses, the merged data suggested that rs12722, rs71746744, and rs3196378 polymorphisms were correlated to an increased susceptibility to MSTIs. But the association was not established in rs13946 or rs11103544 polymorphism. For rs12722 polymorphism, stratified analyses by injury type and ethnicity identified the association mainly existed in ligament injury and among Caucasian population. For rs13946 polymorphism, subgroup analysis suggested the association existed in tendon and ligament injuries.

Conclusion

This study supports that rs12722 is associated with an elevated susceptibility to ligament injury, especially in the Caucasian population. Rs13946 polymorphism appears to increase the risk to tendon and ligament injuries. Rs71746744 and rs3196378 polymorphisms have a tendency to confer an elevated risk to MSTIs. However, no relevance is found between rs11103544 polymorphism and MSTIs.

EFFECTS OF GENETIC VARIATIONS OF MLCK2, AMPD1, AND COL5A1 ON MUSCLE ENDURANCE

ABSTRACT Introduction: Although potential relationships with genetic variants of MLCK2, AMPD1 and COL5A1 have been detected in molecular studies evaluating sports performance from the genetic perspective, there are limited data in terms of muscle endurance and physical fitness. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to evaluate these variants in terms of lower limb muscle endurance and physical fitness in thirty-three soccer players. Genotypes were determined by High Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis in qPCR after genomic DNA was isolated from buccal swab samples from the participants. Measurements of lower limb muscle endurance, the dynamic leap and balance test (DLBT), and the standing broad jump test (SBJ) were taken for all the participants. Results: Greater height (p = 0.006), higher DLBT (p = 0.016) and SBJ (p = 0.033) scores, as well as greater left hip adduction (p <0.001), were detected in those with the CT genotype for AMPD1 as compared to those with CC. For MLCK rs28497577, it was found that the players carrying the AA genotype were taller (p = 0.046), heavier (p = 0.049), and had greater left knee extension (p=0.014) and left foot plantar flexion (p =0.040) than those carrying the C allele. Those with the CT genotype for COL5A1 rs12722 had greater right hip extension (p = 0.040) and right knee extension (p = 0.048) than those with the CC genotype. Conclusions: Our results showed that MLCK2 and COL5A1 gene variants are associated with body composition and lower limb muscle endurance, and the presence of the AMPD1 CT genotype may contribute positively to balance, correct positioning, controlled strength, and hip mobility. Evidence level II; Comparative prospective study .

Is COL1A1 Gene rs1107946 Polymorphism Associated with Sport Climbing Status and Flexibility?

The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of COL1A1 rs1107946 polymorphism between sport climbers and controls from three ethnic groups (Japanese, Polish, and Russian) and investigate the effect of the COL1A1 rs1107946 polymorphism on the age-related decrease in flexibility in the general population. Study I consisted of 1929 healthy people (controls) and 218 climbers, including Japanese, Polish, and Russian participants. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the frequency of the AC genotype was higher in climbers than in the controls (p = 0.03). Study II involved 1093 healthy Japanese individuals (435 men and 658 women). Flexibility was assessed using a sit-and-reach test. There was a tendency towards association between sit-and-reach and the COL1A1 rs1107946 polymorphism (genotype: p = 0.034; dominant: p = 0.435; recessive: p = 0.035; over-dominant: p = 0.026). In addition, there was a higher negative correlation between sit-and-reach and age in the AA + CC genotype than in the AC genotype (AA + CC: r = −0.216, p < 0.001; AC: r = −0.089, p = 0.04; interaction p = 0.037). However, none of these results survived correction for multiple testing. Further studies are warranted to investigate the association between the COL1A1 gene variation and exercise-related phenotypes.