Association of ALOX5, LTA4H and LTC4S gene polymorphisms with ischemic stroke risk in a cohort of Chinese in east China

Gene Polymorphism of Aspirin-Induced Urticaria in Children With Kawasaki Disease

Objective: To investigate the distribution of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of LTC4S A-444C in children with Kawasaki disease in northern China and determine whether LTC4S A-444C SNP is associated with aspirin-induced urticaria (AIU). Methods: The clinical data of children with Kawasaki disease hospitalized in our center from April 2015 to November 2017 were collected, and fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to detect the LTC4S A-444C. According to the genotype, the subjects were divided into three groups: AA genotypes, AC genotypes, and CC genotypes. The incidence of AIU in the three groups was calculated and the relationship between LTC4S A-444C SNP and AIU was analyzed. Results: (1) A total of 574 children with Kawasaki disease were enrolled in the study. The allele frequencies for A, C were 980 (85.4%), 168 (14.6%). (2) Twenty-five cases of AIU in AA genotypes, with a positive rate of 6%, 11 cases of AIU in AC genotypes, with a positive rate of 7.5%, 2 cases of AIU in CC genotypes, with a positive rate of 18.2%. CC genotypes had higher incidence of AIU than that of AA and AC genotypes. However, there was no significant difference among the three groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The proportion of CC genotypes of LTC4S A-444C in children with Kawasaki disease in northern China is lower than that of AA genotypes and AC genotypes, and the incidence of AIU of CC genotypes is higher than that of AC genotypes and AA genotypes.

Complementary Participation of Genetics and Epigenetics in Development of NSAID-exacerbated Respiratory Disease

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD) has attracted a great deal of attention because of its association with severe asthma. However, it remains widely underdiagnosed in asthmatics as well as the general population. Upon pharmacological inhibition of cyclooxygenase 1 by NSAIDs, production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandin E2 and lipoxins ceases, while release of proinflammatory cysteinyl leukotrienes increases. To determine the underlying mechanisms, many studies have attempted to elucidate the genetic variants, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms, responsible for alterations of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, but the results of these genetic studies could not explain the whole genetic pathogenesis of NERD. Accordingly, the field of epigenetics has been introduced as an additional contributor to genomic alteration underlying the development of NERD. Recently, changes in CpG methylation, as one of the epigenetic components, have been identified in target tissues of NERD. This review discusses in silico analyses of both genetic and epigenetic components to gain a better understanding of their complementary roles in the development of NERD. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying NERD pathogenesis remain poorly understood, genetic and epigenetic variations play significant roles. Our results enhance the understanding of the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms involved in the development of NERD and suggest new approaches toward better diagnosis and management.

Genetic and Epigenetic Components of Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) severity and its clinical phenotypes are characterized by genetic variation within pathways for arachidonic acid metabolism, inflammation, and immune responses. Epigenetic effects, including DNA methylation and histone protein modification, contribute to regulation of many genes that contribute to inflammatory states in AERD. The development of noninvasive, predictive clinical tests using data from genetic, epigenetic, pharmacogenetic, and biomarker studies will improve precision medicine efforts for AERD and asthma treatment.

Association analysis of APO gene polymorphisms with ischemic stroke risk: a case-control study in a Chinese Han population

This study aimed to assess the association of APO gene polymorphisms and ischemic stroke risk in a Chinese Han population. In this case-control study, we genotyped 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 3 APO genes in 488 cases and 503 controls using Sequenom Mass-ARRAY technology and evaluated their association with ischemic stroke using the χ2 and genetic model analysis. In the allelic model analysis, we determined three SNPs were significantly associated with ischemic stroke: rs693 with a p value of 0.042 (OR = 1.406; 95%CI = 1.011-1.956), rs651821 with a p value of 0.007 (OR = 0.760; 95%CI = 0.622-0.929) and rs662799 with a p value of 0.006 (OR = 0.755; 95%CI = 0.618-0.923). In the genetic model analysis, we found the minor allele “A” of rs693 was associated with an increased ischemic stroke risk in the additive model and dominant model. The minor allele “C” of rs651821 was associated with a decreased ischemic stroke risk in the additive model. The minor allele “G” of rs662799 was associated with a decreased ischemic stroke risk in the additive model. Additionally, strong linkage was found in 3 blocks constituted by rs1042034, rs676210, rs693, rs673548 in APOB; rs3791981, rs679899 in APOB; and rs651821, rs662799, rs17120035 in APOA5. Our data suggested that gene polymorphisms in the APO genes may exert influences ischemic stroke susceptibility in a Chinese Han population.

Variants in the Atherogenic ALOX5AP, THBD, and KNG1 Genes Potentiate the Risk of Ischemic Stroke via a Genetic Main Effect and Epistatic Interactions in a Chinese Population

BACKGROUND

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a multifactorial disease that displays a strong genetic predisposition. However, the genetic architecture of IS has yet to be fully elucidated. It was hypothesized that epistasis between genes in multiple atherothrombotic pathways may play a vital role in determining the susceptibility to IS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the contributions of the hypothesized genetic factors to IS and the interactions between these genetic factors in a Chinese population.

METHODS

In this study, 351 cases with IS and 417 control subjects from a Chinese population were genotyped for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 12 genes hypothesized to be involved in atherosclerosis, coagulation, and related pathways. We examined SNP main effects and epistatic interactions between these polymorphic loci.

RESULTS

rs710446 of the KNG1 gene was associated with IS susceptibility based on an additive genetic model (rs710446: P = .012; odds ratio [OR], 1.247; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.050-1.481) after adjusting for covariates. Furthermore, an epistatic interaction between the ALOX5AP, THBD, and KNG1 gene was also identified in association with stroke susceptibility (P < .001 after 1000 permutations). Based on the chi-squared test, the OR of the high-risk combination of the three-locus model increased the risk of IS by 2.53-fold (95% CI, 1.60-4.01; P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the association of the epistatic interactions of ALOX5AP, THBD, and KNG1 and present novel evidence for the main effect of KNG1 gene on IS susceptibility, suggesting a modulation of stroke risk by a genetic main effect and gene-gene interactions.