CD38 gene polymorphism rs1130169 contribution to the increased gene expression and risk of colorectal cancer (pilot study)

BACKGROUND

Genetic variations in immune signaling genes may have regulatory effect on phenotypic heterogeneity of immune cells and immune functions, hence promoting tumor growth.

PURPOSE

We compared the frequencies of potentially functional CD38 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms rs1130169 (T > C) in 86 healthy controls and 90 colorectal cancer (CRC) cases to assess their association with cancer risk and CD38 gene expression.

RESULTS

The association between allele C rs1130169 and CRC risk was observed. Allele C was also significantly correlated with an increased CD38 mRNA level and CD38 positive cell percentages in peripheral blood of healthy controls that could be a possible explanation for CRC risk in C allele carriers. In peripheral blood of CRC patients CD38 mRNA and serum soluble CD38 protein levels significantly differed from those in healthy controls. Calculation of the CD38 full-length and with the third exon deletion mRNA ratio in corresponding samples showed that the mRNA isoform ratio was significantly higher in CRC cases than in controls. It suggests that alternative splicing regulates elevation of CD38 full-length mRNA level in peripheral blood of CRC patients. We also have observed higher expression levels of CD38 full-length mRNA in peripheral blood of CRC patients with lymph node metastases compared to patients without metastases.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated biological significance of rs1130169 variations that can alter differences in CRC risk by regulating CD38 gene expression.

[The correlation of expression of MUC1, ICAM1, IL32, FcyR3A and FoxP3 in tumor niduses of patients with breast cancer]

The hypo-glycated mucin I (MUC I) frequently is redundantly expressed in cells of breast carcinoma that is considered as an unfavorable prognostic marker for patients with breast cancer. The purpose of study is to evaluate in tumor areas of patients with breast cancer the interrelationships between expression of MUC I and genes participating in implementation of immune reactions. The technique of polymerase chain reaction with reverse transcription in real-time was applied to investigate expression of genes of MUC I, Fas, ICAMI, FcyR3A, FcyR3B, FoxP3, IL2Ra, IL32 and TNF in tumor areas of 40 patients with breast cancer. The level of mRNA of each of analyzed genes was evaluated relatively to three genes of household. The rate of detection of mRNA MUC I amounted to 80%, mRNA Fas - 95%, mRNA ICAM I - 97.5%, mRNA FcyR3A - 95%, mRNA FcyR3B - 32.5%, mRNA FoxP3 - 85%, mRNA IL2Ra - 87.5%, mRNA IL32 - 75%, mRNA TNF - 95%. The direct correlation was established between levels of mRNA MUC I, ICAM I, IL32, FcyR3A and FoxP3. The most strong relationship was registered between levels of expression of genes MUC I and IL32 (r-0.72; p=0.0001). In comparison with MUC I negative breast carcinoma, MUC I positive breast carcinoma characterized by higher level of mRNA of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL32 and ЕТА, molecules of adhesion ICAM I and molecular marker of T-regulative cells FoxP3. The given profile of expression of genes in tumors of patients with breast cancer demonstrates relationship of expression of MUC I with inflammation and its modulation by T-regulative cells. The effect of expression of analyzed genes on phenotype of cancer cells and course of disease are discussed.

Genetic Instability in Locus rs5498 E469K (A/G) of ICAM-1 Gene in Patients with Colorectal Cancer and Breast Cancer

Single-nucleotide polymorphism rs5498 E469K (A/G) in ICAM-1 gene modulates functional activity of this protein and is associated with the risk of some diseases. Tumor cell rs5498 E469K (A/G) genotypes were compared with genotypes of patients with colorectal and breast cancer, residents of the Nizhniy Novgorod region. Specimens of peripheral blood and tumor foci from patients with colorectal and breast cancer and peripheral blood specimens from normal subjects were analyzed. The frequency of genotypes of single-nucleotide rs5498 E469K (A/G) sequence in the Nizhny Novgorod population coincide with the frequency of genotypes characteristic of residents of Germany. Comparison of genotypes of peripheral blood and tumor cells from patients with colorectal and breast cancer showed loss of cancer cell heterozygosity. The frequency of heterozygosity loss increases with colorectal cancer progress from one stage to another.

[THE SERUM LEVEL OF TOTAL AND OLIGOMERIC FRACTIONS OF SOLUBLE MOLECULES CD38 UNDER MALIGNANT TUMORS OF CERVIX AND UTERINE BODY]

The immune-enzyme analysis was applied using anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies to detect serum content of total (sCD38) and oligomeric fractions of soluble molecules CD38 (ol.sCD38) in patients with cervix cancer and malignant neoplasms of uterine body. The three- and four-fold increasing of serum level of sCD38 is demonstrated both under cervix cancer and malignant neoplasms of uterine body. The level of ol.sCD38 decreased in patients with cervix cancer and increased in case of patients with malignant neoplasms of uterine body. The serum content of ol.sCD38 was increased under adenocarcinoma of uterus and glandular epidermoid cancer. The content of sCD38 increased under adenocarcinoma of uterus but decreased under sarcoma of uterus. The highest level of soluble molecules of CD38 was established in patients with highly differentiated tumors and under invasion into endometrium but not into miometrium. On the whole, alterations in content of soluble molecules CD38 are associated with characteristics of tumor process that indicates at their monitoring significance under malignant neoplasms of uterus.

Levocarnitine normalizes elevated blood level of soluble Fas mRNA in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Fas-induced apoptosis plays an important role in the mechanisms of tissue injury in myocardial infarction. The level of membrane Fas mRNA was elevated during the postinfarction period in the blood of patients and did not change in response to levocarnitine. The mRNA level of soluble Fas, inhibiting Fas-dependent apoptosis, remained normal during the first 7 days, but increased 14 days after myocardial infarction, which corresponded to previously detected increase of serum level of soluble Fas molecules. Addition of levocarnitine, inhibiting Fas-dependent apoptosis, to therapy caused no changes in the level of soluble Fas mRNA, presumably because of similar effects of soluble Fas and levocarnitine on the apoptotic processes in myocardial infarction.