Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 polymorphism Ile276Met is associated with atopic dermatitis and affects the generation of an HLA-C associated antigenic epitope in vitro

BACKGROUND

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease of complex aetiology, with interactions between susceptibility genes and environmental factors. We have previously described a protective effect of the KIR2DS1 gene encoding the natural killer cell receptor, whose ligands are HLA-C molecules. Here, we found an association of HLA-C*05:01 allele with AD. KIR-HLA-C interactions are affected by peptides presented by HLA-C. The generation of these peptides is strongly influenced by endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidases 1 and 2 (ERAP1 and ERAP2). Expression and activity of ERAP molecules depend on the polymorphisms of their genes.

OBJECTIVE

Possible associations of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ERAP1 and ERAP2 genes with susceptibility to AD.

METHODS

Peripheral blood DNA isolation from 318 patients and 549 controls. PCR-SSO or PCR-SSP for HLA-C typing; TaqMan Genotyping Assay for ERAP typing.

RESULTS

Only one SNP in the ERAP1 gene, rs26618T>C, causing the amino acid change Ile276Met, had an association with AD. To gain insight on the functional role of this SNP, we produced recombinant variants differing only at position 276 (Ile or Met) and tested their aminopeptidase activity against a N-terminally extended precursor LIVDRPVTLV of the HLA-C*05:01 epitope IVDRPVTLV. Both ERAP1 variants were able to efficiently generate the epitope, although the 276Ile allotype was able to do this about 50% faster. Furthermore, both variants were quite inefficient in further degradation of the mature epitope. Finally, we found that the effect of 276Met on susceptibility to AD was seen only in KIR2DS1-negative individuals, not protected by this KIR.

CONCLUSION

Associations of HLA-C*05:01 allele and rs26618T>C (Ile276Met) ERAP1 polymorphism with AD, and a significant difference between these two ERAP1 variants in their ability to generate an epitope for the HLA-C*05:01 molecule was found.

Local microscopic properties and annealing effect of Rb0.85Fe1.9Se2 single crystals

Investigation of mesoscopically phase-separated Rb_0.85Fe_1.9Se₂ single crystals has been performed and two iron sites: nonmagnetic and magnetic ones, were observed by Mössbauer spectroscopy. The softening of the nonmagnetic one, having clearly more soft dynamics, was found to be gained further by the annealing of the single crystals at phase separation temperature, T _p, leading to the reduction of size of initially separated domains and their more homogenous distribution in the tetragonal matrix of the studied sample. The magnetic Fe sites of Rb_0.85Fe_1.9Se₂ show strong magnetic texture, indicating the perpendicular to the ab-plane orientation of the iron magnetic moments. It was found that the annealing at T _p causes a systematic decrease of the isomer shift of the doublet by 0.02(1) mm s^-1.

Genetic polymorphisms and expression of HLA-G and its receptors, KIR2DL4 and LILRB1, in non-small cell lung cancer

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a nonclassical HLA class I molecule absent from most normal tissues but detected in many malignant tumors. It is recognized by cells of the immune system using LILRB1, KIR2DL4 and LILRB2 receptors. We attempted to find out whether some polymorphisms of HLA-G, LILRB1 and KIR2DL4 genes are associated with susceptibility to nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Four polymorphisms in HLA-G, i.e. -964A>G (rs1632947), -725C>G>T (rs1233334), -716T>G (rs2249863) in the promoter, and a 14 base pair insertion/deletion (14 bp indel) in the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR), and five in LILRB1 - 5651G>A (rs41308748) in intron 14, 5717C>T L622L (rs1061684), 5724G>A E625K (rs16985478), 5774 C>A P641P (rs41548213) in exon 15, and 5806C>T (rs8101240) in 3'UTR - as well as 9620 9A/10A (rs11410751) polymorphism in exon 7 of KIR2DL4 were typed using different laboratory techniques. Only one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in HLA-G (-964A>G) and one in LILRB1 (5724G>A) were found to influence the risk of NSCLC. In addition, 5724G>A was associated with protection from tumor cell infiltration of regional lymph nodes. Most importantly, we detected HLA-G and LILRB1 expression in tumor specimens, but no correlation with genetic polymorphisms was observed. HLA-G and LILRB1 protein expression levels in tumor tissue were significantly correlated with tumor stage.

Distribution of the CTLA-4 single nucleotide polymorphisms CT60G>A and +49A>G in psoriasis vulgaris patients and control individuals from a Polish Caucasian population

Psoriasis vulgaris is a multifactorial disease with an autoimmune component, and T lymphocytes seem to be involved in its aetiology. CTLA-4 molecule is an important down-regulator of T-lymphocyte activation, and several polymorphisms of the CTLA-4 gene were found to be associated with some autoimmune diseases. We examined whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CTLA-4 gene, CT60A>G and +49A>G, are associated with psoriasis vulgaris. Alleles of these two SNPs were determined by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Both the CT60G>A and the +49A>G alleles and genotypes were distributed similarly in patients and controls. Although the two SNPs studied here in Poles were in linkage disequilibrium, all four possible two-locus haplotypes were found, one of them rare; of the remaining three, the haplotype +49G, CT60G was significantly (P = 0.019, OR = 0.58, 95%CI = 0.37-0.91) less frequent in the patient group with disease onset between the ages of 21 and 40 years than in controls and the other patient groups, whereas the frequencies of the other haplotypes were similar in patients and controls. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study on CTLA-4 CT60 allele frequencies in psoriasis.

Associations of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genes with complications of rheumatoid arthritis

We investigated whether killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes are risk factor(s) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its clinical manifestations. One hundred and seventy-seven RA patients and 243 healthy individuals were tested for the presence of 11 KIR genes using PCR-SSP method. The frequencies of KIRs in patients with RA were similar to the frequencies in controls. However, RA patients positive for KIR2DL3 and negative for KIR2DS3 had earlier disease diagnosis. Additionally, KIR2DL2 and KIR2DS2 were significantly more frequent among RA patients with extra-articular manifestations and in its subgroup with vasculitis than in controls and in patients without these complications. Furthermore, the frequencies of KIR2DS1 and KIR3DS1 were lower in patients without bone erosions compared with healthy individuals. Relationships between the presence or absence of autoantibodies (rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide) and KIR frequencies were also evaluated, but no significant differences were observed. These results suggest that particular clinical manifestations of RA may have different genetic backgrounds with respect to KIR genotype.

CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms and natural soluble CTLA-4 protein in psoriasis vulgaris

CTLA-4 molecule is an important inhibitor of T-lymphocyte activation. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CTLA-4 gene were found, and their associations with many human diseases were described. So far, however, such studies have not been performed in psoriasis vulgaris in Caucasoids. Therefore, we examined the distribution of three CTLA-4 SNPs: -1147C/T, -318C/T and +49 A/G in 116 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 123 healthy blood donors using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. For all three SNPs, the frequencies of alleles, genotypes and three-point haplotypes were very similar in patients and controls, suggesting no contribution of these genetic variants to psoriasis.

Inhibitory and activatory KIR gene frequencies in the Polish population

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) present on natural killer cells and minor subpopulations of T cells recognize class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules on the surface of target cells. Human individuals differ by the presence or absence of some KIR genes on their chromosomes (haplotypic polymorphism). As KIRs (especially two-immunoglobulin-domain-like containing, or KIR2D, molecules) are important for the outcome of tissue (particularly for haematopoietic stem cell) transplantation and possibly for pregnancy, the knowledge of KIR gene distribution in a given human population is of practical value. Therefore, we tested 175 healthy individuals from Poland for the presence or absence of these KIR genes which show haplotypic polymorphism and are expressed. Results were compared with those published for other human populations, showing close relations with other Caucasoids.

Possible Association of Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen 4 Gene Promoter Single Nucleotide Polymorphism With Acute Rejection of Allogeneic Kidney Transplant

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) molecule is an important inhibitor of T-lymphocyte response. Polymorphisms in the CTLA-4 gene have been described to be associated with numerous autoimmune diseases. However, similar studies in solid organ transplantation have been scarce. Therefore, we examined the distribution of three single nucleotide dimorphisms, namely, -1147T/C, -318C/T, and +49A/G, in two groups of allogeneic kidney graft recipients: (1) those with at least one acute rejection episode ("rejectors"; n = 38) and (2) those with no signs of acute rejection ("nonrejectors"; n = 53). Allele frequencies in both groups of patients were similar in two positions, -1147T/C and +49A/G. However, rejectors showed slight differences from nonrejectors for allele and genotype frequencies in position -318. The -318T allele was two times less frequent among rejectors than nonrejectors, a difference that was close to statistical significance (P = .039; P corrected = .0583), and may reach it when greater numbers of patients are tested.

A novel polymorphism in the cytoplasmic region of the human immunoglobulin A Fc receptor gene*

The Fc receptor for immunoglobulin A (IgA), FcalphaRI, is expressed on several types of myeloid cells, and activates them upon ligand binding. However, binding of IgA to the extracellular domain of the receptor requires previous stimulation of the cell by cytokines, and the cytoplasmic tail of FcalphaRI has been shown to play a role in this. Therefore, polymorphism in this region might affect this process. However, no changes in the amino acid sequence in this region of the FcalphaRI have so far been reported. Here, we describe for the first time a single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 5 of the immunoglobulin A Fc receptor (FCAR) gene leading to a Ser-->Gly substitution at position 248 of the mature FcalphaRI protein. Prediction of structural features suggests some changes that may affect the function of the protein to some extent. However, the Gly248 variant is quite common (4% homozygotes and 38% heterozygotes) in healthy population, suggesting a weak effect, if any, on function, at least in heterozygotes.

Attitudes of enuretic children towards their illness

The aim of this study was to establish the attitudes of enuretic children towards their illness and to assess the correlation between children's attitudes and biological and medical variables describing the clinical picture and course of enuresis. Fifty children were included (31M, 19F), aged 8-18 y (mean 12.74 y), all with the diagnosis of enuresis. The reference groups consisted of 60 children with asthma and 40 children with chronic heart disease, aged 8-12 y. The Polish version of the Child Attitude Toward Illness Scale (CATIS) was administered to all the children and structured interviews concerning demographic and medical data were conducted with the parents. There were no significant differences in median CATIS scores between the subgroups divided according to age, type of enuresis and family history of enuresis. There was no significant correlation between the CATIS score and frequency of enuresis and number of therapeutic failures. The girls had significantly lower median CATIS scores than the boys (p = 0.03). The difference in median CATIS scores between genders was significant only for the older group aged 14-18 y. The older girls had the lowest CATIS scores. Enuretic children were found to have statistically significantly more negative attitudes towards their illness than children with asthma (p = 0.006) and children with chronic heart disease (p = 0.067).

CONCLUSION

Enuretic children had more negative feelings about their illness than children with other chronic conditions. This negative attitude was not related to demographic or clinical data except for gender. The adolescent girls demonstrated the most negative attitude towards enuresis.

Crystal structure of N-(tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-xylopyranosyl)pyridinium bromide

The structure of N-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-xylopyranosyl)pyridinium bromide was determined by X-ray crystallography and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Two xylopyranosyl moieties crystallize with three water molecules and there is a novel pattern of Br(-) and H(2)O contacts. Both xylopyranosyl rings in the asymmetric unit have the 1C(4) conformation, with all three axial O-Ac groups.

Preparation, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and high-resolution NMR spectroscopic analyses of N-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl) trimethylammonium bromide

Preparation of N-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)trimethylammonium bromide as the unique N-glycosylated quaternary salt derived from trialkylamine is described. The structure of the compound was elucidated by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and by single-crystal X-ray analysis as well.

Molecular and crystal structures of N-(beta-D-galactopyranosyl)pyridinium bromide and its per-O-acetylated derivative

1H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction data are described for N-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)pyridinium bromide and N-(beta-D-galactopyranosyl)pyridinium bromide. X-ray crystallography revealed that the O-acetylated salt crystallizes with two molecules of water and one molecule of ethanol.

Preparation, chemical and crystal structures of N-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)pyridinium chloride

Preparation and isolation of N-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)pyridinium chloride are described. Its structure was determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. X-ray crystallography revealed that the salt crystallizes with one molecule of water. Ab initio calculations were used to determine charges on atoms in the cation of the title compound.

X-Ray diffraction and high resolution NMR analysis of methyl D-glucopyranuronate derivatives

X-Ray diffraction and high resolution 1H and 13C NMR spectral data for methyl 2,3,4,-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranuronate and methyl (allyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl- beta-D-glucopyranosid)uronate are presented. Both compounds adopt the 4C1 conformation.

The solvent-free thermal dehydration of tetritols on zeolites

A new alditol dehydration method at high temperatures, in the presence of molecular sieves without solvent in an argon atmosphere, is described. Investigations on tetritols have been carried out. Products arising after the intramolecular and intermolecular elimination of water, with retention or inversion of the configuration of asymmetric carbon atoms, were observed. Complete analytical separation of reaction products was achieved by means of GLC. The chemical structures of the compounds obtained were assigned using co-injection with standards, GLC-CIMS and GLC-EIMS analyses. Two intermolecular dehydration products of tetritols were isolated by HPLC and identified by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.

[Analysis of liver function in patients with Turner syndrome (TS) and in patients with secondary hypogonadism with estrogen and estrogen- progestagens replacement therapy: a preliminary report]

OBJECTIVES

Abnormalities of liver function tests were been reported in adults with TS and in patients with oestrogen replacement therapy.

DESIGN

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of liver disease in patients before or with oestrogen therapy.

MATERIALS

79 patients, aged 13(2/12) to 60(4/12), for oestrogen replacement therapy: 13--with secondary hypogonadism (group I), 29--with TS (group II), 19--with menopause (group IV) and 18--with TS, aged 2 to 16(11/12), before oestrogen therapy (group III).

METHODS

All patients were tested for liver function tests (ALAT, GGTP, total bilirubin), and patients I-III groups for serum markers of HBV and HCV infection.

RESULTS

The frequency of HBV/HCV infection was 38.3% in group I, 13.7%--in group II, 16.7%--in group III. In 13.7% patients of group II and in 16.7% patients of group III the liver disease had been classified as cryptogenic.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of HBV/HCV infection in patients with hypogonadism and the prevalence of cryptogenic liver disease in patients with TS, seems to be relatively high. In TS liver function test should be investigated as well before oestrogen therapy and should be turned during the follow up.

Floating Harbor syndrome. Case report and further syndrome delineation

Floating Harbor syndrome was diagnosed in a 9 years old girl on the basis of short stature, delayed bone age, mild mental retardation, speech problems and specific craniofacial features. A detailed phenotype description is given and evaluated together with 18 other published case reports according to the concept of the Munich Dysmorphology Database (Stengel-Rutkowski et al., 1996) with the aim to delineate the spectrum of clinical and anthropological features.

[Use of molecular cytogenetic techniques for establishing the origin of chromosome markers in patients with Turner phenotype]

Results of marker chromosome identification using the FISH technique are presented. The origin of markers was determined in 11 patients with mosaic karyotype 45,X/46,X,mar. Using probes specific for X and Y chromosomes, we demonstrated that in 8 patients the marker originated from the X chromosome and in 3 cases it was an abnormal Y chromosome. These 3 patients were identified as at high risk for developing gonadoblastoma and prophylactic gonadectomy was performed. Results of these studies show that the FISH technique is a very useful method in the diagnosis of sex chromosome abnormalities.

[Subarachnoid hemorrhage in neoplasms of the posterior cranial fossa. Description of 2 cases]

The authors report on two cases of posterior cranial fossa tumours in which subarachnoid haemorrhage was the presenting sign. In both cases no evident focal signs were found which could suggest the presence of a space occupying intracranial lesion.