Functional polymorphisms of the coagulation factor II gene (F2) and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Two F2 functional polymorphisms, rs1799963 (G20210A) and rs3136516 (A19911G), are known to be associated with elevated levels/activity of prothrombin (encoded by F2) and risk of thrombosis. Since patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have high risk of thrombosis and accelerated atherosclerosis and also high prevalence of anti-prothrombin antibodies, we hypothesized that these two F2 polymorphisms could affect risk of SLE.

METHODS

We investigated these polymorphisms in 627 women with SLE (84% Caucasian Americans, 16% African Americans) and 657 female controls (78% Caucasian Americans, 22% African Americans).

RESULTS

While the rs1799963 A allele was almost absent in African Americans, it was present at ~2% frequency in Caucasian Americans and showed no significant association with SLE. The rs3136516 G allele frequency was significantly higher in Caucasian SLE cases than in controls (48.4% vs 43.7%, respectively) with a covariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.22 (95% CI 1.03-1.46, p = 0.023). The association was replicated in African Americans (rs3136516 G allele frequency 91.2% in cases vs 82.2% in controls) with an adjusted OR of 1.96 (95% CI 1.08-3.58, p = 0.022). Stratification of Caucasian SLE patients based on the presence or absence of cardiac and vascular events (CVE) revealed stronger association with the CVE-positive SLE subgroup than the CVE-negative SLE subgroup (OR 1.42 vs 1.20). Prothrombin activity measurements in a subset of SLE cases demonstrated higher activity in the carriers of the rs3136516 G allele.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest a potential role for prothrombin and the crosstalk between hemostatic and immune/inflammatory systems in SLE and SLE-associated cardiovascular events, which warrants further investigation in independent samples.

Apolipoprotein H promoter polymorphisms in relation to lupus and lupus-related phenotypes

OBJECTIVE

Sequence variation in gene promoters is often associated with disease risk. We tested the hypothesis that common promoter variation in the APOH gene (encoding for ss(2)-glycoprotein I) is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) risk and SLE-related clinical phenotypes in a Caucasian cohort.

METHODS

We used a case-control design and genotyped 345 women with SLE and 454 healthy control women for 8 APOH promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP; -1284C>G, -1219G>A, -1190G>C, -759A>G, -700C>A, -643T>C, -38G>A, and -32C>A).Association analyses were performed on single SNP and haplotypes. Haplotype analyses were performed using EH (Estimate Haplotype-frequencies) and Haploview programs. In vitro reporter gene assay was performed in COS-1 cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was performed using HepG2 nuclear cells.

RESULTS

Overall haplotype distribution of the APOH promoter SNP was significantly different between cases and controls (p = 0.009). The -643C allele was found to be protective against carotid plaque formation (adjusted OR 0.37, p = 0.013) among patients with SLE. The -643C allele was associated with a ~2-fold decrease in promoter activity as compared to wild-type -643T allele (mean +/- standard deviation: 3.94 +/- 0.05 vs 6.99 +/- 0.68, p = 0.016). EMSA showed that the -643T>C SNP harbors a binding site for a nuclear factor. The -1219G>A SNP showed a significant association with the risk of lupus nephritis (age-adjusted OR 0.36, p = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate that APOH promoter variants may be involved in the etiology of SLE, especially the risk for autoimmune-mediated cardiovascular disease.

Association study of Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) and Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) polymorphisms in systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Toll-like receptors (TLR) play an important role in both adaptive and innate immunity. Variations in TLR genes have been shown to be associated with various infectious and inflammatory diseases. We investigated the association of TLR5 (Arg392Stop, rs5744168) and TLR9 (-1237T-->C, rs5743836) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Caucasian American subjects.

METHODS

We performed a case-control association study and genotyped 409 Caucasian women with SLE and 509 Caucasian healthy female controls using TaqMan allelic discrimination (rs5744168) or polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (rs5743836).

RESULTS

None of the 2 TLR SNP showed a statistically significant association with SLE risk in our cohort.

CONCLUSION

Our results do not indicate a major influence of these putative functional TLR SNP on the susceptibility to (or protection from) SLE.

Association of a common interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) variant with increased risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) belongs to a family of transcription factors that control the transactivation of type I interferon system-related genes, as well as the expression of several other genes involved in immune response, cell signalling, cell cycle control and apoptosis. Two recent studies reported a significant association between the IRF5/rs2004640 T allele and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the reported rs2004640 T allele association could be replicated in our independent SLE case-control sample. We genotyped DNA samples from 370 white SLE-affected female subjects and 462 white healthy female controls using the TaqMan Assay-on-Demand for rs2004640, and performed a case-control genetic association analysis. Frequency of the rs2004640 T allele was significantly higher in cases than in controls (56.5% vs. 50%; P= 0.008). The odds ratio for T allele carriers was 1.68 (95% CI: 1.20 - 2.34; P= 0.003). Our results in an independent case-control sample confirm the robust association of the IRF5/rs2004640 T allele with SLE risk, and further support the relevance of the type I interferon system in the pathogenesis of SLE and autoimmunity.

Proximal renal tubular acidosis and ocular pathology: a novel missense mutation in the gene (SLC4A4) for sodium bicarbonate cotransporter protein (NBCe1)

PURPOSE

The electrogenic Na+/HCO3- cotransporter (NBCe1) plays a major role in renal bicarbonate absorption via proximal tubules and therefore is crucial for maintaining normal blood pH. The human gene for NBCe1 (SLC4A4) produces two major transcripts by alternative promoter usage (kNBCe1, originally cloned from kidney and pNBCe1, pancreatic/general form). Though rare, recessive SLC4A4 mutations have been reported in patients with proximal renal tubular acidosis, short stature, and ocular pathology. A 27-year-old male presented with these findings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular pathology responsible for this patient's clinical findings.

METHODS

A comprehensive ophthalmic examination was performed, detailed ocular and systemic medical histories were taken and past medical records were obtained. Mutation screening was performed by using direct PCR sequencing of SLC4A4 exons and flanking intronic regions. Functional characterization of the mutation was made by expressing the wild-type and mutant NBCe1 proteins in Xenopus oocytes.

RESULTS

We identified a novel, homozygous, missense SLC4A4 mutation (Leu522Pro in kNBCe1) in our patient who had pRTA, short stature, enamel hypoplasia, and bilateral ocular disease (cataract, glaucoma, and band keratopathy). The patient also had a medical history of ataxia, migraine with transient hemiparesis attacks, and slight hypothyroidism. The mutant RNA failed to induce electrogenic transport activity. The L522P-protein was not effectively transported to the oocyte membrane and thus was unable to act as a transmembrane transporter.

CONCLUSIONS

This novel mutation increases our understanding of the structural/functional aspects of the NBCe1 protein and the molecular basis of the multiorgan pathologies associated with its defects.

A novel RPGR exon ORF15 mutation in a family with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa and Coats'-like exudative vasculopathy

PURPOSE

To describe the ophthalmic and genetic findings in a family with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Coats'-like exudative vasculopathy.

DESIGN

Observational case series.

METHODS

Family members underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic examination. Leukocyte genomic DNA samples were obtained and screened for RPGR (RP3) mutations by direct polymerase chain reaction sequencing.

RESULTS

The proband had RP with bilateral Coats'-like vasculopathy and was treated with fluorescein-potentiated argon laser therapy. The findings in two other affected male patients and three obligate carrier female patients were within the clinical spectrum of a typical X-linked-recessive RP. A novel nonsense RPGR exon ORF15 mutation (912G>T) was found to segregate with RP in this family.

CONCLUSIONS

This report expands the clinical heterogeneity spectrum caused by RPGR mutations and our knowledge concerning the molecular pathologic condition that pertains to Coats'-like RP. Consistent with the literature, Coats' response was not observed in all family members who were affected by RP, which suggests the involvement of other genetic and/or environmental factors.

Histopathologic study of X-linked cone-rod dystrophy (CORDX1) caused by a mutation in the RPGR exon ORF15

PURPOSE

To evaluate the donor retina of a patient with X-linked cone-rod dystrophy caused by an RPGR exon ORF15 mutation.

DESIGN

Histopathologic study of the retina.

METHODS

The eye of a 69-year-old man was fixed at 1.6 hours postmortem and processed for histopathology and immunocytochemistry.

RESULTS

Grossly, the macula was atrophic with a bull's-eye appearance. The remaining retina showed postmortem edema but no intraretinal pigment. Microscopically, the macular retinal pigment epithelium was absent focally and had pigmentary changes elsewhere. Cones and rods were absent from the perifovea and reduced with shortened outer segments elsewhere in the macula. In the remainder of the retina, cones but not rods were reduced and all photoreceptor outer segments were shortened.

CONCLUSIONS

The abnormalities in both cone and rod photoreceptors confirm the importance of RPGR in both cell types but leaves unresolved how various exon ORF15 mutations lead to different clinical phenotypes.

A presumed missense mutation of RPGR causes abnormal RNA splicing with exon skipping

PURPOSE

A patient with retinitis pigmentosa demonstrated a novel RPGR mutation (213G>A, last base of exon 2) predicted to cause a missense change (G52R) in the final protein. This study was performed to determine whether this mutation altered the effectiveness of the adjacent splice site.

DESIGN

Observational case report.

METHODS

Total RNA was extracted from leukocytes of the proband and his carrier mother. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed by using the primers flanking exon 2 of RPGR transcript, followed by gel purification and direct sequencing.

RESULTS

Sequencing revealed skipping of exon 2 in the mutated transcript, leading to in-frame deletion of 42 amino acids affecting the critical RCC1-like domain.

CONCLUSIONS

The last base of exons is conserved as "G" in 80% of splicing consensus sequences, yet when changed, can completely disrupt constitutive splicing as in this patient. Our data confirm that the evaluation of the effects of some DNA sequence alterations at the RNA level might have important implications for appropriate genotype-phenotype correlations.

A novel compound heterozygous mutation in the cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein gene (RLBP1) in a patient with retinitis punctata albescens

PURPOSE

To describe a patient with retinitis punctata albescens (RPA) associated with compound heterozygosity for two novel mutations in the RLBP1 encoding cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP).

DESIGN

Observational case report.

METHODS

The proband underwent a complete ophthalmic examination and leukocyte genomic DNA samples were obtained from him and his parents. The RLBP1 exons were analyzed by direct sequencing of PCR-amplified fragments.

RESULTS

The patient had a clinical phenotype suggestive of slowly progressive RPA, characterized by numerous yellow-white dots in the fundus. The RLBP1 sequence analysis revealed a novel compound heterozygotic mutation of Gly145Asp and Ile200Thr transmitted from the mother and father, respectively. Analysis of 100 control chromosomes showed no individuals with these sequence alterations.

CONCLUSIONS

Only eight RLBP1 mutations have been reported to date, and here we describe two novel mutations. These additional mutations will aid ongoing functional studies and add to our understanding of the molecular pathology pertaining to RLBP1-associated retinopathies.

X-linked cone-rod dystrophy (locus COD1): identification of mutations in RPGR exon ORF15

X-linked cone-rod dystrophy (COD1) is a retinal disease that primarily affects the cone photoreceptors; the disease was originally mapped to a limited region of Xp11.4. We evaluated the three families from our original study with new markers and clinically reassessed all key recombinants; we determined that the critical intervals in families 2 and 3 overlapped the RP3 locus and that a status change (from affected to probably unaffected) of a key recombinant individual in family 1 also reassigned the disease locus to include RP3 as well. Mutation analysis of the entire RPGR coding region identified two different 2-nucleotide (nt) deletions in ORF15, in family 2 (delAG) and in families 1 and 3 (delGG), both of which result in a frameshift leading to altered amino acid structure and early termination. In addition, an independent individual with X-linked cone-rod dystrophy demonstrated a 1-nt insertion (insA) in ORF15. The presence of three distinct mutations associated with the same disease phenotype provides strong evidence that mutations in RPGR exon ORF15 are responsible for COD1. Genetic heterogeneity was observed in three other families, including the identification of an in-frame 12-nt deletion polymorphism in ORF15 that did not segregate with the disease in one of these families.