Tumor necrosis factor alpha 5'-flanking region, tumor necrosis factor receptor II, and HLA-DRB1 polymorphisms in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

New polymorphisms affecting transcriptional activity were recently reported within the 5'-flanking region of the tumor necrosis factor alpha gene (TNFalpha). In addition, genome-wide linkage screening indicated 1p36 as one of the candidate chromosomal regions where the TNF receptor II gene (TNFR2) is located. In the present study, HLA-DRB1, TNFalpha promoter, and TNFR2 genotypes were determined to examine whether these polymorphisms are associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), either independently or in combination.

METHODS

Genotypes of HLA-DRB1, TNFalpha upstream promoter, and TNFR2 codon 196 were determined in 545 Japanese patients with RA and 265 healthy controls. Association of these genes with susceptibility to RA was analyzed both independently and after stratification by one of the genotypes.

RESULTS

As expected, the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope was strongly associated with RA. In addition, a significant negative association of DRB1*1405 and 1302 was observed. Furthermore, DRB1*1405 was suggested to possess a protective role for the development of RA in DRB1*0405-positive individuals. A significant increase in TNFalpha-U02 in RA was detected, which was not independent of DRB1*0405. A significant association was not observed between TNFR2-196M/R polymorphism and RA.

CONCLUSION

Among the 3 genes examined in this study, HLA-DRB1 was considered to be most strongly associated with RA.

Noxa, a BH3-only member of the Bcl-2 family and candidate mediator of p53-induced apoptosis

A critical function of tumor suppressor p53 is the induction of apoptosis in cells exposed to noxious stresses. We report a previously unidentified pro-apoptotic gene, Noxa. Expression of Noxa induction in primary mouse cells exposed to x-ray irradiation was dependent on p53. Noxa encodes a Bcl-2 homology 3 (BH3)-only member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins; this member contains the BH3 region but not other BH domains. When ectopically expressed, Noxa underwent BH3 motif-dependent localization to mitochondria and interacted with anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members, resulting in the activation of caspase-9. We also demonstrate that blocking the endogenous Noxa induction results in the suppression of apoptosis. Noxa may thus represent a mediator of p53-dependent apoptosis.

Gas-phase stability of double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides and their noncovalent complexes with DNA-binding drugs as revealed by collisional activation in an ion trap

The intrinsic (gas-phase) stabilities of duplex, self-complementary oligonucleotides were measured in a relative way by subjecting the duplex precursor ions to increasing amounts of collision energy during the collisional-activated decomposition (CAD) events in an ion-trap mass spectrometer. The results are displayed as a dissociation profile, an s-shaped curve that shows the dependence of the relative abundance of the duplex on the applied collision energy. The total number of charges, the total number of base pairs, and the location of the high proton-affinity bases (i.e., G and C) are the main factors that affect the intrinsic stability of the duplex oligonucleotides. If the charge state is the same, the stability, as measured as a half-wave collision energy, E1/2, correlates well with the total number of H bonds for the duplex. The intrinsic stabilities of noncovalent complexes between duplex oligonucleotide and some DNA-binding drugs were also measured by using the newly developed method. Although duplexes are stabilized in the gas phase when they bind to drug molecules, correlations between gas-phase stabilities and the solution-binding affinities have not yet been obtained. Complexes in which the drug is bound in the minor groove must be joined tightly because they tend to dissociate in the gas phase by breaking covalent bonds of the oligonucleotide to give base loss and small sequence-ion formation. Complexes in which the drug is known to favor intercalation dissociate by breaking weak, noncovalent bonds to form single-stranded oligonucleotides although cleavage of covalent bonds of the oligonucleotide also occurs.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha 5'-flanking region, tumor necrosis factor receptor II, and HLA-DRB1 polymorphisms in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

New polymorphisms affecting transcriptional activity were recently reported within the 5'-flanking region of the tumor necrosis factor alpha gene (TNFalpha). In addition, genome-wide linkage screening indicated 1p36 as one of the candidate chromosomal regions where the TNF receptor II gene (TNFR2) is located. In the present study, HLA-DRB1, TNFalpha promoter, and TNFR2 genotypes were determined to examine whether these polymorphisms are associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), either independently or in combination.

METHODS

Genotypes of HLA-DRB1, TNFalpha upstream promoter, and TNFR2 codon 196 were determined in 545 Japanese patients with RA and 265 healthy controls. Association of these genes with susceptibility to RA was analyzed both independently and after stratification by one of the genotypes.

RESULTS

As expected, the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope was strongly associated with RA. In addition, a significant negative association of DRB1*1405 and 1302 was observed. Furthermore, DRB1*1405 was suggested to possess a protective role for the development of RA in DRB1*0405-positive individuals. A significant increase in TNFalpha-U02 in RA was detected, which was not independent of DRB1*0405. A significant association was not observed between TNFR2-196M/R polymorphism and RA.

CONCLUSION

Among the 3 genes examined in this study, HLA-DRB1 was considered to be most strongly associated with RA.

Allele typing of human TNFA 5'-flanking region using polymerase chain reaction-preferential homoduplex formation assay (PCR-PHFA): linkage disequilibrium with HLA class I and class II genes in Japanese

Tumor necrosis factor alpha plays a substantial role in a number of conditions such as inflammation, autoimmunity, insulin resistance and sleep. Three new single nucleotide polymorphisms, -1,031 T/C, -863 C/A and -857 T/C, were recently identified in the upstream 5'-flanking region of TNFA in the Japanese population. In the present study, we developed polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-preferential homoduplex formation assay for the single-step allele typing of TNFA, and determined the genotypes of 271 healthy unrelated Japanese individuals. Four haplotypes, -1,031/-863/-857 TCC, TCT, CAC and CCC, were found to constitute the majority, if not all, of the TNFA alleles of healthy Japanese population. These alleles were designated as TNFA-U01, -U02 -U03 and -U04, respectively, in the order of frequency. Based on HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 genotypes together with TNFA genotypes, multi-locus haplotypes were analyzed. Significant positive associations were observed between TNFA-U01 and A*3303, B*5201, B*4403, B*4601, B*0702, DRB1*1502, DRB1*0101, DRB1*1302, between TNFA-U02 and B*5401, B*3501, DRB1*0405, DRB1*0407, between TNFA-U03 and B*4006, B*4002, DRB1*0803, DRB1*0802, DRB1*0403, DRB1*0901, and between TNFA-U04 and B*4801. Four-locus haplotype estimation revealed that A*3303-B*4403-TNFA-U01-DRB1*1302, A*2402-B*5201-TNFA-U01-DRB1*1502 and A*2402-B*5401-TNFA-U02-DRB1*0405 constitute major extended haplotypes in Japanese. Interestingly, TNFA alleles previously shown to have a higher promoter activity (U02, U03) were found to form haplotypes with certain DRB1 alleles associated with T helper 1 (Th1)-dominant diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and Crohn's disease in Japanese. In contrast, TNFA allele with a low promoter activity (U01) is in linkage disequilibrium with the DRB1 alleles associated with T helper 2 (Th2)-dominant diseases such as atopic dermatitis and ulcerative colitis. These observations raise the possibility that TNFA upstream promoter region polymorphisms contribute to some of the HLA-disease associations.

Pulp and root development after partial extrusion in immature rat molars: a histopathological study

Experimental studies were undertaken in immature rat molar teeth to investigate the relationship between root development and the prognosis after partial extrusion. The experimental partial extrusion was induced at 1/2 root formation, 2/3 root formation and 3/4 root formation, using an extrusion device designed by the author. Histopathological studies and SEM observation of the pulpal tissue in rat maxillary first molars with partially formed roots after partial extrusion were conducted and evaluated. The degree of extrusion was changed according to the development of the root to produce a similar luxated state. The rats were sacrificed immediately after experimental extrusion, immediately after operation, and after 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 30 days, and 60 days to compare the histopathological and SEM findings between experimental groups and control groups. Immediately after the extrusive injury, ablations of the odontoblast layer from dentin were seen with retention of a fluid component in the ablated spaces in the pulp. On 1 and 3 days after surgery, cellular components such as erythrocytes and leukocytes due to bleeding were seen. Ablations of the odontoblast layer were seen in the coronal pulp most frequently in the pulp horn, cervical area and floor of the pulp chamber. In general, pulp reaction after extrusion in groups with more complete root formation was more severe than in groups with less complete root formation. It is suggested that the more complete the root formation, the greater the effect on the pulp as result of partial extrusion, while with less complete root formation, the greater the malformation of the root apices.

Annular pancreas detected in adults, diagnosed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: report of four cases

Four cases of annular pancreas diagnosed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are described and 105 cases of this anomaly in adults in Japan were reviewed. Among 105 cases, abdominal pain was the most frequent symptom. Concerning associated diseases, peptic ulcer was present in 24.8% and pancreatitis in 13.3%. In case 1, duodenal ulcer and pancreatic cyst were noted. Pancreatolithiasis was found in two cases (case 1 and 2). Case 4 presented the clinical features of acute pancreatitis. Out of 105 cases, well-described 26 were divided into six types. The following results were obtained. 1) The most frequent type was that in which the annular duct arose from the duct of Wirsung. 2) The next most frequent type was that in which the main pancreatic duct encircled the duodenum. 3) The other types corresponded to those in which the annular duct arose from the duct of Santorini and the common bile duct. We emphasized that ERCP is the most important procedure to find the characteristic features and to establish the therapeutic strategy in cases of annular pancreas.

Relationship between perivaterian diverticulum and biliary tract disease

The findings in 107 cases of perivaterian diverticulum diagnosed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were discussed in relation to complicated biliary tract disease. The incidence of abnormality in both gallbladder and bile duct, especially in extrahepatic bile ducts, was more frequent in cases of perivaterian diverticuli more than 11 mm in diameter. Perivaterian diverticuli was most frequently located on the oral side of papilla. Cases with papilla in a diverticulum showed more frequent biliary tract abnormality. Abnormal findings of the distal portion of common bile duct, such as flexion, compression and tapering, were noted in 31% of 107 cases. These findings were seen more frequently in cases with papilla in a diverticulum or with a diverticulum more than 11 mm in diameter. It is considered that these data suggest a mechanism of occurrence of biliary tract disease in cases with perivaterian diverticulum.