Project description:In this study, we investigated the association of migraine with the Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTR), repeated as 27 base pair, gene polymorphism in intron 4 of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the insertion/deletion of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms.One hundred and five migraine and ninety seven healthy female control subjects were enrolled in the study. The patients were subdivided as migraine with aura and without aura, and the frequency and severity of migraine headaches were recorded. The eNOS VNTR (eNOS 4 a/b) and ACE insertion/deletion gene polymorphisms (ACE I/D) were assessed by polymerase chain reactions.The allele and genotype frequencies of eNOS 4 a/b gene polymorphism showed no difference between the migraine and control groups. The genotypic distribution of the ACE I/D gene polymorphism in the migraine group significantly differed from that in the control group. The DD and ID genotype increased the risk of migraine as much as 2.571 (95% CI-1.138-5.811) and 4.453 (95% CI-2.006-9.883) compared to the II genotype. The same increased risk sustained for both genotypes in the migraine with aura subgroup, but only the ID genotype remained as the risk factor in the migraine without aura subgroup (OR-3.750, 95% CI-1.493-9.420). No association of gene polymorphisms with migraine frequency and severity was observed.Our findings support the relationship between migraine and the ACE I/D gene polymorphism. However, no association was found between migraine and the eNOS 4 a/b gene polymorphism.
Project description:BackgroundThere are a number of studies regarding to the susceptibility of A20 SNPs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, a few of these studies have shown an association between polymorphisms in the A20 gene and RA risk in the Chinese population. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of A20 gene polymorphisms, the association between polymorphisms and clinical significance in Chinese RA patients.MethodsPCR and sequencing were used to identify A20 gene polymorphisms in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (50 cases), synovial fluid (11 cases) from RA patients and PBMCs from 30 healthy individuals. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze the A20 mRNA expression in 38 RA patients and 40 healthy individuals. Pearson's Chi square test and two independent-samples Wilcoxon tests were used for statistical analysis.ResultsEight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs5029937, rs3799491, rs598493, rs2307859, rs146534657, rs2230926, rs661561, and rs582757) were identified in PBMCs of RA patients. One new mutation (14284 T > A) was identified in synovial fluid mononuclear cells from one RA case. rs146534657 was identified for the first time in two RA cases. Patients with rs146534657 (12411 A > G, Asn102Ser) AG genotype or rs2230926 (12486 T > G, Phe127Cys) TG genotype had poor outcome. Significantly lower A20 mRNA expression was found in PBMCs from RA patients compared with healthy individuals (p < 0.001). There was a higher A20 mRNA expression in RA patients with rs2230926 TG genotype and rs146534657 AG genotype (11.56 ± 7.39) than patients with rs2230926 TT genotype and rs146534657 AA genotype (5.63 ± 4.37) (p = 0.031).ConclusionSignificantly lower A20 expression was found in RA patients. The polymorphisms of A20 were characterized in RA patients. We detected rs146534657 for the first time and identified a new A20 mutation (14284 T > A). A20 rs2230926 TG genotype and rs146534657 AG genotype may be related to poor outcome in RA patients.
Project description:Background & Aims Variants in the tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 15 gene (TNFSF15, also called TL1A) have been associated with risk for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). TL1A affects expression of multiple cytokines to promote mucosal inflammation. Little is known about the TL1A-response pathways that regulate cytokine expression. We investigated T-cell gene expression patterns to determine the mechanisms by which TL1A regulates cytokine production, and whether these associate with outcomes of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD).Methods Peripheral T cells isolated from normal donors were cultured with TL1A. We performed gene expression profile analysis, by RNA sequencing, of subsets of interferon gamma (IFNG)-producing and non-producing cells, purified by flow cytometry. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis was used to identify gene expression differences between these subsets. Ribonuclease T2 gene (RNASET2) expression and methylation were assessed by quantitative trait loci analyses. Clinical characteristics of patients (complications, resistance to therapy, recurrence time) were associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms in RNASET2. We performed motif screening to identify polymorphisms that disrupt transcription factor binding sites. Levels of RNASET2 were knocked down with small interfering RNA in CD4+ T cells and the effect on protein expression was determined by proteomic analysis and cytokine production. Cell aggregation was measured by flow cytometry. ResultsWe identified 764 genes with at least a 2-fold difference in TL1A-mediated expression between IFNG-secreting and non-secreting T cells (P<1 × 10−5). Many of these genes were located near IBD susceptibility variants. RNASET2 was the only IBD risk-associated gene with greater than 5-fold downregulation in the IFNG-secreting subset. RNASET2 disease risk variants were associated with decreased expression in peripheral and mucosal tissues and DNA hypermethylation in CD patients requiring surgical intervention. RNASET2 disease risk variants were associated in CD patients with more complicated disease or resistance to therapy, defined in part by failed response to treatment, increased length of intestinal resection, shorter time to repeat surgery, and high Rutgeerts score (>2) in post-operative endoscopy. The RNASET2 variant rs2149092 was predicted to disrupt a consensus binding site for the transcription factor ETS within an enhancer region. Expression of RNASET2 correlated with expression of ETS. RNASET2 knockdown in T cells increased expression of IFNG and ICAM1 and induced T cells aggregation. A blocking antibody against LFA1, disrupting the LFA1-ICAM1 interaction, reduced T-cell production of IFNG. Conclusions We identified decreased expression of RNASET2 as a component of TL1A-mediated increase in production of IFNG and as a potential biomarker for patients with severe CD. Further study of the role of RNASET2 in regulating mucosal inflammation may lead to development of novel therapeutic targets.
Project description:BackgroundAn overlap between the skin disease rosacea and the headache disease migraine has been established; however, the magnitude of this overlap and the distribution between subtypes/phenotypes remains unclear.ObjectiveThe aim was to determine the magnitude of the overlap between rosacea and migraine, and to determine which subtypes/phenotypes were present in patients with concomitant rosacea and migraine.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 604 patients with a diagnosis of either rosacea or migraine were phenotyped through a face-to-face interview with clinical examination, to determine prevalence and phenotype of rosacea, and prevalence and subtype of migraine.ResultsWe found a prevalence of migraine of 54% in patients with rosacea, and a prevalence of rosacea of 65% in patients with migraine. Concomitant migraine was significantly associated with the rosacea features flushing (odds ratio = 2.6, 95% confidence interval = 1.4-4.7, p = 0.002), ocular symptoms (odds ratio = 2.4, 95% confidence interval = 1.5-3.9, p < 0.001), and burning (odds ratio = 2.1, 95% confidence interval = 1.3-3.4, p = 0.002), whereas papules/pustules were inversely related with concomitant migraine (odds ratio = 0.5, 95% confidence interval = 0.3-0.8, p = 0.006). No association was found between concomitant migraine and centrofacial erythema, rhinophyma, telangiectasia, edema, or dryness. Concomitant rosacea was not associated with any specific migraine subtype in patients with migraine.ConclusionThis study highlights a substantial overlap between rosacea and migraine, particularly in patients with certain rosacea features. Individuals with rosacea should be asked about concomitant migraine, and comorbidities should be considered when choosing between treatments.
Project description:INTRODUCTION: Migraine is a chronic, neurovascular polygenic disease where genetic and environmental factors are involved in its etiology. Dysfunction of neuronal ion transportation can provide a model for predisposition for common forms of migraine. Mutations in genes encoding ion channels disturb the rhythmic function of exposed tissue that may also explain the episodic nature of migraine. Our aim was to study the single nucleotide polymorphisms of CACNA1A gene in migraine patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were the patients of migraine, in the age range of 18-80 years, diagnosed by a Neurologist, as per the diagnostic criteria of International Headache Society (IHS) Classification 2004 after excluding other causes of headache by clinical examination and relevant investigations. The controls were the age and sex matched healthy persons from the same population excluding the relatives of patients. Only those patients and the controls, who voluntarily participated in the study, were taken and their blood samples were taken for the study. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction was performed according to the manufacturer's protocol for Qiagen DNA extraction kits (Qiagen, Hilden, NRW, Germany). DNA content was quantified by spectrophotometric absorption (Nanodrop Spectrophotometer, BioLab, Scoresby, VIC, Australia). Polymerase chain reaction was performed using an iCycler Thermal Cycler (Bio.Rad, Hercules, CA, USA). The polymorphic analysis of CACNA1A gene was carried out by two methods: Restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing. RESULTS: The study included a total of 25 patients of migraine, diagnosed on out-patient department basis as per IHS Classification 2004 and compared with age and sex matched 25 healthy controls. Most of the patients 23 (92%) were below the age of 50 years. 20 of the patients (80%) were females and 5 (20%) were males. The polymorphic analysis of CACNA1A gene revealed the presence of only the wild form of the gene for the codon E993V in both case and control groups. CONCLUSION: In our study, we could not find any polymorphism of CACNA1A gene in the selected patients. Instead the wild type of genotype was found in both patients and controls. This negative result presented here, implies that if the CACNA1A gene is involved in typical migraine (with and without aura), its contribution is very modest and therefore difficult to discern. Nevertheless, there are other genes that could be considered potential candidates for typical migraine susceptibility for which further research is needed.
Project description:Background DNA repair systems play an important role in maintaining the integrity of the human genome. Deficiency in the repair capacity due to either mutations or inherited polymorphisms in DNA repair genes may contribute to variations in the DNA repair capacity and subsequently susceptibility to cancer. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the association between Excision repair cross-complementation groups 2 (ERCC2) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs rs1799793 and rs13181) and the response to platinum-based chemotherapy among patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methodology Polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used to determine the polymorphism from a total of 150 OSCC patients and 150 normal tissues of same patients were collected as controls for this study. Results ERCC2 GA (Asp312Asn) AC (Lys751Gln) genotypes were significantly associated ( p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0004, respectively) with OSCC patients, when compared with the controls. These findings suggest that potentially functional SNPs in ERCC2 may contribute to OSCC risk. This study highlights the genetic variant that might play a role in mediating susceptibility to OSCC in this population. An understanding of DNA repair gene polymorphisms might not only enable risk assessment, but also response to therapy, which target the DNA repair pathway.
Project description:White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in migraine could be related to inflammatory and antioxidant events. The aim of this study is to verify whether migraine patients with WMHs carry a genetic pro-inflammatory/pro-oxidative status. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed lymphotoxin alpha (LTA; rs2071590T and rs2844482G) and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1; rs2234694C) and 2 (SOD2; rs4880T) gene polymorphisms (SNPs) in 370 consecutive patients affected by episodic (EM; n = 251) and chronic (CM; n = 119) migraine and in unrelated healthy controls (n = 100). Brain magnetic resonance was available in 183/370 patients. The results obtained show that genotypes and allele frequencies for all tested SNPs did not differ between patients and controls. No association was found between single SNPs or haplotypes and sex, migraine type, cardiovascular risk factors or disorders. Conversely, the LTA rs2071590T (OR = 2.2) and the SOD1 rs2234694C (OR = 4.9) alleles were both associated with WMHs. A four-loci haplotype (TGCT haplotype: rs2071590T/rs2844482G/rs2234694C/rs4880T) was significantly more frequent in migraineurs with WMHs (7 of 38) compared to those without WMHs (4 of 134; OR = 8.7). We may, therefore, conclude by suggesting that that an imbalance between pro-inflammatory/pro-oxidative and antioxidant events in genetically predisposed individuals may influence the development of WMHs.
Project description:A disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) family proteins are type-I transmembrane glycoproteins with multiple functions in cell adhesion, migration, proteolysis and signaling. ADAM10 is a member of the ADAM family reportedly involved in cancer progression and has been shown to be overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and significantly associated with tumor progression and shortened survival. This study investigated ADAM10's single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their association to HCC development and regulation. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze five SNPs of ADAM10 in 333 patients with HCC and 1196 controls without cancer. The results indicated that of the 333 patients with HCC, those who carried ADAM10 rs514049 (AC + CC) variants had a higher risk of developing lymph node metastasis (odds ratio [OR] = 5.087, p = 0.027), and those who carried ADAM10 rs653765 (GA + AA) variants had a higher risk of developing distant metastasis (OR = 3.346, p = 0.020) and higher levels of ?-fetoprotein. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the SNPs of ADAM10 are involved in HCC progression. ADAM10 SNPs may be used as therapeutic targets to evaluate poor prognoses for HCC.
Project description:BackgroundProteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) is a G-protein coupled receptor associated with many inflammatory diseases, including asthma. We have shown an association between PAR-2 expression in peripheral blood monocytes and asthma severity as well as blood PAR-2 mRNA level and lung function. Since F2RL1 (the gene encoding PAR-2) polymorphisms affect PAR-2 expression, we hypothesize they may affect asthma severity.MethodsWe recruited 76 subjects with asthma of varying severity and collected clinical (FEV1 [% predicted], FEV1/FVC, IgE) and immunological (PAR-2 mRNA, blood eosinophils) disease parameters. We also genotyped these individuals for 3 F2RL1 SNPs (-45C/T, -149C/G, c.621C/T).ResultsWe found that the F2RL1 SNP "C" allele of -45C/T (rs1529505) was associated with PAR-2 mRNA and blood eosinophils. F2RL1 SNP c.621C/T (rs631465) was associated with PAR-2 mRNA. The F2RL1 SNP -149C/G (rs2242991) had no association with any of the parameters studied. This study identified one F2RL1 SNP rs1529505 is associated with parameters of asthma, but not asthma severity.ConclusionLarger studies are needed to further elucidate the role of PAR-2 in the pathophysiology of asthma and the influence of genetic variation.
Project description:Population-based studies have established an association between migraine and cardiovascular disease (CVD). We sought to investigate whether genetic variants implicated in CVD are associated with migraine. We performed an association study among 25,713 women participating in the Women's Health Study, with information on 77 previously characterized polymorphisms. Migraine and migraine aura status were self-reported. We used logistic regression to investigate the genotype-migraine association. At baseline, 4705 (18.3%) women reported history of migraine; 39.6% of the 3306 women with active migraine indicated aura. Regarding any history of migraine, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for TNF rs673 were 0.52 (0.30 to 0.89), for TGFB1 rs1800469 0.93 (0.89 to 0.98), and for CCR2 rs1799864 1.12 (1.03 to 1.21). Among active migraine with aura, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 1.35 (1.0 to 1.81) for TNF rs1800750, 1.13 (1.02 to 1.26) for TNF rs1800629, and 1.22 (1.07 to 1.40) for CCR2 rs1799864; among active migraine without aura, 0.9 (0.84 to 0.97) for TGFB1 rs1800469, 1.13 (1.01 to 1.27) for NOS3 rs3918226, and 1.12 (1.02 to 1.24) for IL9 rs2069885. After correction for multiple testing using the false discovery rate, none of the results remained significant. Our data suggest an association of polymorphisms implicated in inflammatory pathways and migraine in women. TNF, CCR2, TGFB1, NOS3, and IL9 warrant further investigation.This article presents results from an association study of 77 polymorphisms, implicated in CVD, and migraine. Variants in TNF, CCR2, TGFB1, NOS3, and IL9 were found to be associated with migraine but did not remain significant after adjustment for multiple testing. Variations in these genes warrant further investigation.