Single nucleotide polymorphism of CD40 in the 5′-untranslated region is associated with ischemic stroke

Objectives

Ischemic stroke is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. The CD40/CD40L system is related to proinflammatory and prothrombogenic responses, which are involved in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate association between the CD40 -1C/T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and ischemic stroke in a Chinese population.

Methods

We conducted a case–control study including 286 ischemic stroke patients and 336 controls. CD40 -1C/T SNP was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing methods, and evaluated its relevance to ischemic stroke susceptibility.

Results

Significantly increased ischemic stroke risk was found to be associated with the T allele of CD40 -1C/T (OR = 1.273, 95% CI = 1.016–1.594). The frequencies of CT and TT/CT genotypes of CD40 -1C/T in ischemic stroke patients were significantly higher than those of controls, respectively (for CT: OR = 2.350, 95% CI = 1.601–3.449; for TT/CT: OR = 2.148, 95% CI = 1.479–3.119). And, similar results were obtained after adjusting non-matched variables. We found that the frequency of carried T genotypes (TT and TT/CT) was significantly increased in patients with history of stroke compared with patients without (for TT: OR = 6.538, 95%CI = 1.655–25.833; for TT/CT: OR = 3.469, 95%CI = 1.031–11.670), respectively.

Conclusions

The findings suggested that the CD40 -1C/T polymorphism might contribute to the susceptibility to ischemic stroke in the Chinese population, and might be associated with history of previous stroke.     

Common variant in FUT2 gene is associated with levels of vitamin B12 in Indian population

Vitamin B₁₂ is an essential micronutrient synthesized by microorganisms. Mammals including humans have evolved ways for transport and absorption of this vitamin. Deficiency of vitamin B₁₂ (either due to low intake or polymorphism in genes involved in absorption and intracellular transport of this vitamin) has been associated with various complex diseases. Genome-wide association studies have recently identified several common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in fucosyl transferase 2 gene (FUT2) to be associated with levels of vitamin B₁₂—the strongest association was with a non-synonymous SNP rs602662 in this gene. In the present study, we attempted to replicate the association of this SNP (rs602662) in an Indian population since a significant proportion has been reported to have low levels of vitamin B₁₂ in this population. A total of 1146 individuals were genotyped for this SNP using a single base extension method and association with levels of vitamin B₁₂ was assessed in these individuals. Regression analysis was performed to analyze the association considering various confounding factors like for age, sex, diet, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease status. We found that the SNP rs602662 was significantly associated with the levels of vitamin B₁₂ (p value < 0.0001). We also found that individuals adhering to a vegetarian diet with GG (homozygous major genotype) have significantly lower levels of vitamin B₁₂ in these individuals. Thus, our study reveals that vegetarian diet along with polymorphism in the FUT2 gene may contribute significantly to the high prevalence of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in India.     

Therapeutic angiogenesis for revascularization in peripheral artery disease

Therapeutic angiogenesis for peripheral artery disease (PAD), achieved by gene and cell therapy, has recently raised a great deal of hope for patients who cannot undergo standard revascularizing treatment. Although pre-clinical studies gave very promising data, still clinical trials of gene therapy have not provided satisfactory results. On the other hand, cell therapy approach, despite several limitations, demonstrated more beneficial effects but initial clinical studies must be constantly validated by larger randomized, multi-center, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials. This review focuses on previous and recent gene and cell therapy studies for limb ischemia, including both experimental and clinical research, and summarizes some important papers published in this field. Moreover, it provides a short comment on combined gene and cell therapy approach on the example of heme oxygenase-1 overexpressing cells with therapeutic properties.     

Association between rs10118757(A/G) in methylthioadenosine phosphorylase gene and coronary artery disease in Chinese Hans

Studies focusing on the association of gene methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) with the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI) are limited.     

GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, and GSTA1 genetic variants are not associated with coronary artery disease in Taiwan

Background and objective

The genetic variants of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, such as those encoded by glutathione-S-transferase (GST) genes, may be associated with the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). To investigate the genetic factors for CAD, we examined the GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, and GSTA1 genotypes in a CAD cohort in Taiwan.

Methods

Our study included 458 CAD participants and 209 control participants who received coronary angiography to assess CAD. The severity of CAD was defined as the number of coronary vessels with 50% or greater stenosis. Sequence variation of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes was determined using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The GSTP1 (Ile105Val), and GSTA1 (-69C > T) genetic variants were identified using a combination of PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Among the GST genetic variants examined, the GSTT1 null genotype was more prevalent in CAD participants with 3 stenosed vessels than in control participants (OR = 1.64, P = .02). This association was no longer observed after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, alcohol use, diabetes mellitus, and serum levels of total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 1.28, P = .40). Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses found no significant associations between CAD and the other genetic variants, either separately or in combination. In addition, no effects of interactions between the genotypes and environmental factors, such as cigarette smoking, were significantly associated with the risk of CAD.

Conclusion

The GST genetic variants examined were not associated with susceptibility to CAD in our Taiwanese cohort. This null association requires further confirmation with larger samples.     

Human C-reactive protein gene polymorphism and metabolic syndrome are associated with premature coronary artery disease

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) gene polymorphism and metabolic syndrome (MetS) with premature coronary artery disease (PCAD). 116 patients with PCAD (58 with MetS and 58 without MetS) and 119 controls were included in the study. CRP gene + 1059 G>C polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. Serum hs-CRP was measured using high-sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Carriers of C allele of the CRP + 1059 G>C polymorphism had 3.37 fold increased risk to develop MetS in patients with PCAD. In addition CRP gene and hs-CRP levels were independent risk factors for PCAD and MetS. The present study provides new evidence that the presence of CRP + 1059 G>C polymorphism and hs-CRP levels are independent determinants of PCAD and MetS in Egyptians. The results of our study suggest a synergistic effect of CRP C allele with classical risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia and MetS.     

Is CD36 gene polymorphism in region encoding lipid-binding domain associated with early onset CAD?

CD36 is a fatty acid translocase in striated muscle cells and cardiomyocytes. Some study suggested that alterations in CD36 gene may be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. The aim of the current study was to compare the frequency of CD36 variants in region encoding lipid-binding domain in Caucasian patients with early-onset CAD, no-CAD adult controls and neonates. The study group comprised 100 patients with early onset CAD. The genetic control groups were 306 infants and 40 no-CAD adults aged over 70 years. Exons 4, 5 and 6 including fragments of flanking introns were studied using the denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography technique and direct sequencing. Changes detected in analyzed fragment of CD36: IVS3-6 T/C (rs3173798), IVS4-10 G/A (rs3211892), C311T (Thr104Ile, not described so far) in exon 5, G550A (Asp184Asn, rs138897347), C572T (Pro191Leu, rs143150225), G573A (Pro191Pro, rs5956) and A591T (Thr197Thr, rs141680676) in exon 6. No significant differences in the CD36 genotype, allele and haplotype frequencies were found between the three groups. Only borderline differences (p = 0.066) were found between early onset CAD patients and newborns in the frequencies of 591T allele (2.00% vs 0.50%) and CGCGCGT haplotype (2.00% vs 0.50%) with both IVS3-6C and 591T variant alleles. In conclusion, CD36 variants: rs3173798, rs3211892, rs138897347, rs5956, rs143150225 rs141680676 and C311T do not seem to be involved in the risk of early-onset CAD in Caucasian population.     

Myeloperoxidase G-463A polymorphism and susceptibility to coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis

Published data on the association between the myeloperoxidase (MPO) G-463A polymorphism and coronary artery disease (CAD) are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis on this topic was performed. PubMed, EMBASE and Chinese national knowledge infrastructure were searched for studies regarding the association between the MPO G-463A polymorphism and CAD. A logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the genetic effect and the possible genetic model of action. Summary odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. There was strong evidence for an association between the MPO G-463A polymorphism and CAD. The genetic model of action was most likely to be co-dominant. Overall, the data showed that AA and GA genotypes were significantly associated with reduced risk of CAD (AA vs. GG: OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.17–0.78; GA vs. GG: OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.57–0.92). In subgroup analyses by study population and sources of controls, statistically significant results were observed in the Chinese population (AA vs. GG: OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.10–0.43; GA vs. GG: OR = 0.57, 95% CI =0.44–0.74) and in hospital-based control studies (AA vs. GG: OR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.10–0.39; GA vs. GG: OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.48–0.77). This meta-analysis suggests that the MPO G-463A variant genotypes may be associated with decreased risk of CAD. However, given the limited number of studies and the potential biases, the influence of this polymorphism on CAD risk needs further investigation.     

Differential role of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 on renal vasoconstriction to α1-adrenoceptor stimulation in normotensive and hypertensive rats

Aims

Hypertension is associated with the impairment of renal cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, which regulates vascular tone, salt and water balance and renin release. We aimed to evaluate the functional role of COX isoforms in kidneys isolated from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) after α₁-adrenoceptor (α₁-AR) stimulation.

Main methods

Male six-month-old SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were used. The kidneys were isolated to measure perfusion pressure and COX-1- or COX-2-derived prostanoids in response to α₁-AR activation.

Key findings

The basal perfusion pressure was higher in SHR kidneys compared with WKY kidneys (95 ± 11 vs. 68 ± 6 mm Hg, P < 0.05). Phenylephrine induced a greater vasopressor response in SHR kidneys (EC₅₀ of 1.89 ± 0.58 nmol) than WKY kidneys (EC₅₀ of 3.30 ± 0.54 nmol, P < 0.05 vs. SHR). COX-1 inhibition decreased the α₁-AR-induced vasoconstrictor response in WKY but did not affect SHR response, while COX-2 inhibition diminished the response in SHR. Both basal prostacyclin (PGI₂) and thromboxane A₂ (TxA₂) values were higher in SHR kidney perfusates (P < 0.05) and were reduced by COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors in both strains. Furthermore, phenylephrine increased PGI₂ through COX-2 in WKY and through COX-1 in SHR, but the agonist did not significantly modify TxA₂ in both strains.

Significance

The data suggest that COX-1contributes to vasoconstrictor effects in WKY kidneys and that COX-2 has the same effect in SHR kidneys. The results also suggest that basal release of COX-2-derived vasoconstrictor prostanoids is involved in renal vascular hypersensitivity in SHR.