Polymorphisms of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Gene in Chinese Han Patients with Nonfamilial Atrial Fibrillation

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation(AF) is the most common arrhythmia in the adult population. The activated renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) has been reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between nonfamilial AF and polymorphisms in RAS gene.MethodsA total of 931 patients with nonfamilial AF, 663 non-AF heart disease patients and 727 healthy subjects were selected. 10 tagSNPs (tSNPs) (ACE gene rs8066114, AGT gene rs7539020, rs3789678, rs2478544, rs11568023, rs2478523, rs4762, rs699 and CYP11B2 rs3802230, rs3097) were chosen and genotyped in our study. Single-locus analysis and haplotype analysis were used in this study.ResultsIn single-locus analysis, we found rs11568023 and rs3789678 in AGT gene were associated with nonfamilial AF in Chinese Han population. AF risk was associated with rs3789678 between the AF group and control groups. Under dominant model, the significant AF risk was observed in rs3789678 between the AF group and non AF heart control group; And the protective effect was found in rs11568023, compared with the non-AF heart disease control group. In multilocus haplotype analysis, the association between frequencies of the haplotypes and AF risk was showed in AGT gene (rs7539020-rs3789678), compared ‘TT’ haplotype with the common ‘TC’ haplotype, adjusted for age, gender, LVEF, LVEDD, LAD and frequency of hypertension and diabetes. The diplotype with ‘TC’, carrying rs3789678-C-allele, was associated with reduced risk of AF between the AF group and the healthy control group. The diplotype with ‘TT’ haplotype in the same block, carrying rs3789678-T-allele, was associated with increased risk of AF.ConclusionsVia a large-scale case-control study, we found that rs3789678 site was potential susceptible locus of AF whereas rs11568023 was protective factor.     

Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphisms Are Associated with Primary Hyperuricemia in a Chinese Population

Objective

Primary hyperuricemia, an excess of uric acid in the blood, is a major public health problem. In addition to the morbidity that is attributable to gout, hyperuricemia is also associated with metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. This study aims to assess the genetic associations between Apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphisms and hyperuricemia in a Chinese population.

Methods

A total of 770 subjects (356 hyperuricemic cases and 414 normouricemic controls) were recruited from the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. A physical examination was performed and fasting blood was collected for biochemical tests, including determination of the levels of serum lipid, creatinine, and uric acid. Multi-ARMS PCR was applied to determine the APOE genotypes, followed by an investigation of the distribution of APOE genotypes and alleles frequencies in the controls and cases.

Results

The frequencies of the APOE-ε2ε3 genotype (17.70% vs. 10.39%, P = 0.003) and the APOE-ε2 allele (10.53% vs. 5.80%, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in the hyperuricemic group than in the normouricemic group. Furthermore, male cases were more likely to have the APOE-ε2ε3 genotype and APOE-ε2 allele, compared with male controls. In both Han and Hui subjects, cases were more likely to have the APOE-ε2ε3 genotype and the APOE-ε2 allele compared with controls. Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression showed that carriers of the APOE-ε2ε3 genotype (P = 0.001, OR = 2.194) and the ε2 allele (P = 0.001, OR = 2.099) were significantly more likely to experience hyperuricemia than carriers of the ε3/ε3 genotype and the ε3 allele after adjustment for sex, body mass index (BMI), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), creatinine (Cr) and fasting blood glucose(FBG).

Conclusions

The APOE-ε2ε3 genotype and the APOE-ε2 allele are associated with serum uric acid levels in Chinese subjects, indicating that individuals carrying the APOE-ε2 allele have a higher risk of hyperuricemia than non-carriers.     

Genetic Variants in Meiotic Program Initiation Pathway Genes Are Associated with Spermatogenic Impairment in a Han Chinese Population

Background

The meiotic program initiation pathway genes (CYP26B1, NANOS1 and STRA8) have been proposed to play key roles in spermatogenesis.

Objective

To elucidate the exact role of the genetic variants of the meiosis initiation genes in spermatogenesis, we genotyped the potential functional genetic variants of CYP26B1, NANOS1 and STRA8 genes, and evaluated their effects on spermatogenesis in our study population.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this study, all subjects were volunteers from the affiliated hospitals of Nanjing Medical University between March 2004 and July 2009 (NJMU Infertile Study). Total 719 idiopathic infertile cases were recruited and divided into three groups according to WHO semen parameters: 201 azoospermia patients (no sperm in the ejaculate even after centrifugation), 155 oligozoospermia patients (sperm counts <20×10⁶/ml) and 363 infertility/normozoospermia subjects (sperm counts >20×10⁶/ml). The control group consisted of 383 subjects with normal semen parameters, all of which had fathered at least one child without assisted reproductive technologies.

Measurements

Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CYP26B1, NANOS1 and STRA8 genes were determined by TaqMan allelic discrimination assay in 719 idiopathic infertile men and 383 healthy controls.

Results and Limitations

The genetic variant rs10269148 of STRA8 gene showed higher risk of spermatogenic impairment in the groups of abnormospermia (including azoospermia subgroup and oligozoospermia subgroup) and azoospermia than the controls with odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of 2.52 (1.29–4.94) and 2.92 (1.41–6.06), respectively (P = 0.006, 0.002 respective). Notably, larger sample size studies and in vivo or in vitro functional studies are needed to substantiate the biological roles of these variants.

Conclusions

Our results provided epidemiological evidence supporting the involvement of genetic polymorphisms of the meiotic program initiation genes in modifying the risk of azoospermia and oligozoospermia in a Han-Chinese population.     

Obesity-Related Genomic Loci Are Associated with Type 2 Diabetes in a Han Chinese Population

Background and Aims

Obesity is a well-known risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Genome-wide association studies have identified a number of genetic loci associated with obesity. The aim of this study is to examine the contribution of obesity-related genomic loci to type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population.

Methods

We successfully genotyped 18 obesity-related single nucleotide polymorphisms among 5338 type 2 diabetic patients and 4663 controls. Both individual and joint effects of these single nucleotide polymorphisms on type 2 diabetes and quantitative glycemic traits (assessing β-cell function and insulin resistance) were analyzed using logistic and linear regression models, respectively.

Results

Two single nucleotide polymorphisms near MC4R and GNPDA2 genes were significantly associated with type 2 diabetes before adjusting for body mass index and waist circumference (OR (95% CI) = 1.14 (1.06, 1.22) for the A allele of rs12970134, P = 4.75×10⁻⁴; OR (95% CI) = 1.10 (1.03, 1.17) for the G allele of rs10938397, P = 4.54×10⁻³). When body mass index and waist circumference were further adjusted, the association of MC4R with type 2 diabetes remained significant (P = 1.81×10⁻²) and that of GNPDA2 was attenuated (P = 1.26×10⁻¹), suggesting the effect of the locus including GNPDA2 on type 2 diabetes may be mediated through obesity. Single nucleotide polymorphism rs2260000 within BAT2 was significantly associated with type 2 diabetes after adjusting for body mass index and waist circumference (P = 1.04×10⁻²). In addition, four single nucleotide polymorphisms (near or within SEC16B, BDNF, MAF and PRL genes) showed significant associations with quantitative glycemic traits in controls even after adjusting for body mass index and waist circumference (all P values<0.05).

Conclusions

This study indicates that obesity-related genomic loci were associated with type 2 diabetes and glycemic traits in the Han Chinese population.     

Genetic Analysis of IL-17 Gene Polymorphisms in Gout in a Male Chinese Han Population

Interleukin (IL)-17 is a proinflammatory cytokine mainly secreted by activated T helper 17 cells and involved in inflammatory immune responses. This study aimed to investigate the association between IL-17 variants as well as serum IL-17 levels with gout in male Chinese Han individuals. A total of 1,101 male gout patients and 1,239 ethic-matched controls were enrolled. Genetic distributions of three variants (rs2275913 in IL-17A, rs763780 in IL-17F, and rs4819554 in IL-17RA) were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction using the Taqman probe method. The plasma concentrations of IL-17A and IL-17F were measured in 228 gout patients and 198 controls that came from above samples by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. No significant differences were observed in the genetic distribution of these polymorphisms between cases and controls (rs2275913: χ² = 0.15, p = 0.928 by genotype, χ² = 0.14, p = 0.711 by allele; rs763780: χ² = 2.24, p = 0.326 by genotype, χ² = 0.26, p = 0.609 by allele; rs4819554: χ² = 1.79, p = 0.409 by genotype, χ² = 1.46, p = 0.227 by allele). Levels of serum IL-17A and IL-17F were significantly decreased in gout patients (both p<0.001). However, no difference was observed in acute gout patients between different genotypic carriers of rs2275913 and rs763780 regarding serum IL-17A and IL-17F levels (p>0.05). Although the genetic variants in IL-17 we studied in this research do not appear to be involved in the development of gout in male Chinese Han individuals, the IL-17 cytokine family may participate in gouty inflammation in an undefined way, which requires further validation.     

白介素-18 基因多态性与黑龙江省汉族人群心房颤动相关性

目的:探讨白介素-18(IL-18)基因启动子区-137G/C(rs187238)位点和-607A/C(rs1946518)位点的等位基因、基因型、单体型与黑龙江省汉族人群心房颤动发病风险的相关性。方法:选取56例心房颤动患者和26例对照者,心房颤动患者按持续时间分为阵发房颤组和持续房颤组。采用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)和直接测序法(DS)对所选2个SNPs位点的基因型进行检测。结果:1黑龙江省地区汉族人群中IL-18基因启动子区-607A/C位点存在AA、AC、GG三种基因型,-137C/G位点存在CC、GC、GG三种基因型。2各心房颤动患者组与对照组间IL-18基因启动子区-137G/C(rs187238)位点和-607A/C(rs1946518)位点的基因型和等位基因频率比较均无显著性差异(P0.05)。3IL-18基因启动子区-137G/C(rs187238)位点和-607 A/C(rs1946518)位点有CA、CC、GA、GC四种单倍体型,各组单倍体型分布频率比较均无统计学差异(P0.05。4IL-18基因启动子区-137G/C(rs187238)位点和-607 A/C(rs1946518)位点的基因型和等位基因频率与AF患者的发病年龄均无统计学相关性(P0.05)。结论:IL-18基因启动子区-607A/C(rs1946518)位点和-137G/C(rs187238)位点不是黑龙江省汉族人群心房颤动的易感基因,可能与其心房颤动的发病风险无关。     

Genetic Variants in MUC4 Gene Are Associated with Lung Cancer Risk in a Chinese Population

Mucin MUC4, which is encoded by the MUC4 gene, plays an important role in epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation. Aberrant MUC4 overexpression is associated with invasive tumor proliferation and poor outcome in epithelial cancers. Collectively, the existing evidence suggests that MUC4 has tumor-promoter functions. In this study, we performed a case-control study of 1,048 incident lung cancer cases and 1,048 age- and sex frequency-matched cancer-free controls in a Chinese population to investigate the role of MUC4 gene polymorphism in lung cancer etiology. We identified nine SNPs that were significantly associated with increased lung cancer risk (P = 0.0425 for rs863582, 0.0333 for rs842226, 0.0294 for rs842225, 0.0010 for rs2550236, 0.0149 for rs2688515, 0.0191 for rs 2641773, 0.0058 for rs3096337, 0.0077 for rs859769, and 0.0059 for rs842461 in an additive model). Consistent with these single-locus analysis results, the haplotype analyses revealed an adverse effect of the haplotype “GGC” of rs3096337, rs859769, and rs842461 on lung cancer. Both the haplotype and diplotype “CTGAGC” of rs863582, rs842226, rs2550236, rs842225, and rs2688515 had an adverse effect on lung cancer, which is also consistent with the single-locus analysis. Moreover, we observed statistically significant interactions for rs863582 and rs842461 in heavy smokers. Our results suggest that MUC4 gene polymorphisms and their interaction with smoking may contribute to lung cancer etiology.     

北京地区汉族人群21号染色体上5个STR基因座的遗传多态性

阐明21号染色体上唐氏综合征关键区域内或附近的5个STR基因座（D21S1413、D21S1446、D21S1437、D21S1411、D21S1412）在北京地区汉族人群中的结构特征和群体遗传学数据。Chelex法提取血DNA,PCR扩增后,应用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和银染法或基因片段扫描检测法进行STR分型,测序后确定STR基因座的主型和进行等位基因的命名。结果该5个STR基因座具有简单重复序列和遗传多态性,杂合度和多态信息含量高。它为唐氏综合征的基因诊断和产前基因诊断提供理论依据,也为这些遗传标记在我国人群中进行亲子鉴定和个体识别提供概率计算依据。Abstract: To elucidate the genetic polymorphisms of five STR loci on chromosome 21 in Chinese Han population and construct a preliminary database,EDTA-blood specimens were collected from unrelated individuals in Beijing. The DNAs were extracted with Chelex method and were amplified by PCR. The PCR products were analyzed by the PAG electrophoresis or by the approach of the automated fluorescent detection. The five STR loci consist of simple repeat motif and its distributions of genotypes are agreement with Hardy–Weinberg equation. Its polymorphism information content is all over 0.50. The obtained data can not only be used as evidences for genetic diagnosis of Down Syndrome, but also for calculating the probabilities in the paternity test and individual identification.     

中国广东汉族人群核苷酸修复基因hMTH1 遗传多态性研究

为研究中国南方汉族人群核苷酸修复基因hMTH1遗传多态性,应用聚合酶链反应-单链构象多态性技术检测172名健康人外周血白细胞hMTH1基因启动子及全部5个外显子多态性,并进行DNA测序。结果发现hMTH1基因启动子及外显子1序列保守,未见突变;外显子2第73位碱基存在T→C杂合型突变,基因型TT和TC频率分别为93.02%、6.98%,等位基因T和C频率分别为96.51%、3.49％;外显子3第45位遗传密码存在T→C杂合型突变,基因型TT和TC频率分别为95.35%、4.65%,等位基因T和C频率分别为97.67%、2.33%,该多态性为首次发现;外显子4第83位遗传密码存在G→A杂合型突变,基因型GG和GA频率分别为89.53%、10.47%,等位基因G和A频率分别为94.77%、5.23％;外显子5第119位氨基酸遗传密码存在C→T杂合型突变,基因型CC和CT频率分别为95.93%、4.07%,等位基因C和T频率分别为97.97%、2.03％。Abstract: In order to study the genetic polymorphisms of nucleotide repair gene hMTH1 in southern Chinese Han population, the polymorphisms of the gene’s promoter and its five exons among peripheral blood lymphocytes of 172 Chinese Han people were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing. The sequences of the promoter and exon 1 of hMTH1 gene were conserved. A T to C polymorphism was detected at the 73th base in exon2. The genotype frequencies of TT and TC were 93.02% and 6.98%, respectively. The allelic frequencies of T and C were 96.51% and 3.49％, respectively. A T to C polymorphism was detected at codon 45 in exon3, which was first reported. The genotype frequencies of TT and TC were 95.35% and 4.65%, respectively. The allelic frequencies of T and C were 97.67% and 2.33%, respectively. A G to A polymorphism was detected at codon 83 in exon4. The genotype frequencies of GG and GA were 89.53% and 10.47%, respectively. The allelic frequencies of G and A were 94.77% and 5.23％, respectively. A C to T polymorphism was detected at codon 119 in exon5. The genotype frequencies of CC and CT were 95.93% and 4.07%, respectively. The allelic frequencies of C and T were 97.97% and 2.03％, respectively.     

FGFR1OP tagSNP but Not CCR6 Polymorphisms Are Associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome in Chinese Han

Background

Polymorphisms of the CC chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) and FGFR10P tagSNP (locus close to CCR6) at 6q27 have recently been reported to be associated with the susceptibility to several immune-related diseases. This study was designed to determine the association of CCR6 and FGFR10P (tag)SNPs with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome, an autoimmune disease directed against melanocytes, in two independent Chinese Han populations.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A total of 601 VKH patients and 725 healthy controls from two Chinese Han populations were genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was tested using the χ² test. Genotype frequencies were estimated by direct counting. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between patients and controls using the χ² test. The frequency of the A allele of rs2301436 was significantly higher both in Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 as compared with two separate controls (P = 0.044; P = 0.049, respectively). The significance was lost after Bonferroni correction in both cohorts (Pc = 0.516; Pc = 0.392, respectively). The frequency of the A allele was significantly higher in the combined patient group as compared with all controls before and after Bonferroni correction (P = 0.005, Pc = 0.025). The genotype and allele frequencies of rs3093024, rs6902119, rs3093023 and rs968334 were not different between patients with VKH and healthy controls based on analysis either for both cohorts or for the patients and controls in total. Analysis according to extra ocular clinical findings including headache, alopecia and poliosis, vitiligo and tinnitus did not show any association of the five polymorphisms with these parameters.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the rs2301436 tagSNP of FGFR10P is positively associated with susceptibility to VKH syndrome in the tested Chinese Han populations. No association was found for the tested CCR6 SNPs.     

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate and Proteinuria Are Separately and Independently Associated with the Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation in General Population

Background

Both, proteinuria and a decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are associated with greater cardiovascular mortality. However, few studies have explored that proteinuria and lower GFR are related with prevalent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

This cross-sectional study was based on annual health check-up program of community-based population in Gunma, Japan from April 2011 to March 2012. A total of 20,019 adult participants were included. AF was ascertained by a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram. Cross-sectional association and correlates with prevalent AF were examined using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

The overall prevalence of AF was 0.6% (2.2 % in participants with eGFR < 60 mL▪min^-1･1.73m^-2, 0.4% and 0.2% in those with eGFR 60 to 89 and ≧90 mL▪min^-1･1.73m^-2, p for trend <0.001). The multivariable odds ratio (OR) for AF was 2.86 (95 % CI 1.16 - 7.08, p<0.001) for eGFR< 60 mL▪min^-1▪1.73m^-2 versus eGFR≧ 90 mL▪min^-1▪1.73m^-2. This association remained significant with further adjustment for proteinuria. In addition, proteinuria was also strongly associated with increased prevalence of AF (OR 2.96, 95 % CI 1.55-5.68, p<0.001), an association that remained significant after adjustment for eGFR.

Conclusions

Proteinuria and lower eGFR are separately and significantly associated with prevalence of AF independent of well-established risk factors for AF in general population.     

Genetic Variants in RKIP Are Associated with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Risk in a Chinese Population

Background

Raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) plays a critical role in tumor development by regulating cell functions such as invasion, apoptosis and differentiation. Down-regulation of RKIP expression has been implicated in the development and progression of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Herein, we hypothesized that genetic polymorphisms in RKIP might be associated with susceptibility and progression of RCC.

Methods

A total of 5 tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (tSNPs) in RKIP were selected and genotyped by SNapShot method in a case-control study of 859 RCC patients and 1004 controls. The logistic regression was used to evaluate the genetic association with occurrence and progression of RCC. The functionality of the important SNP was preliminary examined by qRT-PCR.

Result

We found that the rs17512051 in the promoter region of RKIP was significantly associated with decreased clear cell RCC (ccRCC) risk (TA/AA vs. TT: P = 0.039, OR = 0.78, 95%CI = 0.62–0.99). Another SNP (rs1051470) in the 3′UTR region of RKIP was marginally associated with increased ccRCC risk (TT vs. CC+CT: OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.01–2.09). In the stratified analysis, the protective effect of rs17512051 was more predominant in the subgroups of male, non-smokers, non-drinkers as well as subjects without history of diabetes. Furthermore, we observed higher RKIP mRNA levels in the presence of the rs17512051A allele in normal renal tissues.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the potentially functional RKIP rs17512051 polymorphism may affect ccRCC susceptibility through altering the endogenous RKIP expression level. Risk effects and the functional impact of this polymorphism need further validation.     

Association of AHSG Gene Polymorphisms with Ischemic Stroke in a Han Chinese Population

Previous studies have shown associations of fetuin-A (alpha₂-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein, AHSG) with various disorders, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerosis. In this study, genotype and allele frequencies of the rs4918 SNP in the AHSG gene were examined in 380 patients with ischemic stroke and 350 healthy controls from a Northern Han Chinese population via the PCR-RFLP technique. Frequencies of the GG genotype and the G allele in AHSG (rs4918) were significantly higher in patients with ischemic stroke or atherosclerotic cerebral infarction than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated the significance of rs4918 in these patients, after adjustment for confounding factors (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that rs4918 SNPs of the AHSG gene are associated with a risk for ischemic stroke in a Northern Han Chinese population.     

Genetic Polymorphisms at TIMP3 Are Associated with Survival of Adenocarcinoma of the Gastroesophageal Junction

The poor survival of adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) makes them clinically important. Discovery of host genetic factors that affect outcome may guide more individualized treatment. This study tests whether constitutional genetic variants in matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP) genes are associated with outcome of GEJ adenocarcinoma. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at four TIMP (TIMP1-4) and three MMP genes (MMP2, MMP7 and MMP9) were genotyped in DNA samples from a prospective cohort of patients with primary adenocarcinoma of the GEJ admitted to the British Columbia Cancer Agency. Cox proportional hazards regression, with adjustment for patient, disease and treatment variables, was used to estimate the association of SNPs with survival. Genotypes for 85 samples and 48 SNPs were analyzed. Four SNPs across TIMP3, (rs130274, rs715572, rs1962223 and rs5754312) were associated with survival. Interaction analyses revealed that the survival associations with rs715572 and rs5754312 are specific and significant for 5FU+cisplatin treated patients. Sanger sequencing of the TIMP3 coding and promoter regions revealed an additional SNP, rs9862, also associated with survival. TIMP3 genetic variants are associated with survival and may be potentially useful in optimizing treatment strategies for individual patients.     

FCRL3 Gene Polymorphisms Confer Autoimmunity Risk for Allergic Rhinitis in a Chinese Han Population

Background

Heredity and environmental exposures may contribute to a predisposition to allergic rhinitis (AR). Autoimmunity may also involve into this pathologic process. FCRL3 (Fc receptor-like 3 gene), a novel immunoregulatory gene, has recently been reported to play a role in autoimmune diseases.

Objective

This study was performed to evaluate the potential association of FCRL3 polymorphisms with AR in a Chinese Han population.

Methods

Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms of FCRL3, rs945635, rs3761959, rs7522061, rs10489678 and rs7528684 were genotyped in 540 AR patients and 600 healthy controls using a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies were compared between patients and controls using the χ2 test. The online software platform SHEsis was used to analyze their haplotypes.

Results

This study identified three strong risk SNPs rs7528684, rs10489678, rs7522061 and one weak risk SNP rs945635 of FCRL3 in Chinese Han AR patients. For rs7528684, a significantly increased prevalence of the AA genotype and A allele in AR patients was recorded. The frequency of the GG genotype and G allele of rs10489678 was markedly higher in AR patients than those in controls. For rs7522061, a higher frequency of the TT genotype, and a lower frequency of the CT genotype were found in AR patients. Concerning rs945635, a lower frequency of the CC genotype, and a higher frequency of G allele were observed in AR patients. According to the analysis of the three strong positive SNPs, the haplotype of AGT increased significantly in AR cases (AR = 38.8%, Controls = 24.3%, P = 8.29×10-14, OR [95% CI] 1.978 [1.652~2.368]).

Conclusions

This study found a significant association between the SNPs in FCRL3 gene and AR in Chinese Han patients. The results suggest these gene polymorphisms might be the autoimmunity risk for AR.     

Correlations between ASCC3 Gene Polymorphisms and Chronic Hepatitis B in a Chinese Han Population

We have previously identified 8 SNPs in Han Chinese HBV carriers that are associated with disease progression. Although not well studied, genetic factors may also play a significant role in developing chronic HBV disease after exposure. We extend the effect of these eight SNPs on persistent HBV infection in this study. A total of 875 unrelated Han Chinese, 493 chronic hepatitis B subjects (CHB) and 382 HBV clearance individuals (Clear), were recruited from Hubei Province from September 2007 to March 2010. SNPs were verified by using TaqMan 7900HT Sequence Detection System. By using multiple logistic regression analysis, each of the 8 SNP associations was tested using 3 different genetic models (Dominant, Recessive and Additive model), in 4 types of analyses (full sample, men, women, age stratified). A Bonferroni correction was used to account for multiple statistical tests for each SNP association (P<0.05/8 = 0.0063). A significant correlation was observed at SNP rs10485138 located in ASCC3 gene in female patients (OR, 0.445; 95% CI, 0.253–0.784; P = 0.005). Females bearing C allele infected by HBV had an increased susceptibility to CHB compared with those T allele carriers. Our results indicated that SNP rs10485138 located in ASCC3 gene was associated with persistent HBV infection in Han Chinese.     

Genetic Association Study of TNFAIP3, IFIH1, IRF5 Polymorphisms with Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis in Chinese Han Population

Background

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TNFAIP3, IFIH1, and IRF5 genes have been associated with several auto-inflammation diseases, while the susceptibility between these genes and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) were not reported. This study aimed to investigate whether TNFAIP3, IFIH1, and IRF5 gene polymorphisms confer susceptibility for the IIMs in Chinese Han population.

Methods

A large case–control study of Chinese subjects with polymyositis (PM) (n = 298) and dermatomyositis (DM) (n = 530) was accomplished. 968 healthy and ethnically matched controls were available for comparison. Six SNPs in the TNFAIP3 region (rs2230926 and rs5029939), the IFIH1 gene (rs1990760 and rs3747517) and the IRF5 region (rs4728142 and rs729302) were assessed and genotyped using the Sequenom MassArray iPLEX platform.

Results

Our study indicated a strong allele association was observed in PM/DM and PM patients for rs2230926 (OR: 1.61, 95%CI: 1.20–2.16, P_c = 7.5×10⁻³; OR: 1.88, 95%CI: 1.30–2.74, P_c = 4.0×10⁻³, respectively) and rs5029939 (OR: 1.64, 95%CI: 1.21–2.21, P_c = 6.0×10⁻³; OR: 1.88, 95%CI: 1.28–2.76, P_c = 5.5×10⁻³,respectively). And rs2230926 and rs5029939 were significantly associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) in PM/DM and PM patients (P_c = 0.04 and P_c = 0.016; P_c = 0.02 and P_c = 0.03, respectively). In addition, rs4728142 allele and genotype had significant association with PM/DM patients (P_c = 0.026 and P_c = 0.048, respectively). Further analysis with three logistic regression genetic models revealed statistically significant difference in the genotypic distribution in the PM/DM, PM or DM patients when the additive and dominant models were used.

Conclusions

This was the first study to reveal TNFAIP3 and IRF5 polymorphisms were associated with PM/DM patients or these patients with ILD, indicating that TNFAIP3 and IRF5 might be the susceptibility gene for PM/DM patients in Chinese Han population.     

Genetic Variation of ITGB3 Is Associated with Asthma in Chinese Han Children

Previous studies have demonstrated that integrins are involved in the aetiology of asthma. Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the integrin β3 (ITGB3) gene are significantly associated with asthma in Western populations. Given the important roles of environmental exposures in the development of asthma, we evaluated the associations between six SNPs in ITGB3 and asthma in Chinese Han children. A total of 321 unrelated Chinese children with asthma and 315 healthy children were recruited for the study. SNP genotyping was performed by high-resolution melting analysis (HRM). The selected SNPs were well genotyped by HRM, and SNP rs3809865 in the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of ITGB3 was found to be strongly associated with asthma (adjusted p = 0.004). The minor allele of rs3809865 showed a protective effect against asthma (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.43–0.8). The seed regions of two miRNAs (hsa-mir-124 and hsa-mir-506) were predicted to bind to the sequence containing rs3809865 by TargetScan and PITA. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that the T allele of rs3809865 was more efficiently targeted by hsa-mir-124 than was the A allele, which suggested that rs3809865 could affect the binding of hsa-mir-124 to ITGB3. Furthermore, the transfection of A549 cells with hsa-mir-124 resulted in the downregulation of ITGB3 expression. Our results revealed that rs3809865 was significantly associated with asthma due to its effect on the binding of hsa-mir-124 to ITGB3.     

Atrial Fibrillation Associated Chromosome 4q25 Variants Are Not Associated with PITX2c Expression in Human Adult Left Atrial Appendages

Atrial Fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained arrhythmia, has a strong genetic component, but the mechanism by which common genetic variants lead to increased AF susceptibility is unknown. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified that the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) most strongly associated with AF are located on chromosome 4q25 in an intergenic region distal to the PITX2 gene. Our objective was to determine whether the AF-associated SNPs on chromosome 4q25 were associated with PITX2c expression in adult human left atrial appendages. Analysis of a lone AF GWAS identified four independent AF risk SNPs at chromosome 4q25. Human adult left atrial appendage tissue was obtained from 239 subjects of European Ancestry and used for SNP analysis of genomic DNA and determination of PITX2c RNA expression levels by quantitative PCR. Subjects were divided into three groups based on their history of AF and pre-operative rhythm. AF rhythm subjects had higher PITX2c expression than those with history of AF but in sinus rhythm. PITX2c expression was not associated with the AF risk SNPs in human adult left atrial appendages in all subjects combined or in each of the three subgroups. However, we identified seven SNPs modestly associated with PITX2c expression located in the introns of the ENPEP gene, ∼54 kb proximal to PITX2. PITX2c expression in human adult left atrial appendages is not associated with the chromosome 4q25 AF risk SNPs; thus, the mechanism by which these SNPs are associated with AF remains enigmatic.