Analysis of the association of allelic variants of apolypoprotein E and interleukin 1 beta genes with multiple sclerosis in ethnic Tatars

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multifactorial disease of the central nervous system. The apolipoprotein E (APOE) and interleukin 1 beta (IL1B) genes are considered to be candidate genes of MS. The aim of the study was to examine the hypothesis of the importance of APOE and IL1B gene polymorphisms in MS development in ethnic Tatars. DNA samples isolated by phenol-chloroform extraction from peripheral blood of 383 ethnic Tatars (120 MS patients and 263 healthy donors) were studied. 112C/R and 158R/C APOE gene polymorphisms as well as -511T/C IL1B gene polymorphism were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by PCR product digestion by endonuclease. Odds ratio (OR) values were used for evaluation of the relative risk of alleles and(or) genotype combinations. It has been shown that APOE*2/*3 genotype is associated with low risk of the disease development (OR = 0.20) in women. A combined effect of APOE and IL1B allelic variants has been discovered indicating the increased risk of the disease development in the carriers of APOE*4 and IL1B*T/*T alleles (OR = 4.76).     

The synergistic risk effect of apolipoprotein ε4 and DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase 3 beta (<Emphasis Type="Italic">DNMT3B</Emphasis>) haplotype for Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex and multifactorial disease with the contribution of several genes and polymorphisms to its development. Among these genes, the APOEε4 is the best known risk factor for AD. Methylation is associated with APOE expression and AD development. Recently, we found an association of the TGG haplotype in the DNMT3B gene, one of the catalyst enzyme for methylation, with AD. Therefore, the objective of the study was to investigate whether APOEε4 and TGG haplotype have an synergistic effect on AD. The sample was composed of 212 Caucasian individuals (108 healthy controls and 104 with AD by NINCDS-ADRDA and DSM-IV-TR criteria) from southern Brazil. The genetic analyses were performed by real time PCR for TaqMan^® assay. Multivariate logistic regression was performed categorizing groups according to presence of APOEε4 and/or TGG haplotype as an independent variable for outcome AD. The presence of TGG haplotype plus the allele APOEε4 were strongly associated with AD [OR 11.13; 95 % CI (4.25–29.16); P < 0.001]. This association had a higher risk than each risk factor alone. We found a strong association of the interaction of DNMT3B gene with the APOEε4 in this sample of AD patients. The presence of TGG haplotype and APOEε4 significantly increased the risk of developing the disease, showing an synergistic effect.     

Associations of Polymorphic DNA Markers and Their Combinations with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is regarded as multifactorial, polygenic disease; its development is the result of autoimmune and neurodegenerative processes which lead to multifocal lesions of the central nervous system. The aim of the study was to analyze associations between MS and polymorphic markers rs3129934 (C6orf10), rs1109670 (DDEF2/MBOAT2 gene), rs9523762 (GPC5 gene), rs28362491 (NFKB1 gene), rs10974944 (JAK2 gene), and rs2304256 (TYK2 gene). The material for the study was DNA samples of unrelated MS patients (N = 224) aged 17 to 67 years and individuals of a control group (N = 312) aged 18 to 66 years. Both samples were formed from the ethnic group of Russians. The results of the investigation demonstrated that, for women, MS was associated with genotypes rs3129934*C/T (p = 0.001, OR = 2.23), rs3129934*T/T (p = 0.028, OR = 4.04), and rs2304256*C/C (p = 0.049, OR = 1.6); for men, with genotype rs1109670*C/A (p = 0.017, OR = 2.06). In addition, using the APSampler algorithm, we identified combinations of alleles associated with increased risk of MS separately for women and men, in which the most frequent alleles of polymorphic markers were rs3129934*T, rs1109670*C, rs10974944*G, and rs2304256*C.     

Polymorphism of the genes for antioxidant defense enzymes and their association with the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the population of Bashkortostan

In this study, frequencies of the polymorphic variants of the genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, CAT, GPX1, NQO1, SOD1, and SOD3 were examined in three ethnic groups of healthy subjects from the Republic of Bashkortostan (Russians, Tatars, and Bashkirs). An association of these markers with the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was tested. Interethnic differences relative to the distribution of the polymorphic variants of the GSTP1 locus Ile105Val and the NQO1 locus 609C/T were revealed. Relative to the genotype distribution at the Ile105Val locus of the GSTP1 gene, ethnic group of Bashkirs was found to be statistically significantly different from Tatars (χ² = 8.819; d.f. = 2; P = 0.012). Relative to the genotype frequency distribution pattern at the NQO1 locus 609C/T, the group of Bashkirs differed from Russians (χ² = 8.913; d.f. = 2; P = 0.012). An association of genotype Val/Val of the GSTP1 Ile105Val locus with the risk of COPD in Russians (χ² = 5.25; P = 0.022; P _cor = 0.044; OR = 4.09), and of the GSTP1 haplotype *D in Tatars, was demonstrated (χ² = 11.575; P = 0.0014; P _cor = 0.0042; OR = 3.178). Genotype TT of the CAT ?262C/T locus marked resistance to the COPD development in Russians (χ² = 6.82; P = 0.0098; P _cor = 0.0196; OR = 0.31; 95%CI, 0.119 to 0.77). The risk for COPD in the ethnic group of Tatars was associated with the CAT haplotype (?262)C/(1167)T (χ² = 6.038; P = 0.0147; P _cor = 0.044; OR = 1.71). Analysis of the NQO1 haplotypes at the 465C/T and 609C/T loci showed that haplotype 465C/609T was associated with COPD in Russians (χ² = 4.571; P = 0.0328; P _cor = 0.01; OR = 1.799). It was demonstrated that Gly allele of the Arg213Gly polymorphic locus of the SOD3 gene marked the risk for COPD in the ethnic group of Tatars (OR = 2.23; 95%CI, 1.22 to 4.1). Thus, GSTP1, CAT, NQO1, and SOD3 polymorphisms play an important role in the development of COPD among the population of Bashkortostan.     

Variants in the interleukin-1 alpha and beta genes,and the risk for periodontal disease in dogs

Elevated levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) have been shown to amplify the inflammatory response against periodontopathogenic bacteria. In humans, polymorphisms in the IL1A and IL1B genes are the most well-studied genetic polymorphisms associated with periodontal disease (PD). In contrast to human, there is a lack of knowledge on the genetic basis of canine PD. A case–control study was conducted in which a molecular analysis of dog IL1A and IL1B genes was performed. Of the eight genetic variants identified, seven in IL1A gene and one in IL1B gene, IL1A/1_g.388A >C and IL1A/1_g.521T >A showed statistically significant differences between groups (adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.15 (0.03–0.76), P= 0.022; 5.76 (1.03–32.1), P= 0.046, respectively). It suggests that in the studied population the IL1A/1_g.388C allele is associated with a decreased PD risk, whereas the IL1A/1_g.521A allele can confer an increased risk. Additionally, the IL1A/2_g.515G >T variation resulted in a change of amino acid, i.e. glycine to valine. In silico analysis suggests that this change can alter protein structure and function, predicting it to be deleterious or damaging. This work suggests that IL1 genetic variants may be important in PD susceptibility in canines.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">APOE</Emphasis> ε4 lowers age at onset and is a high risk factor for Alzheimer's disease; A case control study from central Norway

Background

The objective of this study was to analyze factors influencing the risk and timing of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in central Norway. The APOE ε4 allele is the only consistently identified risk factor for late onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). We have described the allele frequencies of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) in a large population of patients with AD compared to the frequencies in a cognitively-normal control group, and estimated the effect of the APOE ε4 allele on the risk and the age at onset of AD in this population.

Methods

376 patients diagnosed with AD and 561 cognitively-normal control individuals with no known first degree relatives with dementia were genotyped for the APOE alleles. Allele frequencies and genotypes in patients and control individuals were compared. Odds Ratio for developing AD in different genotypes was calculated.

Results

Odds Ratio (OR) for developing AD was significantly increased in carriers of the APOE ε4 allele compared to individuals with the APOE ε3/ε3 genotype. Individuals carrying APOE ε4/ε4 had OR of 12.9 for developing AD, while carriers of APOE ε2/ε4 and APOE ε3/ε4 had OR of 3.2 and 4.2 respectively. The effect of the APOE ε4 allele was weaker with increasing age. Carrying the APOE ε2 allele showed no significant protective effect against AD and did not influence age at onset of the disease. Onset in LOAD patients was significantly reduced in a dose dependent manner from 78.4 years in patients without the APOE ε4 allele, to 75.3 in carriers of one APOE ε4 allele and 72.9 in carriers of two APOE ε4 alleles. Age at onset in early onset AD (EOAD) was not influenced by APOE ε4 alleles.

Conclusion

APOE ε4 is a very strong risk factor for AD in the population of central Norway, and lowers age at onset of LOAD significantly.

     

Associations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">CTLA4</Emphasis> +49 A/G Dimorphism and HLA-DRB1*/DQB1* Alleles With Type 1 Diabetes from South India

The aim of present study was to elucidate the association of CTLA4 +49 A/G and HLA-DRB1*/DQB1* gene polymorphism in south Indian T1DM patients. The patients and controls (n?=?196 each) were enrolled for CTLA4 and HLA-DRB1*/DQB1* genotyping by RFLP/PCR-SSP methods. The increased frequencies of CTLA4 ‘AG’ (OR?=?1.99; p?=?0.001), ‘GG’ (OR?=?3.94; p?=?0.001) genotypes, and ‘G’ allele (OR?=?2.42; p?=?9.26?×?10^?8) were observed in patients. Reduced frequencies of ‘AA’ (OR?=?0.35; p?=?7.19?×?10^?7) and ‘A’ (OR?=?0.41; p?=?9.26?×?10^?8) in patients revealed protective association. Among HLA-DRB1*/DQB1* alleles, DRB1*04 (OR?=?3.29; p?=?1.0?×?10^?5), DRB1*03 (OR?=?2.81; p?=?1.9?×?10^?6), DQB1*02:01 (OR?=?2.93; p?=?1.65?×?10^?5), DQB1*02:02 (OR?=?3.38; p?=?0.0003), and DQB1*03:02 (OR?=?7.72; p?=?0.0003) were in susceptible association. Decreased frequencies of alleles, DRB1*15 (OR?=?0.32; p?=?2.55?×?10^?7), DRB1*10 (OR?=?0.45; p?=?0.002), DQB1*06:01 (OR?=?0.43; p?=?0.0001), and DQB1*05:02 (OR?=?0.28; p?=?2.1?×?10^?4) in patients were suggested protective association. The combination of DRB1*03+AG (OR?=?5.21; p?=?1.4?×?10^?6), DRB1*04+AG (OR?=?2.14; p?=?0.053), DRB1*04+GG (OR?=?5.21; p?=?0.036), DQB1*02:01+AG (OR?=?4.44; p?=?3.6?×?10^?5), DQB1*02:02+AG (OR?=?20.9; p?=?9.5?×?10^?4), and DQB1*02:02+GG (OR?=?4.06; p?=?0.036) revealed susceptible association. However, the combination of DRB1*10+AA (OR?=?0.35; p?=?0.003), DRB1*15+AA (OR?=?0.22; p?=?5.3?×?10^?7), DQB1*05:01+AA (OR?=?0.45; p?=?0.007), DQB1*05:02+AA (OR?=?0.17; p?=?1.7?×?10^?4), DQB1*06:01+AA (OR?=?0.40; p?=?0.002), and DQB1*06:02+AG (OR?=?0.34; p?=?0.001) showed decreased frequency in patients, suggesting protective association. In conclusion, CTLA4/HLA-DR/DQ genotypic combinations revealed strong susceptible/protective association toward T1DM in south India. A female preponderance in disease associations was also documented.     

A Missense Variant in <Emphasis Type="Italic">TREML2</Emphasis> Reduces Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease in a Han Chinese Population

Recently, Benitez and colleagues re-analyzed whole-exome sequencing data and revealed that a coding missense variant (rs3747742-C) in triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-like 2 (TREML2) gene reduced late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) risk in Caucasians. To date, no study was carried out to test this association in other ethnic groups and populations, including Han Chinese. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to validate the relation between rs3747742 and LOAD susceptibility in a large Han Chinese population including 992 LOAD patients and 1358 healthy controls. In the total sample, the minor (C) allele of rs3747742 was associated with a reduced LOAD risk under the recessive genetic model after Bonferroni correction (odds ratio (OR)?=?0.713; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.546–0.932; P?=?0.013, Bonferroni-corrected P?=?0.039). Interestingly, after stratifying data according to apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 status, we revealed that this protection only exists in APOE ε4 carriers (recessive genetic model, OR?=?0.448; 95 % CI: 0.262–0.765; P?=?0.003, Bonferroni-corrected P?=?0.009) in our cohort. Taken together, our findings support rs3747742-C as a protective factor for LOAD, especially in APOE ε4 carriers.     

Allelic Combinations of Immune Response Genes and Risk of Development of Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a multifactorial polygenic disease. It develops because of the complex interaction between many environmental and genetic factors. In this paper, we have studied associations of MI and allele combinations of 17 polymorphic markers of immune response genes in an ethnically homogeneous group of Tatars. The material for analysis was DNA samples of patients (286 men) with onset of MI at the age of 30 to 60 years and 301 essentially healthy men of the control group. Using the APSampler algorithm, we obtained allele combinations with the increased risk of MI in which allele variants CX3CR1*M (rs3732378), VCAM1*C (rs3917010), ICAM1*E (rs5498), LTA*A (rs909253), and TNFRSF1B*M (rs1061622) occurred the most often.     

Effect of genetic and coexisting polymorphisms on platelet response to clopidogrel in Chinese Han patients with acute coronary syndrome

Polymorphisms of CYP2C19 are associated with platelet response to clopidogrel. This study was conducted to evaluate the contribution of the previously identified polymorphisms to the response of clopidogrel in a cohort of Chinese Han patients. A total of 222 acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention treated with clopidogrel were enrolled from September 2012 to June 2013. Residual platelet aggregations for all patients were measured by the VerifyNow P2Y12 system. Sixteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms among nine genes were genotyped including CYP2C19, ABCB1 and PON1. In this study, CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*17 were strongly associated with higher platelet aggregation and lower platelet aggregation to clopidogrel treatment, respectively (P<0.001). Patients with CYP2C19*2 allele had a higher risk of high on-treatment platelet reactivity than non carriers (adjusted OR, 5.434; 95% CI, 1.918–15.399, P=0.01). The coexistence of CYP2B6*9 (rs8192719) and P2Y12 (rs2046934) and the coexistence of CYP2B6*1B (rs7254579) and P2Y12 (rs2046934) were also associated with poor response to clopidogrel. No significant relation of CYP2C19*3 and other polymorphisms to the platelet aggregation was found. In conclusion, CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*17 coexistence of CYP2B6*9 (rs8192719) and P2Y12 (rs2046934) and coexistence of CYP2B6*1B (rs7254579) and P2Y12 (rs2046934) were identified to be associated with response to clopidogrel treatment in Chinese Han patients.     

Sex Differences in the Blood Concentration of Tacrolimus in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with <Emphasis Type="Italic">CYP3A5</Emphasis>*3/*3

The purpose of this study was to describe the impact of sex and cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP3A5) variant on the blood concentration of tacrolimus in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis. The blood concentration of tacrolimus (ng/mL) divided by the daily dose of tacrolimus (mg/day) and the patient’s weight (kg) (C/D) was obtained from 55 patients. The C/D value was analysed according to genetic variation in CYP3A5 or ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1), sex, and age. The C/D value in the CYP3A5*3/*3 group was significantly higher than in the CYP3A5*1/*1 and *1/*3 groups (p < 0.05, effect size: d = 1.40). In the CYP3A5*3/*3 group, the concentration of tacrolimus was significantly higher in men than in women (p < 0.05, effect size: d = 1.78). Furthermore, in the CYP3A5*3/*3 group, the concentration of tacrolimus was significantly higher in women aged over 50 years than in women aged under 50 years (p < 0.05, effect size: d = 1.18). In contrast, ABCB1 genetic variations did not show any significant effect on the C/D value. Since the blood concentration of tacrolimus in patients with CYP3A5*3/*3 varies depending on sex and age, these factors should be considered when studying the difference of sex in CYP3A.     

Association between <Emphasis Type="Italic">TNF,IL1B,IL6, IL10</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">IFNG</Emphasis> polymorphisms and recurrent miscarriage: a case control study

Background

Approximately half of recurrent miscarriages have unexplained etiology. Recent evidences suggest that cytokines are important determinants in pregnancy maintenance and as such, cytokine gene polymorphisms, which can affect cytokine production and/or functionality, could play a role in the disorder. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association of selected cytokine gene polymorphisms with risk of recurrent miscarriage among Chinese.

Methods

TNF -238G > A, TNF -308G > A, IL1B -511 T > C, IL1B 3954C > T, IL6 -174G > C, IL6 -634C > G, IL10 -1082A > G and IFNG 874A > T polymorphisms were genotyped on 775 women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage and 805 healthy parous control women. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the odds ratios (ORs) of the association between the polymorphisms and recurrent miscarriage risk.

Results

Among the eight polymorphisms studied, only the IL1B -511 T > C and IL6 -634C > G polymorphisms showed statistically significant associations with recurrent miscarriage risk. For the former, a significantly increased risk of recurrent miscarriage was observed for the mutant (CC) genotype (OR: 1.377; 95% CI: 1.039–1.824; P?=?0.026). However, for the IL6 -634C?>?G polymorphism, a decreased recurrent miscarriage risk was observed for the heterozygous (CG) genotype (OR: 0.614; 95% CI: 0.493–0.765; P < 0.001) and the mutant (GG) genotype (OR: 0.414; 95% CI: 0.251–0.684; P?=?0.001).

Conclusions

The IL1B -511 T > C polymorphism may serve as important risk factor for recurrent miscarriage while the IL6 -634C > G polymorphism may protect against the risk of recurrent miscarriage.

     

A survey of endogenous retrovirus (ERV) sequences in the vicinity of multiple sclerosis (MS)-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)

Although multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common central nervous system diseases in young adults, little is known about its etiology. Several human endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are considered to play a role in MS. We are interested in which ERVs can be identified in the vicinity of MS associated genetic marker to find potential initiators of MS. We analysed the chromosomal regions surrounding 58 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with MS identified in one of the last major genome wide association studies. We scanned these regions for putative endogenous retrovirus sequences with large open reading frames (ORFs). We observed that more retrovirus-related putative ORFs exist in the relatively close vicinity of SNP marker indices in multiple sclerosis compared to control SNPs. We found very high homologies to HERV-K, HCML-ARV, XMRV, Galidia ERV, HERV-H/env62 and XMRV-like mouse endogenous retrovirus mERV-XL. The associated genes (CYP27B1, CD6, CD58, MPV17L2, IL12RB1, CXCR5, PTGER4, TAGAP, TYK2, ICAM3, CD86, GALC, GPR65 as well as the HLA DRB1*1501) are mainly involved in the immune system, but also in vitamin D regulation. The most frequently detected ERV sequences are related to the multiple sclerosis-associated retrovirus, the human immunodeficiency virus 1, HERV-K, and the Simian foamy virus. Our data shows that there is a relation between MS associated SNPs and the number of retroviral elements compared to control. Our data identifies new ERV sequences that have not been associated with MS, so far.     

Association of six CpG-SNPs in the inflammation-related genes with coronary heart disease

Background

Chronic inflammation has been widely considered to be the major risk factor of coronary heart disease (CHD). The goal of our study was to explore the possible association with CHD for inflammation-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) involved in cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) dinucleotides. A total of 784 CHD patients and 739 non-CHD controls were recruited from Zhejiang Province, China. Using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform, we measured the genotypes of six inflammation-related CpG-SNPs, including IL1B rs16944, IL1R2 rs2071008, PLA2G7 rs9395208, FAM5C rs12732361, CD40 rs1800686, and CD36 rs2065666). Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between CHD and non-CHD individuals using the CLUMP22 software with 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations.

Results

Allelic tests showed that PLA2G7 rs9395208 and CD40 rs1800686 were significantly associated with CHD. Moreover, IL1B rs16944, PLA2G7 rs9395208, and CD40 rs1800686 were shown to be associated with CHD under the dominant model. Further gender-based subgroup tests showed that one SNP (CD40 rs1800686) and two SNPs (FAM5C rs12732361 and CD36 rs2065666) were associated with CHD in females and males, respectively. And the age-based subgroup tests indicated that PLA2G7 rs9395208, IL1B rs16944, and CD40 rs1800686 were associated with CHD among individuals younger than 55, younger than 65, and over 65, respectively.

Conclusions

In conclusion, all the six inflammation-related CpG-SNPs (rs16944, rs2071008, rs12732361, rs2065666, rs9395208, and rs1800686) were associated with CHD in the combined or subgroup tests, suggesting an important role of inflammation in the risk of CHD.

     

GWAS-Linked Loci and Neuroimaging Measures in Alzheimer’s Disease

Recently, 19 susceptibility loci for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) had been identified through AD genome-wide association studies (GWAS) meta-analysis. However, how they influence the pathogenesis of AD still remains largely unknown. We studied those loci with six MRI measures, abnormal glucose metabolism, and β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition on neuroimaging in a large cohort from Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database in order to provide clues of the mechanisms through which these genetic variants might be acting. As a result, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at rs983392 within MS4A6A and rs11218343 within SOLR1 were both associated with the percentage of increase in the volume of left inferior temporal regions in the follow-up study. Meanwhile, rs11218343 at SORL1 and rs6733839 at BIN1 was associated with rate of volume change of left parahippocampal and right inferior parietal, respectively. Moreover, rs6656401 at CR1 and rs983392 at MS4A6A were both associated with smaller volume of right middle temporal at baseline. However, in addition to the APOE locus, we did not detect any influence on glucose metabolism and Aβ deposition. APOE ε4 allele was associated with almost all measures. Altogether, five loci (rs6656401 at CR1, rs983392within MS4A6A, rs11218343 at SORL1, rs6733839 at BIN1, and APOE ε4) have been detected to be associated with one or a few established AD-related neuroimaging measures.     

Multilocus analysis of the association of polymorphic variants of inflammation genes with ischemic stroke in Russians

Carriage frequencies of alleles and genotypes of polymorphic loci of inflammation genes (49A>G CTLA4, 41G>A and 87C>T PDE4D, ?590C>T IL4, ?308A>G TNF, 252G>A LTA, 874A>T IFNG, ?509С>Т, 869T>C and 915G>C TGFB1) were determined in a sample of 200 patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke and in the control group similar in gender and age (146 individuals), all ethnic Russians. The positive association of the allele PDE4D*87C (р = 0.028) and genotype TGFB1*?509Т/Т (р = 0.02) carriage with ischemic stroke was shown. The association of the disease with the carriage of the allele PDE4D*41А (р = 0.009) in individuals under the age of 60 and with carriage of the allele IFNG*874Т (р = 0.02) in individuals older than 60 was observed among the subgroups of patients stratified by age when they suffered the stroke compared to a control group of the same age. In subgroups stratified by gender, carriage of the genotype TGFB1*915G/G (р = 0.0015) was identified as a risk factor in male patients, while no significant differences between female patients and healthy women were observed. Multilocus analysis was undertaken to search for the association of several combinations of studied gene variants with ischemic stroke. The polymorphic locus–174G>C of the IL6 gene, for which an association with the disease was previously demonstrated, was also included in this analysis. The disease-predisposing biallelic combinations include the IL6*?174G, PDE4D*87C, TGFB1*?509Т and TGFB1*915G alleles. In the subgroups stratified by gender, the allelic combinations mainly include the similar risk alleles as in the total group, while between the subgroups stratified by age (patients who suffered the first stroke at the age of 18 and no older than 60 years and older than 60 years), greater differences were observed. However, a new risk allele, LTA*252G, was identified in combination with PDE4D*41А in women. These findings demonstrate the important role of inflammation in ischemic stroke. The identified single and combined markers may be used further to determine an individual risk for ischemic stroke.     

The pathogenetic importance of C774T single nucleotide polymorphism of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene in the development of metabolic syndrome

The relationship between nitric oxide production and metabolic disorders and the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS or NOS3) in metabolic syndrome (MS) remain poorly understood and need deeper investigation. In this context the role of the NOS3 gene in pathogenesis of MS is of special interest. The aim of the study was to investigate association of NOS3 single nucleotide polymorphism C774T with risk of MS in the Slavic population of the Kaliningrad region and the relationship of this polymorphic variant with some parameters of endothelial dysfunction. The study included 128 patients (48 men and 80 women aged from 36 to 52 years) with MS. The control group consisted of 126 healthy volunteers (60 men and 66 women aged from 30 to 40 years). Genotyping was performed by real-time PCR. Serum nitrite levels were determined spectrophotometrically by the Griess method. Serum levels of endothelin-1 and eNOS were evaluated by ELISA. The study has shown association of T allele (OR = 2.06; p = 0.0004; CI: 1.38–3.08) and CT genotype (OR = 1.97; p = 0.014; CI: 1.14–3.40 ) C774T polymorphism of the NOS3 gene with risk of MS in the Slavic population of the Kaliningrad region. Allele C (OR = 0.48; p = 0.0004; CI: 0.32–0.72) and homozygous CC genotype (OR = 0.41; p = 0.001; CI: 0.24–0.69) C774T polymorphism of the NOS3 gene were associated with reduced risk of the development of MS. Significant differences in serum levels of eNOS and endothelin-1 depended on the CT and TT genotypes of C774T polymorphism of the NOS3 gene in MS.     

Association of interleukin-10 (A1082G) gene polymorphism with oral squamous cell carcinoma in north Indian population

The functional polymorphism A1082G in the gene (IL10) for interleukin-10 associated with risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The present case–control study was to evaluate the possible association between IL10 A1082G gene and OSCC in north Indian population. Analysis of IL10 A1082G genotype in 232 OSCC cases and 221 healthy controls of comparable age, gender, smokers, tobacco chewing and alcohol consumption. IL10 A1082G status in cases and controls were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The frequencies of IL10 A1082G polymorphism AA, AG, GG genotypes were 29.74, 68.10 and 2.15% in OSCC cases and 57.46, 42.08 and 0.45% in healthy controls. The average frequency of G mutant allele was 36.20% in OSCC cases compared with 21.50% among the controls and this allele was associated with increased risk for OSCC cases. Heterozygous AG genotype was found statistically significant in OSCC cases than in controls (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1–2.2, P = 0.003), whereas homozygous mutant GG genotype was not found significant (OR = 4.7, 95% CI = 0.55–41.1, P = 0.2). Moreover, we found that G allele was significant in OSCC cases of tobacco chewing. The frequency of IL10 A1082G polymorphism G allele and AG genotype is associated with OSCC cases as compared with controls; this may be due to smoking and tobacco chewing. Our findings showed that in IL10 A1082G gene polymorphism AG genotype and G allele may participate in the progression of OSCC.     

Association of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">POLG1</Emphasis> T(−365)C, <Emphasis Type="Italic">ANT1</Emphasis> G(−25)A,and <Emphasis Type="Italic">PEO1</Emphasis> G(−605)T polymorphisms with diabetic polyneuropathy in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus

This study is dedicated to a search for the association of the polymorphic markers T(?365)C of the POLG1 gene G(?25)A of the ANT1 gene and G(?605)T of the PEO1 gene with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) in Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) patients. All patients were ethnic Russian Moscow residents, with DM1 records of no more than 5 years and DPN or DM1 records of more than 10 years but without DPN. We found that the polymorphic marker T(?365)C of POLG1 was associated with DPN in Russian patients with DM1. The carriers of the C allele and the CC genotype had a higher risk of DPN development (OR = 1.62; CI = 1.11–2.38; and OR = 1.76; CI = 0.99–3.13; respectively). In contrast, the T allele carrier status and the TT genotype were associated with a lower DPN risk (OR = 0.62, CI = 0.42–0.90; and OR = 0.61; CI = 0.35–1.07; respectively). We found no association of the polymorphic markers G(?25)A of ANT1 or G(?605)T of PEO1 with DPN in Russian DM1 patients living in Moscow.