Serum Amyloid A is a Novel Inflammatory Biomarker in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Serum amyloid A (SAA) is considered a biomarker of inflammation; however, the SAA levels in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are still uncertain. METHODS: In this study, SAA, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and total testosterone concentrations were measured in 82 women with PCOS and 60 healthy controls. RESULTS: The median concentration of SAA was 5.000 mg/L (IQR: 2.825 - 5.400) in women with PCOS, which was significantly higher than that of controls (3.700 mg/L, IQR: 2.825 - 5.400, p = 0.025). SAA was only positively associated with the CRP (r = 0.303, p = 0.006). No significant association was observed between SAA and body mass index (BMI), total testosterone, or insulin resistance (IR). CONCLUSIONS: SAA levels were increased in women with PCOS, and SAA may be a potential inflammatory biomarker for PCOS.

Decreased Serum Kruppel-Like Factor 7 Level is Positively Associated with Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Kruppel-like factor 7 (KLF7) is associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity; however, at present the KLF7 level in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains unreported. METHODS: In this study, serum KLF7, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and total testosterone concentrations were measured in 65 women with PCOS and 61 healthy controls. RESULTS: Body mass index (BMI) in PCOS and the control group were all < 25 kg/m2. The median concentration of KLF7 was 3.630 ng/mL [interquartile range (IQR): 1.547 - 7.172] in women with PCOS, which was significantly lower than that of controls (5.282 ng/mL, IQR: 3.128 - 11.263, p = 0.003). The KLF7 level was positively correlated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (r = 0.261, p = 0.018). No significant association was observed between KLF7 and the BMI, total testosterone, and insulin resistance (IR). CONCLUSIONS: The KLF7 level decreased in women with PCOS. KLF7 may represent a new therapeutic target in the treatment of PCOS.

Feasibility of using an epigenetic marker of risk for lung cancer, methylation of p16, to promote smoking cessation among US veterans.

INTRODUCTION: Providing smokers feedback using epigenetic markers of lung cancer risk has yet to be tested as a strategy to motivate smoking cessation. Epigenetic modification of Rb-p16 (p16) due to tobacco exposure is associated with increased risk of developing lung cancer. This study examined the acceptance of testing for methylated p16 and the understanding of test results in smokers at risk for development of lung cancer. METHODS: Thirty-five current smokers with airways obstruction viewed an educational presentation regarding p16 function followed by testing for the presence of methylated p16 in sputum. Participants were offered smoking cessation assistance and asked to complete surveys at the time of enrolment regarding their understanding of the educational material, perception of risk associated with smoking and desire to quit. Participants were notified of their test result and follow-up surveys were administered 2 and 10 weeks after notification of their test result. RESULTS: Twenty per cent of participants had methylated p16. Participants showed high degree of understanding of educational materials regarding the function and risk associated with p16 methylation. Sixty-seven per cent and 57% of participants with low-risk and high-risk test results, respectively, reported that the information was more likely to motivate them to quit smoking. Smoking cessation rates were similar between methylated and non-methylated participants. CONCLUSIONS: Testing for an epigenetic marker of lung cancer risk is accepted and understood by active smokers. A low-risk test result does not decrease motivation to stop smoking. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01038492.

Molecular characterization of putative chordoma cell lines.

Immortal tumor cell lines are an important model system for cancer research, however, misidentification and cross-contamination of cell lines are a common problem. Seven chordoma cell lines are reported in the literature, but none has been characterized in detail. We analyzed gene expression patterns and genomic copy number variations in five putative chordoma cell lines (U-CH1, CCL3, CCL4, GB60, and CM319). We also created a new chordoma cell line, U-CH2, and provided genotypes for cell lines for identity confirmation. Our analyses revealed that CCL3, CCL4, and GB60 are not chordoma cell lines, and that CM319 is a cancer cell line possibly derived from chordoma, but lacking expression of key chordoma biomarkers. U-CH1 and U-CH2 both have gene expression profiles, copy number aberrations, and morphology consistent with chordoma tumors. These cell lines also harbor genetic changes, such as loss of p16, MTAP, or PTEN, that make them potentially useful models for studying mechanisms of chordoma pathogenesis and for evaluating targeted therapies.

T (brachyury) gene duplication confers major susceptibility to familial chordoma.

Using high-resolution array-CGH, we identified unique duplications of a region on 6q27 in four multiplex families with at least three cases of chordoma, a cancer of presumed notochordal origin. The duplicated region contains only the T (brachyury) gene, which is important in notochord development and is expressed in most sporadic chordomas. Our findings highlight the value of screening for complex genomic rearrangements in searches for cancer-susceptibility genes.

Genotype-phenotype correlation in MYH9-related thrombocytopenia.

Mutation of the non-muscle myosin heavy chain type II-A results in MYH9-related hereditary macrothrombocytopenia (HMTC), including four autosomal dominant platelet disorders: May-Hegglin anomaly (MHA), Sebastian (SBS), Fechtner (FS) and Epstein (EPS) syndrome. Denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) was optimised for rapid screening of the seven exons harbouring all but one of the previously reported mutations of MYH9. Individuals from 13 families with phenotypes suggestive of MYH9-related HMTC were screened for mutations by DHPLC followed by direct sequencing of samples with aberrant column retention time. Mutations were identified in all 13 families. Six distinct missense heterozygous mutations were found in 10 families, including six families with MHA or SBS (E1841K, D1424N), three families with FS (R702H, R1165C, and D1424Y), and one family with EPS (S96L). A truncating mutation (R1933X) was found in three MHA families. A review of all published mutations suggests that mutation in the C-terminal coiled coil region or truncation of the tailpiece is associated with haematological-only phenotype, while mutation of the head ATPase domain frequently is associated with nephropathy and/or hearing loss. Mutations of other regions have intermediate expression of non-haematological characteristics. Further study is required to confirm these associations and understand the molecular basis for this genotype-phenotype relationship.