Association of MicroRNA Polymorphisms With Hepatocellular Carcinoma in an Iranian Population

BACKGROUND: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can modulate various biological processes by influencing microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis and altering target selection. Common SNPs may alter the processing of miRNA and may be associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the relationship between miR-499A>G, miR-149C>T, miR-196a2T>C, and miR-146aG>C and HCC susceptibility, examining the interaction of the miRNAs with hepatitis B virus (HBV). METHODS: We evaluated the associations of miR-499A>G (rs3746444), miR-149C>T (rs2292832), miR-196a2T>C (rs11614913), and miR-146aG>C (rs2910164) with HCC susceptibility in 100 HCC patients (70 males and 30 females) and 120 healthy controls (70 males and 50 females), using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS: For miR-499A>G, the frequencies of the AG genotype and G allele were higher in female HCC patients than in female controls (P=0.02 and 0.045, respectively). The frequency of the A allele was higher in HBV-positive HCC patients than in controls (P=0.019). For miR-149C>T, the frequency of the CC genotype was higher in female HCC patients than in female controls (P=0.009). For miR-196a2T>C, the frequencies of the CT and CC genotypes and the C allele were higher in HBV-positive HCC patients than in controls (P C polymorphisms did not differ between HCC patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: miR-499A>G, miR-149C>T, and miR-196a2T>C were associated with the development of HCC in women and/or that of HBV-related HCC. They can be considered genetic risk factors for the development of HCC among Iranians.

Production of specific IgY Helicobacter pylori recombinant OipA protein and assessment of its inhibitory effects towards attachment of H. pylori to AGS cell line

PURPOSE: The common triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori is challenged by the increasing cases of antibiotic resistant infections, raising the need to explore alternative therapies. Oral administration of egg yolk immunoglobulin Y (IgY) has been previously reported as a means of passive immunization therapy for H. pylori infections. In this work, we investigated the inhibitory effect of IgY on the attachment of H. pylori to AGS cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Recombinant OipA was prepared. Hens were immunized with recombinant protein three times. IgY was purified from egg yolks of immunized hens using polyethylene glycol precipitation method. The inhibitory effect of the specific immunoglobulin was evaluated in AGS cell line infected with H. pylori. RESULTS: The presence of recombinant OipA (30 kD) was confirmed via sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Immunization of hens was confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The purified IgY from egg yolks were assessed using SDS-PAGE and confirmed by western blot. CONCLUSION: The results showed that IgY-OipA had inhibitory effect on attachment of H. pylori to AGS cell line and may be utilized as a therapeutic or prophylaxis material.

Rearrangement in 22q11 implicated in Iranian patients with mental retardation.

Chromosome 22, particularly 22q11.2 region, is predisposed to rearrangements due to misalignments of low-copy repeats (LCRs). DiGeorge/velo-cardio-facial syndrome is a common disorder resulting from microdeletion within the same band. Although both deletion and duplication in this region are expected to occur in equal proportions as reciprocal events caused by LCR-mediated rearrangements, very few microduplications have been identified. The phenotype of these patients with microduplications is extremely diverse, ranging from normal to behavioral abnormalities to multiple defects, only some of which are reminiscent of the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate 22q11.2 microdeletion and microduplication among Iranian patients with mental retardation. For this purpose, 46 mental retarded patients who were tested negative for fragile X syndrome were involved in this study. The samples were assessed for 22q11.2 microduplication and microdeletions by Semi-Quantitative Multiplex Polymerase chain reaction (SQMPCR). MLPA was carried out to confirm the findings and to rule out other abnormalities in subtelomeric region. We found three patients with microdeletion and one with microduplication and one with 10p deletion syndrome. These findings proved evidence that microdeletion and microduplication of 22q11.2 can be a reason of mental retardation in Iranian population with unknown causes.