Influence of nitric oxide signaling mechanisms in cancer.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a molecule with multiple biological functions that is involved in various pathophysiological processes such as neurotransmission and blood vessel relaxation as well as the endocrine system, immune system, growth factors, and cancer. However, in the carcinogenesis process, it has a dual behavior; at low doses, NO regulates homeostatic functions, while at high concentrations, it promotes tissue damage or acts as an agent for immune defense against microorganisms. Thus, its participation in the carcinogenic process is controversial. Cancer is a multifactorial disease that presents complex behavior. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with the initiation, promotion, and progression of neoplastic processes is required. Some hypotheses have been proposed regarding the influence of NO in activating oncogenic pathways that trigger carcinogenic processes, because NO might regulate some signaling pathways thought to promote cancer development and more aggressive tumor growth. Additionally, NO inhibits apoptosis of tumor cells, together with the deregulation of proteins that are involved in tissue homeostasis, promoting spreading to other organs and initiating metastatic processes. This paper describes the signaling pathways that are associated with cancer, and how the concentration of NO can serve a beneficial or pathological function in the initiation and promotion of neoplastic events.

Association between rs662 (A > G) and rs854560 (A > T) polymorphisms in PON1 gene and the susceptibility for psoriasis in mestizo population of Western Mexico.

Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune skin disease. In psoriasis, PON1 activity is diminished and peroxidation biomarkers are elevated. The most studied PON1 polymorphisms are rs662 (A > G) and rs854560 (A > T), which have been associated with the antioxidant activity of PON1, risk of cardiovascular diseases and psoriasis development. The aim of this study, was to determine the association of rs662 (A > G) and rs854560 (A > T) PON1 polymorphisms with psoriasis susceptibility in Western Mexico population. In this case-control study, we included 104 psoriasis patients and 124 control subjects. The genotyping of polymorphisms rs662 (A > G) and rs854560 (A > T) of PON1 was carried out by PCR-RFLPs. The lipid profiles were quantified by enzymatic colorimetric method, and PON1 activity was determined by spectrophotometry. The lipid profile levels, except HDL-C and atherogenic index, were higher in patients vs. controls. Patients presented lower paraoxonase and arylesterase activity. The G allele of rs662 (A > G) is associated with risk for psoriasis, while the T allele of rs854560 (A > T) is associated with low susceptibility to psoriasis. The AG haplotype was more frequent within the patient group (p < 0.05). The AA and AG genotypes of rs662 (A > G) and TT and AA genotypes of rs854560 (A > T) are associated with lower PONase and ARE activity in patients vs. controls. Patients with the G allele of rs662 (G > A) and T alleles of rs854560 (A > T) show significant differences in the lipid levels in comparison to controls. These results suggest that carriers of G allele of rs662 (A > G) present a greater susceptibility to psoriasis.

Expression of BAFF and BAFF receptors in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients with ectopic germinal center-like structures.

B cell-activating factor (BAFF) is an essential cytokine in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) physiopathology. It has been reported that pSS patients develop germinal center-like (GC-like) structures in their minor salivary glands (MSGs). BAFF, BAFF-R, TACI, and BCMA expression was analyzed in MSGs from 29 subjects (nonspecific chronic sialadenitis and focal lymphocytic sialadenitis with the presence [pSS-GC(+)] or absence [pSS-GC(-)] of GC-like structures). Twenty-four percent of patients showed ectopic GC-like structures and a high focus score [p < 0.001 vs pSS-GC(-)]. BAFF serum levels (sBAFF) were high in pSS patients (p = 0.025 vs healthy subjects). However, the pSS-GC(-) group showed higher sBAFF levels than pSS-GC(+) patients. BAFF and BAFF-R glandular expression levels were higher in pSS-GC(+) patients, without significant differences compared to pSS-GC(-) patients. Soluble levels of BAFF correlated with anti-La/SSB antibodies and disease duration. Our results showed that BAFF could contribute to focal lymphocytic infiltration. The role of BAFF-binding receptors in MSGs is proposed as a mechanism for the possible establishment of ectopic GC-like structures and disease progression in some patients. In conclusion, this study supports previous evidence that considers the active BAFF system role in the pathogenesis of pSS and the need for strong biomarkers in this disease.

A potential inflammatory role of IL-31 in psoriatic arthritis: A correlation with Th17 cytokine profile.

The goals of our study were to determine the possible association of interleukin (IL)-31 with Th17 cytokine profile in serum and to quantify retinoic acid-related orphan receptor C (RORC) mRNA expression in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 50 patients with PsA and 30 control subjects (CS) matched by age and gender. The cytokine serum levels were quantified by magnetic bead-based assay using the Bio-Plex MAGPIX system, and RORC mRNA expression was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). As a result, significant differences in IL-31 were observed between study groups (77.23 pg/mL in PsA vs 64.4 pg/mL in CS, P < 0.001) and Th17 cytokine profile serum levels (IL-17A: 6.36 pg/mL in PsA vs 2.97 pg/mL in CS, P = 0.02; IL-17F: 44.15 pg/mL in PsA vs 23.36 pg/mL in PsA, P = 0.01; IL-17E: 3.03 pg/mL in PsA vs 0.82 pg/mL in CS, P < 0.001; IL-21: 36.45 pg/mL in PsA vs 12.44 pg/mL in CS, P = 0.02); however, significant differences were not observed for IL-23 (31.2 pg/mL in PsA vs 53.26 pg/mL in CS, P = 0.58). Furthermore, positive correlations between IL-31 and Th17 cytokine profile serum levels were found (IL-17A: rs = 0.64, P < 0.001; IL-17F: rs = 0.73, P < 0.001; IL-17E: rs = 0.70, P < 0.001; IL-21: rs = 0.54, P = 0.002; IL-23: rs = 0.5, P < 0.01). Regarding RORC gene expression, the PsA group showed an increase of 6.85-fold compared to the CS group. We did not find any association between the serum levels of cytokines and RORC gene expression. In conclusion, in PsA, there are increased serum levels of IL-31, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-17E, and IL-21, but not IL-23. Moreover, there was a positive correlation of IL-31 with the Th17 cytokine profile and a high RORC gene expression. Altogether, these findings suggest a proinflammatory contribution of IL-31 in close association with the Th17 cytokine profile in PsA.

The -675 4G/5G PAI-1 polymorphism confers genetic susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus, its clinical manifestations, and comorbidities in Mexican-Mestizo population.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) involves a broad range of factors that contribute to the development of the disease and its comorbidities. Genetic predisposition influences the development of SLE, and the -675 4G/5G PAI-1 polymorphism has been associated with several pathologies with a chronic inflammatory component. Our objective was to investigate the genetic association between the -675 4G/5G PAI-1 polymorphism with SLE, its clinical manifestations, and comorbidities in a Mexican-Mestizo population. The -675 PAI-1 polymorphism was determined by PCR-RFLP in 716 subjects: 293 SLE patients and 423 control subjects. Significant associations for SLE genetic susceptibility were found in carriers of 4G/5G (OR = 2.63; CI 1.81-3.87; p < .001) and 4G/4G (OR = 2.70; CI 1.62-4.51; p < .001) genotype in comparison with the 5G/5G genotype; 4G allele carriers also presented genetic risk for SLE (OR = 1.63; CI 1.31-2.03; p < .001) compared to the 5G allele. Following a dominant genetic model, a similar association was found with the 4G allele to SLE (OR = 2.66; CI1.84-3.84; p < .001). The 4G/5G genotype was associated with shorter disease duration (p = .039), as well as lower levels of haemoglobin (p = .001) and haematocrit (p = .009); the need for prednisone treatment (p = .001), higher BMI (p = .03), presence of type 2 DM (p = .015), clinical activity (Mex-SLEDAI = 57%; p = .047), Chronicity (SLICC-ACR = 0; p = .015) and CRP levels (p = .015) were associated with 5G/5G genotypes. In conclusion, the -675 4G/5G and 4G/4G PAI-1genotypes were found as genetic risk markers of susceptibility for SLE in the Mexican-Mestizo population, and each genotype could influence the clinical manifestations and comorbidities differently in SLE.

Analysis of Genetic Variation in CD40 and CD40L: Relationship with mRNA Relative Expression and Soluble Proteins in Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can be triggered by the presence of inflammatory factors which promote the activation of immune cells by costimulatory molecules such as CD40 and its ligand CD40L. Environmental and genetic factors are involved in the etiology of the ACS. The aim of this study was to explore the gene and protein expression associated with CD40 and CD40L genetic variants in ACS patients from the western Mexican population. A total of 620 individuals from western Mexico were recruited: 320 ACS patients and 300 individuals without a history of ischemic cardiopathy were evaluated. The genotype was determined using TaqMan SNP genotyping assays. CD40 and CD40L expressions at the mRNA level were quantified using TaqMan Gene Expression Assays. Soluble protein isoforms were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We did not find evidence of association between CD40 (rs1883832, rs4810485, and rs11086998) and CD40L (rs3092952 and rs3092920) genetic variants and susceptibility to ACS, although rs1883832 and rs4810485 were significantly associated with high sCD40 plasma levels. Plasma levels of sCD40L can be affected by gender and the clinical spectrum of acute coronary syndrome. Our results do not suggest a functional role of CD40 and CD40L genetic variants in ACS. However, they could reflect the inflammatory process and platelet activation in ACS patients, even when they are under pharmacological therapy. Due to the important roles of the CD40-CD40L system in the pathogenesis of ACS, longitudinal studies are required to determine if soluble levels of CD40 and CD40L could be clinically useful markers of a recurrent cardiovascular event after an ACS.

PRL -1149T allele (rs1341239) is associated with decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis in population from southern Mexico: analysis of mRNA expression and PRL serum levels.

INTRODUCTION: Prolactin (PRL) is a sex hormone with immunomodulatory properties, and it is associated with the clinical activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The -1149G>T polymorphism at the prolactin (PRL) gene has been associated with autoimmune diseases, but its functional effect is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association of the PRL -1149G>T polymorphism with disease susceptibility, mRNA, and protein expression of PRL in RA patients from Southern Mexico. METHODS: We included 300 RA patients and 300 control subjects (CS). Genotypes were identified by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique, the PRL mRNA expression was determined by real-time PCR, and PRL serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Applying genetic models of inheritance (dominant, recessive, and additive), we found an association between the T allele and decreased RA susceptibility (OR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.35-0.87, p = 0.009; OR = 0.09, 95% CI 0.012-0.76, p = 0.011; OR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.32-0.76, p = 0.001, respectively). RA patients had higher mRNA expression and soluble levels of PRL than CS (p < 0.05). The PRL serum levels were similar in RA and CS according to genotypes. However, in CS, carriers of GT and TT genotypes showed lower PRL mRNA expression than GG genotype carriers (7.1-fold and 20-fold respectively, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the PRL -1149T allele is a genetic marker of decrease risk to RA in population from Southern Mexico, and it is associated with low PRL mRNA. KEY POINTS: • PRL -1149T allele is a marker of decreased RA susceptibility in population from southern Mexico. • PRL -1149TT genotype is associated with low PRL mRNA expression. • RA patients have higher mRNA expression and soluble levels of PRL than healthy subjects. • PRL serum levels are higher in those RA patients with < 2 years of disease evolution.

High BAFF expression associated with active disease in systemic lupus erythematosus and relationship with rs9514828C>T polymorphism in TNFSF13B gene.

B cell-activating factor (BAFF) promotes the survival, proliferation and maturation of B lymphocytes, which are key elements in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This cytokine is encoded on TNFSF13B gene, and diverse single-nucleotide polymorphisms have been associated with susceptibility in different autoimmune disorders. In this study, the relationship of TNFSF13B gene rs9514827T>C, rs1041567T>A and rs9514828C>T polymorphisms, mRNA expression and soluble BAFF levels was investigated in 175 SLE patients and 208 healthy controls (HC). The TNFSF13B polymorphisms were evaluated by PCR-RFLP technique. The TNFSF13B gene expression was quantified through the RT-PCR assays. The soluble BAFF (sBAFF) levels were measured with ELISA test. There were no differences in genotype and allele frequencies for the three TNFSF13B polymorphisms, between SLE patients and HC. SLE patients showed 3.15-fold more TNFSF13B gene expression than HC. The patients who displayed most mRNA expression were those with active disease and the carriers of rs9514828 T variant allele. The sBAFF serum levels were higher in SLE patients compared to HC (2.083 vs. 0.742 ng/mL, p < 0.001). The SLE patients with active disease showed the higher sBAFF serum levels (2.403 ng/mL), mainly patients with lupus nephritis and hematological manifestations. In addition, a correlation of sBAFF with disease activity was found (r = 0.32, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the TNFSF13B gene polymorphisms were not found to be associated with SLE susceptibility in Mexican mestizos. Nevertheless, rs9514828C>T polymorphism seems to increase TNFSF13B gene expression. High BAFF expression is related to active disease, renal and hematological involvement; therefore, it could be considered as follow-up biomarker in SLE patients.

PTPN22 +788 G>A (R263Q) Polymorphism is Associated with mRNA Expression but it is not a Susceptibility Marker for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients from Western Mexico.

PTPN22 represents an important non-HLA gene that has been strongly associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. Several studies have reported a specific genetic variant for PTPN22 (+788 G>A; rs33996649) that might be associated with decreased RA risk in Caucasian population; nevertheless, its specific role in western Mexican population has not been yet described. A case-control study with 443 RA patients and 317 control subjects (CS) was conducted. The genotyping was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique and the PTPN22 mRNA expression was determined by SYBR Green-based real-time quantitative-PCR assay. No association between the PTPN22 +788 G>A polymorphism and RA susceptibility in western Mexican population was found when comparing genotype and allelic frequencies between RA patients and CS (G/G vs. G/A: OR 0.55, p = 0.14, 95% CI 0.22-1.32; G vs. A: OR 0.56, p = 0.14, 95% CI 0.23-1.36). The PTPN22 mRNA expression increased 4.6-fold more in RA patients than in CS, and RA patients, carriers of PTPN22 +788 G/A genotype, expressed 15.6-fold more than RA patients carrying the homozygous G/G genotype. Overall, these results showed that the PTPN22 +788 G>A polymorphism is not associated with RA susceptibility in western Mexican population, whereas the presence of G/A genotype is associated with increased PTPN22 mRNA expression in RA patients.

Serum P-glycoprotein level: a potential biomarker of DMARD failure in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the utility of elevated serum P-glycoprotein (P-gp) as a risk marker of therapeutic response failure in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 151 RA patients. Patients were classified into two groups according to the response achieved in terms of the disease activity score (DAS)28 after ≥ 6 months: (1) patients with a therapeutic response to DMARDs, with DAS28 < 3.2; and (2) patients without a response to DMARDs, with persistent DAS28 ≥ 3.2. We explored a wide group of clinical factors associated with therapeutic resistance. Serum P-gp levels were measured by ELISA. The risk of P-gp elevation as a marker of failure to achieve a therapeutic response to DMARDs was computed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Serum P-gp levels were significantly higher in RA patients (n = 151) than in the controls (n = 30) (158.70 ± 182.71 ng/mL vs. 14.12 ± 8.97 ng/mL, p < 0.001). The P-gp level was correlated with the DAS28 score (r = 0.39, p < 0.001). RA patients with DMARD failure had higher serum P-gp levels than patients with a therapeutic response (206 ± 21.47 ng/mL vs 120.60 ± 15.70 ng/mL; p = 0.001). High P-gp levels increased the risk of DMARD failure (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.54-7.27, p = 0.001). After adjusting for confounding variables, elevated P-gp remained associated with DMARD failure (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.29-5.40, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Elevated serum P-gp is associated with DMARD failure. The P-gp level can be considered a clinical tool for evaluating the risk of DMARD failure in patients; however, future prospective studies should be performed to evaluate the utility of this marker in predicting long-term responses.

MIF functional polymorphisms (-794 CATT5-8 and -173 G>C) are associated with MIF serum levels, severity and progression in male multiple sclerosis from western Mexican population.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine associated with tissue damage in multiple autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. The role of MIF in multiple sclerosis (MS) and the contribution of its polymorphisms are unknown in our population. Therefore, we decided to investigate the genetic association of -794 CATT5-8 (rs5844572) and -173 G>C (rs755622) MIF polymorphisms with MS, clinical variables and MIF serum levels in the population of western Mexico. 230 MS patients diagnosed according to McDonald criteria and 248 control subjects (CS) were recruited for this study, both polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR and PCR-RFLP and MIF serum levels were measured by ELISA kit. Severity and progression of MS were evaluated by EDSS and MSSS scores, respectively. Genotypes carrying the 5 repeats alleles of -794 CATT5-8MIF polymorphism present higher MIF serum levels in comparison with no carriers, and the presence of 5,7 heterozygous genotype contribute to the increase of disease severity and damage progression in MS patients. Notably when we stratified by sex, an effect of risk alleles (7 repeats and -173*C) of both MIF polymorphisms on EDSS and MSSS scores on males was found (p < 0.01). This study suggests that polymorphic alleles of MIF polymorphisms could act as sex-specific disease modifiers that increase the severity and progression of MS in male Mexican-Mestizo western population.

Regulation of lactate dehydrogenase in response to WSSV infection in the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is key for anaerobic glycolysis. LDH is induced by the hypoxia inducible factor -1 (HIF-1). HIF-1 induces genes involved in glucose metabolism and regulates cellular oxygen homeostasis. HIF-1 is formed by a regulatory α-subunit (HIF-1α) and a constitutive ß-subunit (HIF-1ß). The white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) induces anaerobic glycolysis in shrimp hemocytes, associated with lactate accumulation. Although infection and lactate production are associated, the LDH role in WSSV-infected shrimp has not been examined. In this work, the effects of HIF-1 silencing on the expression of two LDH subunits (LDHvan-1 and LDHvan-2) in shrimp infected with the WSSV were studied. HIF-1α transcripts increased in gills, hepatopancreas, and muscle after WSSV infection, while HIF-1ß remained constitutively expressed. The expression for both LDH subunits increased in each tissue evaluated during the WSSV infection, translating into increased enzyme activity. Glucose concentration increased in each tissue evaluated, while lactate increased in gills and hepatopancreas, but not in muscle. Silencing of HIF-1α blocked the increase of LDH expression and enzyme activity, along with glucose (all tissues) and lactate (gills and hepatopancreas) concentrations produced by WSSV infection. These results demonstrate that HIF-1 up regulates the expression of LDH subunits during WSSV infection, and that this induction contributes to substrate metabolism in energetically active tissues of infected shrimp.

The 3'-UTR (CA)n microsatellite on CD40LG gene as a possible genetic marker for rheumatoid arthritis in Mexican population: impact on CD40LG mRNA expression.

The objective of this study was to determine the association of the CD40LG 3'-UTR (CA)n microsatellite with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and CD40LG mRNA levels in females from western Mexico. A case-control study with 219 RA patients and 175 control subjects (CS) was conducted. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), X 2 test was used to compare genotype and allele frequencies, and odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate the association between RA and the microsatellite. CD40LG mRNA expression was assessed by real-time quantitative PCR. For comparisons between groups, Kruskal-Wallis or Mann-Whitney U tests for non-parametric data and ANOVA test for parametric data were performed. Among the 13 different alleles identified, CA25 was the most represented (45.4% RA and 46.3% CS). Stratification according to CA repeats as CA25 showed a tendency towards a higher frequency of >CA25 alleles in RA patients (29%) compared to CS (23.4%). There was no association between any genotype and the clinical parameters of RA patients. According to the 2-∆∆Cq method, CD40LG mRNA expression in RA patients was 4.5-fold higher compared to CS; this difference was significant when assessed by the 2-∆Cq method (p = 0.028). Compared to carriers of the CA25/CA25 genotype, CS carrying the CA25/>CA25 carriers. The 3'-UTR CD40LG (CA)n microsatellite is not a genetic marker for RA in western Mexican population; however, results suggest that it plays a role in the CD40LG mRNA expression.

Expression of MIF and TNFA in psoriatic arthritis: relationship with Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokine profiles and clinical variables.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease associated with psoriasis. The cause of this pathology is still unknown, but research suggests the diseases are caused by a deregulated cytokine production. MIF is a cytokine associated with immunomodulation of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokine profiles in inflammatory diseases. Based on this knowledge, the aim of this study was to determine the association of MIF and TNFA expression with Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokine profiles in serum levels of PsA patients. A cross-sectional study was performed in 50 PsA patients and 30 control subjects (CS). The cytokine profiles were quantified by BioPlex MagPix system and the mRNA expression levels by real-time PCR. TNFA mRNA expression was 138.81-folds higher in PsA patients than CS (p < 0.001). Regarding MIF mRNA expression, no significant differences were observed; however, a positive correlation was identified between MIF mRNA expression and PsA time of evolution (r = - 0.53, p = 0.009). An increase of Th1 (IFNγ: PsA = 37.1 pg/mL vs. CS = 17 pg/mL, p < 0.05; TNFα: PsA = 24.6 pg/mL vs. CS = 9.8 pg/mL, p < 0.0001) and Th17 cytokine profiles (IL-17: PsA = 6.4 pg/mL vs. CS = 2.7 pg/mL, p < 0.05; IL-22: PsA = 8.4 pg/mL vs. CS = 1.8 pg/mL, p < 0.001), were found in PsA patients. Th2 cytokines were not significantly different in both groups. In conclusion, a high expression of TNFA mRNA, as well as an increase of Th1 and Th17 cytokine profiles evaluated by IFNγ, TNFα, IL-17, and IL-22 cytokines, was observed in PsA patients.

High expression of interleukine-1 receptor antagonist in rheumatoid arthritis: Association with IL1RN*2/2 genotype.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokines production. IL-1Ra is an anti-inflammatory cytokine codified by IL1RN gene that blocks IL-1 signalling. A VNTR polymorphism of 86 bp in IL1RN gene has been associated with RA risk and regulation of IL-1Ra expression. In this study, we determined mRNA and protein expression of IL-1Ra in RA patients and control subjects (CS). This study included 85 RA patients classified according to the ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria and 67 CS. Polymerase chain reaction was used to identify IL1RN VNTR polymorphism, the expression of sIL-1Ra (secreted isoform) mRNA was determined by SYBR Green-based real time quantitave-PCR assay, and IL-1Ra soluble levels quantification was evaluated by ELISA test. RA patients had higher soluble levels of IL-1Ra than CS (p < .01), sIL-1Ra mRNA expression was higher in RA patients compared to CS (p < .01). Carriers of IL1RN*2/2 homozygous genotype show increased IL-1Ra soluble levels compared to IL1RN*long/long and IL1RN*2/long genotypes (p < .05) in the CS group, whereas mRNA expression in carriers of IL1RN*2/2 genotype was 1.2 times higher compared to IL1RN*long/long genotypes in the same group. Regarding RA patients, high expression of sIL-1Ra mRNA on carriers of IL1RN*long/long genotype was observed. Nevertheless, in RA patients IL-1Ra soluble levels among genotypes did not show significant differences. High expression of IL-1Ra in RA patients under treatment or not with antirheumatic drugs was detected. Additionally, carriers of IL1RN*2/2 genotype had higher IL-1Ra expression than carriers of other genotypes.

Evaluation of the contribution of D9S1120 to anthropological studies in Native American populations.

The D9S1120 locus exhibits a population-specific allele of 9 repeats (9RA) in all Native American and two Siberian populations currently studied, but it is absent in other worldwide populations. Although this feature has been used in anthropological genetic studies, its impact on the evaluation of the structure and genetic relations among Native American populations has been scarcely assessed. Consequently, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anthropological impact of D9S1120 when it was added to STR population datasets in Mexican Native American groups. We analyzed D9S1120 by PCR and capillary electrophoresis (CE) in 1117 unrelated individuals from 13 native groups from the north and west of Mexico. Additional worldwide populations previously studied with D9S1120 and/or 15 autosomal STRs (Identifier kit) were included for interpopulation analyses. We report statistical results of forensic importance for D9S1120. On average, the modal alleles were the Native American-specific allele 9RA (0.3254) and 16 (0.3362). Genetic distances between Native American and worldwide populations were estimated. When D9S1120 was included in the 15 STR population dataset, we observed improvements for admixture estimation in Mestizo populations and for representing congruent genetic relationships in dendrograms. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) based on D9S1120 confirms that most of the genetic variability in the Mexican population is attributable to their Native American backgrounds, and allows the detection of significant intercontinental differentiation attributed to the exclusive presence of 9RA in America. Our findings demonstrate the contribution of D9S1120 to a better understanding of the genetic relationships and structure among Mexican Native groups.

Assessment of the rs4340 ACE gene polymorphism in acute coronary syndrome in a Western Mexican population.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is considered one of the main causes of death worldwide. Contradictory findings concerning the impact of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene on cardiovascular diseases have been reported. Previous conclusions point out that the variability in results depends on ethnicity and genetic polymorphisms to determine the association of rs4340 polymorphisms of the ACE gene and ACE circulating levels in ACS. Genotyping of rs4340 polymorphisms was performed in a total of 600 individuals from Western Mexico divided into two groups: the ACS and the control group (CG). The polymorphisms were identified by polymerase chain reaction. Serum ACE concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. D/D carriers had higher ACE levels than I/I carriers (3.6 vs 2.8 ng/mL, P < 0.0021) in the CG. The D/D genotype of the rs4340 polymorphism is associated with higher ACE concentration levels; however, the polymorphism was not associated with ACS.

Aberrant expression of interleukin-10 in rheumatoid arthritis: Relationship with IL10 haplotypes and autoantibodies.

Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is an immunomodulatory cytokinethat plays a central rolein the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Different studies consistently show increased IL-10 serum levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and it appears to be caused by genetic variants. Three polymorphisms situated at positions -1082, -819 and -592 of IL10 gene and its major haplotypes have been associated with regulating IL10 promoter activity. In this study, we evaluated whether IL10 haplotypes are associated with mRNA expression and IL-10 serum levels as well as susceptibility to RA in a Western Mexican population. A total of 240 RA patients and 240 control subjects (CS) were included. Genotyping of IL10 polymorphisms was performed by PCR and PCR-RFLP, respectively. IL10 mRNA expression was determined by real-time PCR and IL-10 serum levels were measured using an ELISA kit. IL10 mRNA expression was 50-fold higher in RA patients than CS (p<0.001), while IL-10 serum levels did not show differences between groups. However, high IL-10 serum levels were positively related to a higherseropositivityfor rheumatoid factor (FR) and anti-CCP antibodies (p<0.05). No significant differences between the distribution of haplotype frequencies were observed between both study groups, but GCC haplotype was associated with higher IL-10 serum levels compared with the ACC and ATA haplotypes in RA patients (p<0.05). In addition, patients carrying ATA and GCC haplotypes showed higher mRNA expression than ACC (5.4-fold and 8.8-fold, respectively) and surprisingly, this trend was reversed in the controls, although it was not significant. In conclusion, our findings suggest that IL10 (GCC, ACC, and ATA) haplotypes may not be a susceptibility marker for RA in a population from Western Mexico. Nevertheless, independently of the presence of these variants, there is an aberrant overexpression of IL10 gene in RA, and it may play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA.

Association of 86 bp variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) with susceptibility and clinical activity in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic disease of unknown etiology. Several studies have reported a variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) 86 bp (rs2234663) in the intron 2 of IL1RN gene with RA risk. The present study was designed to determine the frequencies of this polymorphism in patients with RA and control subjects (CS) and its association with RA in a western Mexican population. An analytical cross-sectional study was performed, in which 350 patients with RA and 307 CS were included. The identification of IL1RN VNTR polymorphism was carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and genotypes were associated with clinical variables (DAS28 and CRP). The presence of A1/A2 genotype was associated with RA risk (p = 0.03, OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.02-2.05). Also, results indicate that the presence of heterozygote genotypes which include A2 was associated with RA risk (p = 0.01, OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.07-2.11). Patients carrier of A2/A2 genotype have a higher score of DAS28 (5.64 [4.49-6.70]). A-/A- has higher level of CRP (2.30 [0.62-9.10]) in comparison with A2/A- (1.06 [0.37-2.82]). A1/A2 genotype was associated with susceptibility to RA in a western Mexican population. The presence of the A2/A2 genotype in RA is associated with increased disease activity.

CD40 functional gene polymorphisms and mRNA expression in rheumatoid arthritis patients from western Mexico.

The CD40 pathway is involved in the development and pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CD40 gene, rs1883832 and rs4810485, are associated with susceptibility to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and are thought to alter CD40 expression at the mRNA and protein level. This study assessed for the first time the association of these SNPs with RA and CD40 mRNA levels in a western Mexican population. A total of 278 RA patients and 318 control subjects were included. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and CD40 mRNA expression was determined by real-time quantitative PCR. No significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies were identified between the RA patients and controls. When stratified by genotype, these SNPs were not found to be associated with the presence of autoantibodies or the clinical activity of the disease. CD40 mRNA levels were elevated 1.5-fold in RA patients compared to control subjects; however, no clear tendencies were observed following stratification by genotype. These results suggest that the CD40 SNPs rs1883832 and rs4810485 are not RA susceptibility markers in the western Mexican population. Further studies are needed to clarify their roles in CD40 mRNA expression.