Risk allelic load in Th2 and Th3 cytokines genes as biomarker of susceptibility to HPV-16 positive cervical cancer: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in the host cellular immune response allow persistent infections with High-Risk Human Papillomavirus (HR-HPV) and development of premalignant cervical lesions and cervical cancer (CC). Variations of immunosuppressive cytokine levels in cervix are associated with the natural history of CC. To assess the potential role of genetic host immunity and cytokines serum levels in the risk of developing CC, we conducted a case-control study paired by age. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from patients with CC (n = 200) and hospital controls (n = 200), were used to evaluate nine biallelic SNPs of six cytokine genes of the adaptive immune system by allelic discrimination and cytokines serum levels by ELISA. RESULTS: After analyzing the SNP association by multivariate logistic regression adjusted by age, CC history and smoking history, three Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10) and one Th3 (TGFB1) cytokine were significantly associated with CC. Individuals with at least one copy of the following risk alleles: T of SNP (-590C > T IL-4), C of SNP (-573G > C IL-6), A of SNP (-592C > A IL-10), T of SNP (-819C > T IL-10) and T of SNP (-509C > T TGFB1), had an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 2.08 (95 % CI 1.475-2.934, p = 0.0001), an OR of 1.70 (95 % CI 1.208-2.404, p = 0.002), an OR of 1.87 (95 % CI 1.332-2.630, p = 0.0001), an OR of 1.67 (95 % CI 1.192-2.353, p = 0.003) and an OR of 1.91 (95 % CI 1.354-2.701, p = 0.0001), respectively, for CC. The burden of carrying two or more of these risk alleles was found to have an additive effect on the risk of CC (p trend = 0.0001). Finally, the serum levels of Th2 and Th3 cytokines were higher in CC cases than the controls; whereas IFNG levels, a Th1 cytokine, were higher in controls than CC cases. CONCLUSION: The significant associations of five SNPs with CC indicate that these polymorphisms are potential candidates for predicting the risk of development of CC, representing a risk allelic load for CC and can be used as a biomarker of susceptibility to this disease.

Association of ß1 and ß3 adrenergic receptors gene polymorphisms with insulin resistance and high lipid profiles related to type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Among the diverse genes associated to type 2 diabetes (T2D), the ß-adrenergic receptors are an excellent candidate to study in Mexican population. The objective of this work was to analyze the association of polymorphisms in ADRB1 (rs1801253) (Arg389Gly) and ADRB3 (Trp64Arg) genes with T2D and metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS: We studied 445 MS patients, 502 with T2D and 552 healthy controls. Anthropometric features and complete biochemical profile were evaluated, and Arg389Gly and Trp64Arg SNPs were determined by TaqMan assays. Data analysis was adjusted by African, Caucasian and Amerindian ancestral percentage. RESULTS: The variant Arg389Gly of ADRB1 was statistically associated with an increase of LDL levels (P < 0.008), and the variant ADRB3 Trp64Arg was associated to larger HOMA-IR (P < 0.018) and with an increase of insulin levels (P < 0.001). A multiple logistic regression analysis was made in three grouping models: For ADRB3 in the codominant model Trp/Arg genotype, there was an OR of 1.53 (1.09-2.13, P < 0.003) which was increased up to OR 2.99 (1.44-6.22, P < 0.003) for the Arg/Arg genotype. Similar risk association was found under the dominant model Trp/Arg-Arg/Arg genotype with OR 1.67 (1.21-2.30; P < 0.002). In the recessive model (Arg/Arg genotype), there was also a high association OR 2.56 (1.24-5.26, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The ADRB3 Trp64Arg variant is a susceptibility gene polymorphism for T2D and the ADRB1 Gly389Arg for lipid metabolism disruption. These results show that these variants are potential biomarkers for predicting metabolic alterations and evolution in diabetic and metabolic syndrome patients.

Antecedentes: Entre los diversos genes asociados a la diabetes tipo 2 (DT2), los receptores ­adrenérgicos­ son excelentes candidatos para estudiar en la población mexicana dada la alta prevalencia de estas patologías. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la asociación de polimorfismos en los genes ADRB1 (rs1801253) (Arg389Gly) y ADRB3 (Trp64Arg) con DT2 y SM. Métodos: Se estudiaron 445 pacientes con Síndrome Metabólico, 502 con diabetes tipo 2 y 552 controles sanos. Se evaluaron las características antropométricas, perfil bioquímico completo y los polimorfismos Arg389Gly y Trp64Arg SNPs se determinaron mediante ensayos TaqMan. El análisis de datos fue ajustado por porcentaje de ancestralidad. Resultados: Para la variante ADRB1 Arg389Gly se observó una asociación estadísticamente significativa con un aumento de los niveles de LDL (P < 0,008 ), y la variante ADRB3 Trp64Arg se asoció a mayor HOMA- IR (p < 0,018) y con un aumento de los niveles de insulina (P < 0,001). Mediante modelos de regresión logística múltiple en los tres modelos de heredabilidad se evaluó la asociación de ambos polimorfismos y DT2 y SM, observando un asociación significativa en los 3 modelos solo con DT2, ADRB3 en el modelo codominante Trp/Arg un OR de 1.53 (1.9 a 2.13 , P < 0.003) que se incrementó hasta OR 2,99 (1,44 a 6,22 , P < 0,003) para el genotipo Arg/Arg . Se encontró bajo el modelo dominante genotipo Trp/Arg- Arg/Arg con OR 1.67 (1.21 a 2.30, p < 0.002). En el modelo recesivo (Arg/Arg), también un OR 2.56 (1.24 a 5.26 , P < 0.01). Conclusiones: La variante ADRB3 Trp64Arg se asoció significativamente con DT2 y ADRB1 Gly389Arg en alteraciones en el metabolismo de lípidos. Nuestros resultados demuestran que estas variantes son posibles biomarcadores para predecir las alteraciones metabólicas y la evolución en pacientes con síndrome Metabólico y diabetes tipo 2.

Molecular Mechanism and Potential Targets for Blocking HPV-Induced Lesion Development.

Persistent infection with high-risk HPV is the etiologic agent associated with the development of cervical cancer (CC) development. However, environmental, social, epidemiological, genetic, and host factors may have a joint influence on the risk of disease progression. Cervical lesions caused by HPV infection can be removed naturally by the host immune response and only a small percentage may progress to cancer; thus, the immune response is essential for the control of precursor lesions and CC. We present a review of recent research on the molecular mechanisms that allow HPV-infected cells to evade immune surveillance and potential targets of molecular therapy to inhibit tumor immune escape.

IL-10 expression is regulated by HPV E2 protein in cervical cancer cells.

It has been found that certain cytokines (IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-ß1) are highly expressed locally in biopsies from patients with premalignant lesions and cervical cancer, and may induce a local immune-suppression state. In particular, IL-10 is highly expressed in tumor cells and its expression is directly proportional to the development of HPV-positive cervical cancer, suggesting an important role of HPV proteins in the expression of IL-10. In fact, we demonstrated that E6 and E7 HPV proteins regulate TGF-ß1 gene expression in cervical cancer cells. Here, we found by band shifting analysis that the HPV E2 protein binds to the regulatory region of the human IL-10 gene (-2054 nt) and induces high promoter activity in epithelial cells. Additionally, cervical cancer cells transfected to express the HPV E2 protein induce elevated levels of IL-10 mRNA in human papillomavirus-infected cells. The elevated expression of IL-10 may allow for virus persistency, the transformation of cervical epithelial cells, and consequently cancer development.

HPV 16 E2 protein induces apoptosis in human and murine HPV 16 transformed epithelial cells and has antitumoral effects in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: Our aims were to examine the ability of the human papillomaviruse (HPV) 16 E2 protein to induce apoptosis in a murine HPV-transformed cell line, and to evaluate its antitumor properties on HPV-associated tumors in vivo in immunocompetent mice. METHODS: HPV-transformed murine BMK-16/myc cells and human SiHa cells were transfected with the HPV 16 E2 gene to examine the effects of the E2 protein on cell growth and on the E6 and E7 oncogenes as well as DNA fragmentation and activation of the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Finally, to test the antitumor effect of the E2 protein on an experimental mouse tumor model, we generated a recombinant adenovirus expressing the E2 protein. RESULTS: The E2 protein inhibited the growth of SiHa and BMK-16/myc cell lines, and repressed the E6 and E7 oncogenes. Moreover, the E2 protein induced DNA fragmentation and apoptosis through activation of caspases 8 and 3 in BMK-16/myc cells. On the other hand, E2 also showed antitumor effects in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that E2 exerts pro-apoptotic activity in a murine HPV-transformed cell line as well as an antitumor effect in vivo.

[Umbilical cord hematopoietic progenitor cells bank]. / Banco de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas de cordón umbilical.

Transplantation of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) from bone marrow and mobilized peripheral blood is a standard therapy in malignant and non malignant diseases. The lack of suitable donors is an important limitation. The discovery that umbilical cord blood (CB) contains high numbers of HPC that can be used as an alternative source for allogeneic stem cell transplantation led ITMO to establish BANCEL, the first Argentine and Latinoamerican experience of its kind. The blood remaining in the umbilical cord and in the placenta was requested from women who were in the last quarter of pregnancy. An informed consent together with a medical record focused on family disease was completed. Out of 65 donations, 55 (85%) were collected and 51 (78%) were cryopreserved. Mean collected volume was 110 ml with 68% (75 ml) reduction and mean cryopreservation of 35 ml; ABO and Rh blood group systems were determined, HLA, class I, A and B loci, and class II, DR locus were typed by molecular biology methods using PCR-SSOP. Infectious disease screening was carried out for brucellosis, syphilis, Chagas, hepatitis B and C, HIV I and II, HTLV I and II, toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus. Two positive units for hepatitis B (anticore) and two positive units for Chagas were discarded. The quantity of total nucleated cells (TNC), CD34+ cells and the clonogenic capacity were determined twice at the collection and after the procedures of volume reduction previous to cryopreservation. A 5% reduction in both TNC and CD34 cells and a 10% in the colony forming units (CFU) were detected. A good correlation coefficient between TNC and CFU was obtained.

Banco de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas de cordón umbilical. / [Umbilical cord hematopoietic progenitor cells bank]

Transplantation of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) from bone marrow and mobilized peripheral blood is a standard therapy in malignant and non malignant diseases. The lack of suitable donors is an important limitation. The discovery that umbilical cord blood (CB) contains high numbers of HPC that can be used as an alternative source for allogeneic stem cell transplantation led ITMO to establish BANCEL, the first Argentine and Latinoamerican experience of its kind. The blood remaining in the umbilical cord and in the placenta was requested from women who were in the last quarter of pregnancy. An informed consent together with a medical record focused on family disease was completed. Out of 65 donations, 55 (85

) were collected and 51 (78

) were cryopreserved. Mean collected volume was 110 ml with 68

(75 ml) reduction and mean cryopreservation of 35 ml; ABO and Rh blood group systems were determined, HLA, class I, A and B loci, and class II, DR locus were typed by molecular biology methods using PCR-SSOP. Infectious disease screening was carried out for brucellosis, syphilis, Chagas, hepatitis B and C, HIV I and II, HTLV I and II, toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus. Two positive units for hepatitis B (anticore) and two positive units for Chagas were discarded. The quantity of total nucleated cells (TNC), CD34+ cells and the clonogenic capacity were determined twice at the collection and after the procedures of volume reduction previous to cryopreservation. A 5

reduction in both TNC and CD34 cells and a 10

in the colony forming units (CFU) were detected. A good correlation coefficient between TNC and CFU was obtained.

[Bone marrow transplantation in chronic myeloid leukemia]. / Transplante de médula ósea en leucemia mieloide crónica.

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) is an oncohematological disease characterized by a clonal proliferation concerning the primitive hematopoietic cell. A typical cytogenetic alteration known as Philadelphia Chromosome (Ph1), a 9:22 chromosomic translocation which produces a hybrid gene BCR/ABL, is present in 95% of the patients. Nineteen CML patients (9 female and 10 male) underwent Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT). Median age was 32 years (range 9 to 47); 15 of them were in chronic phase (CP), and 4 in accelerated phase (AP). At diagnosis, all patients were Ph1+, BCR/ABL+. The conditioning regimen consisted of busulphan and cyclophosphamide while patients in AP received etoposide as well. Seventeen patients received cyclosporine A, methotrexate and methylprednisone as prophylaxis for Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) while 2 patients received only the first two drugs. The 9.22 translocation was determined by means of RT-PCT technique using the primers NB1+, Abl3, B2A, CA3 and A2. The sensitivity of the method was 1 x 10(-6). Among the 19 patients who entered the protocol, 14 are alive and in clinical, hematological and cytogenetic remission (Ph1-) and 3 patients died due to acute GVHD, 1 due to graft failure and 1 due to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. Of the 4 transplanted patients in AP, 3 are alive and in complete remission. The patients had a 74% survival, with a median follow-up of 655 days. Complete hematopoietic chimerism was demonstrated in 16 patients, with the study of 3 loci, D1S80, APO B and D17S30. No relationship was found between post BMT hybrid BCR/ABL (RT.PCR) persistence and disease relapse; the presence of acute and/or chronic GVHD did not influence the BCR/ABL positivity. In our experience, BMT has proved to be the only therapeutic alternative for CML with complete clinical, hematological and cytogenetic remission and a mean survival of 74%, comparable to the international experience.

Transplante de médula ósea en leucemia mieloide crónica. / [Bone marrow transplantation in chronic myeloid leukemia]

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) is an oncohematological disease characterized by a clonal proliferation concerning the primitive hematopoietic cell. A typical cytogenetic alteration known as Philadelphia Chromosome (Ph1), a 9:22 chromosomic translocation which produces a hybrid gene BCR/ABL, is present in 95

of the patients. Nineteen CML patients (9 female and 10 male) underwent Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT). Median age was 32 years (range 9 to 47); 15 of them were in chronic phase (CP), and 4 in accelerated phase (AP). At diagnosis, all patients were Ph1+, BCR/ABL+. The conditioning regimen consisted of busulphan and cyclophosphamide while patients in AP received etoposide as well. Seventeen patients received cyclosporine A, methotrexate and methylprednisone as prophylaxis for Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) while 2 patients received only the first two drugs. The 9.22 translocation was determined by means of RT-PCT technique using the primers NB1+, Abl3, B2A, CA3 and A2. The sensitivity of the method was 1 x 10(-6). Among the 19 patients who entered the protocol, 14 are alive and in clinical, hematological and cytogenetic remission (Ph1-) and 3 patients died due to acute GVHD, 1 due to graft failure and 1 due to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. Of the 4 transplanted patients in AP, 3 are alive and in complete remission. The patients had a 74

survival, with a median follow-up of 655 days. Complete hematopoietic chimerism was demonstrated in 16 patients, with the study of 3 loci, D1S80, APO B and D17S30. No relationship was found between post BMT hybrid BCR/ABL (RT.PCR) persistence and disease relapse; the presence of acute and/or chronic GVHD did not influence the BCR/ABL positivity. In our experience, BMT has proved to be the only therapeutic alternative for CML with complete clinical, hematological and cytogenetic remission and a mean survival of 74

, comparable to the international experience.

Antígenos HLA en alcoholismo / HLA antigens in alcoholism

Se estudiaron antígenos de histocompatibilidad, sistema HLA-loci ABC y DR en una muestra de 30 pacientes alcohólicos. El criterio de inclusión de los pacientes fue muy riguroso, y referido a la presencia de signos y síntomas del síndrome de abstinencia. Los valores encontrados se compararon con los determinados en la población general. Se encontró un aumento de los antígenos B-40 y DR4, y una disminución del DR3 en la población alcohólica. Se determinó riesgo relativo, fracción etiológica y fracción preventiva para desarrollar el síndrome de abstinencia en sujetos alcohólicos que presentaban los citados antígenos (AU)

Antígenos HLA en alcoholismo / HLA antigens in alcoholism

Se estudiaron antígenos de histocompatibilidad, sistema HLA-loci ABC y DR en una muestra de 30 pacientes alcohólicos. El criterio de inclusión de los pacientes fue muy riguroso, y referido a la presencia de signos y síntomas del síndrome de abstinencia. Los valores encontrados se compararon con los determinados en la población general. Se encontró un aumento de los antígenos B-40 y DR4, y una disminución del DR3 en la población alcohólica. Se determinó riesgo relativo, fracción etiológica y fracción preventiva para desarrollar el síndrome de abstinencia en sujetos alcohólicos que presentaban los citados antígenos

HLA antigens and other genetic markers in the Mapuche Indians of Argentina.

A total of 107 Mapuche Indians living in western Argentina were studied with respect to 16 genetic systems. For HLA, there were a few differences in relation to previous studies; and considering the averages observed in 15 other South American tribes, Mapuche Indians showed low values for A2, A9 and C3, but high ones for A28 and B16. This is the first report of the presence (in low frequencies, 1-6%) of alleles C2, C6 and C7, as well as of DR antigens (most frequent alleles DR4 and DR2) in South American Indians. Some peculiar reactions shown by products of locus B suggest the presence of antigens that are characteristic of the Mapuche. As for the other systems, the frequencies of R1 (Rh) and PGM1(1) were lower but those for r (Rh), GLO1 and Hp1 were higher than the averages obtained considering previous studies of this ethnic group. Other salient findings were the variability observed in the PGM2 and C3 systems, and the low prevalence of Bfs.

Enfermedad de Still en el niño y en el adulto: estudio comparativo de sus características clínicas; serológicas y de histocompatibilidad / Still disease in children and adults: comparative study of its clinical, serological and histocompatibility characteristics

Diecisiete pacientes con enfermedad de Still de comienzo juvenil y 6 pacientes con comienzo en la edad adulta fueron analizados comparativamente con el objeto de determinar la influencia de la edad en la expresión clínica de esta afección. Doce de 17 pacientes juveniles y 3 de 6 adultos eran de sexo masculino. Fiebre héctica, rash cutáneo y poliartritis se observaron en todos los pacientes de ambos grupos. Leucocitosis se observó en 13 de 17 pacientes juveniles (76%) y en 5 de 6 (83%) pacientes adultos. Pericarditis, esplenomegalia, adenomegalias, anemia y anquílosis ósea se observaron con mayor frecuencia, aunque no significativamente, en el grupo de pacientes de comienzo juvenil. El antígeno HLA DR4 se encontró en 6 de 11 (54,5%) pacientes juveniles, frecuencia significativamente aumentada con respecto a la población general. En los adulto 1 de 6 tenían HLA DR4. No existió relación entre pronóstico favorable y presencia del antígeno HLA Bw35. En este trabajo no se encontraron diferencias significativas en las manifestaciones clínicas y serológicas entre pacientes juveniles y adultos con enfermedad de Still (AU)

Enfermedad de Still en el niño y en el adulto: estudio comparativo de sus características clínicas; serológicas y de histocompatibilidad / Still disease in children and adults: comparative study of its clinical, serological and histocompatibility characteristics

Diecisiete pacientes con enfermedad de Still de comienzo juvenil y 6 pacientes con comienzo en la edad adulta fueron analizados comparativamente con el objeto de determinar la influencia de la edad en la expresión clínica de esta afección. Doce de 17 pacientes juveniles y 3 de 6 adultos eran de sexo masculino. Fiebre héctica, rash cutáneo y poliartritis se observaron en todos los pacientes de ambos grupos. Leucocitosis se observó en 13 de 17 pacientes juveniles (76%) y en 5 de 6 (83%) pacientes adultos. Pericarditis, esplenomegalia, adenomegalias, anemia y anquílosis ósea se observaron con mayor frecuencia, aunque no significativamente, en el grupo de pacientes de comienzo juvenil. El antígeno HLA DR4 se encontró en 6 de 11 (54,5%) pacientes juveniles, frecuencia significativamente aumentada con respecto a la población general. En los adulto 1 de 6 tenían HLA DR4. No existió relación entre pronóstico favorable y presencia del antígeno HLA Bw35. En este trabajo no se encontraron diferencias significativas en las manifestaciones clínicas y serológicas entre pacientes juveniles y adultos con enfermedad de Still