cAMP差异调控CD39^(+)、CTLA-4^(+)、PD-1^(+)T细胞亚群产生

目的:分析CD39、CTLA-4及PD-1在T细胞上的表达及表达模型,探讨环磷酸腺苷(cAMP)对其表达的影响,解析调控其表达的关键通路。方法:通过腺苷酸环化酶(ACs)激活剂、磷酸二酯酶(PDE)抑制剂、蛋白激酶A(PKA)抑制剂以及PKA-CREB抑制剂等小分子化合物体外刺激猕猴外周血单个核细胞,流式细胞术检测CD39、CTLA-4、PD-1阳性(CD39^(+)、CTLA-4^(+)、PD-1^(+))T细胞的比率变化,分析其表达模式,对比小分子对表达/共表达的阳性细胞比率的影响,明确表达模式及调控表达的分子与通路。结果:正常猕猴的CD4^(+)T和CD8^(+)T细胞中CD39^(+)、CTLA-4^(+)和PD-1^(+)细胞比率较低,且阳性细胞主要表达其中一种分子;增加胞内cAMP浓度,不影响CD39^(+)T细胞比率,显著增加CTLA-4^(+)T细胞比率,降低PD-1^(+)CD8^(+)T细胞比率,涉及细胞群为CTLA-4和PD-1单表达的细胞群;抑制PKA活性可降低PDE广谱抑制剂3-异丁基-1-甲基黄嘌呤(IBMX)对CTLA-4表达的增效作用,但不影响PD-1的表达;交换蛋白激动剂不影响CTLA-4的表达,但下调PD-1^(+)CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)T细胞比率;PDE4B选择性抑制剂对CTLA-4的上调作用与IBMX相似,而PDE3和PDE5A选择性抑制剂对PD-1表达的调控与IBMX相似。结论:CD39、CTLA-4和PD-1在T细胞上有不同表达模型,但受cAMP水平不同的调控,且参与表达调控的cAMP下游信号通路不同。

外周血PD-1、CTLA-4、T-reg、pDC与鼻咽癌患者临床特征及疗效的相关性

目的:探讨初治鼻咽癌患者治疗前外周血PD-1/CTL(%)、CTLA-4/CTL(%)、T-reg(%)、pDC与患者临床特征及即刻疗效的关系,以及以上指标在鼻咽癌患者及健康人群中的表达差异。方法:收集112例初治鼻咽癌患者治疗前临床资料及淋巴细胞亚群和树突细胞亚群数据,进行外周血PD-1/CTL(%)、CTLA-4/CTL(%)、T-reg(%)、pDC与鼻咽癌患者临床特征及即刻疗效的相关性分析,从112例鼻咽癌患者中随机选取30例患者作为病例组,年龄、性别匹配的30例同期体检健康者作为对照组,分析两组外周血PD-1/CTL(%)、CTLA-4/CTL(%)、T-reg(%)、pDC表达差异。结果:112例初治鼻咽癌患者中,年龄≥50岁组与年龄<50岁组相比,外周血PD-1/CTL(%)更高。CTLA-4/CTL(%)与T分期、N分期、TNM分期呈负相关,CTLA-4/CT(%)越高,疗效越好。T-reg(%)与N分期呈正相关,T-reg(%)与M分期存在“S”型曲线关系。pDC与N分期、TNM分期呈负相关。病例组与对照组外周血PD-1/CTL(%)、T-reg(%)差异存在统计学意义,病例组与对照组外周血CTLA-4/CTL(%)差异不存在统计学意义。结论:外周血CTLA-4/CT(%)越高,鼻咽癌T分期、N分期、TNM分期越早,外周血CTLA-4/CT(%)越高,疗效越好。外周血T-reg(%)越高,N分期越晚。当外周血T-reg(%)<20%时,鼻咽癌可能未发生远处转移,当外周血T-reg(%)为20%~50%时,外周血T-reg(%)表达越高,发生远处转移的可能越大,当外周血T-reg(%)>50%时,鼻咽癌已经远处转移的可能性大。外周血pDC越高,N分期、TNM分期越早。外周血以上指标可动态观察,有望成为预测鼻咽癌患者疗效及预后的生物标志物。

TLR2 and TLR4 polymorphisms influence m RNA and protein expression in colorectal cancer

AIM: To evaluate the effect of promoter region polymorphisms of toll-like receptor(TLR)2-196 to-174 del and TLR4-1607T/C(rs10759932) on m RNA and protein expression in tumor tissue and of TLR4+896A/G(rs4986790) on colorectal cancer(CRC) risk.METHODS: The TLR2-196 to-174 del polymorphism was investigated using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and the TLR4-1607T/C and TLR4+896A/G by PCR-restriction fragment length p o l y m o r p h i s m( R F L P). W e g e n o t y p e d 4 3 4 D N A samples from 194 CRC patients and 240 healthy individuals. The m RNA relative quantification(RQ) was performed in 40 tumor tissue samples by quantitative PCR Taq Man assay, using specific probes for TLR2 and TLR4 genes, and ACTB and GAPDH reference geneswere used as endogenous controls. Protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry with specific primary antibodies.RESULTS: No association was found for TLR4-1607T/C and TLR4+896A/G by three statistical models(logadditive, dominant and recessive). However, based on dominant and log-additive models, the polymorphic variant TLR2-196 to-174 del was associated with increased CRC risk [dominant: odds ratio(OR) = 1.72, 95%CI: 1.03-2.89; P = 0.038 and log-additive: OR =1.59, 95%CI: 1.02-2.48; P = 0.039]. TLR2 m RNA expression was increased in tumor tissue(RQ = 2.36) when compared to adjacent normal tissue(RQ = 1; P < 0.0001), whereas the TLR4 m RNA showed a basal expression(RQ = 0.74 vs RQ = 1, P = 0.452). Immunohistochemistry analysis of TLR2 and TLR4 protein expression was concordant with the findings of m RNA expression. In addition, the TLR2-196 to-174 del variant carriers showed m RNA relative expression 2.19 times higher than wild-genotype carriers. The TLR2 protein expression was also higher for the TLR2-196 to-174 del variant carriers [117 ± 10 arbitrary unit(a.u.) vs 95 ± 4 a.u., P = 0.03]. However, for the TLR4-1607T/C polymorphism no significant difference was found for both m RNA(P = 0.56) and protein expression(P = 0.26).CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that TLR2-196 to-174 del polymorphism increases TLR2 m RNA expression and is associated with higher CRC risk, indicating an important role in CRC genetic susceptibility.

Association between Promoter Polymorphisms of Interleukin-4 Gene and Allergic Rhinitis Risk: a Meta-analysis

Summary： The relationship of interleukin-4 （IL-4） C-33T and C-590T （C-589T） gene polymorphisms with allergic rhinitis was analyzed. Data about the case control studies of IL-4 gene promoter polymorphisms [C-33T and C-590T （C-589T）] and their association with allergic diseases and correlation between serum IL-4 levels and allergic rhinitis were retrieved. The Stata 12.0 statistical soitvcare was applied to analyze the correlation between IL-4 gene polymorphisms and allergic rhinitis. The meta-analysis result of TT/CC genotype of -590 （-589） polymorphism showed a significant association with allergic diseases [OR=1.93, 95% CI （1.61 2.31）, P=0.00]. Meta-analysis of the TT＋TC versus CC genotype of IL-4 C-33/T polymorphism revealed significant associations with allergic diseases [OR=3.23, 95% CI （1.13-9.25）, P=0.03]. Meanwhile, there was a significant correlation between serum IL-4 levels and allergic rhinitis [OR=2.52, 95% CI-（1.80-3.23）, P=0.00]. IL-4 gene -590 TT genotype may increase the risk of allergic rhinitis and the T allele mutation of -33 might be correlated with aller- gic rhinitis.

免疫检查点CTLA-4抑制剂抗肿瘤治疗研究进展

近年来,免疫检查点阻断疗法在多种类型的肿瘤治疗中疗效显著,但目前仅有15%-25%的患者能够对这些药物有响应,所以仍需要进一步探索。近期多项研究表明靶向CTLA-4抗体在成功用于癌症免疫治疗的同时,也带来了一系列的肠道菌群失调问题,进而影响着后续疗效,表明免疫检查点治疗抗肿瘤作用的有效性与肠道微生物菌群的组成有关。本文主要是对CTLA-4抑制剂在肿瘤治疗中的开发应用及可能的作用机理进行综述,为进一步研究免疫检查点抑制剂和机体微生物菌群相互作用对肿瘤治疗提供更多切实依据。

AGGF1中和抗体联合抗CTLA-4抗体抑制小鼠色素瘤生长的分子机制研究

目的:探究抗AGGF1中和抗体(RDD-Ab),RDD-Ab + 抗CTLA-4抗体联合治疗对小鼠黑色素瘤的治疗作用。方法:合成AGGF1的GTFQRDDAPASVHSE肽并制备多克隆中和抗体(RDD-Ab)。为了评估RDD-Ab对血管生成活性和黑色素瘤生长的影响,我们实施了小管生成实验、迁移实验、细胞增殖实验、黑色素瘤细胞皮下移植性模型实验和免疫组化等实验。结果:实验结果显示,制备的RDD-Ab可以识别细胞中天然的AGGF1蛋白和过表达的AGGF1蛋白。RDD-Ab可显著抑制血管内皮细胞小管形成、迁移和增殖。与IgG对照组相比,RDD-Ab治疗显著减缓黑色素瘤生长,RDD-Ab + CTLA-4抗体联合治疗时肿瘤生长速度最慢。免疫组化实验也表明,RDD-Ab显著减少瘤内微血管生成与肿瘤细胞增殖,同时,联合治疗可显著增加瘤内CD4+和CD8+淋巴细胞的浸润。结论:RDD-Ab可在体外抑制血管内皮细胞的血管新生功能,具有高效的黑色素瘤生长抑制作用,RDD-Ab + CTLA-4联合治疗黑色素瘤效果更佳(显著增加瘤内CD4+和CD8+淋巴细胞的浸润),这为未来黑色素瘤的临床干预提供了一种新的潜在治疗方案。Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of neutralizing antibody (against AGGF1, RDD-Ab), RDD-Ab + CTLA-4 therapy on mouse melanoma. Methods: Synthesize GTFQRDAPASVHSE peptide of AGGF1 and prepare polyclonal neutralizing antibody (RDD-Ab). In order to evaluate the effects of RDD-Ab on angiogenesis and melanoma growth, we conducted tube formation, migration, cell proliferation, subcutaneous melanoma cell transplantation model and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: RDD-Ab can recognize both natural AGGF1 protein and overexpressed AGGF1 protein in cells. The experimental results showed that RDD-Ab significantly inhibits the formation, migration, and proliferation of endothelial cell tubules. Compared with the IgG control group, RDD-Ab significantly slowed down the growth of melanoma. IHC experiments showed that RDD-Ab significantly suppressed tumor angiogenesis and proliferation. The combination therapy of RDD-Ab + CTLA-4 antibody has the slowest tumor growth rate, and the combination therapy increases the infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes robustly in solid tumors. Conclusion: RDD-Ab can inhibit the angiogenesis function of endothelial cells in vitro and has a highly effective inhibitory effect on melanoma growth has an efficient inhibitory effect on melanoma growth, and the combined treatment with CTLA-4 antibody is more effective. This provides a new potential treatment option for clinical intervention of melanoma in the future.

Effect of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4,TNF-alpha polymorphisms on osteosarcoma: evidences from a meta-analysis

Objective： Previous studies have investigated the role of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 （CTLA-4） and tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-a） in carcinogenesis of osteosarcoma, but their results were inconsistent. We aimed to clarify the associations between CTLA-4, TNF-a polymorphism and osteosarcoma risk by using meta-analysis. Methods： We searched relevant studies without language restriction in PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar databases, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI） and conference literature in humans published prior to March 2013. The strengths of the associations between genetic variants and osteosarcoma risk were estimated by odds ratio （OR） with 95% confidence interval （95% CI）. Results： A total of seven studies with 1,198 osteosarcoma patients and 1,493 controls were selected. Four studies were eligible for CTLA-4 （1,003 osteosarcoma and 1,162 controls）, and three studies for TNF-a （195 osteosarcoma and 331 controls）. Pooled results showed that rs231775 polymorphism of CTLA-4 was associated with osteosarcoma risk （GG vs. AA： OR=1.63, 95% CI=1.24-2.13; GG ＋ GA vs. AA： OR=1.56, 95% CI=1.21-2.01; AA ＋ GA vs. GG： OR=0.83, 95% CI=0.71-0.97; G vs. A： OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.08-1.36）. No significant heterogeneity was observed across the studies. No significant associations were found between rs5742909 polymorphism of CTLA-4 or rs1800629 polymorphism of TNF-a and osteosarcoma risk. Conclusions： These results suggest that the rs231775 polymorphism of CTLA-4 may play an important role in carcinogenesis of osteosarcoma.

Polymorphisms of the TLR2 and TLR4 genes are associated with risk of gastric cancer in a Brazilian population

AIM： TO investigate toll-like receptor 2 （TLR2） -196 to -274 del, and TLR4 （＋896A/G rs4986790 and ＋1196C/ T rs4986791） polymorphisms at risk of chronic gastritis and gastric cancer in a Brazilian population and associ-ation of gastric lesions with risk factors such as smoking, alcohol intake and Helicobacter pylori infection.METHODS： In this casecontrol study, polymorphism at TLR2 -96 to -174 del was investigated by using the allele-specific polymerase chain reaction （PCR） method, while the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique was carried out to identify the TLR4 （rs4986790 and rs4986791） genotypes in 607 Brazilian individuals （208 with chronic gastritis-CG, 174 with gastric cancer-GC and 225 controls -C）.RESULTS： The single nucleotide polymorphisms TLR4＋1196ClT was not associated with risk of chronic gastritis or gastric cancer and the homozygous genotypes TLR4＋896GG and TLR4＋1196TF were absent in the studied population. However, the frequency of TLR2 -196 to -174 ins/del ＋ del/del and TLR4＋896AGgenotypes was significantly higher （P 〈 0.01 and P = 0.01, respectively） in the cancer group （33.4% and 11.5%, respectively） than in the control group （16.9% and 4.5%, respectively）. It was also observed that the G-C haplotype of the TLR4＋896A/G＋1196C/T （P = 0.02） and the combination of variant alleles of the TLR21TLR4＋896G （P = 0.02） are associated with susceptibility to gastric cancer. In addition, the multiple logistic regression showed that male gender [odds ratio （OR） = 2.70; 95% CI： 1.66-4.41; P 〈 0.01], alcohol intake （OR = 2.93; 95% CI： 1.76-4.87, P 〈 0.01）, TLR2 -196 to -174 del （OR = 2.64; 95% CI： 1.56-4.44; P 〈 0.01） and TLR4＋896G （OR = 3.19; 95% CI： 1.34- 7.61; P 〈 0.01） polymorphisms were associated with a higher susceptibility to developing this neoplasm.CONCLUSION： Our data indicate that T/R2 -196 to -174 del and TLR4＋896G may increase the risk of gastric cancer in a Brazilian population.

The Relationship between Polymorphisms of Interleukin-4 Gene and Silicosis

Objective To explore the relationship between polymorphisms of interleukin-4 （IL-4） gene （-33, ＋45, intron3, ＋429, ＋448） and the susceptibility of silicosis. Methods A case-control study was carried out. 101 silicosis patients were selected as cases. As strictly matching, 121 of non silicosis workers were selected as the controls. The polymophisms of IL-4 （five locus） were detected by the method of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism （PCR-RFLP） techniques. Results The GA genotype in the IL-4＋429 locus and the CC genotype in the IL-4＋448 locus were found. The frequencies ofAA, GG and AG of IL-4＋45 locus in the cases were 55.4%, 10.9%, and 33.7% and in the controls were 62.0%, 12.6%, and 26.4%. The differences between cases and controls were not significant. The frequencies of B1B1, B2B2, and B1B2 of intron3 VNTR locus in the cases were 73.3%, 1.0%, and 25.7% and in the controls were 68.6%, 1.7%, and 29.8%. The differences were not significant. The frequencies of TT, CC, and CT in -33 locus in the cases were 55.4%, 11.9%, and 32.7% and in the controls were 69.4%, 4.1%, and 26.4%. The differences were significant （P=0.034）. Conclusion The relationship between genetic polymorphism of IL-4-33 site and silicosis has been found and -33TT is a protective genotype for silicosis.

Toll-like receptor 4 polymorphisms and bacterial infections in patients with cirrhosis and ascites

AIM To assess the relationship between the presence of toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) polymorphisms and bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients with ascites. METHODS We prospectively included consecutive patients with cirrhosis and ascites hospitalized during a 6-year period. Patients with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) infection or any other immunodeficiency, patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(beyond Milan's criteria) or any other condition determining poor short-term prognosis, and patients with a permanent urinary catheter were excluded. The presence of D299 G and/or T399 I TLR4 polymorphisms was determined by sequencing and related to the incidence and probability of bacterial infections, other complications of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and mortality during follow-up. A multivariate analysis to identify predictive variables of mortality in the whole series was performed. RESULTS We included 258 patients: 28(10.8%) were carriers of D299G and/or T399I TLR4 polymorphisms(polymorphism group) and 230 patients were not(wildtype group). The probability of developing any bacterial infection at one-year follow-up was 78% in the polymorphism group and 69% in the wild-type group(P = 0.54). The one-year probability of presenting infections caused by gram-negative bacilli(51% vs 44%, P = 0.68), infections caused by gram-positive cocci(49% vs 40%, P = 0.53), and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis(29% vs 34%, respectively, P = 0.99) did not differ between the two groups. The oneyear probability of transplant-free survival was 55% in the polymorphism group and 66% in the wild-type group(P = 0.15). Multivariate analysis confirmed that age, Child-Pugh score, active alcohol intake, previous hepatic encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma and serum creatinine were associated with a higher risk of death during follow-up. CONCLUSION Genetic polymorphisms D299 G and/or T399 I of TLR4 do not seem to play a relevant role in the predisposition of cirrhotic patients with ascites to bacterial infections.

Association of Graves’ disease and Graves’ ophthalmopathy with the polymorphisms in promoter and exon 1 of cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 gene

Objective: To investigate the association of Graves’ disease and Graves’ ophthalmopathy with the C/T transition polymorphism at position –318 of promoter and the A/G transition polymorphism at position 49 of exon 1 within cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) gene. Methods: Thirty-three patients with ophthalmopathy of Graves’ disease, fifty-six Graves’ patients without ophthalmopathy and sixty normal subjects as control were involved in the present case-control study. The polymorphisms were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Com-parisons were made of gene frequencies and allele frequencies between the groups. Results: The gene frequencies of CT and allele frequencies of T were much higher in Graves’ patients with ophthalmopathy than that in the group without ophthalmopathy (P=0.020, P=0.019). The gene frequencies of GG and allele frequencies of G in patients with Graves’ disease were significantly increased as compared with control group (P=0.008, P=0.007). The data suggest that smokers with Graves’ disease seemed to be more predisposed to ophthalmopathy than non-smokers (P=0.018). Conclusion: Our results suggest that an allele of T at position –318 of promoter is associated with genetic susceptibility to Graves’ ophthalmopathy while an allele of G at position 49 of exon 1 is associated with genetic susceptibility to Graves’ disease instead. Smoking is believed to be a major risk factor for ophthalmo-pathy.

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B

AIM： To assess the three polymorphJsm regions within cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 （CTLA-4） gene, a C/T base exchange in the promoter region-318 （CTLA-4 -318C/T）, an A/G substitution in the exon 1 position 49 （CTLA-4 49A/G）, a T/C substitution in 1172 （CTLA-4 -1172T/C） in patients with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS： Fifty-one patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and 150 healthy subjects were recruited sequentially as they presented to the hepatic clinic. Classification of chronic hepatitis B virus （HBV）-infected patients was as asymptomatic carrier state （26 patients） and chronic hepatitis B （25 patients）. Genomic DNA was isolated from anti-coagulated peripheral blood Bully coat using Miller＇s salting-out method. The presence of the CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms was determined using polymerase chain reaction amplification refractory mutation system （ARMS）. RESULTS： We observed a significant association between -318 genotypes frequency （T＋C-, T＋C＋, T-C＋） and susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B （P=0.012, OR=0.49, 95%CI： 0.206-1.162）. However, we did not observe a significant association for ＋49 genotype frequency （T＋C＋, T＋C- T-C＋） and -1172 genotype frequency （C＋T＋, T＋C- C＋T-） and state of disease. CONCLUSION： Our results suggest that CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms may partially be involved in the susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B.

CTLA-4+49 A/G Polymorphism and the Risk of Lung Cancer:a Meta-analysis

Background and objective:Lung cancer is one of the malignant tumors.Gene mutations associated with cellular immune function and regulating the activation and proliferation of immune cells.Several publications have explored the relationship between cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4(CTLA-4)+49 adenine(A)/guanine(G)polymorphism and susceptibility of lung cancer,but the results remain controversial.Thus,we performed this meta-analysis to derive a more comprehensive estimation of the relationship.Methods:All articles addressed lung cancer and polymorphisms of CTLA-4 were searched from the Pub Med,EMBASE databases published up to June 29,2019.Odds ratios(ORs)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs)were used to assess the strength of association.Publication bias of relevant studies was examined via Begg’s test and funnel plots.Results:The meta-analysis included 8 case-control studies covering 4,430 lung cancer patients and 5,198 healthy controls from September 2008 to April 2020.The overall eligible data indicated that CTLA-4+49 A/G polymorphisms did not correlate with the elevated lung cancer risk in all genetic comparison models(dominant model:OR=1.037,95%CI:0.925-1.161;recessive model:OR=0.968,95%CI:0.888-1.055;allele model:OR=0.992,95%CI:0.933-1.054;homozygous model:OR=0.980,95%CI:0.857-1.121;heterozygous model:OR=1.023,95%CI:0.906-1.154).In further stratified analyses,CTLA-4+49 A/G polymorphism was found to be significantly associated with susceptibility to NSCLC in these models(dominant model:OR=1.404,95%CI:1.074-1.836;allele model:OR=1.273,95%CI:1.034-1.565;homozygous model:OR=1.553,95%CI:1.044-2.310;heterozygous model:OR=1.308,95%CI:1.062-1.611).Conclusion:CTLA-4+49 A/G polymorphism were not associated with the risk of lung cancer but might be a risk factor only in NSCLC.

Expression analysis,single nucleotide polymorphisms within SIRT4 and SIRT7 genes and their association with body size and meat quality traits in Qinchuan cattle

Silent information regulator 2 （Sir2） proteins, or sirtuins, are nicotine adenine dinucleotide （NAD）-dependent deacetylases that connect metabolism with longevity in lower organisms. In mammals, there are seven Sir2 homologs, namely, silent information regulators （SIRT1-7）. SIRT4 and SIRT7 genes play a crucial role in regulating lipid metabolism, cellular growth and metabolism. This suggests that they are potential candidate genes for affecting body size and meat quality traits in animals. Hence, this study aimed to detect genetic variations of both SIRT4 and SIRT7 bovine genes in Qinchuan cattle, and to evaluate the effect of these variations on economically important body size and meat quality traits. Expression analysis using quantitative real-time PCR （qPCR） indicated that SIRT4 and SIRT7 were broadly expressed in all thirteen studied tissues. The expression of SIRT4 was higher in liver, muscle, and in subcutaneous fat tissue. In the case of SIRT7, the expression was higher in lung, abomasum, and subcutaneous fat. Using DNAsequencing, a total of three single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） were identified within SIRT4 and SIRT7 genes in 468 Qinchuan cattle. These included one novel SNP within 3＇ untranslated regions （UTR） of SIRT4 （SNP1： g. 13915A〉G） and two novel synonymous substitutions in SIRT7 （SNP2： g.3587C〉T and SNP3： g.3793T〉C）. Statistical analyses indicated that all three SNPs could significantly influence some body size and meat quality traits in Qinchuan cattle. These novel findings will provide a background for application of bovine SIRT4 and SIRT7 genes in the selection program of Chinese cattle.

Adiponectin receptor 1 and small ubiquitin-like modifier 4 polymorphisms are associated with risk of coronary artery disease without diabetes

Background The genes encoding adiponectin receptor 1 （ADIPOR1） and small ubiquitin-like modifier 4 （SUM04） have been linked to anti-atherogenic effects, but little is known about whether polymorphisms in the two genes, acting separately or interacting, affect risk of coronary artery disease （CAD） without diabetes. Methods We genotyped 200 CAD patients without diabetes and 200 controls without CAD or diabetes at three single-nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） in ADIPOR1 and one SNP in SUM04, which were chosen based on previous studies. Potential associations were also explored between these SNPs and clinical characteristics of CAD without diabetes. Results Risk alleles at three SNPs inADIPOR1 （rs7539542-G, rs7514221-C and rs3737884-G） and the G allele at SNP rs237025 in SUM04 significantly increased risk of CAD without diabetes, with ORs ranging from 1.79 to 4.44. Carriers of any of these four risk alleles showed similar adverse clinical characteristics. Compared with individuals with a CC or GC genotype, those with a GG genotype at rs3737884 were at significantly higher risk of CAD that affected the left anterior descending coronary artery （OR： 6.77, P = 0.009）, the right coronary artery （OR： 4.81, P = 0.028） or a relatively large number of vessels （P = 0.04）. Individuals carrying a risk allele at one or more of the three SNPs in ADIPOR1 as well as a risk allele at the SNP in SUM04 were at significantly higher risk of CAD without diabetes than individuals not carrying any risk alleles （OR： 5.82, 95% CI： 1.23-27.7, P= 0.013）. Conelusions SNPs in ADIPORl and SUMO4 are associated with elevated risk of CAD without diabetes, and SNPs in the two genes may interact to jointly affect disease risk.

Significant association between IL-18 and OCT4 gene polymorphisms in susceptibility and clinical characteristics of prostate cancer

Objective Recent studies have shown abnormal expression of octamer-binding transcription factor 4(OCT4) and interleukin-18(IL-18) to be related to cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the IL-18 and OCT4 gene polymorphisms are associated with prostate cancer remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the presence of IL-18 and OCT4 polymorphisms were associated with size, grade, tumor, nodes and metastasis(TNM) stage, or survival in patients with prostate cancer.Methods Polymorphisms in OCT4 and IL-18 genes were evaluated to determine susceptibility to prostate cancer in 120 patients. A control group consisted of 125 Chinese participants. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results No association was found between OCT4 and IL-18 gene polymorphisms and prostate cancer susceptibility. For OCT4 AA and IL-18-607 CC genotypes, there was a significant association with higher tumor grade(P = 0.03 and P = 0.025) and stage(P = 0.04 and P = 0.001). The OCT4 and IL-18-137 GG genotype was correlated with higher tumor grade(P = 0.028) and stage(P = 0.008). Furthermore, OCT4 AA was significantly more frequent in patients with lymph node metastasis(P = 0.02) and distant metastasis(P = 0.01). The Cox proportional hazard model showed that tumor grade and stage grouping were independent prognostic factors but IL-18 and OCT4 polymorphisms were not. Conclusion The OCT4 gene may have a profound effect on prostate cancer risk. Polymorphism variants in the IL-18(IL-18-607 and IL-18-137) and OCT4 genes may be associated with poor prognoses for individuals with prostate cancer.

PD-1/CTLA-4双抗治疗妇科恶性肿瘤的疗效和安全性观察

目的分析妇科恶性肿瘤患者应用PD-1/CTLA-4双抗治疗后的血常规、影像学等相关数据,评价该药物在妇科恶性肿瘤患者治疗中的有效性及安全性。方法选取22例妇科恶性肿瘤患者,均接受程序性细胞死亡蛋白1(PD-1)/靶向细胞毒性T淋巴细胞相关抗原4(CTLA-4)双抗治疗加或不加化疗或靶向治疗,观察近期疗效、不良反应发生率。结果CR患者4例,占18.2%,PR 2例,占9.1%,SD 6例,占27.3%,总有效率27.3%(CR+PR),临床获益率54.5%(CR+PR+SD)。PD 10例,占45.5%。随访至2023年10月31日,存活患者14例,占63.6%,死亡患者8例,占36.4%。治疗相关不良事件(TRAEs)发生率95.5%(21/22),其中重度不良反应发生率为50.0%(11/22):血红蛋白降低发生率9.1%(2/22),白细胞减少发生率27.3%(6/22),中性粒细胞减少发生率13.6%(3/22),ALT及AST升高、血小板减低、过敏反应发生率均为4.5%(1/22)。与免疫治疗相关的重度不良反应发生率为:重度血红蛋白降低、重度血小板减低、重度肝功能损伤均为4.5%(1/22)。结论应用PD-1/CTLA-4双抗治疗晚期/复发妇科恶性肿瘤患者临床获益率较高,不良反应发生率低,具有较高的推广价值。

Clinical significance of NOD2/CARD15 and Toll-like receptor 4 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms in inflammatory bowel disease

AIM： To evaluate the role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of Crohn＇s disease （CD） and ulcerative colitis （UC）, we investigated the single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） of NOD2/CARD15 （R702W, Gg08R and L1007finsC）, and Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） genes （D299G and T399I） in a selected inflammatory bowel disease （IBD） population coming from Southern Italy. METHODS： Allele and genotype frequencies of NOD2/ CARD15 （R702W, Gg08R and L1007finsC） and TLR4 （D299G and T399I） SNPs were examined in 133 CD patients, in 45 UC patients, and in 103 healthy controls. A genotype-phenotype correlation was performed. RESULTS： NOD2/CARD15 R702W mutation was significantly more frequent in CD （9.8%） than in controls （2.4%, P = 0.001） and in UC （2.3%, P = 0.03）. No significant difference was found between UC patients and control group （P 〉 0.05）. In CD and UC patients, no significant association with G908R variant was found. L1007finsC SNP showed an association with CD （9.8%） compared with controls （2.9%, P = 0.002） and UC patients （2.3%, P = 0.01）. Moreover, in CD patients, G908R and L1007finsC mutations were significantly associated with different phenotypes compared to CD wild-type patients. No association of IBD with the TLR4 SNPs was found in either cohort （allele frequencies： D299G-controls 3.9%, CD 3.7%, UC 3.4%, P 〉 0.05; T399I-controls 2.9%, CD 3.0%, UC 3.4%, P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： These findings confirm that, in our IBD patients selected from Southern Italy, the NOD2/ CARD15, but not TLR4 SNPs, are associated with increased risk of CD.

Analysis of TLR4 and TLR2 polymorphisms in inflammatory bowel disease in a Guangxi Zhuang population

AIM: To study the polymorphisms of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile and TLR2 gene Arg753Gln, Arg677Trp and susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the Zhuang population from Guangxi, China. METHODS: A case-control study was performed from February 2007 to October 2011 which included 146 Zhuang patients with IBD in the experimental group and 164 healthy Zhuang subjects who acted as the control group. All patients and healthy subjects were from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. Genomic DNA was extracted from intestinal tissue by the phenol chloroform method. TLR4 gene Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile and TLR2 gene Arg753Gln, Arg677Trp were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and then detected by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RESULTS: The TLR4 gene Asp299Gly was digested using Nco Ⅰ restriction enzyme, and a single band of 249 bp was observed which showed that it was a wild type (AA). The TLR4 gene Thr399Ile was digested using Hinf Ⅰrestriction enzyme and only the wild type (CC) was detected. In addition, the TLR2 gene Arg-677Trp was digested using Aci Ⅰ restriction enzyme and only the wild type (CC) was detected. The TLR2 gene Arg753Gln was digested using Pst Ⅰ restriction enzyme. Only the wild type (GG) as a single band of 254 bp was observed during RFLP. Overall, no heterozygous or homozygous single nucleotide polymorphism mutations were found in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis both in the TLR4 gene Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile and the TLR2 gene Arg677Trp, Arg753Gln in the Zhuang population from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. CONCLUSION: The TLR4 gene Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile and TLR2 gene Arg753Gln, Arg677Trp polymorphisms may not be associated with IBD in the Zhuang population from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China.

Transforming growth factor-β and toll-like receptor-4 polymorphisms are not associated with fibrosis in haemochromatosis

AIM:To investigate the role of genetic polymorphisms in the progression of hepatic fibrosis in hereditary haemochromatosis.METHODS:A cohort of 245 well-characterised C282Y homozygous patients with haemochromatosis was studied,with all subjects having liver biopsy data and DNA available for testing.This study assessed the association of eight single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)in a total of six genes including toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-β),oxoguanine DNA glycosylase,monocyte chemoattractant protein 1,chemokine C-C motif receptor 2 and interleukin-10 with liver disease severity.Genotyping was performed using high resolution melt analysis and sequencing.The results were analysed in relation to the stage of hepatic fibrosis in multivariate analysis incorporating other cofactors including alcohol consumption and hepatic iron concentration.RESULTS:There were significant associations between the cofactors of male gender(P=0.0001),increasing age(P=0.006),alcohol consumption(P=0.0001),steatosis(P=0.03),hepatic iron concentration(P<0.0001)and the presence of hepatic fibrosis.Of the candidate gene polymorphisms studied,none showed a significant association with hepatic fibrosis in univariate or multivariate analysis incorporating cofactors.We also specifically studied patients with hepatic iron loading above threshold levels for cirrhosis and compared the genetic polymorphisms between those with no fibrosis vs cirrhosis however there was no significant effect from any of the candidate genes studied.Importantly,in this large,well characterised cohort of patients there was no association between SNPs for TGF-βor TLR4and the presence of fibrosis,cirrhosis or increasing fibrosis stage in multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION:In our large,well characterised group of haemochromatosis subjects we did not demonstrate any relationship between candidate gene polymorphisms and hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis.