Correlations of PSGL-1 VNTR polymorphism with the susceptibility to severe HFMD associated with EV-71 and the immune status after infection.

Enterovirus 71 (EV-71) has strong neurotropism, and it is the main pathogen causing severe hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). In clinical observations, significant differences were observed in the severity and prognosis of HFMD among children who were also infected with EV-71. Genetic differences among individuals could be one of the important causes of differences in susceptibility to EV-71-induced HFMD. As P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) is an important receptor of EV-71, the correlation between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PSGL-1 and the susceptibility to severe HFMD following EV-71 infection is worth studying. Given the role of PSGL-1 in immunity, the correlations between PSGL-1 SNPs and the immune status after EV-71 infection are also worth studying. Meanwhile, PSGL-1 variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) represents a research hotspot in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, but PSGL-1 VNTR polymorphism has not been investigated in HFMD caused by EV-71 infection. In this study, specific gene fragments were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and PSGL-1 VNTR sequences were genotyped using an automatic nucleic acid analyzer. The correlations of PSGL-1 VNTR polymorphism with the susceptibility to EV-71-associated severe HFMD and the post-infection immune status were analyzed. The PSGL-1 VNTR A allele was identified as a susceptible SNP for severe HFMD. The risk of severe HFMD was higher for AA + AB genotype carriers than for BB genotype carriers. The counts of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets were lower in AA + AB genotype carries than in BB genotype carries. In conclusion, PSGL-1 VNTR polymorphism is associated with the susceptibility to EV-71-induced severe HFMD and the immune status after infection. PSGL-1 VNTR might play a certain role in the pathogenesis of severe cases.

Unravelling potential biomarkers for acute and chronic brucellosis through proteomic and bioinformatic approaches.

Introduction: This study aimed to identify biomarkers for acute and chronic brucellosis using advanced proteomic and bioinformatic methods. Methods: Blood samples from individuals with acute brucellosis, chronic brucellosis, and healthy controls were analyzed. Proteomic techniques and differential expression analysis were used to identify differentially expressed proteins. Co-expression modules associated with brucellosis traits were identified using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Results: 763 differentially expressed proteins were identified, and two co-expression modules were found to be significantly associated with brucellosis traits. 25 proteins were differentially expressed in all three comparisons, and 20 hub proteins were identified. Nine proteins were found to be both differentially expressed and hub proteins, indicating their potential significance. A random forest model based on these nine proteins showed good classification performance. Discussion: The identified proteins are involved in processes such as inflammation, coagulation, extracellular matrix regulation, and immune response. They provide insights into potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers for brucellosis. This study improves our understanding of brucellosis at the molecular level and paves the way for further research in targeted therapies and diagnostics.

Relationship between polymorphism of receptor SCARB2 gene and clinical severity of enterovirus-71 associated hand-foot-mouth disease.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the relationship between polymorphism of scavenger receptor class B member 2 (SCARB2) gene and clinical severity of enterovirus (EV)-71 associated hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD). METHODS: Among the 100 recruited cases, 56 were in the severe HFMD group (case group) and 44 were in the general HFMD group (control group). By screening functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and hot SNPs, and performing SNP site optimization, some SNP sites of SCARB2 gene were selected for analysis. Genotyping was performed using a MassArray platform. PLINK software was used for statistical processing and analysis of the correlation differences between the mutant genotypes in the severe and general HFMD groups. The relationship between the SNPs and clinical severity of enterovirus (EV)-71 associated HFMD was assessed. RESULTS: 28 SNPs in SCARB2 were selected by site optimization. Then three loci were not in agreement with the minor allele frequency (MAF) in the 1000 Han Chinese in Beijing (CHB) dataset. Another three loci could not be detected. Nine loci were not suitable for further analysis (MAF < 0.01 and Hardy-Weinberg [HWE] P < 0.001). A total of 13 sites were subsequently analyzed. Through Fisher analysis, the frequency of the rs6812193 T allele was 0.134 and 0.034 in the severe and general HFMD groups, respectively (P 0.023 < 0.05, odds ratio [OR] 4.381 > 1). Logistic regression analysis of rs6812193 T alleles between the severe and general HFMD groups, respectively (P 0.023 < 0.05, OR 4.412 > 1, L95 1.210 > 1). Genotype logistic regression analysis of the rs6812193 alleles CT + TT versus CC gave an OR of 4.56 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.22-17.04, P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: The rs6812193 T allele was a susceptibility SNP for SHFMD, and the rs6812193 polymorphism might be significantly associated with the susceptibility to EV-71 infection.

LINE-1 Methylation in Chronic HBV Infected Patients: Association with HCC, Gender and MTHFR C677T Polymorphism.

BACKGROUND: Polymorphism of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T has been reported to be associated with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. DNA methylation has been suggested to be associated with HCC onset. MTHFR is the key enzyme in folic acid metabolism, thus, it influences the production of the main donor of methyl groups for DNA methylation. This study aimed to determine the association of global DNA methylation with MTHFR C677T polymorphism in chronic HBV infected patients, as well as its association with HCC and gender. METHODS: In all, 130 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 131 HBV-related HCC patients were enrolled in the study. The methylation level of long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1), the surrogate marker of global DNA methylation, and MTHFR C677T genotypes were determined. RESULTS: The HCC group showed significantly lower LINE-1 methylation than the CHB group (p = 0.016). Females were observed to have a markedly lower LINE-1 methylation level than males in both CHB and HCC groups (p = 0.000, p = 0.014, respectively). A significant relationship between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and LINE-1 methylation was observed in the CHB group (F = 5.985, p = 0.003). CT, TT, and CT + TT genotypes were significantly associated with lower LINE-1 methylation level compared with the CC genotype (p = 0.005, p = 0.018, p = 0.001, respectively). In addition, the association between MTHFR C677T and LINE-1 methylation was more significant in females (F= 5.036, p = 0.011) than in males (F = 3.083, p = 0.051); further, the association was significant in the subjects older than 60 years (F = 3.865, p = 0.028), but not in the subgroup aged less than 60 years (F = 2.496, p = 0.089). CONCLUSIONS: LINE-1 methylation level in chronic HBV infected patients was associated with the occurrence of HBV-related HCC, gender, and MTHFR C677T polymorphism.

Association of IFNL3 rs12979860 polymorphism with HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility in a Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: The association between interferon lambda-3 (IFNL3，also known as interleukin 28B, IL28B) rs12979860 polymorphism and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been investigated in recent studies with inconclusive and inconsistent results. IFNL3 rs12979860 polymorphism has been shown a marked differential distribution with regional and ethnic variation. Whether this single nucleotide polymorphism influences susceptibility to hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC remains elusive. METHODS: In this case-control study, a total of 157 Chinese Han patients with chronic HCV infection were enrolled, including 62 HCV-related HCC patients and 95 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients without HCC, and the genetic polymorphism of IFNL3 rs12979860 was genotyped via a DNA microarray-based assay. The logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the correlation between the genetic polymorphism and risk of HCV-related HCC. RESULTS: A higher proportion of CT/TT genotype and T allele was observed in HCC patients compared to the CHC group. Under the genetic model of allele frequency, the T allele was associated with elevated risk of HCV-related HCC in the Chinese population compared to C allele after an adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, HCV infection duration, and HCV genotypes (P=0.046). In the subgroup analysis stratified by HCV genotype, subjects with CHC genotype 1b infection carrying rs12979860 T allele and CT+TT genotype had higher susceptibility to HCC than those with C allele and CC genotype (P=0.020, P=0.037, respectively). CONCLUSION: IFNL3 rs12979860 polymorphism with T allele could be a factor that increases the risk of HCV-related HCC in the Chinese population, especially those subjects with CHC genotype 1b infection.

Distribution of IL28B rs12979860 and rs8099917 Genotypes in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Tianjin, China.

BACKGROUND: Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs12979860 (C/T) and rs8099917 (T/G), near the interleukin 28B (IL28B, also known as IFN lambda-3, IFNL3) gene, have a strong association with both spontaneous and treatment-induced hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance. IL28B polymorphisms have shown a marked differential distribution with regional and ethnic variation. The study aimed to investigate the distribution of IL28B rs12979860 and rs8099917 genotypes in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in Tianjin, China. METHODS: A total of 1,600 patients with chronic HCV infection were enrolled, including 762 males and 838 females. The IL28B rs12979860 and rs8099917 polymorphisms were genotyped via a DNA microarray-based assay. RESULTS: The distribution of IL28B rs12979860 CC, CT, and TT genotypes was 93.94%, 5.94%, and 0.12%, and that of rs8099917 TT, TG, and GG genotypes was 88.75%, 11.06%, and 0.19%, respectively. The allele frequencies for rs12979860 C and T were 96.91% and 3.09%, and those for rs8099917 T and G were 94.28% and 5.72%, respectively. The combined assessment of the two SNPs showed that rs12979860 CC/rs8099917 TT was more prevalent with a frequency of 85.94% (1375/1600). When stratified with gender, the genotype and allele distribution of the two SNPs did not significantly differ between male and female subjects. When compared with the data derived from previously reported studies and the 1000 Genomes Project, there was a relatively higher distribution of favorable genotypes rs12979860 CC and rs8099917 TT in the present study. CONCLUSIONS: IL28B rs12979860 CC and rs8099917 TT genotypes were predominant in patients with chronic HCV infection in Tianjin, China. These data provided new insight into the geographical frequency distribution of IL28B variants. The higher distribution of the favorable genotypes in Tianjin might be suggestive of better response to antiviral therapy for interferon-eligible CHC patients in this resource-constrained area.

Genetic Polymorphism of MTHFR C677T Influences Susceptibility to HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Chinese Population: a Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is the key enzyme of folic acid metabolism and the C677T mutation is associated with decreased enzyme activity. Several studies have shown its regulatory role in carcinogenesis and tumor growth. HBV (hepatitis B virus)-related HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) is one of the most common liver cancers worldwide. Therefore, the present case-control study aimed to investigate the role of genetic polymorphism of MTHFR C677T in the development and progression of HBV-related HCC in a Chinese population. METHODS: Subjects enrolled included 204 HBV-related HCC patients and 211 HBV infected patients without HCC. MTHFR C677T polymorphism was genotyped via a DNA microarray-based assay. The relationship between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and HBV-related HCC was analyzed. RESULTS: The genotype frequencies of MTHFR C677T were statistically different between the HCC and control groups (p = 0.025). The TT genotype was associated with elevated risk of HBV-related HCC in a Chinese population under different genetic models after an adjustment for age, gender, HBV infection duration, and HCC family history (T vs. C, OR = 1.462, 95% CI: 1.090 - 1.962, p = 0.011; TT vs. CC, OR = 2.151, 95% CI: 1.143 - 4.049, p = 0.018; TT vs. CC+CT, OR = 1.918, 95% CI: 1.215 - 3.026, p = 0.005). When stratified with the known duration of HBV infection, subjects with HBV infection duration of more than 20 years and carrying the homozygous TT genotype had a higher susceptibility to HCC than those with the C allele (CC/CT) (OR = 2.568, 95% CI: 1.244 - 5.303; p = 0.011). There was no significant association between MTHFR C677T genotypes and HCC stages based on BCLC staging system. CONCLUSIONS: MTHFR C677T polymorphism with TT genotype could be a factor that increases the risk of HBVrelated HCC in a Chinese population, especially those with HBV infection duration of more than 20 years.

Genetic Polymorphism of Epidermal Growth Factor rs4444903 Influences Susceptibility to HCV-Related Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Chinese Han Population.

BACKGROUND: Genetic polymorphism in the epidermal growth factor (EGF, rs4444903) gene has been demonstrated to be associated with the clinical deterioration in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver cirrhosis (LC) and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Whether this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) influences susceptibility to HCV-related LC and HCC in the Chinese Han population is largely unknown. METHODS: In this case-control study, a total of 187 Chinese Han patients with chronic HCV infection were enrolled, including 62 HCV-related LC patients, 46 HCV-related HCC patients, and 79 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients without LC and HCC, and the genetic polymorphism was genotyped via a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) assay. The logistical regression analysis was employed to determine the correlation between the genetic polymorphism and risk of HCV-related LC and HCC. RESULTS: The distribution of EGF rs4444903 genotypes and alleles significantly differed between LC patients and CHC subjects (p = 0.045, p = 0.043, respectively). Under the recessive model, the GG genotype was significantly associated with a two-fold risk of HCV-related LC compared to the AA+AG genotype after an adjustment for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), duration of HCV infection, and HCV RNA level (OR = 2.188; 95% CI = 1.072 - 4.465; p = 0.031). Significant association was observed as well between the GG genotype and increased HCV-related HCC risk (OR = 3.104; 95% CI = 1.319 - 7.307; p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: The EGF rs4444903 GG genotype is associated with higher susceptibility to HCV-related LC and HCC in the Chinese Han population. Screening of host genetic polymorphisms might be helpful in designing effective and efficient LC and HCC surveillance programs for chronic HCV-infected patients.

Influential Factors of the Indeterminate Results Tested by QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-IT) Assay for Diagnosing TB Infection in HIV-Infected Patients.

BACKGROUND: QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-IT) is a recommended method for diagnosing TB in HIV-infected patients. However, the rate of indeterminate results is higher than that in HIV-uninfected patients. Our previous study showed that the CD4 cell count was an important influential factor for the indeterminate results of QFT-IT. Whether other influential factors affect the QFT-IT results was unclear. METHODS: In this paper, 98 HIV-infected patients with suspected TB infection were enrolled and the plasma of peripheral blood was collected for QFT-IT. The relationship between the CD4 T-cell count, lymphocyte count, lymphocyte percentage, and the results of QFT-IT were analyzed. RESULTS: All patients who have the clinical symptoms of TB including fever and productive cough and were later confirmed by other assays including the sputum culture and chest radiography (n = 8) tested as QFT-positive (positive rate 100%). The other 90 patients without clinical symptoms tested as negative (n = 51), indeterminate (n = 33), and positive (n = 6). The lymphocyte count and the lymphocyte percentage as well as the CD4 T-cell count were significant higher in the positive group and negative group than in the indeterminate group (p < 0.05, for all). CONCLUSIONS: The QFT-IT could be a potential, simple, and feasible method for diagnosing and screening TB in HIV-infected patients. In addition, the CD4 T-cell count, the lymphocyte count, and the lymphocyte percentage were influential factors of the indeterminate results of QFT-IT.