Study of lncRNAs expression profile in the response to biological drugs in Psoriatic Arthritis: MEG3 could be a potential genomic biomarker of therapy efficacy.

We aimed to identify an expression profile of lncRNAs potentially related to treatment response in Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, to be used as potential genomic biomarkers predictors of drug treatment effectiveness. In addition, we evaluated a possible association between lncRNAs genetic variants and the response to therapy using the clinical parameter of Disease Activity Index. For the expression study, we collected 48 treated PsA patients, monitoring the treatment response for 12 months. We initially used PCR Array and, then, we validated the results with qRT-PCR. We also retrospectively genotyped 163 treated PsA patients. Firstly, we observed a significant difference in the expression level between Responder and non-Responder patients, of 4 lncRNAs in the group of PsA patients treated with TNFi and of 3 lncRNAs in the group of patients treated with IL17i. Then, we confirmed a significant decrease of MEG3 expression in non-Responder patients compared to Responders, also considering separately the single groups of patients treated with TNFi and IL17i. In addition, our results seem to highlight a potential dose-dependent effect of rs941576 (MEG3) variant allele on Disease Activity Index. Our study suggests a possible role of the lncRNA MEG3 in the treatment response to biological drugs.

The rs11568820 Variant in the Promoter Region of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Is Associated with Clinical Remission in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Receiving Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors.

The vitamin D receptor (VDR), binding to the active form of the vitamin, promotes the transcription of numerous genes involved in the proliferation of immune cells, cytokine production and lymphocyte activation. It is known that vitamin D deficiency can influence the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or modulate its disease activity. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between the rs11568820 (C > T) polymorphism in the promoter region of VDR gene and the response to therapy with anti-TNF drugs in patients with RA. A total of 178 consecutive Italian patients with RA treated with anti-TNF, naïve for biological therapy, were recruited. Disease activity data were evaluated using specific indices such as DAS28, CDAI and SDAI, measured at the start of therapy and subsequently at 22, 52, 104 and 240 weeks. A statistically significant association emerged between the rs11568820 variant allele of VDR gene and failure to remission assessed by CDAI and SDAI at 52 weeks, and by DAS28, CDAI and SDAI at 104 weeks of follow-up. Furthermore, the variant allele of this polymorphism was observed more frequently in patients who did not undergo sustained remission calculated by CDAI and SDAI. The variant T allele of rs11568820 in VDR gene is associated with a reduced remission rate with anti-TNFα drugs. These data suggest the role of VDR genetic variability in the response to therapy and in the achievement of remission.

Large-scale DNA sequencing identifies rare variants associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus susceptibility in known risk genes.

The identification of rare genetic variants associated to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) could also help to understand the pathogenic mechanisms at the basis of the disease. In this study we have analyzed a cohort of 200 Italian SLE patients in order to explore the rare protein-coding variants in five genes (TNFAIP3, STAT4, IL10, TRAF3IP2, and HCP5) already investigated for commons variants found associated in our previous studies. Genomic DNA of 200 SLE patients was sequenced by whole exome sequencing. The identified variants were filtered by frequency and evaluated by in silico predictions. Allelic association analysis was performed with standard Fisher's exact test. Introducing a cutoff at MAF < 0.01, a total of 19 rare variants were identified. Seven of these variants were ultra-rare (MAF < 0.001) and six were absent in the GnomAD database. For TNFAIP3 gene, the variant c.A1939C was observed in 4 SLE patients and it is located in a region enriched in phosphorylation sites and affects the predict affinity of specific kinases. In TRAF3IP2 gene, we observed 5 different rare variants, including the novel variant c.G410A, located in the region that mediates interaction with TRAF6, and therefore a possible risk factor for SLE development. In STAT4 gene, we identified 6 different rare variants. Among these, three missense variants decrease the stability of this protein. Moreover, 3 novel rare variants were detected in 3 SLE patients. In particular, c.A767T variant was predicted as damaging by six prediction tools. Concluding, we have observed that even in genes whose common variability is associated with SLE susceptibility, it is possible to identify rare variants that could have a strong effect in the disease development and could therefore allow a better understanding of the functional domain involved.

Low expression levels of miRNA-155 and miRNA-499a are associated with obesity in Type 2 diabetes.

Background & aims: This study investigated a possible correlation between three circulating miRNAs, previously observed to be associated to diabetic polyneuropathy, and the obesity condition. Methods & results: The expression levels of miR-128a, miR-155 and miR499a were evaluated in 49 participants with Type 2 diabetes, divided into different groups based on the presence or absence of obesity and central obesity. The analyses revealed a significant decrease of miR-155 and miR-499a expression levels in obese subjects. In particular, the reduction appears to be even more significant in Type 2 diabetes subjects with central obesity. Conclusion: The results suggest that these miRNAs could be involved in obesity-driven pathogenetic mechanisms.

ATG5 gene expression analysis supports the involvement of autophagy in microangiopathic complications of type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) hyperglycaemia alters basal autophagy. Since autophagy is an essential cellular process, our aim was to investigate the ATG5 (autophagy-related 5) gene expression level and genetic variants in a cohort of diabetic patients, characterized for the presence of microangiopathic complications. METHODS AND RESULTS: the expression levels of ATG5 were evaluated in PBMCs from 48 T2D patients with an extensive evaluation for microangiopathic complications. Our analyses revealed a significant lower expression of ATG5 in T2D patients with retinopathy compared to those without retinopathy. We also highlighted a significant lower expression of ATG5 in T2D patients with early-cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy compared to those without it, after correction for sex, age, body mass index and levels of hemoglobin A1c. CONCLUSION: our results highlight that dysregulation in the autophagy process could be involved in the development of severe microangiopathic complications.

COVID-19: S-Peptide RBD 484-508 Induces IFN-γ T-Cell Response in Naïve-to-Infection and Unvaccinated Subjects with Close Contact with SARS-CoV-2-Positive Patients.

Despite the availability on the market of different anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, there are still unanswered questions on whether they can stimulate long-lasting protection. A deep understanding of adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2 is important for optimizing both vaccine development and pandemic control measures. Among cytokines secreted by lymphocytes in response to viral infection, IFN-γ plays a pivotal role both in innate and adaptive immunity. In this study, we report on 28 naïve-to-SARS-Cov-2-infection and unvaccinated subjects, having reported a close and prolonged contact with COVID-19-positive patients. Samples were tested for defective genetic variants in interferon pathway genes by whole exome sequencing and anti-IFN autoantibodies production was investigated. Subject T-cells were cultured and infected with pseudotype particles bearing the S proteins and in parallel stimulated with two S-peptides designed on the RBD region of the spike protein. Our results showed that one of these peptides, RBD 484-508, induces a significant increase in IFN-γ gene expression and protein production in T-cells, comparable to those obtained in cells infected by SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. This work deepens our understanding of immune response and highlights the selected peptide as a reasonable approach to induce broad, potent, and variant concern-independent T-cell responses.

PCSK3 Overexpression in Sjögren's Syndrome Patients May Be Regulated by rs4932178 SNP in Its Promoter Region and Correlates with IFN-γ Gene Expression.

BACKGROUND: The PCSK3 gene encodes for the protease enzyme Furin, which promotes proteolytic maturation of important regulators of the immune response, and also enhances the secretion of interferon-γ (IFN). Several studies have suggested its possible involvement in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases. METHODS: We investigated the PCSK3 gene expression level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from Sjögren's Syndrome (SS) patients and healthy controls and we evaluated a possible correlation with IFN-γ gene expression. Moreover, we also explored the variability of two PCSK3 genetic polymorphisms (rs4932178 and rs4702) to evaluate a possible association between these polymorphisms and the expression levels of this gene. RESULTS: We observed, by RT-qPCR, that the PCSK3 expression level was significantly higher in SS patients compared to the controls (p = 0.028), and we confirmed a positive correlation between PCSK3 and IFN-γ expression levels (p < 0.001). Moreover, we reported that the variant homozygous genotype of rs4932178 SNP is associated with a higher expression of the PCSK3 gene (p = 0.038) and with the SS susceptibility (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that Furin could play a role in SS development, also promoting IFN-γ secretion.

DSP-Related Cardiomyopathy as a Distinct Clinical Entity? Emerging Evidence from an Italian Cohort.

Variants in desmoplakin gene (DSP MIM *125647) have been usually associated with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (ACM), or Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. A cohort of 18 probands, characterized as heterozygotes for DSP variants by a target Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) cardiomyopathy panel, was analyzed. Cardiological, genetic data, and imaging features were retrospectively collected. A total of 16 DSP heterozygous pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified, 75% (n = 12) truncating variants, n = 2 missense variants, n = 1 splicing variant, and n = 1 duplication variant. The mean age at diagnosis was 40.61 years (IQR 31-47.25), 61% of patients being asymptomatic (n = 11, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I) and 39% mildly symptomatic (n = 7, NYHA class II). Notably, 39% of patients (n = 7) presented with a clinical history of presumed myocarditis episodes, characterized by chest pain, myocardial enzyme release, 12-lead electrocardiogram abnormalities with normal coronary arteries, which were recurrent in 57% of cases (n = 4). About half of the patients (55%, n = 10) presented with a varied degree of left ventricular enlargement (LVE), four showing biventricular involvement. Eleven patients (61%) underwent implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation, with a mean age of 46.81 years (IQR 36.00-64.00). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) identified in all 18 patients a delayed enhancement (DE) area consistent with left ventricular (LV) myocardial fibrosis, with a larger localization and extent in patients presenting with recurrent episodes of myocardial injury. These clinical and genetic data confirm that DSP-related cardiomyopathy may represent a distinct clinical entity characterized by a high arrhythmic burden, variable degrees of LVE, Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE) with subepicardial distribution and episodes of myocarditis-like picture.

Indole-3-carbinol in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-Cov-2 virus and in vivo toxicity.

The effects of indole-3-carbinol (I3C) compound have been described deeply as antitumor drug in multiple cancers. Herein, I3C compound was tested for toxicity and antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Antiviral activity was assessed in vitro in both in VeroE6 cell line and human Lung Organoids (hLORGs) where I3C exhibited a direct anti-SARS-CoV-2 replication activity with an antiviral effect and a modulation of the expression of genes implicated in innate immunity and inflammatory response was observed at 16.67 µM. Importantly, we further show the I3C is also effective against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. In mouse model, instead, we assessed possible toxicity effects of I3C through two different routes of administration: intragastrically (i.g.) and intraperitoneally (i.p.). The LD50 (lethal dose 50%) values in mice were estimated to be: 1410 and 1759 mg/kg i.g.; while estimated values for i.p. administration were: 444.5 mg/kg and 375 mg/kg in male and female mice, respectively. Below these values, I3C (in particular at 550 mg/kg for i.g. and 250 mg/kg for i.p.) induces neither death, nor abnormal toxic symptoms as well as no histopathological lesions of the tissues analysed. These tolerated doses are much higher than those already proven effective in pre-clinical cancer models and in vitro experiments. In conclusion, I3C exhibits a significant antiviral activity, and no toxicity effects were recorded for this compound at the indicated doses, characterizing it as a safe and potential antiviral compound. The results presented in this study could provide experimental pre-clinical data necessary for the start of human clinical trials with I3C for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and beyond.

Alteration of Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Increased Expression Levels of Mitochondrial Dynamics-Related Genes in Sjögren's Syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune multifactorial disease characterized by inflammation and lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands. Several studies have highlighted the involvement of oxidative stress in this pathology, suggesting that it could induce mitochondrial dysfunctions. Mitochondria could have a role in inflammatory and immune processes. Since the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number could change in response to physiological or environmental stimuli, this study aimed to evaluate possible alterations in the mtDNA copy number in SS. We have analyzed the amount of mtDNA in the peripheral blood of 74 SS patients and 61 healthy controls by qPCR. Then, since mitochondrial fusion and fission play a crucial role in maintaining the number of mitochondria, we investigated the expression variability of the genes most commonly involved in mitochondrial dynamics in a subgroup of SS patients and healthy controls. Interestingly, we observed a highly significant decrease in mtDNA copies in the SS patients compared to healthy controls (p = 1.44 × 10-12). Expression levels of mitochondrial fission factor (MFF), mitofusin-1 (MFN1), and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) genes were analyzed, showing a statistically significant increase in the expression of MFF (p = 0.003) and TFAM (p = 0.022) in the SS patients compared to healthy controls. These results give further insight into the possible involvement of mitochondrial dysfunctions in SS disease.

Expression analysis of miRNA hsa-let7b-5p in naso-oropharyngeal swabs of COVID-19 patients supports its role in regulating ACE2 and DPP4 receptors.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the novel coronavirus responsible for worldwide coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We previously observed that Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) are significantly overexpressed in naso-oropharyngeal swabs (NPS) of COVID-19 patients, suggesting their putative functional role in the disease progression. ACE2 and DPP4 overexpression in COVID-19 patients may be associated to epigenetic mechanism, such as miRNA differential expression. We investigated if hsa-let7b-5p, reported to target both ACE2 and DPP4 transcripts, could be involved in the regulation of these genes. We verified that the inhibition and overexpression of hsa-let7b-5p matched to a modulation of both ACE2 and DPP4 levels. Then, we observed a statistically significant downregulation (FC = -1.5; p < 0.05) of hsa-let7b-5p in the same COVID-19 and control samples of our previous study. This is the first study that shows hsa-let7b-5p low expression in naso-oropharyngeal swabs of COVID-19 patients and demonstrates a functional role of this miR in regulating ACE2 and DPP4 levels. These data suggest the involvement of hsa-let7b-5p in the regulation of genes necessary for SARS-CoV-2 infections and its putative role as a therapeutic target for COVID-19.

Impact of TRAF3IP2, IL10 and HCP5 Genetic Polymorphisms in the Response to TNF-i Treatment in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease. The introduction of therapy with biological drugs is promising, even if the efficacy is very variable. Since the response to drugs is a complex trait, identifying genetic factors associated to treatment response could help define new biomarkers for a more effective and personalized therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the potential role of polymorphisms in genes involved in PsA susceptibility as predictors of therapy efficacy. Nine polymorphisms were analyzed in a cohort of 163 PsA patients treated with TNF-i. To evaluate the treatment response, the DAPsA score was estimated for each patient. The possible association between the selected SNPs and mean values of DAPsA differences, at 22 and 54 weeks from the beginning of the treatment, were evaluated by t-test. Patients carrying the variant allele of TRAF3IP2 seemed to respond better to treatment, both at 22 and 54 weeks. This variant allele was also associated with an improvement in joint involvement. In contrast, patients carrying the IL10 variant allele showed an improvement lower than patients with the wild-type genotype at 54 weeks. Our results suggest that polymorphisms in genes associated with PsA susceptibility could also play a role in TNF-i treatment response.

A multilocus genetic study evidences the association of autoimmune-related genes with Psoriatic Arthritis in Italian patients.

Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is an immune-mediated rheumatic disease caused by the interaction between environmental factors and genetic predisposition. Many of the risk loci associated with PsA susceptibility are shared with other autoimmune diseases, suggesting an involvement of the same pathways in these diseases. We investigated the association between nine selected polymorphisms and PsA susceptibility and their possible role in the modulation of the disease activity. We analysed 163 patients with PsA and 298 age and sex-matched healthy subjects. Our results showed the associations of five polymorphisms with the disease development: rs33980500 (TRAF3IP2), rs6920220 (TNFAIP3), rs27524 (ERAP1), rs7574865 (STAT4) and rs1800872 (IL10). Patients carrying the variant allele of TRAF3IP2 polymorphism had a higher number of tender/swollen joints and a higher Disease Activity Index for PsA score. The multilocus genetic risk profile showed a higher probability to develop the disease in subjects with at least four risk alleles.

Two Different Therapeutic Approaches for SARS-CoV-2 in hiPSCs-Derived Lung Organoids.

The global health emergency for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) created an urgent need to develop new treatments and therapeutic drugs. In this study, we tested, for the first time on human cells, a new tetravalent neutralizing antibody (15033-7) targeting Spike protein and a synthetic peptide homologous to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) receptor on host cells. Both could represent powerful immunotherapeutic candidates for COVID-19 treatment. The infection begins in the proximal airways, namely the alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells of the distal lung, which express both ACE2 and DPP4 receptors. Thus, to evaluate the efficacy of both approaches, we developed three-dimensional (3D) complex lung organoid structures (hLORGs) derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and resembling the in vivo organ. Afterward, hLORGs were infected by different SARS-CoV-2 S pseudovirus variants and treated by the Ab15033-7 or DPP4 peptide. Using both approaches, we observed a significant reduction of viral entry and a modulation of the expression of genes implicated in innate immunity and inflammatory response. These data demonstrate the efficacy of such approaches in strongly reducing the infection efficiency in vitro and, importantly, provide proof-of-principle evidence that hiPSC-derived hLORGs represent an ideal in vitro system for testing both therapeutic and preventive modalities against COVID-19.

Breast cancer in West Africa: molecular analysis of BRCA genes in early-onset breast cancer patients in Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Africa after cervical cancer. Even if the epidemiological data are now aligned with those relating to industrialized countries, the knowledge concerning breast cancer in Africa, particularly in Western Africa, still lack clinical data, medical treatments, and the evaluation of genetic and non-genetic factors implicated in the etiology of the disease. The early onset and the aggressiveness of diagnosed breast cancers in patients of African ancestry strongly suggest that the genetic risk factor may be a key component, but so far, very few studies on the impact of germ line mutations in breast cancer in Africa have been conducted, with negative consequences on prevention, awareness and patient management. Through Next Generation sequencing (NGS), we analyzed all of the coding regions and the exon-intron junctions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes-the two most important genes in hereditary breast cancer-in fifty-one women from Burkina Faso with early onset of breast cancer with or without a family history. RESULTS: We identified six different pathogenic mutations (three in BRCA1, three in BRCA2), two of which were recurrent in eight unrelated women. Furthermore, we identified, in four other patients, two variants of uncertain clinical significance (VUS) and two variants never previously described in literature, although one of them is present in the dbSNP database. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study in which the entire coding sequence of BRCA genes has been analyzed through Next Generation Sequencing in Burkinabe young women with breast cancer. Our data support the importance of genetic risk factors in the etiology of breast cancer in this population and suggest the necessity to improve the genetic cancer risk assessment. Furthermore, the identification of the most frequent mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in the population of Burkina Faso will allow the development of an inexpensive genetic test for the identification of subjects at high genetic cancer risk, which could be used to design personalized therapeutic protocols.

Emerging Role of microRNAs and Long Non-Coding RNAs in Sjögren's Syndrome.

Sjögren's Syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease. It is considered a multifactorial pathology, in which underlying genetic predisposition, epigenetic mechanisms and environmental factors contribute to development. The epigenetic regulations represent a link between genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Recent studies suggested a regulatory role for non-coding RNAs in critical biological and disease processes. Among non-coding RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a critical role in the post-transcriptional mRNA expression, forming a complex network of gene expression regulation. This review aims to give an overview of the latest studies that have investigated the role of miRNAs and lncRNAs in the SS. We included papers that investigated the expression of non-coding RNAs on different tissues, in particular on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and salivary glands. However, regarding the involvement of non-coding RNAs genetic variability in SS susceptibility very few data are available. Further research could help to elucidate underlying pathogenic processes of SS and provide new opportunities for the development of targeted therapies.

mRNA expression analysis confirms CD44 splicing impairment in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

BACKGROUND: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a complex chronic autoimmune disease characterized by several immunological alterations. T cells have a peculiar role in SLE pathogenesis, moving from the bloodstream to the peripheral tissues, causing organ damage. This process is possible for their increased adherence and migration capacity mediated by adhesion molecules, such as CD44. Ten different variant isoforms of this molecule have been described, and two of them, CD44v3 and CD44v6 have been found to be increased on SLE T cells compared to healthy controls, being proposed as biomarkers of disease and disease activity. The process of alternative splicing of CD44 transcripts is not fully understood. We investigated the mRNA expression of CD44v3 and CD44v6 and also analyzed possible CD44 splicing regulators (ESRP1 molecule and rs9666607 CD44 polymorphism) in a cohort of SLE patients compared to healthy controls. METHODS: This study involved 18 SLE patients and 18 healthy controls. Total RNA and DNA were extracted by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The expression study was conducted by quantitative RT-polymerase chain reaction, using SYBR Green protocol. Genotyping of rs9666607 SNP was performed by direct sequencing. RESULTS: CD44v6 mRNA expression was higher in SLE patients compared to healthy controls (p = 0.028). CD44v3/v6 mRNA ratio in healthy controls was strongly unbalanced towards isoform v3 compared to SLE patients (p = 0.002) and decreased progressively from healthy controls to the SLE patients in remission and those with active disease (p = 0.015). The expression levels of CD44v3 and CD44v6 mRNA correlated with the disease duration (p = 0.038, Pearson r = 0.493 and p = 0.038, Pearson r = 0.495, respectively). Splicing regulator ESRP1 expression positively correlated with CD44v6 expression in healthy controls (p = 0.02, Pearson r = 0.532) but not in SLE patients. The variant A allele of rs9666607 of CD44 was associated with higher level of global CD44 mRNA (p = 0.04) but not with the variant isoforms. CONCLUSIONS: In SLE patients, the increase in CD44v6 protein correlates with a higher transcript level of this isoform, confirming an impairment of CD44 splicing in the disease, whose regulatory mechanisms require further investigation.

Inhibition of HECT E3 ligases as potential therapy for COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the ongoing world-wide pandemic which has already taken more than two million lives. Effective treatments are urgently needed. The enzymatic activity of the HECT-E3 ligase family members has been implicated in the cell egression phase of deadly RNA viruses such as Ebola through direct interaction of its VP40 Protein. Here we report that HECT-E3 ligase family members such as NEDD4 and WWP1 interact with and ubiquitylate the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. Furthermore, we find that HECT family members are overexpressed in primary samples derived from COVID-19 infected patients and COVID-19 mouse models. Importantly, rare germline activating variants in the NEDD4 and WWP1 genes are associated with severe COVID-19 cases. Critically, I3C, a natural NEDD4 and WWP1 inhibitor from Brassicaceae, displays potent antiviral effects and inhibits viral egression. In conclusion, we identify the HECT family members of E3 ligases as likely novel biomarkers for COVID-19, as well as new potential targets of therapeutic strategy easily testable in clinical trials in view of the established well-tolerated nature of the Brassicaceae natural compounds.

Altered expression of miR-142, miR-155, miR-499a and of their putative common target MDM2 in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Aim: To evaluate genetic and expression variability of three miRNAs potentially involved in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to identify any miRNA's target gene. Materials & methods: Gene polymorphisms and expression levels of three miRNAs have been evaluated in a cohort of SLE patients and controls. Results: miR-142 and miR-499a were significantly down-expressed in patients (p = 0.005 and p = 0.02, respectively). A trend for down-expression of miR-155 was also observed (p = 0.07). The lower expression of miR-142 was associated with the rs2632516 polymorphism variant allele (p = 0.002). Predictive analyses identified a target gene common to the three miRNAs, MDM2, whose higher expression was seen in patients compared with controls (p = 0.03). Conclusion: The three miRNAs and MDM2 might be involved in SLE.

VDR Polymorphisms in Autoimmune Connective Tissue Diseases: Focus on Italian Population.

Vitamin D is an important hormone involved in various physiologic processes, and its activity is linked to binding with vitamin D receptor (VDR). Genetic polymorphisms in the VDR gene could modulate the expression or function of the receptor and, consequently, alter the effects of vitamin D. Variants in VDR gene have been associated with susceptibility to many illnesses sensitive to vitamin D administration and to autoimmune disorders, but no data are available regarding autoimmune connective tissue diseases in Italian population. We analyzed three VDR polymorphisms in 695 Italian patients with autoimmune connective tissue diseases (308 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 195 with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), and 192 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)) and in 246 healthy controls with the aim to evaluate a possible association of VDR SNPs with susceptibility to these diseases in the Italian population. Genotyping of rs2228570, rs7975232, and rs731236 in VDR gene was performed by an allelic discrimination assay. A case/control association study and a genotype/phenotype correlation analysis have been performed. We observed a higher risk to develop SLE for rs2228570 TT genotype (P = 0.029, OR = 1.79). No association was observed between susceptibility to pSS or RA and this SNP, although this variant is significantly less present in RA patients producing autoantibodies. For rs7975232 SNP, we observed a significant association of the variant homozygous genotype with SLE (P = 0.009, OR = 1.82), pSS (P = 0.046, OR = 1.66), and RA (P = 0.028, OR = 1.75) susceptibility. Moreover, we reported associations of this genotype with clinical phenotypes of SLE and pSS. Lastly, the GG genotype of rs731236 was associated with a lower RA susceptibility (P = 0.045, OR = 0.55). Our results show that the explored VDR polymorphisms are significantly associated with autoimmune connective tissue disorders and support the hypothesis that the genetic variability of VDR gene may be involved in susceptibility to these diseases in Italian population.