[Analysis of risk factors for thromboembolism in patients with JAK2V617F gene mutation positive myeloproliferative neoplasms].

Objective: To analyze the risk factors of thrombosis in patients with JAK2V617F mutation positive myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Methods: A total of 223 MPN patients with JAK2V617F mutation in the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from September 2017 to May 2023 were retrospectively enrolled, including 111 males and 112 females, aged [M(Q1,Q3)] 57(21,66) years. According to the presence or absence of thromboembolism during follow-up, the patients were divided into thrombosis group (n=102) and non-thrombosis group (n=121). The clinical characteristics, laboratory characteristics, cytogenetics and other disease progression and survival of the two groups of patients were analyzed. As of March 31, 2023, the follow-up period [M (Q1, Q3)] was 6 (3, 10) years. The influencing factors of thrombosis in JAK2V617F positive MPN patients were analyzed by using the Cox risk model. Results: Among 223 JAK2V617F positive MPN patients, 144 were polycythemia vera (PV), 51 were essential thrombocythemia (ET) and 28 were primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The mutation rates of ASXL1 and BCORL1 genes in the thrombosis group were 19.6% (20/102) and 6.9% (7/102), respectively, which were higher than those in the non-thrombosis group [9.1% (11/121) and 0.8% (1/121)] (both P<0.05). The proportion of monocytes, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-1ß (IL)-1ß, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-ß (TNF-ß) increased in the thrombosis group were higher than those in the non-thrombosis group (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age≥60 years (HR=2.132, 95%CI: 1.376-3.303, P=0.001), history of thrombosis (HR=3.636, 95%CI: 2.121-6.202, P<0.001), ASXL1 mutation positive (HR=2.245, 95%CI: 1.093-3.231, P=0.022) and elevated TNF-ß (HR=2.009, 95%CI: 1.113-3.624, P=0.021) were risk factors for thrombosis in JAK2V617F positive MPN patients. Conclusions: In addition to age, history of thrombosis and positive ASXL1 mutation, elevated TNF-ß is also an influencing factor of thrombosis in JAK2V617F positive MPN patients. Intervention of inflammation may have a certain effect on the prevention and treatment of thrombosis.

Prognostic significance of the genetic variant of lymphotoxin alpha (p.Thr60Asn) in egyptian patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide in terms of mortality, and susceptibility is attributed to genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Lymphotoxin alpha (LTA) has a crucial role in communicating the lymphocytes with stromal cells and provoking cytotoxic effects on the cancer cells. There are no reports on the contribution of the LTA (c.179 C>A; p.Thr60Asn; rs1041981) gene polymorphism to HCC susceptibility. The main aim of this study is to investigate the association of LTA (c.179 C>A; p.Thr60Asn; rs1041981) variant with the HCC risk in the Egyptian population. METHODS: This case-control study included 317 participants (111 HCC patients, and 206 healthy controls). The LTA (c.179 C>A; p.Thr60Asn; rs1041981) polymorphism was assessed by tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR) technique. RESULTS: The frequencies of the dominant and recessive models (CA + AA; AA) of the LTA (c.179 C>A; p.Thr60Asn; rs1041981) variant were statistically significant among HCC patients in comparison to controls (p = 0.01; p = 0.007; respectively). The A-allele of LTA (c.179 C>A; p.Thr60Asn; rs1041981) variant was statistically significant in HCC patients in comparison to controls (p ˂ 0.001). CONCLUSION: The LTA (c.179 C>A; p.Thr60Asn; rs1041981) polymorphism was independently associated with an increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma in the Egyptian population.

Combined tumor necrosis factor-α (-308 G/A) and tumor necrosis factor-ß (+ 252 A/G) nucleotide polymorphisms and chronicity in Egyptian children with immune thrombocytopenia.

BACKGROUND: Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a common autoimmune disorder. Secretion of TNF-α, TNF-ß and IFN-γ plays a major role in the pathogenesis of ITP. OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aimed to detect TNF-α (-308 G/A) and TNF-ß (+ 252 A/G) gene polymorphism in a cohort of Egyptian children with chronic ITP (cITP) to clarify their possible association with progression to chronic disease. METHODS: The study included 80 Egyptian cITP patients and 100 unrelated age- and sex-matched controls. Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: Patients with TNF-α homozygous (A/A) genotype had significantly higher mean age, longer disease duration and lower platelet counts (p values 0.005, 0.024 and 0.008, respectively). TNF-α wild (G/G) genotype was significantly more frequent among responders (p = 0.049). Complete response was more frequent among wild (A/A) TNF-ß genotype patients (p = 0.011), and platelet count was significantly lower among homozygous (G/G) genotype (p = 0.018) patients. Combined polymorphisms were strongly associated with susceptibility to chronic ITP. CONCLUSION: Homozygosity in either gene might contribute to a worse course of disease, increased severity and poor response to therapy. Patients expressing combined polymorphisms are more prone to progression to chronic disease, severe thrombocytopenia and longer disease duration.

Murine neonatal dermal fibroblast acquires a lymphoid tissue organizer cell-like activity upon synergistic activation of TNF-α receptor and LTß receptor.

Tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) are ectopic aggregates of immune cells. As accumulating studies demonstrate TLOs as a predictor of better prognosis in certain cancers, targeting TLO formation, which is tightly regulated by the lymphoid tissue organizer cells (LTOs), has become intriguing in cancer treatment. However, the clinical outcome of these attempts is limited, because the approaches for activating tumor adjacent LTO is lack and little is known about what type of self-cell can be used as LTO to initiate TLO formation. Here we demonstrate that co-stimulation with membrane-bound ligand LTα1ß2 and soluble TNF-α could induced an LTO-like activity in murine neonatal dermal fibroblast, featured by high expression of cell migration-associated chemokines and adhesion molecules that resemble typical LTO gene signature. Furthermore, the LTO-phenotypic dermal fibroblast could enhance the attachment and survival of T and B cell and proliferation of T cell. These findings suggest dermal fibroblast as a promising target for TLO induction to improve cancer immunotherapy.

Polymorphisms in some proinflammatory genes (TNFα and ß, IL-1ß, IL-6, ADAM17) in severe chronic venous disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a common disorder of lower extremities. OBJECTIVES: The study was scheduled to investigate the relationship between polymorphisms in major proinflammatory genes TNF α (-238 A/G; -308 A/G), TNF ß (NcoI), IL-1ß (+3953 T/C); IL-6 (-174 G/C; -596 G/C) and ADAM17 (3'TACE) and CVD risk. Genotype-phenotype study was calculated to test possible association between examined genotypes and phenotypes of CVD. METHODS: Finally, 150 CVD patients and 227 control subjects were enrolled to the study. Genotypes in proinflammatory gene polymorphisms were identified from isolated DNA by PCR method and restriction analysis. RESULTS: Significant differences in genotype distribution/allelic frequencies in TNF ß gene, IL-1 ß gene and in ADAM17 gene polymorphisms were found between CVD women and control ones. In the genotype-phenotype study, identified genotypes were associated with arterial hypertension (ADAM17, IL-6-men), ischaemic heart disease (TNF α and ß genes), diabetes mellitus (ADAM17-women, TNF ß-men), age of CVD onset (TNF α and IL-6), ulceration (ADAM17), duration of ulceration (ADAM17), ulceration recurrence (ADAM17-women), home care necessity (TNF α), varices surgery (TNF α), erysipelas development (ADAM17-men) and tumour development (TNF α). CONCLUSION: Studying of these polymorphisms associations can help us better identify patients at higher risk of developing severe CVD.

Vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype is modulated by ligands of the lymphotoxin ß receptor and the tumor necrosis factor receptor.

OBJECTIVE: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) undergo a phenotypic-switching process during the generation of unstable atheroma plaques. In this investigation, the potential implication of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) ligands, in the gene expression signature associated with VSMC plasticity was studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human aortic (ha)VSMCs were obtained commercially and treated with the cytokine TNFSF14, also called LIGHT, the lymphotoxin alpha (LTα), the heterotrimer LTα1ß2 or with vehicle for 72h. The effect of the different treatments on gene expression was analyzed by quantitative PCR and included the study of genes associated with myofibroblast-like cell function, osteochondrogenesis, pluripotency, lymphorganogenesis and macrophage-like cell function. RESULTS: HaVSMCs displayed a change in myofibroblast-like cell genes which consisted in reduced COL1A1 and TGFB1 mRNA levels when treated with LTα or LIGHT and with augmented MMP9 expression levels when treated with LTα. LTα and LIGHT treatments also diminished the expression of genes associated with osteochondrogenesis and pluripotency SOX9, CKIT, and KLF4. By contrary, all the above genes were no affected by the treatment with the trimer LTα1ß2. In addition, haVSMC treatment with LTα, LTα1ß2 and LIGHT altered lymphorganogenic cytokine gene expression which consisted of augmented CCL20 and CCL21 mRNA levels by LTα and a reduction in the gene expression of CCL21 and CXCL13 by LIGHT and LTα1ß2 respectively. Neither, LTα or LIGHT or LTα1ß2 treatments affected the expression of macrophage-like cell markers in haVSMC. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, indicates that the TNFSF ligands through their interconnected network of signaling, are important in the preservation of VSMC identity against the acquisition of a genetic expression signature compatible with functional cellular plasticity.

HSP70 and TNF Loci Polymorphism Associated with the Posner-Schlossman Syndrome in a Southern Chinese Population.

Previous studies have shown that HLA gene polymorphisms are associated with the pathogenesis of the Posner-Schlossman syndrome (PSS). This study was aimed at evaluating the associations between HLA-III gene polymorphisms and PSS in a southern Chinese Han population. A total of 150 PSS patients and 183 healthy controls were included in this study. Twenty-one single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of HLA-III genes (including HSP70-1, HSP70-2, HSP70-hom, TNF-α, TNF-ß, C2, and CFB) were genotyped using the SNaPshot technique. Our study showed that the frequencies of G allele at rs909253, A allele at rs1041981, and G allele at rs2844484 of TNF-ß in the patient group were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (Corrected P (P c ) = 0.040, OR = 1.45; P c = 0.033, OR = 1.45; P c = 0.045, OR = 1.58, respectively). The frequency of T allele at rs12190359 of HSP70-1 was significantly lower in PSS patients than those in healthy controls (P c = 0.018 and OR = 0.10). The frequencies of the CCT haplotype of HSP70-1 gene (rs1008438-rs562047-rs12190359) and the ACCCTTT haplotype of HSP70 gene (rs2227956-rs1043618-rs1008438-rs562047-rs12190359-rs2763979-rs6457452) were significantly lower in PSS patients than those in healthy controls (P c = 0.024, OR = 0.10; P c = 0.048, OR = 0.10, respectively). In conclusion, the G allele at rs909253, A allele at rs1041981, and G allele at rs2844484 of TNF-ß gene might be risk factors for PSS, while the T allele at rs12190359 of HSP70-1 gene and specific haplotypes of the HSP70-1 and HSP70 genes might be protective factors for PSS.

Sharks Provide Evidence for a Highly Complex TNFSF Repertoire in the Jawed Vertebrate Ancestor.

Cytokines of the TNF superfamily (TNFSF) control many immunological processes and are implicated in the etiology of many immune disorders and diseases. Despite their obvious biological importance, the TNFSF repertoires of many species remain poorly characterized. In this study, we perform detailed bioinformatic, phylogenetic, and syntenic analyses of five cartilaginous fish genomes to identify their TNFSF repertoires. Strikingly, we find that shark genomes harbor ∼30 TNFSF genes, more than any other vertebrate examined to date and substantially more than humans. This is due to better retention of the ancestral jawed vertebrate TNFSF repertoire than any other jawed vertebrate lineage, combined with lineage-specific gene family expansions. All human TNFSFs appear in shark genomes, except for lymphotoxin-α (LTA; TNFSF1) and TNF (TNFSF2), and CD70 (TNFSF7) and 4-1BBL (TNFSF9), which diverged by tandem duplications early in tetrapod and mammalian evolution, respectively. Although lacking one-to-one LTA and TNF orthologs, sharks have evolved lineage-specific clusters of LTA/TNF co-orthologs. Other key findings include the presence of two BAFF (TNFSF13B) genes along with orthologs of APRIL (TNFSF13) and BALM (TNFSF13C) in sharks, and that all cartilaginous fish genomes harbor an ∼400-million-year-old cluster of multiple FASLG (TNFSF6) orthologs. Finally, sharks have retained seven ancestral jawed vertebrate TNFSF genes lost in humans. Taken together, our data indicate that the jawed vertebrate ancestor possessed a much larger and diverse TNFSF repertoire than previously hypothesized and oppose the idea that the cartilaginous fish immune system is "primitive" compared with that of mammals.

Lack of association between TNFA and TNFB polymorphisms and the risk of multiple sclerosis: a meta-analysis from 37 studies.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies about the association between genetic polymorphisms in TNFA, TNFB, and IFNG and the risk for multiple sclerosis (MS) have been performed extensively. However, the results are inconclusive. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the contribution of the polymorphisms in TNFA, TNFB, and IFNG to the susceptibility of MS. METHODS: The PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched to identify relevant studies up to October 2021. A meta-analysis was performed, and pooled odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) were computed using fixed or random effects models. RESULTS: A marginally significant association of the IFNG +874AT genotype with high risk of MS was observed in a heterozygous comparison (OR = 1.51, 95% CI, 1.02-2.23). However, no significant association between the TNFA (-308 G/A, - 238 G/A, and - 376 G/A) and TNFB +252A/G polymorphisms and MS risk was observed both in overall analysis and in subgroup analysis. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis provides evidence that the TNFA (-308 G/A, - 238 G/A, and - 376 G/A) and TNFB +252A/G polymorphisms were not risk factors for the occurrence of MS. Further studies with larger samples are necessary to reach the concise results about the contribution of other polymorphisms to the risk of MS.

Prognostic role of TNF alpha, LT alpha, MDR1 and codon 72 Tp53 gene polymorphisms on multiple myeloma Egyptian patients.

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a type of hematologic malignancies that characterized by uncontrolled plasma cell proliferation. So, the diagnosis depends on the increased numbers of abnormal, immature, or atypical plasma cells in the bone marrow, and many patients present with laboratory abnormalities, such as anemia, hypercalcemia, renal disease, and high protein levels in blood and urine. We aim to analyze the association of some genetic polymorphisms and its effect on the overall survival (OS) among MM patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We analyzed TNFα 308 G/A, TNFα 238 G/A, LTA252A/G, MDR 3435 C/T, MDR 1236 C/T, TP53 Arg72Pro in 110 multiple myeloma case and 112 healthy controls. The genotyping was performed using PCR-RFFLP. RESULTS: In TNF308 AA genotype and A allele were significantly lower with protective effect against MM development (OR=0.318, 0.742) respectively. LTA 252, GG genotypes had lower frequency in MM cases compared to control group with protective effect against MM development (OR=0.361). In TNF238, MDR1 3435 C/T, TP53 codon 72 polymorphism we didn't find any statistically significant relation between MM and control groups. In Uni and multivariant analysis show ISS, IgG, TP53 Arg72ProGC+CC as risk predictors of shorter OS.But TNFα-308 GA+AA and LTA 252 AG+GG were considered as predictors of longer OS in MM cases. CONCLUSION: Our result confirms the association of TNF-308, LTA and TP53 codon72 with prognostic outcome in MM. As a result, we suggest involving these genes as a biomarker test to predicts the risk and prognostic outcome of MM. Also, we recommend further investigations of these polymorphisms in MM especially LTA and TP53codon 72 polymorphism which have very low reported studies. MICROABSTRACT: Many genes can affect the prognosis of MM. We analyzed some of them in 110 MM and 112 controls using PCR-RFLP. TNFα-308 AA and LTA-252 GG had lower frequency while MDR1-1236 TT had higher frequency in MM. TNFα-308 AA and LTA-252 GG were significantly associated with higher OS but TP53 codon72 polymorphism CC with lower OS. These findings confirm the association of these genes with prognostic outcome in MM.

Nanoparticle targeting of de novo profibrotic macrophages mitigates lung fibrosis.

The pathogenesis of lung fibrosis involves hyperactivation of innate and adaptive immune pathways that release inflammatory cytokines and growth factors such as tumor growth factor (TGF)ß1 and induce aberrant extracellular matrix protein production. During the genesis of pulmonary fibrosis, resident alveolar macrophages are replaced by a population of newly arrived monocyte-derived interstitial macrophages that subsequently transition into alveolar macrophages (Mo-AMs). These transitioning cells initiate fibrosis by releasing profibrotic cytokines and remodeling the matrix. Here, we describe a strategy for leveraging the up-regulation of the mannose receptor CD206 in interstitial macrophages and Mo-AM to treat lung fibrosis. We engineered mannosylated albumin nanoparticles, which were found to be internalized by fibrogenic CD206+ monocyte derived macrophages (Mo-Macs). Mannosylated albumin nanoparticles incorporating TGFß1 small-interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted the profibrotic subpopulation of CD206+ macrophages and prevented lung fibrosis. The findings point to the potential utility of mannosylated albumin nanoparticles in delivering TGFß-siRNA into CD206+ profibrotic macrophages as an antilung fibrosis strategy.

Microbial signals, MyD88, and lymphotoxin drive TNF-independent intestinal epithelial tissue damage.

Anti-TNF antibodies are effective for treating patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but many patients fail to respond to anti-TNF therapy, highlighting the importance of TNF-independent disease. We previously demonstrated that acute deletion of 2 IBD susceptibility genes, A20 (Tnfaip3) and Abin-1 (Tnip1), in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) sensitized mice to both TNF-dependent and TNF-independent death. Here we show that TNF-independent IEC death after A20 and Abin-1 deletion was rescued by germ-free derivation or deletion of MyD88, while deletion of Trif provided only partial protection. Combined deletion of Ripk3 and Casp8, which inhibits both apoptotic and necroptotic death, completely protected against death after acute deletion of A20 and Abin-1 in IECs. A20- and Abin-1-deficient IECs were sensitized to TNF-independent, TNFR1-mediated death in response to lymphotoxin α (LTα) homotrimers. Blockade of LTα in vivo reduced weight loss and improved survival when combined with partial deletion of MyD88. Biopsies of inflamed colon mucosa from patients with IBD exhibited increased LTA and IL1B expression, including a subset of patients with active colitis on anti-TNF therapy. These data show that microbial signals, MyD88, and LTα all contribute to TNF-independent intestinal injury.

Transcriptomic Changes Within Human Bone Marrow After Severe Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Severe trauma is associated with severe systemic inflammation and neuroendocrine activation that is associated with erythroid progenitor growth suppression and refractory anemia. Although distinct transcriptional profiles have been detected in numerous tissue types after trauma, no study has yet characterized this within the bone marrow. This study sought to identify a unique bone marrow transcriptomic response following trauma. METHODS: In a prospective observational cohort study, bone marrow was obtained from severely injured trauma patients with a hip or femur fracture (n = 52), elective hip replacement patients (n = 33), and healthy controls (n = 11). RNA was isolated from bone marrow using a Purelink RNA mini kit. Direct quantification of mRNA copies was performed by NanoString Technologies on a custom gene panel. RESULTS: Trauma patients displayed an upregulation of genes encoding receptors known to have inhibitory downstream effects on erythropoiesis, including ferroportin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) receptor, and IL-10, as well as genes involved in innate immunity including toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated signaling factors. In contrast, hip replacement patients had downregulated transcription of IL-1ß, IL-6, TGF-ß, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and the HAMP gene with no change in TLR4-mediated signaling factors. CONCLUSIONS: A unique transcriptomic response within the bone marrow was identified following severe trauma compared to elective hip replacement. These transcriptomic differences were related to the innate immune response as well as known inhibitors of erythropoiesis. Although confined to just one time point, this differential transcriptional response may be linked to refractory anemia and inflammation after injury.

Genetic polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and tumor necrosis factor beta (TNF-ß) genes and risk of oral pre-cancer and cancer in North Indian population.

OBJECTIVE: There are inconclusive data connecting single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TNF-α (rs361525) and TNF-ß (rs909253) to potential malignant oral disorder (PMOD) such as lichen planus and oral fibrosis. Here, we have investigated the risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma as well as oral pre-cancerous lesions in North Indian population with the polymorphism of the TNFα/ ß genes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total 500 patients with oral pre-cancer and OSCC and 500 healthy volunteers were genotypes for the TNF-α (-238) G/A (rs361525) and TNF-ß (252) A/G (rs909253) gene polymorphism. Genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Genotype frequencies were evaluated by Chi-square test. RESULTS: Compared to the GG genotype, the GA genotype of TNF-α (G238A) polymorphism (rs361525) has been found to significantly increase the risk of oral disease (OR = 1.99) and especially the risk of lichen planus and OSCC (OR = 2.805 and 5.790, respectively). Similarly, the risk of oral disease was also more in the heterozygote (AG) than the common allele homozygote (AA) of TNF-ß (A252G) polymorphism (rs909253) (OR = 1.483). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the SNPs rs361525 and rs909253 were significantly associated with oral pre-cancer and OSCC.

Association of polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factors with SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality rate: A case-control study and in silico analyses.

The present coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly and existing data has suggested a number of susceptibility factors for developing a severe course of the disease.  The current case-control experiment is aimed to study the associations of genetic polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factors (TNFs) with COVID-19 and its mortality rate. A total of 550 participants (275 subjects and 275 controls) were enrolled. The tetra-amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction technique was recruited to detect -308G>A TNFα and +252A>G TNFß polymorphisms among the Iranian subjects. We demonstrated that carriers of the G allele of TNFß-252A/G, rs909253 A>G were more frequent in COVID-19 subjects compared to the healthy group and this allele statistically increased the disease risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23-1.96, p < 0.0001). At the same time, the A allele of TNFα-311A/G, rs1800629 G>A moderately decreased the risk of COVID-19 (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.53-0.86, p < 0.002). Also, we analyzed the various genotypes regarding the para-clinical and disorder severity; we found that in the AA genotype of TNFß-252A/G (rs909253 A>G), the computed tomography scan pattern was different in comparison to cases carrying the AG genotype with p1 < 0.001. In addition, in the severe cases of COVID-19, leukocyte and neutrophil count and duration of intensive care unit hospitalization in the deceased patients were significantly increased (p < 0.001). Moreover, the TNFα-311A/G (rs1800629 G>A) variant is likely to change the pattern of splicing factor sites. Our findings provided deep insights into the relationship between TNFα/TNFß polymorphisms and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Replicated studies may give scientific evidence for exploring molecular mechanisms of COVID-19 in other ethnicities.

Polymorphisms of the TNF, LTA, and TNFRSF1B genes are associated with onsets of menarche and menopause in US women of European ancestry.

BACKGROUND: The TNF, LTA and TNFRSF1B genes have been implicated in various traits related to menarche and menopause. AIM: To analyse the TNF, LTA and TNFRSF1B genes for their association with ages at menarche (AM) and natural menopause (ANM). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 314 unrelated females of European ancestry. Twenty SNPs located in and near the genes were analysed using various statistical methods. In addition, the functional significance of the loci associated with AM and ANM was analysed in silico. RESULTS: Locus rs2229094 of the LTA gene was associated with AM according to the additive (ß = -0.295, pperm = 0.016) and recessive (ß = -0.940, pperm = 0.016) genetic models. Haplotype GG rs1148459-rs590368 of the TNFRSF1B gene was associated with AM (ß = 0.307, pperm = 0.023). Haplotype GCA rs2844484-rs2229094-rs1799964 was associated with ANM after adjustment for covariates (ß = -1.020, pperm = 0.035). All studied loci were associated with ANM after adjustment for breastfeeding (raw p < 0.05). In addition, eight of the most significant models of interlocus interactions were associated with AM and five with ANM. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that the TNF, LTA and TNFRSF1B genes are associated with AM and ANM.

ILC3s control splenic cDC homeostasis via lymphotoxin signaling.

The spleen contains a myriad of conventional dendritic cell (cDC) subsets that protect against systemic pathogen dissemination by bridging antigen detection to the induction of adaptive immunity. How cDC subsets differentiate in the splenic environment is poorly understood. Here, we report that LTα1ß2-expressing Rorgt+ ILC3s, together with B cells, control the splenic cDC niche size and the terminal differentiation of Sirpα+CD4+Esam+ cDC2s, independently of the microbiota and of bone marrow pre-cDC output. Whereas the size of the splenic cDC niche depended on lymphotoxin signaling only during a restricted time frame, the homeostasis of Sirpα+CD4+Esam+ cDC2s required continuous lymphotoxin input. This latter property made Sirpα+CD4+Esam+ cDC2s uniquely susceptible to pharmacological interventions with LTßR agonists and antagonists and to ILC reconstitution strategies. Together, our findings demonstrate that LTα1ß2-expressing Rorgt+ ILC3s drive splenic cDC differentiation and highlight the critical role of ILC3s as perpetual regulators of lymphoid tissue homeostasis.

Association between tumor necrosis factor alpha and lymphotoxin alpha gene polymorphisms and migraine occurrence among Jordanians.

Inflammatory reactions in the body have been shown to contribute to migraine development. Therefore, genes involved in the inflammatory pathways might play a role in the susceptibility and development of migraine. In this study, polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and lymphotoxin alpha (LTA) genes were tested for association with migraine. A total of 398 participants (198 migraine patients and 200 controls) were recruited in the study. Serum TNF level was measured using a sandwich ELISA kit. Lymphocytes' and monocytes' counts were obtained from a differential complete blood count profile. Participants' DNA was extracted and genotyped for rs1800629 and rs1799724 in TNFα, and rs909253 in LTA. Controls had a significantly higher mean lymphocyte count (P = 0.018), while the mean monocyte count and serum TNFα levels did not differ between the two groups (P > 0.05). With respect to gene polymorphisms, the rs1800629 and rs1799724 variants showed significant association with migraine in all subjects, and in males and females when analyzed separately (P < 0.001). The rs909253 did not show any statistical difference in frequencies among the two groups (P > 0.05). Having the A allele in rs1800629 was associated with a higher risk of migraine in both male (OR, 95%; CI, G/A = 3.79 [1.87-7.69]; A/A = 14.22 [1.67-121.14]; P < 0.01) and female (OR, 95%; G/A = 2.54 [1.47-4.38]; A/A = 2.52 [1.12-5.69]; P < 0.001) subjects. In conclusion, rs1800629 and rs1799724 in TNFα showed significant association with migraine among the Jordanian population.

Genetic variants in TNFA, LTA, TLR2 and TLR4 genes and risk of sepsis in patients with severe trauma: nested case-control study in a level-1 trauma centre in SERBIA.

INTRODUCTION: Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) represent important genetic risk factors for susceptibility to posttraumatic sepsis and a potential target for immunotherapy. We aimed to evaluate the association between 8 different SNVs within tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFA), lymphotoxin alpha (LTA) and Toll-like receptor (TLR2 and TLR4) genes and the risk of posttraumatic sepsis. METHODS: Nested case-control study was conducted in the emergency department of the Clinical Centre of Serbia including 228 traumatized patients (44 with sepsis and 184 without sepsis). To compare the results of trauma subjects with the data from the general population, a control group of 101 healthy persons was included in the study. Genotyping of TNFA (rs1800629 and rs361525), LTA (rs909253), TLR2 (rs3804099, rs4696480 and rs3804100), and TLR4 (rs4986790 and rs4986791) was performed for all patients within all three groups using the real-time PCR method. MutationTaster database and in silico software SIFT were used to predict the variant pathogenic effect. RESULTS: Carriage of the G allele of the TNFA rs1800629 gene variant (OR 2.1, 95%CI 1.06-4.16) and T allele-carriage of the TLR4 rs4986791 genetic variant (OR 3.02, 95%CI 1.31-6.57) were associated with significantly higher risk of sepsis in trauma patients when compared to the general population prone to sepsis and traumatized patients without developing a sepsis, respectively. Of these two variants, only variant in TLR4 gene (rs4986791) has been labeled as disease causing by both the MutationTaster database and the in-silico software SIFT, which further supports the role of this variant in various pathologies including sepsis. For the remaining six variants no significant association with the susceptibility to sepsis was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Carriage of the G allele of the TNFA rs1800629 gene variant and T allele-carriage of the TLR4 rs4986791 genetic variant confer significant risk of posttraumatic sepsis. TLR4 gene variants (rs4986790 and rs4986791) has been labelled as disease causing.

Analysis of Lymphotoxin Alpha Expression in Human Retina and Generation of Expression Vectors to Functional Characterization of Polymorphisms in the Tumor Necrosis Factor Locus.

With the evolution of new genomic sequencing technologies an important amount of genomic data has been provided. As a consequence of this, many gene polymorphisms have been shown to be significantly associated with different disorders. Many strategies have been implemented to reveal the role of having more than one allele at a specific locus and their involvement in the illnesses. Site-directed mutagenesis is one of the most common strategies to understand the regulatory regions of genes and the relationship between the protein structure and its function. Here, we describe the analysis of lymphotoxin alpha expression in human retina and the generation of expression vectors to functional characterization of polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor locus using pCEFL-Flag expression vector and transfection assays in COS-1 cell line.