Possible effect of SNAIL family transcriptional repressor 1 polymorphisms in non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate.

OBJECTIVE: Orofacial development is a complex process subjected to failure impairing. Indeed, the cleft of the lip and/or of the palate is among the most frequent inborn malformations. The JARID2 gene has been suggested to be involved in non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (nsCL/P) etiology. JARID2 interacts with the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) in regulating the expression patterns of developmental genes by modifying the chromatin state. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genes coding for the PRC2 components, as well as other genes active in cell differentiation and embryonic development, were selected for a family-based association study to verify their involvement in nsCL/P. A total of 632 families from Italy and Asia participated to the study. RESULTS: Evidence of allelic association was found with polymorphisms of SNAI1; in particular, the rs16995010-G allele was undertransmitted to the nsCL/P cases [P = 0.004, odds ratio = 0.69 (95% C.I. 0.54-0.89)]. However, the adjusted significance value corrected for all the performed tests was P = 0.051. CONCLUSIONS: The findings emerging by the present study suggest for the first time an involvement of SNAI1 in the nsCL/P onset. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Interestingly, SNAI1 is known to promote epithelial to mesenchymal transition by repressing E-cadherin expression, but it needs an intact PRC2 to act this function. Alterations of this process could contribute to the complex etiology of nsCL/P.

Human Multidrug Resistance 1 gene polymorphisms and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: For the first time we tested an association between the human multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1) polymorphisms (SNPs) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Several MDR1 polymorphisms are associated with pathologies in which they modify the drug susceptibility and pharmacokinetics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We genotyped three MDR1 polymorphisms of 48 IPF patients and 100 control subjects with Italian origins. RESULTS: No evidence of association was detected. CONCLUSION: There are 50 known MDR1 SNPs, and their role is explored in terms of the effectiveness of drug therapy. We consider our small-scale preliminary study as a starting point for further research.

Role of the MIR146A polymorphism in the origin and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Gene expression and cell behavior are regulated by several factors, including small non-coding RNAs. MicroRNAs affecting cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis are thought to play an important role in tumorigenesis. The levels of miR-146 appear to be associated with cancer development and progression, including that of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The aim of this investigation was to ascertain whether the single nucleotide polymorphism, rs2910164, mapping in the MIR146A gene, has a role in oral squamous cell carcinoma progression. A genetic association study was performed with a sample set of 346 oral squamous cell carcinomas collected in Italy. Our data indicate that the rs2910164 polymorphism is not associated with tumor development. However, a slight increase in the frequency of the variant allele was observed in Stage II tumors. Further investigations are needed to verify a possible role of the variant allele or rs2910164 in oral squamous cell carcinoma progression.

No evidence of HAND2 involvement in nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate.

Craniofacial morphogenesis is determined by multistep processes involving signalling molecules and transcription factors, which are organised into highly coordinated pathways. Derailment from this intricate network can lead to congenital malformations. Cells migrate from neural crests to populate different structures, such as branchial arches, involved in embryonal orofacial development. The EDN1 pathway is involved in branchial arch development. Gene knockout and knockdown experiments on EDN1 or its downstream effector dHAND resulted in mice that were characterised by craniofacial defects and cleft palate. Our aim was to evaluate whether the transcription factor HAND2 could be implicated in non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) aetiology. A sample study composed of 39 multiplex Italian pedigrees was enrolled to test linkage between two microsatellite flanking HAND2 locus and CL/P. No evidence of linkage between HAND2 and CL/P was obtained. Indeed, formal levels of exclusion were obtained with different inheritance models. Investigation results did not support a role of HAND2 in CL/P aetiology. Nevertheless a minor contribute of the gene in clefting could not be ruled out.

Anatase-based implants nanocoating on stem cells derived from adipose tissue.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a new anatase coating with antibacterial properties (Bactercline anatase coating [BAC]) on dental implants in the commitment of stem cells derived from adipose tissue to osteoblasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, the quantitative expression of specific genes, such as transcriptional factors (runx2 and sp7), bone-related genes (spp1, col1a1, col3a1, alpl, and fosl1), and mesenchymal stem cells marker (eng), was examined. RESULTS: BAC caused induction of bone-related genes such as sp7, fosl1, alpl, and spp1. In contrast, the expression of runx2, col3a1, and col1a1 was decreased in stem cells treated with BAC with respect to untreated cells. CONCLUSION: The obtained results are relevant to better understand the molecular mechanism of bone regeneration and as a model for comparing other materials with similar clinical effects.

No evidence for a role of CRISPLD2 in non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in an Italian population.

Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCLP) is a malformation with variable phenotypes, resulting from a mixture of genetic and environmental factors. Some studies have supported a role for the 16q24 region and its candidate gene, CRISPLD2, in clefting. A replication study is necessary to confirm these findings. The aim of the present study was to test, by genetic linkage and association analyses, whether the candidate gene, CRISPLD2, represents a risk factor for NSCLP. The analysis of 39 multigenerational families provided formal exclusion of a linkage between NSCLP and the CRISPLD2 locus under different genetic models and non-parametric analyses. The family-based study of 239 unrelated probands and their parents revealed no association between any particular allele or haplotype and NSCLP. Therefore, the present investigation did not support the hypothesis of the involvement of CRISPLD2 in NSCLP malformation, at least with regard to the Italian population.

Biological effect of resorbable plates on normal osteoblasts and osteoblasts derived from Pfeiffer syndrome.

Biodegradable fixation devices made of the polymers polylactide, polyglycolide and their copolymers are used routinely during maxillofacial, craniofacial, and orthopedic reconstructive surgical procedures, thanks to their property of biodegradation that avoid the need for implant removal. In particular, they are used in the treatment of craniosynostosis in pediatric patients affected by Pfeiffer syndrome, where the resorption time of 1 year or less does not interfere with the normal growth of the skull. To study the mechanism how polylactide-polyglycolide (PLPG) acid plates can induce osteoblast differentiation and proliferation in normal osteoblasts and in osteoblasts derived from a patient with Pfeiffer syndrome, the expression levels of bone-related genes were analyzed using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Osteoblasts grown on the PLPG acid plates resulted in significant upregulation of mRNA expression of many genes related to osteodifferentiation during the treatment, indicating that polylactide, polyglycolide biopolymers enhance proliferation, differentiation, and deposition of matrix in osteoblasts. This study also revealed some differences in gene expression between normal osteoblasts and osteoblasts derived from patients with Pfeiffer syndrome, cultivated on PLPG acid plates.

Expression and association data strongly support JARID2 involvement in nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate.

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) affects approximately 1 in 1,000 births. Genetic studies have provided evidence for the role of several genes and candidate loci in clefting; however, conflicting results have frequently been obtained and much have to be done to unravel the complex genetics of CL/P. In the present investigation we have focused on the candidate region in 6p23, a region that have been found linked to CL/P in several investigations, in the attempt to find out the susceptibility gene provisionally named OFC1. Gene expression experiments in mice embryo of positional candidate genes revealed that JARID2 was highly and specifically expressed in epithelial cells in merging palatal shelves. A family-based linkage disequilibrium study confirmed the pivotal role of JARID2 in orofacial development and strongly supports a role for this gene in CL/P etiology (multiallelic haplotype test P=6 x 10(-5)). Understanding the molecular role of JARID2 within facial development may offer additional information to further unravel the complex genetics of CL/P.

Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in Asian populations: Association analysis on three gene polymorphisms of the folate pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are one of the most common birth defects in humans. They are the subject of a number of investigations aimed at elucidating the bases of their complex mode of inheritance involving both genetic and environmental factors. Genes belonging to the folate pathway have been among the most studied. The aim of the investigation was to replicate previous studies reporting evidence of association between polymorphisms of folate related genes and the occurrence of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P), using three independent samples of different ancestry: from Tibet, Bangladesh and Iran, respectively. DESIGN: Specifically, the polymorphisms rs1801133 of MTHFR, rs1801198 of TCN2, and rs4920037 of CBS, were tested. RESULTS: A decreased risk of NSCL/P was observed in patients presenting the C677T variant at MTHFR gene (relative risk for heterozygotes=0.53; 95% confidence interval [C.I.]=0.32-0.87). The investigated polymorphisms mapping at TCN2 and CBS genes did not provide any evidence of association. CONCLUSION: Overall, these results indicate that NSCL/P risk factors differ among populations and confirm the importance of testing putative susceptibility variants in different genetic backgrounds.

Comparison of Bio-Revitalizing Injective Products: A Study on Skin Fibroblast Cultures.

Bio-revitalization is a commonly used technique in aesthetic medicine for improving skin quality and appearance by intra-dermal injection of hyaluronic acid (HA)-containing compounds. The present study compares different HA-containing injectables regarding their effects on cultured skin fibroblasts over time (24, 48, and 72 hr) by using RT-PCR and a panel of genes involved in dermal integrity. Human dermal fibroblasts were seeded on a layer of five different commercial medical devices containing 6.2 mg/mL 10 mg/mL 10%, 13 mg/mL and 20 mg/mL, respectively, of HA. The products differ not only in HA concentration but also in the content and quality of other ingredients; moreover, one of these products contained cross-linked HA. Differences among medical devices were found. In particular, HA concentration seems to be inversely correlated to elastin gene activation. Regarding the neutrophil elastase gene, the two medical devices with the higher concentration of HA displayed the greater effect. Genes encoding for hyaluronan synthase 1, hyaluronidase 1, and desmoplakin were enhanced, but the HA content of the different products did not seem to be directly related to gene activation. Therefore, the explanation for the differences must be studied further with respect to elements that are distinctive for each device. For the physician, it is important to choose which drugs or medical devices can be used and in what protocols. The present study performed a comparison that can be useful in better addressing the skin improvement therapies for aging and in its prevention.

Evidence of the involvement of the DHFR gene in nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate.

Studies aimed at evidencing genetic causes for neural tube defect (NTD) occurrence have often provided the inspiration for orofacial cleft aetiology investigations. The correlation between the two congenital malformations is provided by the similar incidence timing and the involvement of structures localized in the midline of the embryo. This connection is corroborated by the existence of a number of genes involved in both malformations. In this article, we considered the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene, previously seen implicated in NTDs, as a candidate for cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) risk. Four SNPs mapping on the DHFR gene were genotyped for 400 Italian CL/P triads, using TaqMan(®) approach. The rs1677693 provided evidence of association, even if at borderline level (P value 0.049). In particular, the variant allele seems to have a protective effect OR = 0.80 (95% C.I. 0.64-0.99). Moreover, the combination of rs1677693(A)-rs1650723(G) alleles showed a significant association OR 0.64 (95% C.I. 0.47-0.86) (P value = 0.006). This represents the first attempt to demonstrate a role for DHFR in CL/P aetiology, howbeit the study of such gene deserves a deepening.

RFC1 and non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate: an association based study in Italy.

The molecular basis of orofacial development is largely unknown and needs to be unravelled. Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) is the most common craniofacial malformation, with an incidence of about 1/700 live births, although variable according to ethnicity. Being a multifactorial disease, it arises as a result of an interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Several approaches have been developed to identify susceptibility genes. Genes belonging to the folate/homocysteine pathway are attracting increasing interest because folate supplementation before and during early pregnancy can reduce the risk of NSCL/P. We performed a family based association study in order to assess if a genetic variant of RFC1 could be involved in NSCL/P onset. We genotyped 404 unrelated probands and their relatives for three biallelic polymorphic variants (rs1051266, rs4818789 and rs3788205), that were selected because they produced conflicting results on previous investigations. Evidence of association was found between the investigated polymorphisms and NSCL/P in our sample of the Italian population, albeit with weak significance levels. Results from this investigation provided a support of previous studies suggesting a role of RFC1 in NSCL/P aetiology, reinforcing the concept that genetic predisposition to NSCL/P varies enormously within different ethnic groups.

Oral microflora and periodontal disease: new technology for diagnosis in dentistry.

Periodontitis is a disease that affects and destroys the tissues that support teeth. Tissues damage results from a prolonged inflammatory response to an ecological shift in the composition of subgingival biofilms. Three bacterial species that constitute the red complex group, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola, are considered the main pathogens involved in periodontitis. In the present study a real-time PCR based assay was designed to detect and quantify red complex species, then used to investigate 146 periodontal pocket samples from 66 periodontitis patients and 80 controls. Results demonstrated a significant higher prevalence of red complex species and increased amount of P. gingivalis and T. denticola in periodontal pocket of periodontitis patients.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and polymorphisms of the folate pathway genes.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the possible association between folate pathway gene polymorphisms and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This represents the first study carried out on folate pathway gene polymorphisms as possible risk factors in this kind of pathology. The premise is that several polymorphisms mapping on genes responsible for folate uptake are associated with the risk of numerous diseases occurring between pregnancy and old age, and that too little is currently known about idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. DESIGN AND METHODS: We genotyped 9 single nucleotide polymorphisms and 1 polymorphic insertion in 7 essential genes belonging to the folate pathway in 32 Italian idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients and 81 control subjects. This was done by PCR and restriction analysis. RESULTS: Allelic and genotypic association tests indicated that for all the analysed polymorphisms there were no significant differences between patients and controls. Nevertheless, the haplotype association analysis revealed a significant association between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and transcobalamin II gene polymorphisms: specifically the haplotype 776G (rs1801198)-c.1026-394G (rs7286680)-444C (rs10418) (OR=2.84; 95% C.I. 1.36-5.93, P value=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: This small-scale preliminary study would suggest the importance of further research focusing on the role of folate in the onset of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Titanium nanotubes activate genes related to bone formation in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Titanium is used worldwide to make osseointegrable devices, thanks to its favorable characteristics as mechanical proprieties and biocompatibility, demonstrated by in vivo studies with animal models and clinical trials over a forty-year period. However, the exact genetic effect of the titanium layer on cells is still not well characterized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To investigate how titanium nanotubes stimulate osteoblasts differentiation and proliferation, some osteoblast genes (SP7, RUNX2, COL3A1, COL1A1, ALPL, SPP1 and FOSL1) were analyzed by quantitative Real Time RT- PCR. RESULTS: After 15 days, osteoblasts cultivated on titanium naotube showed the up-regulation of bone related genes SP7, ENG, FOSL1 and SPP1 and the down-regulation of RUNX2, COL3A1, COL1A1, and ALPL. After 30 days of treatment, the bone related genes SP7, ENG, FOSL1 and RUNX2 were up-regulated while COL3A1, COL1A1, ALPL and SPP1 were down-regulated. CONCLUSIONS: Our results, demonstrates that titanium nanotubes can lead to osteoblast differentiation and extracellular matrix deposition and mineralization in dental pulp stem cells by the activation of osteoblast related genes SPP1, FOSL1 and RUNX2.

Titanium nanotubes stimulate osteoblast differentiation of stem cells from pulp and adipose tissue.

BACKGROUND: Titanium is the gold standard among materials used for prosthetic devices because of its good mechanical and chemical properties. When exposed to oxygen, titanium becomes an oxide, anatase that is biocompatible and able to induce osseointegration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IN THIS STUDY WE COMPARED THE EXPRESSION PROFILING OF STEM CELLS CULTIVATED ON TWO TYPES OF SURFACE: Pure titanium disk and nanotube titanium disk in order to detect if nanotube titanium instead (NTD) surface stimulates stem cells towards osteoblast differentiation. RESULTS: Stem cells cultivated on nanotube titanium disks showed the upregulation of bone-related genes RUNX2, FOSL1 and SPP1. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrated that nanotube titanium disk surface is more osteo-induced surface compared to titanium disk, promoting the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in osteoblasts.

Lab-Test(®) 4: Dental caries and bacteriological analysis.

Dental caries is one of the most common infectious ultifactorial diseases worldwide, characterized by the progressive demineralization of the tooth, following the action of bacterial acid metabolism. The main factors predisposing the onset of the carious process are: 1) the presence of bacterial species able to lower the pH until critical values of 5.5, 2) the absence of adequate oral hygiene, 3) an inefficient immune response anti-caries, 4) the type of alimentary diet and 5) the structure of the teeth. Among the 200 bacterial species isolated from dental plaque the most pathogenic for dental caries are: Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Actinomices viscusus and Bifidobacterium dentium. Our laboratory (LAB(®) s.r.l., Codigoro, Ferrara, Italy) has developed a test for absolute and relative quantification of the most common oral cariogenic bacteria. The test uses specific primers and probes for the amplification of bacteria genome sequences in Polymerase Chain Reaction Real Time. The results provide a profile of patient infection, helpful for improving the diagnosis and planning of preventive treatment to reduce the bacterial load.

IL6 and IL10 are genetic susceptibility factors of periodontal disease.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is a disease mainly caused by a chronic infection of tissues that support the teeth. Several factors, such as diabetes, smoking and oral care, as well as genetic susceptibility can influence both the risk to develop periodontitis and its progression. The aim of the investigation was to test whether alleles of candidate genes were associated with periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case control study was performed with a cohort of 184 patients with chronic periodontitis and 231 healthy controls from the Italian population. A total of six single nucleotide polymorphisms from five candidate genes, i.e., IL1A, IL1B, IL6, IL10 and vitamin D receptor, were investigated. RESULTS: Evidence of association were obtained for rs1800795 mapping in IL6 (P value = 0.01) as well as for the rs1800872 mapping in IL10 (P = 0.04). The rarer variant allele lowered the risk to develop periodontitis at IL6 (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.69 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.51-0.93]) and increased the risk at IL10 (OR = 1.38 [95% CI 1.01-1.86]). CONCLUSIONS: The present investigation indicated that polymorphisms of IL6 and IL10 constitute risk factors for chronic periodontitis, while there was no evidence implicating a specific IL1A or IL1B genotype.

Microflora and periodontal disease.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is a disease that affects and destroys the tissues that support teeth. Tissue damage results from a prolonged inflammatory response to an ecological shift in the composition of subgingival biofilms. Three bacterial species that constitute the red complex group, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola, are considered the main pathogens involved in periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, a real-time polymerase chain reaction bases assay was designed to detect and quantify red complex species, then used to investigate 307 periodontal pocket samples from 127 periodontitis patients and 180 controls. RESULTS: Significant higher prevalence of red complex species and increased amount of P. gingivalis and T. denticola were detected in periodontal pocket of periodontitis patients. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrated that the test is a valuable tool to improve diagnosis of periodontal disease.

Engipore acts on human bone marrow stem cells.

OBJECTIVES: Porous HA scaffolds are promising materials for tissue engineering because they offer a tridimensional support and serve as template for cell proliferation and at last tissue formation. Engipore provide a natural 3D scaffold with organic fibrous material in bone. However, how this material alters osteoblast activity to promote bone formation is poorly understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To study how Engipore can induce osteoblast differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells, the expression levels of bone related genes and mesenchymal stem cells marker were analyzed. RESULTS: Engipore causes a significant induction of osteoblast transcriptional factors like SP7 and RUNX2 and of the bone-related gene osteocalcin (BGLAP). The expression of CD105 was not significantly changed in stem cells treated with Engipore with respect to untreated cells, while SSP1 (osteopontin) was significantly down expressed thus reducing osteoclast activity. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results can be relevant to better understand the molecular mechanism of bone regeneration.