Association analysis between genomic variants within advanced glycation end product specific receptor (AGER) gene and risk of breast cancer in Iranian women.

The advanced glycation end product specific receptor (AGER) gene codes for a cell surface receptor which is one of the immunoglobulin superfamily members. This gene has a number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) whose variants are associated with altered function of the encoded protein. In the current project, we examined association between rs184003 and rs1800625 SNPs and susceptibility to breast cancer in an Iranian population. The current study excludes participation of rs184003 AGER variant in conferring cancer risk. However, for the rs1800625, based on the calculated P value, the results should be assessed in larger cohorts. Primarily, the rs1800625 SNP was associated with breast cancer risk in dominant model (OR (95% CI) = 1.79 (1.03-3.11)), but after correction for multiple comparisons it did not reach the level of significance (adjusted P value = 0.07). The other SNP was not associated with breast cancer risk in any inheritance model. Haplotype analyses revealed a trend toward association between the GC haplotype (rs184003 and rs1800625 respectively) and risk of breast cancer (OR (95% CI) = 1.77 (1.09-2.88), adjusted P value = 0.08)). The current study excludes participation of rs184003 AGER variants in conferring cancer risk. However, for the rs1800625, based on the calculated P value, the results should be assessed in larger cohorts.

Association study of Retinoic Acid Related Orphan Receptor A (RORA) gene and risk of prostate disorders.

PURPOSE: Prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) are two prevalent disorders among men with considerable mortality and morbidity. Several association studies have been conducted in different populations to find genetic loci linked with these disorders. Retinoic acid-receptor-related orphan receptor alpha (RORA) codes for a transcription factor which regulates expression of several cancer-related genes. Besides, RORA has been shown to be down-regulated in PCa tissues and cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study we evaluated genotype and allele frequencies of rs11639084 and rs4774388 variants within RORA gene in PCa and BPH patients compared with healthy subjects. RESULTS: The rs11639084 and rs4774388 alleles were not different between PCa and normal groups 95% CI: 0.52-1.24, OR = 1.04, P = .34; 95% CI: 0.48-1.33, OR = .79, P = .39 respectively. Moreover, we did not detect any significant difference in allele, genotype or haplotype frequencies of these SNPs between the other study groups. CONCLUSION: The mentioned RORA variants are possibly not involved in the pathogenesis of PCa and BPH. Future studies are needed to assess the associations between other variant within this gene and PCa risk to suggest a putative mechanism for involvement of RORA in PCa.

Frequency of viral infections and environmental factors in multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complicated disease which occurs due to relationship between genes and environmental factors that causes tissue damage by autoimmune mechanisms.We investigated and illustrated the hypotheses correlated to the evidence of several putative environmental risk factors for MS onset and progression in this part of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Univariate logistic regression was used to detect the effects of environmental factors on the risk of MS. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. RESULTS: The childhood history of patients with rubella, measles and chickenpox increased the risk of MS significantly. Moreover, low consumption of dairy products, avoidance of seafood consumption, cigarette smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke, stress, anxiety disorders, depress and disturbing thoughts, negative and disturbing thoughts, developing a sudden shock upon hearing bad news, having obsessive-compulsive and being depressed increased the risk of MS significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current research partially solved the puzzling question of complex interplay between environmental factors and MS disease in this part of Iran. Incorporating these factors enables more powerful and accurate detection of novel risk factors with diagnostic and prognostic methods.