Association of the Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism and Haplotype of the Complement Receptor 1 Gene with Malaria

PURPOSE: Although the polymorphisms of erythrocyte complement receptor type 1 (CR1) in patients with malaria have been extensively studied, a question of whether the polymorphisms of CR1 are associated with severe malaria remains controversial. Furthermore, no study has examined the association of CR1 polymorphisms with malaria in Chinese population. Therefore, we investigated the relationship of CR1 gene polymorphism and malaria in Chinese population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed polymorphisms of CR1 gene rs2274567 G/A, rs4844600 G/A, and rs2296160 C/T in 509 patients with malaria and 503 controls, using the Taqman genotyping assay and PCR-direct sequencing. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the genotype, allele and haplotype frequencies of CR1 gene rs2274567 G/A, rs4844600 G/A, and rs2296160 C/T polymorphisms between patients with malaria and controls. Furthermore, there was no association of polymorphisms in the CR1 gene with the severity of malaria in Chinese population. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that CR1 gene rs2274567 G/A, rs4844600 G/A, and rs2296160 C/T polymorphisms may not be involved in susceptibility to malaria in Chinese population.

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication using antisense LNA targeting to both S and C genes in HBV / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the inhibitory effect on HBV replication of antisense locked nucleic acid (LNA) targeting to both S and C genes in HBV transgenic mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty HBV transgenic mice were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6): glucose control group were treated with 5% glucose solution, liposome control group were treated with liposome alone, S group were treated with LNA targeting to S gene, C group were treated with LNA targeting to C gene, and dual-target group were treated with LNA targeting to both S and C genes. Antisense LNA was injected into mice via the tail vein. Serum HBsAg was quantified by TRFIA. Serum HBV DNA was quantified by real-time PCR. The expression of HBV C-mRNA in the liver was detected by RT-PCR. The expression of HBsAg and HBcAg in the liver was detected by immunohistochemistry. Serum ALB, ALT, BUN and CR were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The effects of antisense LNA on mouse organs were investigated by HE staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>5 days after LNA injection, serum HBsAg levels in the dual-target group were reduced by 72.8%, and serum HBV DNA levels were decreased by 52.9%. These values were significantly higher than those in the control groups (all P < 0.05). No significant differences were noted in serum ALB, ALT, BUN and CR between the experiment groups and the control groups (all P > 0.05). The expression levels of HBsAg and HBcAg in the liver of dual-target group were significantly lower than those in the control groups. No significant histopathological abnormality was found in liver and kidney tissues in all groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Antisense LNA targeting to both S and C genes can significantly inhibit HBV replication in transgenic mice.</p>