Behcet's Disease (BD) is a multisystem vasculitis characterized by disease alternated with recurrent episodes and remissions, involving genital, oral, ocular uvea, cutaneous, and articular manifestations. The nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway paly an important role in the BD progression. It encompasses diverse gene, protein, and cellular regulatory mechanisms operating across various levels, alongside microbiological and experimental studies involving animals and cells. At the protein research findings, activation of the NF-κB pathway in BD patients is marked by elevated plasma levels of soluble CD40 ligand, which stimulates neutrophils to release reactive oxygen species and extracellular traps, thereby promoting inflammation. At the cellular research findings, macrophages in BD patients polarize towards classically activated macrophages phenotype through the NF-κB pathway, exacerbating the inflammatory response. The activation of NF-κB is associated with increased expression of anti-apoptotic proteins in T cells, leading to prolonged inflammation. Microbiological investigations reveal that the decreased gut microbiota diversity in BD patients compromises intestinal barrier integrity. NF-κB pathway involvement in regulating neutrophil and type 1 helper T cell (Th) 1/Th17 cell function worsens inflammation. Genetically, BD patients exhibit polymorphisms in immune regulatory genes, which contribute to inflammation through the NF-κB pathway. Mutations in NF-κB-associated genes elevate the risk of BD, while mutations in the endogenous inhibitor A20 lead to abnormal NF-κB activity, sustaining inflammation. Animal experiments and in vitro experiments corroborate the efficacy of NF-κB inhibitors in attenuating inflammation. Targeting upstream inflammatory factors within the NF-κB pathway yields positive outcomes in BD patients. In summary, the NF-κB signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in the development of BD. Developing NF-κB inhibitors may open new avenues for treating BD. Further research is necessary to comprehensively elucidate the precise mechanisms by which NF-κB operates in the pathogenesis of BD, as well as its potential clinical applications in therapy.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) BsmI (rs1544410) in the vitamin D receptor gene and the susceptibility of coronary artery disease. MethodsDatabases including PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP and CBM were searched from inception to May, 2016 to collect case-control studies about SNP BsmI (rs1544410) in the vitamin D receptor gene and the susceptibility of coronary artery disease. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then Meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3. ResultsA total of seven studies were included, which involved 2182 patients and 5925 controls. The results of meta-analyses showed that the B allele and BB genotype in rs1544410 was associated with the risk of coronary artery disease (B vs. b:OR=1.36, 95%CI 1.03 to 1.79, P=0.03; BB vs. bb:OR=1.70, 95%CI 1.06 to 2.72, P=0.03; BB+Bb vs. bb:OR=1.52, 95%CI 1.00 to 2.30, P=0.05). Subgroup analysis by age showed that rs1544410 was associated with the risk of coronary artery disease in the age <65(B vs. b:OR=1.65, 95%CI 1.00 to 2.73, P=0.05; BB vs. Bb+ bb:OR=1.79, 95%CI 1.08 to 2.97, P=0.02; BB vs. bb:OR=2.64, 95%CI 1.12 to 6.25, P=0.03). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity showed that rs1544410 was associated with the risk of coronary artery disease in Caucasians (B vs. b:OR=1.47, 95%CI 1.10 to 1.97, P=0.01; BB+Bb vs. bb:OR=1.71, 95%CI 1.09 to 2.68, P=0.02; BB vs. Bb+bb:OR=1.39, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.92, P=0.05; BB vs. bb:OR=1.80, 95%CI 1.10 to 2.95, P=0.03). Subgroup analysis by genotyping methods showed that rs1544410 was associated with the risk of coronary artery disease in the TaqMan (B vs. b:OR=2.18, 95%CI 1.06 to 4.45, P=0.03; BB+Bb vs. bb:OR=3.32, 95%CI 1.06 to 10.40, P=0.04; BB vs. bb:OR=3.31, 95%CI 1.06 to 10.30, P=0.04). Subgroup analysis by diagnostic criteria for cases showed that rs1544410 was associated with the risk of coronary artery disease in the ECG (B vs. b:OR=1.15, 95%CI 1.02 to 1.29, P=0.02; BB+Bb vs. bb:OR=1.22, 95%CI 1.02 to 1.45, P=0.03; BB vs. bb:OR=1.31, 95%CI 1.03 to1.67, P=0.03). ConclusionBsmI (rs1544410) B allele may have a significant association with the high risk of coronary artery disease especially the Caucasians and the ones with age <65.
Objective To summarize the current progress in the genetic modification of vascular prostheses and to look forward to the future of genetic modification in vascular prostheses. Methods PubMed onl ine search with the key words of “vascular prostheses, gene” was undertaken to identify articles about the genetic modification of vascular prostheses. Then these articles were reviewed and summarized. Results To improve long-term patency of vascular prostheses, various genes were transfected into seeded cells. The antithrombosis activity of local vessels increased. Conclusion Progresses in tissue engineering and molecular biology make possible endothel ial ization and genetic modification of vascular prostheses. However, because most relevant researches are still basic experiments, further study is needed before cl inical appl ication.
ObjectiveTo assess the association of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene-460C/T and-634C/G polymorphism with diabetic retinopathy (DR) among patients in Asia and European by meta-analysis. MethodsA systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, VIP, Wanfang technological, CNKI, etc.) was carried out until Jun, 2014. Case-control studies on the relationship between genetic polymorphism of VEGF-460C/T and VEGF-634C/G with diabetic retinopathy were included in this analysis. The data were quantitatively analyzed by RevMan 5.0 software after assessing the quality of included studies. The pooled odds ratios (OR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess the strength of the association. ResultsVEGF-460C/T (7 studies:899 cases and 786 controls) and VEGF-634C/G (10 studies:1615 cases and 1861 controls) were inclued in this meta-analysis. Significant association was found for-460C/T polymorphism in Aisa (C versus T:OR=1.52, 95%CI was, Z=3.72, P=0.0002; CC versus CT+TT:OR=1.61, 95%CI was[1.22, 1.90], Z=3.05, P=0.002; TT versus CT+CC:OR=0.64, 95%CI was[1.19, 2.19], Z=2.07, P=0.04), and VEGF-634CC gene type was associated with DR in European (OR=1.56, 95%CI[1.08, 2.25], Z=2.37, P=0.02). No significant publication bias was found. ConclusionsThe meta-analysis demonstrated that DR was associated with VEGF-460C/T polymorphism in Asia, and C alleles and CC gene type was the risk polymorphism; VEGF-634C/G polymorphism was not associated with DR, but its CC genotype maybe the risk factor in European. Further case-control studies based on larger sample size are still needed, especially for-634C/G polymorphism.
Coats disease is a relatively rare and idiopathic disorder characterized by retinal telangiectasia and massive intra-retinal and (or) sub-retinal lipid accumulation, resulting in complications including retinal detachment and neovascular glaucoma. Previous reports have revealed that Coats disease can be associated with other disorders, especially some inherited diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Coats disease associated with other inherited disorders is generally called Coats-like retinopathy, which has some unique features that differs from the classic Coats disease, for example there is no sex and age preference, more bilateral cases, more severe cases and more genetic factors involved. Patients of Coats-like retinopathy with RP and FSHD may have mutations in Crumbs homologue gene 1 and D4Z4 genes.
Objective To summarize the advancement of hereditary thrombophilia. Methods Relevant literatures about hereditary thrombophilia published recently domestic and abroad were reviewed and analyzed. Results The hereditary risk factors of venous thromboembolism were different among different races. In western population, the main risk factors were activated protein C resistance (APC-R) and mutation of factor V Leiden, methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism (C677T) and prothrombin G20210A. While in Chinese population, the disorder of protein C system and hyperhomocysteinemia were the major genetic risk factor. The existence of multiple genetic risk factors increased the incidence of primary and recurrent venous thromboembolism. Conclusion Further study on the relations between the hereditary risk factors and thrombophilia will be very important for prediction and prevention of the venous thromboembolism.
ObjectiveTo identify and observe the pathogenic genes and clinical phenotypes of a family with a special platelet phenotype, Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome type 6 (HSP6). MethodsA retrospective clinical study. In November 2019, one proband and three family members from six HSP families who visited Henan Eye Hospital were included in the study. The child's medical history and family history were inquired in detail. The proband and all family members underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus color photography, frequency-domain optical coherence tomography, and general physical examination. The proband underwent platelet transmission electron microscopy (PTEM) and colonoscopy. Peripheral venous blood was collected from the proband, her parents and younger brother, and genomic DNA was extracted. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was used to screen pathogenic genes and their loci. Bioinformatics analysis determines the pathogenicity of gene variation sites. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot were used to verify the related variations. ResultsThe proband (Ⅱ-1) was a 7-year-old female. The BCVA in both eyes was 0.1, who exhibited mild horizontal nystagmus and iris depigmentation. Fundus examination revealed obvious depigmentation and an underdeveloped fovea centralis. At the age of 7, the patient underwent colonoscopy due to acute gastrointestinal bleeding. A polyp approximately 5 mm in size was found on the floor of the sigmoid colon, with erosion and mucosal leukoplakia on its surface. PTEM showed that the number of platelet dense granules was normal, but the nuclei were small or exhibited low compactness. The skin on both lower legs showed pigmentation. The clinical phenotypes of the proband’s parents (Ⅰ-1, Ⅰ-2) and younger brother (Ⅱ-2) showed no obvious abnormalities. WES revealed that the proband carried compound heterozygous variants in exon 1 of the HPS6 gene: c.60_64dup (p.L22fs) (M1) and c.1147_1148del (p.L383fs) (M2). The mother carried the M1 variant, while the father and younger brother carried the M2 variant. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that both variants were pathogenic. RT-qPCR results showed that, compared with the relative expression level of HPS6wt mRNA, the relative expression levels of HPS6L22fs and HPS6L383fs mRNA were significantly decreased (t = 3.549, 4.560; P＜0.05). Western blot analysis demonstrated that the HPS6L383fs protein was truncated, whereas the HPS6L22fs protein was not detected. ConclusionsThis family is a special HPS6 with a normal number of dense platelet granules. The compound heterozygous variations of M1 and M2 in the HPS6 gene are pathogenic genes in this family.
In order to observe the role of genetically modified Schwann cell (SC) with pSVP0Mcat in the regeneration of injured spinal cord, the cells were implanted into the spinal cord. Ninety SD rats were used to establish a model of hemi-transection of spinal cord at the level of T8, and were divided into three groups, randomly, that is, pSVP0Mcat modified SC implantation (Group A), SC implantation (Group B) and without cell implantation as control (Group C). After three months the presence of axonal regeneration of the injured spinal cord was examined by means of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) retrograde labelling technique and stereography. The results indicated that HRP labelled cells in Group A and B could be found in the superior region of injured spinal cord and the brain stem such as the red nuclei and oculomotor nuclei. The density of ventral hom neurons of the spinal cord and the number of myelinated axons in 100 microns of the white matter was A gt; B gt; C group. In brief, the pSVP0Mcat modified SC intraspinal implantation could promote regeneration of the injured spinal cord.
Objective To search for the significant gene indicators in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Methods Literatures about genetic diagnosis of pancreatic cancer were collected and reviewed. Results K-ras, p53, DPC4 and telomerase genes were considered to play important roles in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Conclusion Detection of the genes related to pancreatic cancer may be of helpful in early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Epilepsy is a chronic brain dysfunction disease with complex and diverse causes, but 70%-80% of patients do not have obvious characteristic phenotypic symptoms. In order to provide precise treatment for epilepsy patients, research on the genetic pathogenic factors and pathogenesis of epilepsy has attracted much attention. Different types of epilepsy are constantly found to be closely related to mutations in specific genes, such as SCN1A, KCNA2, KCNT1, GABRA1, TSCs, CDKL5, and so on. Therefore, the development of broad-spectrum antiepileptic drugs is very difficult. However, plant-based drugs or functional ingredients derived from traditional medicinal herbs, such as cannabinol, aconitine, and dodecenal, will expand the development of safer and more effective anti epileptic drugs.