Programmed cell death 1 gene polymorphisms is associated with ankylosing spondylitis in Chinese Han population

Elevated programmed cell death-1 protein/ligand (PD-1/PD-L1) and variants are associated with susceptibility to multiple myeloma: a case-control study in the Chinese cohort

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disorder characterised by progressive immune dysregulation. The importance of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in MM has been documented in various populations, but studies have been limited to the Chinese cohort. In the present study, we examined the role of PD-1/PDL-1 in large cohorts of Chinese patients with MM and healthy controls to reveal a possible association with MM. Three hundred thirty-four MM patients and 202 healthy age-sex-matched subjects were enrolled in the present study. Serum levels of PD-1 and PD-L1 were quantified by ELISA. Percentages of T cells (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells) expressing PD-1 receptor were assessed by flow cytometry. Variants in PD-L1 (rs4143815) and PD-1 gene (rs2227981, rs2227982, rs7421861 and rs11568821) were genotyped by PCR-RFLP method. Patients with multiple myeloma had higher levels of PD-1 and PDL-1 than healthy controls, indicating an important role for programmed cell death protein-1 and its ligand in the pathogenesis of MM. T cells expressing PD-1 receptors were also significantly higher in MM patients than in controls. Mutants for PD-L1 (rs4143815) and PD-1 (rs2227982 and rs7421861) polymorphisms were significantly more common in MM than in HC. Interestingly, PD-L1 (rs4143815) and PD-1 (rs2227982 and rs7421861) variants were linked to higher sPD-L1 and sPD-1 levels, respectively. PD-1/PD-L1 levels are significantly higher in MM patients and could be a promising biomarker for the disease. Variants of PD-L1 and PD-1 are linked to serum-soluble proteins and are associated with the development of MM.

Rs10204525 Polymorphism of the Programmed Death (PD-1) Gene Is Associated with Increased Risk in a Saudi Arabian Population with Colorectal Cancer

Checkpoint programmed death-1 (PD-1) has been identified as an immunosuppressive molecule implicated in the immune evasion of transformed cells. It is highly expressed in tumor cells in order to evade host immunosurveillance. In this study, we aimed to assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of PD-1 and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the Saudi population. For this case-control study, the TaqMan assay method was used for genotyping three SNPs in the PD-1 gene in 100 CRC patients and 100 healthy controls. Associations were estimated using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for multiple inheritance models (codominant, dominant, recessive, over-dominant, and log-additive). Moreover, PD-1 gene expression levels were evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR in colon cancer tissue and adjacent colon tissues. We found that the PD-1 rs10204525 A allele was associated with an increased risk of developing CRC (OR = 2.35; p = 0.00657). In addition, the PD-1 rs10204525 AA homozygote genotype was associated with a high risk of developing CRC in the codominant (OR = 21.65; p = 0.0014), recessive (OR = 10.97; p = 0.0015), and additive (OR = 1.98; p = 0.012) models. A weak protective effect was found for the rs2227981 GG genotype (OR = 2.52; p = 0.034), and no significant association was found between the rs2227982 and CRC. Haplotype analysis showed that the rs10204525, rs2227981, rs2227982 A-A-G haplotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of CRC (OR = 6.79; p =0.031).

PD-1 gene polymorphisms and thyroid expression of PD-1 ligands differ between Graves' and Hashimoto's diseases

The programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/PD ligand pathway plays a key role in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance by enhancing the suppressive activity of regulatory T (Treg) cells. The promoter activity of the A allele of PD1 rs36084323 G/A polymorphism is lower than that of the G allele. We examined the association of PD1 gene polymorphisms, PD-1 expression on Treg cells, and thyroid PD-1/PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) expression with the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). We classified patients and genotyped PD-1 polymorphisms by using the PCR-RFLP method in a total of 176 Graves' disease (GD) patients, 150 Hashimoto's disease (HD) patients with different disease severities and 99 healthy controls. PD-1 expression on Treg cells was analysed by flow cytometry. Indirect immunofluorescence staining was performed in thyroid tissue to detect PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2. The frequencies of the A allele and the AA + AG genotypes of the PD1 rs36084323 polymorphism were lower in HD patients than in GD patients, and the frequencies of the AA genotype of the PD1 rs36084323 and of the TT genotype of the PD1 rs2227982 were lower in mild HD patients than in severe HD patients. In patients with severe HD, the titres of TgAb at the onset were higher in patients with the PD1 rs36084323 AA genotype than in patients with the GG genotype. Peripheral PD1⁺ Treg cells tended to decrease in individuals with the PD1 rs36084323 AA genotype than with the G carrier genotype. Peripheral PD-1⁺ Treg cells were increased in HD, especially in mild HD. PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2 were expressed in thyroid-infiltrating mononuclear cells (TIMCs), and PD-L1 and PD-L2 were expressed in thyroid epithelial cells (TECs) in AITD patients but not in normal controls. Expression of PD-L1 in TIMCs and expression of PD-L2 in TECs were predominant in HD and GD patients, respectively. In conclusion, the functional PD1 rs36084323 polymorphism and the thyroid PD-1/ PD-L1s expression which may enhance the suppressive activity of Treg cells differ between GD and HD, and the PD1 rs36084323 and rs2227982 polymorphisms and PD1⁺ Treg cells are related to the severity of HD.

PD-1/PD-L1 Axis as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Multiple Sclerosis: A T Cell Perspective

The programmed cell death protein-1/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) axis is a widely studied immune checkpoint that modulates signaling pathways related to T cell activation. The use of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors is a promising immune therapy strategy for cancer patients. However, individuals treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors may develop immune-related adverse events due to excessive immune reactions. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. T cells and the PD-1/PD-L1 axis play vital roles in the pathogenesis of MS. A better understanding of the complex relationship between the PD-1/PD-L1 axis and T cells may extend our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic approaches for MS. In this review, we summarize the most recent findings regarding the role of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in MS and discuss the potential therapeutic strategies to modulate the expression of PD-1/PD-L1 in MS.

Granzyme B is correlated with clinical outcome after PD-1 blockade in patients with stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer

Background

A minority of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) benefit from treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Ineffective effector function of activated T and NK cells may lead to reduced tumor cell death, even when these activated effector cells are released from their immune checkpoint brake. Hence, in this study we aimed to assess the association of baseline serum granzyme B, as well as germline variation of the GZMB gene, with clinical outcome to programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade.

Methods

A total of 347 patients with stage IV NSCLC who started nivolumab treatment between June 2013 and June 2017 were prospectively included. Baseline serum and whole blood was available, allowing for protein quantification and targeted DNA sequencing. Clinical outcome was based on best overall response (BOR) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, V.1.1, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Results

Patients with low serum levels of granzyme B had worse PFS (HR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.12 to 3.43; p=0.018) and worse OS (HR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.12 to 3.87; p=0.021) than patients with high baseline serum levels. To validate the findings, germline variation of GZMB rs8192917 was assessed. Patients with homozygous and heterozygous variants of GZMB rs8192917 had worse BOR (OR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.52; p=0.044) and worse PFS (HR: 1.38; 95% CI:1.02 to 1.87; p=0.036) than wild types.

Conclusions

A low baseline serum level of granzyme B and germline variation of GZMB was associated with worse clinical outcome in NSCLC, emphasizing the relevance and additional value of monitoring germline genetic variations which mirror cytotoxic functions of T cells in ICI therapy.

Trail registration number

Dutch Trial Registry (NL6828).

Association between PDCD1 gene polymorphisms and psoriasis susceptibility in the Chinese population

BACKGROUND

As an immune regulator expressed on the surface of activated T cells, programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1) plays an important role in psoriasis. However, whether PDCD1 genetic polymorphism is associated with psoriasis has yet to be explored.

OBJECTIVE

To study the association between polymorphisms of the immune-related gene PDCD1 and psoriasis susceptibility in the Chinese population, to illustrate the genetic mechanism of psoriasis and provide new research ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis (PS).

METHODS

Overall, 128 psoriasis patients and 88 healthy controls were included in this study. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-Sanger sequencing analysis, six PDCD1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were sequenced: PD1.1, PD1.3, PD1.4, PD1.5, PD1.6, and PD1.9.

RESULTS

Among the six tested SNPs, PD1.6 showed a significant association with psoriasis in genotype and allele frequency distribution. The G allele of PD1.6 increased the risk of psoriasis (P = 0.03). In contrast, the other five SNPs failed to show association with psoriasis. Further analysis within the patient group showed that the frequency of the PD1.6 G allele was relatively high in severe psoriasis, but the difference was nonsignificant.

CONCLUSION

PDCD1 gene polymorphism is associated with psoriasis. The population carrying PD1.6 allele G are at a higher risk of developing psoriasis, though the severity of psoriasis does not correlate with PD1.6 polymorphism.

Ankylosing spondylitis risk factors: a systematic literature review

Radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (also known as ankylosing spondylitis [AS]) is a chronic immune-mediated arthritis characterized by inflammation of the axial skeleton, peripheral joints, and entheses. It is estimated that 1 in every 200 people are affected by AS, making it an important healthcare and socioeconomic issue. In this review, we aim to explore the current understanding of AS risk factors and provide a comprehensive update. Multiple search strings were used to identify articles of interest published in PubMed between January 1, 2013, and February 1, 2021. On the basis of the literature review and analysis, we present up-to-date information on the risk factors of developing AS and our viewpoints on disease onset and progression. Multiple genetic and nongenetic risk factors have been suggested in the onset of AS. HLA-B27 is known to have a strong association with the disease, but other genes have been implicated in disease development. Aside from genetics, other factors are thought to be involved; up to 70% of patients with AS have subclinical intestinal inflammation, suggesting that the origin of the disease may be in the gut. The exact mechanism by which AS onset begins is most likely complex and multifactorial. Key Points • It remains unclear how interactions between genes, microbes, mechanical stress, gender, and other environmental and lifestyle factors predispose patients to the development of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). • The exact mechanisms of AS are complex and multifactorial which will require much future research • Recognizing the risk factors, as well as understanding gene-environment interactions, may offer valuable insights into the etiology of AS and have important implications for diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Clinical Significance of Polymorphisms in Immune Response Genes in Hepatitis C-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background and Aims: Polymorphisms in the immune response genes can contribute to clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection but also mediate liver inflammation and cancer pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the association of polymorphisms in PD-1 (PDCD1), IFNL3 (IL28B), and TLR2 immune related genes in chronic HCV patients with different hepatic and lymphoproliferative HCV-related diseases. Methods: Selected PDCD1, IFNL3, and TLR2 genes were tested by molecular approaches in 450 HCV-positive patients with increasing severity of underlying liver diseases [including chronic infection (CHC), cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)], in 238 HCV-positive patients with lymphoproliferative diseases [such as cryoglobulinemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)] and in 94 blood donors (BD). Results: While the rs12979860 IFNL3 T allele was found a good marker associated with HCV-outcome together with the rs111200466 TLR2 del variant, the rs10204525 PD-1.6 A allele was found to have an insignificant role in patients with HCV-related hepatic disorders. Though in Asian patients the combination of IFNL3 and PD-1.6 markers better define the HCV-related outcomes, in our series of Caucasian patients the PD-1.6 A-allele variant was observed very rarely. Conclusion: Differences in the incidence of HCV-related HCC and clinical response between Asians and Europeans may be partially due to the distribution of PD-1.6 genotype that we found divergent between these two populations. On the other hand, we confirmed in this study that the polymorphic variants within IFNL3 and TLR2 immune response genes are significantly associated with HCV-related disease progression in our cohort of Italian patients.

PD-1 Polymorphisms Are Associated with Susceptibility of Acute Anterior Uveitis in Chinese Population

Acute anterior uveitis (AAU) is an ordinary type of uveitis, which is an autoimmune disease produced by T cells. Programmed apoptosis protein 1 (PD-1) is a vital negative regulatory protein of immune tolerance. We detect the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs41386349, rs10204525, and rs2227982 of PD-1 to investigate the correlation between PD-1 polymorphisms and AAU. A total of 166 AAU patients and 263 controls were recruited in this case-control study. Compared with controls, the frequencies of the GG genotypes were higher in rs10204525 in AAU patients (p = 0.012). There were obvious increases in frequencies of the TT genotypes in rs2227982 and the GG genotypes in rs10204525 in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27-negative AAU patients compared with controls (p = 0.03; p = 0.015, respectively). There were also increases in frequencies of TT genotypes in rs2227982 and the GG genotypes in rs10204525 in the patients without ankylosing spondylitis (AS) when compared with controls (p = 0.021; p = 0.003, respectively). Furthermore, the frequencies of TT genotypes in rs2227982 were higher in female patients diagnosed with AAU than with control group (p = 0.033). Our results showed that SNPs rs2227982 and rs10204525 were interrelated to AAU; the influence on AAU could be related with gender, HLA-B27, and AS status.

PD-1 Haplotype Combinations and Susceptibility of Patients to Squamous Cell Carcinomas of Head and Neck

INTRODUCTION

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are the most common cancers of head and neck and the sixth most common malignancy worldwide. Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) is an immune inhibitory molecule which through interaction with its ligands recruits protein phosphatase resulting in immune response inhibition. Expression of PD-1 ligands on tumor cells is considered as one of the crucial immune evasion mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the association of PD-1 gene polymorphisms at positions PD1.3 (rs11568821), PD1.5 (rs2227981) and PD1.9 (rs2227982) with susceptibility to HNSCCs.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

150 patients pathologically confirmed to suffer from HNSCCs and 150 age-sex matched healthy controls were recruited in this study. Genomic DNA was extracted from white blood cells of all participants. Restricted fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP)-PCR was performed using site specific primers to determine the genotypes in each position.

RESULTS

Statistical analyses indicated no significant differences in the frequencies of genotypes, alleles as well as haplotypes between patients and controls (P > 0.05), however, haplotype combination differed significantly between two groups. GCC/GCT, GCC/GCC and GCT/GCC were higher in the HNSCC patients than the control group (P < 0.05). On the other hand, in the controls, GCT/GCT, GCT/ACC, GCT/ACT and ACC/GCT were more frequent. No significant association was found with various HNSCC clinicopathological characteristics.

DISCUSSION

Our results suggested that although PD-1 gene polymorphisms at three investigated positions are not solely associated with susceptibility to HNSCCs, haplotype combinations emerged from these three loci may render susceptibility.

Programmed death-1 polymorphisms is associated with risk of esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma in the Chinese Han population: A case-control study involving 2,740 subjects

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) gene may contribute to the development of cancer. In this study, we selected PD-1 rs10204525 T>C, rs2227982 A>G, rs36084323 T>C and rs7421861 A>G polymorphisms and designed a hospital-based case-control study to determine the potential relationship between these functional SNPs in PD-1 gene and esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma (EGJA) risk. A total of 1,063 EGJA patients and 1,677 controls were enrolled from Eastern Chinese Han population. SNPscan^TMgenotyping assay was used to analyze the genotyping of PD-1 polymorphisms. We found that PD-1 rs7421861 A>G polymorphism was associated with the development of EGJA. However, PD-1 rs2227982 A>G polymorphism was a protective factor for EGJA. In addition, PD-1 rs36084323 CC homozygote genotype might be associated with a borderline decreased risk of EGJA. In a subgroup analysis, a decreased risk of EGJA in never drinking and never smoking groups was identified. Haplotype comparison analysis suggested that PD-1 T_rs10204525G_rs2227982C_36084323A_rs7421861 haplotype significantly decreased the risk of EGJA. However, T_rs10204525G_rs2227982C_36084323G_rs7421861 haplotype in PD-1 gene may confer risk to EGJA. In conclusion, our study highlights rs2227982 A>G, rs36084323 T>C and rs7421861 A>G polymorphisms and haplotypes in PD-1 gene, especially within the intron region, are significantly associated with the risk of EGJA. Further case-control studies with larger sample size and detailed gene-environmental data to replicate these findings in different populations are needed to validate our conclusion.

Association of PDCD1 gene markers with susceptibility to thyroid cancer

PURPOSE

PD-1 receptor is a co-signaling molecule with an important role in regulation of T-lymphocyte activity. Correlation between PD-1 gene (PDCD1) polymorphisms and some immune-related diseases has been reported before. In current study, we aimed to investigate the association of PD-1 polymorphisms at positions +7146 G/A (PD-1.3) and +7785 C/T (PD-1.5), as well as the emerged haplotypes with susceptibility to thyroid carcinoma.

METHODS

One hundred five patients with confirmed thyroid cancer and 160 healthy individuals as control group were enrolled. Genotypes were identified using PCR-RFLP and nested PCR-RFLP methods. Results were analyzed by Arlequin and SPSS software packages.

RESULTS

Analysis revealed a significant increase in the frequency of PD-1.5 mutant T allele and heterozygous CT genotype in patients with thyroid cancer in comparison with controls [79 (37.7%) vs. 71 (22.2%), and 51 (48.6%) vs. 51 (31.9%), p = 0.0001 and p = 0.009, receptively]. CC genotype at this position observed to be significantly higher among controls than the patients [99 (61.9%) vs. 40 (38.1%), p = 0.0002]. There were no significant differences in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles at locus PD-1.3 between patients and control group. Despite this, GT haplotype emerged from both positions (PD-1.3 G and PD-1.5 T) has also been observed with significant increased frequency between patients and controls [70 (36.8%) vs. 71 (22.2%), p = 0.0005].

CONCLUSION

As the first study to investigate two mentioned polymorphisms in thyroid cancer, current study confirmed the association of PD-1.5 C/T polymorphism and a haplotype resulted from both loci, PD-1.3 and PD-1.5, with susceptibility of Iranians to thyroid cancer.

PD-1 gene polymorphic variation is linked with first symptom of disease and severity of relapsing-remitting form of MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), where inflammation, demyelination together with the axonopathy are the cardinal features on pathologic ground, with a combined genetic and environmental background. The associations of PD-1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): PD-1.3 (in intron 4), PD-1.5 and PD-1.9 (both in exon 5) with clinical manifestation of MS in 479 south Polish individuals including 203 MS patients were analyzed. Presence of PD-1.5T allele was linked with the first manifestations of disease: diplopia and pyramidal signs - favored pyramidal signs but protected against of diplopia development. Farther, PD-1.3G/PD-1.5C/PD-1.9C haplotype significantly favored whereas GTC protected against diplopia. Besides, GTT haplotype strongly favored non-severe RRMS outcome and ATC haplotype was specific only for these MS patients. Our population-based case-control study, investigating selected three PD-1 SNPs: PD-1.3, PD-1.5 and PD-1.9, revealed that polymorphic variation may be rather disease-modifying than MS risk factor.

PD-1/PD-L and autoimmunity: A growing relationship

Programmed death 1 (PD-1) and its ligands, namely PD-L1 and PD-L2, are one of the key factors responsible for inhibitory T cell signaling, mediating the mechanisms of tolerance and providing immune homeostasis. Mounting evidence demonstrates that impaired PD-1:PD-L function plays an important role in a variety of autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes (T1D), encephalomyelitis, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), Behcet's disease (BD), myasthenia gravis (MG), autoimmune uveitis (AU), Sjögren's syndrome (SjS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), myocarditis, and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). By investigating the candidate genes, genome-wide association studies, and identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PD-1 gene in humans, it has been shown that there is a higher risk in relevant genetic associations with developing autoimmune diseases in certain ethnic groups. In this review we have tried to present a comprehensive role of PD-1:PD-L in all recently studied autoimmune diseases.

Association of programmed death-1 polymorphisms with the risk and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Programmed death-1 (PD-1) is an immunoinhibitory receptor belonging to the CD28 family. This study was designed to investigate the association of PD-1 rs36084323:A>G, rs2227981:C>T, rs2227982:C>T and rs10204525:A>G single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the risk and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in a high-incidence population from Northern China. These four SNPs were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction ligase detection reaction (PCR-LDR) method in 584 ESCC patients and 585 healthy controls. The rs2227981:C>T SNP C/T genotype increased the risk of ESCC for the smokers (OR = 1.483, 95% CI = 1.018-2.160) and rs2227982:C>T SNP C/T genotype enhanced susceptibility to ESCC for the females (OR = 1.708, 95% CI = 1.056-2.762). For rs10204525:A>G SNP, A/A genotype was related to increased risk of ESCC (OR = 1.735, 95% CI = 1.086-2.771) overall. Among the 584 ESCC patients, the survival information of 204 ESCC patients was collected. The rs36084323:A>G SNP A/G genotype was associated with lower risk of death in ESCC patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer (UGIC) family history (HR = 0.339, 95%CI = 0.115-0.996). The rs2227982:C>T SNP C/T genotype was associated with lower risk of death in smoker ESCC patients and ESCC patients with UGIC family history (HR = 0.409 and 0.292, 95%CI = 0.194-0.863 and 0.101-0.847). PD-1 rs2227981:C>T, rs2227982:C>T and rs10204525:A>G SNPs might be used as predictive markers of the susceptibility to ESCC for the Han nationality in a high-incidence population from Northern China. PD-1 rs36084323:A>G and rs2227982:C>T SNPs were associated with the prognosis of the Han ESCC patients in this high-incidence region.

PDCD1 PD-1.3 polymorphism and allergic bronchial asthma in Russian and Buryat patients

OBJECTIVE

The programmed death-1 receptor, PD-1, is a negative regulator of T-cell activation. The PD-1.3 polymorphism of the PD-1 gene (PDCD1) has been previously shown to be associated with several autoimmune and inflammatory disorders including systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis. We examined for the first time PD-1.3 association with another inflammatory disease with strong immune component, IgE-mediated bronchial asthma, its severity and its biochemical markers (total serum IgE and IL-4).

METHODS

PD-1.3 G/A was genotyped by PCR-RFLP analysis using two different populations: Caucasian (492 Russian individuals) and Asian (276 Buryat individuals).

RESULTS

We found a significant association of the PD-1.3 polymorphism with IgE-mediated bronchial asthma and total serum IgE level in the Russian population. Combined genotype AA+AG was correlated with risk of developing allergic bronchial asthma (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.13-2.78, p = 0.011) and lower concentrations of total serum IgE (p = 0.001) compared with the wild-type genotype GG. However, PD-1.3 was not polymorphic in the Buryat population.

CONCLUSIONS

PD-1.3 polymorphism of the PD-1 gene (PDCD1) may contribute to the development of allergic asthma in the Russians but not in the Buryats. Our results could be helpful for a better understanding of the effect of this polymorphism on the development of diseases with strong immune components.

PD-1 rs2227982 Polymorphism Is Associated With the Decreased Risk of Breast Cancer in Northwest Chinese Women: A Hospital-Based Observational Study

Programmed death-1 (PD-1) is crucial in cancer and is well characterized as a negative T-cell regulator that functions by delivering inhibitory signals. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between PD-1 polymorphisms (rs10204525, rs2227982, and rs7421861) and breast cancer risk.We selected 560 breast cancer patients and 583 age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched healthy controls from Northwest China. The PD-1 polymorphisms were genotyped by using Sequenom MassARRAY. Associations were estimated with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).For the rs10204525 and rs7421861 polymorphisms, no differences in breast cancer risk were found in any of the genetic models. For the rs2227982 polymorphism, the variant genotypes were significantly associated with decreased breast cancer risk (CT vs CC: OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.52-0.91; CT + TT vs CC: OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.53-0.90). In analyses stratified by age, the decreased risk was observed among the younger subjects (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.47-0.97). We found that the decreased risk observed for the variant genotypes of rs2227982 was associated with the Her-2 status (CT vs CC: OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.37-0.84; CT + TT vs CC: OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.38-0.82). The haplotype analysis showed that the Ars10204525 Trs2227982 Crs7421861 haplotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk of breast cancer (OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.34-0.75).Our findings support an association between the PD-1 rs2227982 polymorphism and decreased breast cancer risk, especially in Her-2 positive breast cancer patients in the Chinese population.

Meta-analysis of genetic polymorphisms in programmed cell death 1. Associations with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and type 1 diabetes susceptibility

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine whether genetic polymorphisms in programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1 or PD1) are associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS

We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the association between PDCD1 polymorphisms and RA, AS, and T1D in the overall population and in specific ethnic populations.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies, comprising 13,210 patients and 17,073 controls, were conducted for the meta-analysis including 4 studies on RA, 4 on AS, and 8 on T1D. The meta-analysis showed an association between RA and the 2 alleles of the PD1.3 polymorphism in the overall population [odds ratio (OR) 1.183, 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) 1.005-1.392, p = 0.043]. However, meta-analysis showed no association between RA and the 2 alleles of the PD1.1 and PD1.5 polymorphisms in the overall population. Meta-analysis identified an association between AS and the 2 alleles of the PD1.5 and PD1.9 polymorphisms in the Asian population (OR 1.251, 95 % CI 1.019-1.535, p = 0.033; OR 1.975, 95 % CI 1.286-3.034, p = 0.002, respectively). The meta-analysis revealed a significant association between T1D and the 2 alleles of the PD1.3 polymorphism in the European population (OR 1.098, 95 % CI 1.029-1.171, p = 0.005). The meta-analysis showed an association between the PD1.5 polymorphism and T1D in Asians (OR 1.332, 95 % CI 1.067-1.663, p = 0.011) and between the PD1.9 polymorphism and T1D in the Asian population (OR 1.363, 95 % CI 1.107-1.679, p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

The meta-analysis suggests an association between the PD1.3 polymorphism and RA in the overall population and an association between the PD1.5 and PD1.9 polymorphisms, and AS in the Asian population. Furthermore, the PD1.3 , 5, and 9 polymorphisms were associated with T1D susceptibility in Europeans, or Asians.

The Association Between Viral Infections and Co-stimulatory Gene Polymorphisms in Kidney Transplant Outcomes

Background

The surveillance of kidney transplant patients depends on function of different immunologic markers like co-stimulatory molecules. These molecules may also be associated with post kidney transplant viral related outcomes.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible associations between co-stimulatory molecule gene polymorphisms and viral infections in kidney transplant patients.

Patients and Methods

In total, 172 kidney transplant patients were included in this study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in loci of co-stimulatory molecules including: PDCD.1, CD28, CTLA4 and ICOS, were analyzed in the studied patients by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. Active Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were analyzed in each kidney transplant patient using the CMV antigenemia kit and HCV antibody assay, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Results

CMV active infection was found in 31 of 172 (18.02%) kidney transplant patients. HCV infection was only found in two of the 172 (1.16%) studied patients. Significant associations were found between TT and TC genotypes of CTLA4 -1722T/C and T allele with acute rejection in CMV infected kidney transplant patients. A significant association was also found between the T allele of CD28 + 17 C/T genetic polymorphism and acute rejection in CMV infected kidney transplant patients. Significantly higher frequency of AA genotype and A allele of CTLA4 + 49AG polymorphism were found in CMV infected female patients. Also a significantly higher frequency of GG genotype and G allele of PDCD-1.3A/G polymorphisms were found in CMV infected female patients.

Conclusions

Based on these results, CTLA4 and CD28 genetic polymorphisms, which regulate T-cell activation, can influence active CMV infection in kidney transplant patients. These results should be confirmed by further investigations.

The associations between PD-1, CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis: a meta-analysis and systemic review

Previous surveys had evaluated the effects of the PD-1, CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms on susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but the results remained controversial. To briefly examine these consequences, a comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the relationships between PD-1 rs11568821, rs2227982, rs2227981, CTLA-4 +49 A/G and -318 C/T polymorphisms and AS risk. The available articles dated to December 2014 were searched in the PUBMED, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. The data of the genotypes and/or alleles for the PD-1 rs11568821, rs2227982, rs2227981, CTLA-4 +49 A/G and -318 C/T polymorphisms in the AS and control subjects were extracted, and statistical analysis was conducted by STATA 11.2 software. Summary odds ratios (ORs) with their 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) were calculated to determine the strength of associations with fixed-effects or random-effects models. A total of eight published studies were finally involved in this meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of PD-1 rs2227982 polymorphism under the T allele versus C allele (OR 1.744, 95 % CI 1.477-2.059, P < 0.0001), TT+TC versus CC (OR 2.292, 95 % CI 1.654-3.175, P < 0.0001), TT versus CC (OR 1.883, 95 % CI 1.299-2.729, P = 0.001) revealed a significant association with AS. Our meta-analysis demonstrated that the rs2227982 polymorphism in the PD-1 gene might contribute to AS susceptibility. However, further studies with large sample sizes and among different ethnicity populations should be required to confirm this association.

The programmed cell death 1 gene polymorphisms (PD 1.3 G/A, PD 1.5 C/T and PD 1.9 C/T) and susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective is to integrate all the eligible studies and investigate whether the programmed cell death 1 (PDCD-1) gene polymorphisms (PD 1.3 G/A, PD 1.5 C/T, and PD 1.9 C/T polymorphism) are correlated with ankylosing spondylitis risk (AS). Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, and several genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the development and progression of AS. Significant associations between PDCD-1 gene polymorphisms (PD 1.3 G/A, PD 1.5 C/T or PD 1.9 C/T) and AS risk have been reported; however, some of these results are controversial.

METHODS

A systematic online search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library to identify case-control studies investigating the relationship between PD 1.3 G/A, PD 1.5 C/T, and PD 1.9 C/T polymorphisms and the susceptibility of AS. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI; 95 %) was calculated to assess the associations, and subgroup meta-analyses were performed according to the ethnicity of the study populations.

RESULTS

Five studies involving 909 cases and 982 controls met the inclusion criteria after assessment by two reviewers. Overall, there were no significant associations between PD 1.3 G/A and PD 1.5 C/T polymorphisms and AS risk. With regard to PD 1.9 C/T polymorphism, a significant association was found under the allele contrast model (T vs. C: OR 1.74, 95 % CI 1.48-2.06, P < 0.001), heterozygote model (CT vs. CC: OR 2.43, 95 % CI 1.65-3.59, P < 0.001), homozygote model (TT vs. CC: OR 1.87, 95 % CI 1.30-2.71, P = 0.001), and dominant model (CT/TT vs. CC: OR 2.29, 95 % CI 1.65-3.18, P < 0.001). In the subgroup analysis of ethnicity, no significant associations were found between PD 1.3 G/A, PD 1.5 C/T polymorphisms, and AS risk in either Asian or Caucasian populations. However, our study suggested that PD 1.9 C/T polymorphism was significantly associated with AS in Asian populations (T vs. C: OR 1.72, 95 % CI 1.46-2.04, P < 0.001; CT vs. CC: OR 2.44, 95 % CI 1.56-3.82, P < 0.001; TT vs. CC: OR 1.88, 95 % CI 1.30-2.73, P = 0.001; and CT/TT vs. CC: OR 2.29, 95 % CI 1.58-3.32, P < 0.001) but not in Caucasian populations.

CONCLUSION

The PD 1.9 C/T polymorphism may be involved in susceptibility to AS, particular in Asian populations; however, no significant associations were found between PD 1.3 G/A, PD 1.5 C/T polymorphisms, and AS risk in either Asians or Caucasians.

Association between a PD-1 gene polymorphism and antisperm antibody-related infertility in Iranian men

OBJECTIVE

Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1, Pdcd1), an immunoreceptor belonging to the CD28/CTLA-4 family negatively regulates antigen receptor signalling by recruiting protein tyrosine phosphatase, SHP-2 upon interacting with either of two ligands, PD-L1 or PD-L2. This study investigates PD-1 gene polymorphism in patients with antisperm antibody-related infertility

METHODS

Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion (PCR-RFLP), this polymorphism was genotyped in 145 Iranian subjects (61 patients with antisperm antibody-related infertility and 84 healthy controls).

RESULTS

Patients frequencies of the G/A genotype in comparison with healthy controls (38.2 % vs. 32.7 %, OR =1.21, P = 0.35) were not significantly different. However, G/G and A/A genotype frequencies between patients and healthy controls were significantly different (P = 0.042, P = 0.00001, respectively). Also, allele frequencies of this polymorphism were significantly different (P = 0.0012) in patients compared to healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

According to these results, there is a correlation between PD-1 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to antisperm antibody-related infertility in our study group.

Ankylosing spondylitis: from cells to genes

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, though it is considered an autoimmune disease. HLA-B27 is the risk factor most often associated with AS, and although the mechanism of involvement is unclear, the subtypes and other features of the relationship between HLA-B27 and AS have been studied for years. Additionally, the key role of IL-17 and Th17 cells in autoimmunity and inflammation suggests that the latter and the cytokines involved in their generation could play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Recent studies have described the sources of IL-17 and IL-23, as well as the characterization of Th17 cells in autoimmune diseases. Other cells, such as NK and regulatory T cells, have been implicated in autoimmunity and have been evaluated to ascertain their possible role in AS. Moreover, several polymorphisms, mutations and deletions in the regulatory proteins, protein-coding regions, and promoter regions of different genes involved in immune responses have been discovered and evaluated for possible genetic linkages to AS. In this review, we analyze the features of HLA-B27 and the suggested mechanisms of its involvement in AS while also focusing on the characterization of the immune response and the identification of genes associated with AS.

An exon polymorphism of programmed cell death 1 gene is associated with both the susceptibility and thoracolumbar kyphosis severity of ankylosing spondylitis in a Chinese Han population

BACKGROUND

Although human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 gene is the major susceptible gene associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), it has been recognized that non-HLA-B27 genes also play key roles in the development of AS. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the exon region of the programmed cell death 1 (PDCD-1) gene is associated with the susceptibility or the thoracolumbar kyphosis severity of AS in a Chinese Han population.

METHODS

A total of 255 AS patients between January 2008 and October 2012 were recruited in this study. Two hundred and three healthy patients were recruited as normal controls. According to the severity of thoracolumbar kyphosis, the AS patients were further divided into group A (patients with kyphosis <70°, n = 135) and group B (patients with kyphosis ≥70°, n = 120). One exon polymorphism, rs2227982 (C/T) of PDCD-1 gene, was selected for analysis. Genotyping was performed by TaqMan probe assays in all the subjects.

RESULTS

There were significant differences of genotype distributions of rs2227982 between AS patients and normal controls. The frequency of the T allele was significantly higher in AS patients when compared with normal controls. The frequency of the T allele in group B was significantly higher than that in group A. Carriage of the TT genotype increased the risk of severe thoracolumbar kyphosis 1.9-fold in AS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms a significant association between the SNP rs2227982 of PDCD-1 gene and the susceptibility of AS in a Chinese Han population. Moreover, the TT genotype is suggested to be associated with the severity of thoracolumbar kyphosis secondary to AS.

Programmed death-1 gene polymorphism (PD-1.5 C/T) is associated with colon cancer

Programmed death-1 (PD-1), expressed by activated T cells, is a negative regulator of T lymphocytes. The associations of the immune response-related genes with cancer have been demonstrated. In this study, the PD-1.5 C/T (+7785) polymorphism was investigated in 200 colorectal cancer patients and 200 healthy individuals as controls by nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The genotype and allele frequencies at PD-1.5 position were not significantly different between control individuals and the overall colorectal cancer patients. However, subdivision of the patients by the location (175 colon cancer and 25 rectal cancer) revealed a significant difference between colon cancer patients and healthy individuals (p=0.026), and between colon and rectal cancer patients (p=0.017). The frequency of the CT genotype was significantly higher in colon cancer patients than in control individuals (58.3% vs. 44.8%, Bonferroni corrected p-value=0.024; OR=1.74; 95% CI=1.15-2.62), and in rectal cancer patients (58.3% vs. 28.0%, Bonferroni corrected p-value=0.012; OR=3.59; 95% CI=1.42-9.04). Characteristics of the patients including age, sex, tumor grade and stage were not associated with the PD-1.5 polymorphism. Our results show a significant association between PD-1.5 polymorphism and colon cancer. Larger numbers of patients are required to investigate comprehensively the association of rectal cancer with PD-1.5 polymorphism.

Polymorphisms in PDCD1 gene are not associated with aplastic anemia in Chinese Han population

Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) has recently been reported to have a genetic association in several autoimmune diseases. The object of this study was to investigate the association of PD-1 polymorphisms with aplastic anemia (AA) in the Chinese Han population. In a case-control association study, three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), PD-1.3 G/A, PD-1.5 C/T, and PD-1.9 T/C, were genotyped in 166 AA patients and 264 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. All genotype distributions in the patients and the controls were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The associations of genotypes and alleles with AA were analyzed. No differences in genotype and allele frequencies were elucidated for SNPs in intron 4 and exon 5. In conclusion, we show no association of selected SNPs in PDCD1 gene with AA in the Chinese Han population.

Polymorphisms in programmed death-1 gene are not associated with chronic HBV infection in Chinese patients

AIM

To investigate the association between the programmed death-1(PD-1) polymorphisms and genetic susceptibility of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Chinese patients.

METHODS

Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), PD-1.1 G > A and PD-1.2 G > A, were genotyped in 539 patients with chronic HBV infection and 353 other family members (HbsAg-) from 256 nuclear families using polymerase chain reactiorestriction fragment length polymorphisms assay. The associations between PD-1 polymorphisms and genetic susceptibility of chronic HBV infection were analyzed usng the family-based association analysis method.

RESULTS

No association or linkage was detected among 539 patients. Univariate (single-marker) family-based association tests demonstrated that PD-1 genotypes, alleles and transmitted haplotypes are not associated with chronic HBV infection (all with P value more than 0.05). Transmission/disequilibrium test and sibship disequilibrium test analysis showed no excess of the alleles from heterozygous parents to affected offspring (P = 0.688880, P = 1.000000 respectively).

CONCLUSION

The data demonstrated that PD-1.1 and PD-1.2 polymorphisms are not associated with chronic HBV infection in Chinese patients.

Program death 1 (PD1) haplotyping in patients with breast carcinoma

Located on chromosome 2q37.3, the programmed death 1 (PD1) gene encodes for PD-1 (also known as CD279), a negative co-stimulator in the immune system. PD-1 renders potent inhibitory effects on T and B lymphocytes as well as monocyte responses. Expression of PD-1 ligands by tumor cells has been reported to contribute in immune system evasion. We aimed, in current study, to investigate the association of two single nucleotide polymorphisms in PD1 gene, +7146 G to A (PD-1.3) and +7785 C to T (PD-1.5 or +872), with susceptibility and/or progression of breast carcinoma. Four hundred forty-three women with breast cancer and 328 age-sex match healthy donors were recruited in present study. Genotyping was performed using Nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Arlequin software package was used to check for the Hardy-Weinberg equilibration and to determine the haplotypes. Results revealed no significant differences in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles at PD-1.3 (P=0.252 and 0.279 for genotypes and alleles, respectively) and PD-1.5 positions (P=0.522 and 0.278 for genotypes and alleles, respectively). Four haplotypes were observed among populations with no differences in the frequency between patients and controls. Our results also revealed no association between PD1 genotypes and tumor stage, tumor size, tumor grade, lymph node involvement, vascular invasion, distant metastasis, and Nottingham prognostic index. Present data do not confirm association of PD-1.3 (+7146) G/A and PD-1.5 (+7785 or +872) C/T genetic markers with susceptibility of Iranians to breast cancer.