Cyclooxygenase-2 genetic polymorphism and stroke subtypes in Chinese

Integrated bioinformatics and machine-learning screening for immune-related genes in diagnosing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with ischemic stroke and RRS1 pan-cancer analysis

Background

The occurrence of ischemic stroke (IS) is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The cancer burden of NAFLD complicated by IS also warrants attention. This study aimed to identify candidate immune biomarkers linked to NAFLD and IS and analyze their association with cancer.

Methods

Two of each of the NAFLD and IS datasets were downloaded, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and module genes were screened via weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Subsequently, utilizing machine learning (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, random forest and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination) and immune cell infiltration analysis, immune-related candidate biomarkers for NAFLD with IS were determined. Simultaneously, a nomogram was established, the diagnostic efficacy was assessed, and the role of candidate biomarkers in cancer was ascertained through pan-cancer analyses.

Results

In this study, 117 and 98 DEGs were identified from the combined NAFLD and IS datasets, respectively, and 279 genes were obtained from the most significant modules of NAFLD. NAFLD module genes and IS DEGs were intersected to obtain nine genes, which were enriched in the inflammatory response and immune regulation. After overlapping the results of the three machine learning algorithms, six candidate genes were obtained, based on which a nomogram was constructed. The calibration curve demonstrated good accuracy, and the candidate genes had high diagnostic values. The genes were found to be related to the immune dysregulation of stroke, and RRS1 was strongly associated with the prognosis, immune cell infiltration, microsatellite instability (MSI), and tumor mutation burden (TMB).

Conclusion

Six common candidate immune-related genes (PTGS2, FCGR1A, MMP9, VNN3, S100A12, and RRS1) of NAFLD and IS were identified, and a nomogram for diagnosing NAFLD with IS was established. RRS1 may serve as a candidate gene for predicting the prognosis of patients with cancer who have NAFLD complicated by IS, which could aid in their diagnosis and treatment.

EP3 Receptor Deficiency Improves Vascular Remodeling and Cognitive Impairment in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

Aging and hypertension are major risk factors for cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Anti-hypertensive therapy has achieved effective; however, incomplete results in treating CSVD, suggesting the need for additional treatments. Targeting abnormal inflammatory responses has become a topic of research interest. Small artery remodeling is the main pathological feature of CSVD. Inhibition of the E-prostanoid 3 (EP3) receptor has been shown to attenuate vascular remodeling in peripheral organs; however, little is known about its role in CSVD. Therefore, we investigated whether the deletion of EP3 attenuates the development of CSVD in an animal model-- stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive rat (RHRsp). We found that the cerebral small arteries of RHRsp exhibited increased EP3 expression. Despite no alleviation of hypertension, the deletion of EP3 still attenuated the cerebral small artery remodeling of RHRsp, as evidenced by reduced overexpression of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the vessel. In vitro experiments indicated that EP3 deletion regulated the expression of ECM by downregulating TGF-β1/Smad signaling. Furthermore, the Morris water maze test and magnetic resonance test demonstrated that EP3 knockout attenuated cognitive impairment of the RHRsp, possibly through increased cerebral blood flow. Together, our results indicate that the deletion of EP3 attenuates vascular remodeling and vascular cognitive impairment induced by hypertension, and blockade of the EP3 receptor may be a promising strategy for the treatment of CSVD.

Genetic Variation of Inflammatory Genes to Ischemic Stroke Risk in a Chinese Han Population

Background

Inflammation proteins play an important role in stroke occurrence. IL1A, IL1B, PTGS2, MMP2, and MMP9 were the mediators involved in the immune response, and the association of these genetic variations with ischemic stroke (IS) risk was still unclear.

Methods

To investigate the susceptibility of genetic variations of IL1A, IL1B, PTGS2, MMP2, and MMP9 to IS risk, we performed a case–control study involving 299 patients and 300 controls in a Chinese population. Thirteen genetic variations of investigated genes of all participants were genotyped using an improved multiplex ligase detection–reaction technique.

Results

No SNP in all genes showed an association with overall IS. However, in subgroup analysis, PTGS2 rs689466 (dominant model: CT vs TT – OR_adjusted= 2.51, 95% CI: 1.22–5.16, p = 0.012; co-dominant model: CT/CC vs TT – OR_adjusted= 2.53, 95% CI: 1.26–5.07, p = 0.009; additive model – OR_adjusted= 2.26, 95% CI: 1.19–4.28, p = 0.013) and rs5275 (dominant model: GG vs AA – OR_adjusted= 0.31, 95% CI: 0.12–0.80, p = 0.016; co-dominant model: GA/GG vs AA – OR_adjusted= 0.45, 95% CI: 0.21–0.95, p = 0.036; additive model – OR_adjusted= 0.60, 95% CI: 0.39–0.92, p = 0.020) were associated with IS type of small-vessel occlusion.

Conclusion

Our study suggested that PTGS2 rs689466 C and rs5275 A were potentially associated with IS subtype of small-vessel occlusion. Our result should be confirmed with further large sample sized studies.

Association of the cyclooxygenase-2 1759A allele with migraine in Chinese Han individuals

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of migraine, and some polymorphisms are known to affect the expression of COX-2. This retrospective case-control study aimed to explore the associations between the -765 G>C (rs20417), -1759 G>A (rs3218625), and -8473 C>T (rs5275) COX-2 polymorphisms and migraine in Chinese Han individuals. One hundred and ten unrelated Han Chinese patients with migraine and 108 healthy controls were recruited between 03/2014 and 08/2016 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and the First People's Hospital of Lianyungang City. The genotypes of all polymorphisms in controls followed the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P = 0.215, P = 0.884, and P = 0.689). There were differences in the genotype and allele distributions of the COX-2-1759G>A (Gly587Arg) polymorphism between the migraine and control groups (P = 0.038 and P = 0.040, respectively). Compared with the COX-2-1759AG genotype, GG genotype carriers had an increased risk of migraine (odds ratio (OR) = 8.720, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.072-70.960, P = 0.038). The frequency of the COX-2-1759A allele in patients with migraine was significantly lower than the controls (OR = 0.119, 95%CI: 0.015-0.957, P = 0.040). Adjusted age and sex, a statistical difference was found in the dominant model of COX-2-1759 G>A (OR = 0.118, 95% CI 0.014 to 0.962, P = 0.046). No significant difference was detected regarding the -765G>C and -8473T>C polymorphisms between the two groups. The COX-2 1759A allele might be involved in the development of migraine in Chinese Han individuals, but this will have to be confirmed in large-scale studies.

RGS5 rs4657251 polymorphism is associated with small vessel occlusion stroke in Taiwan Han Chinese

BACKGROUND

The regulator of G-protein signaling protein 5 (RGS5) has been demonstrated to play a role in regulating blood pressure and cardiovascular function. Studies have shown that RGS5 polymorphisms exhibit susceptibility to hypertension. However, no study has yet been performed among stroke patients.

METHODS

To evaluate whether RGS5 rs4657251 is a susceptibility gene for stroke, we performed a case-control association study involving 714 large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA) patients, 383 small vessel occlusion (SVO) patients, 401 hypertensive intracranial hemorrhages (HICH), and 626 controls. The RGS5 rs4657251 polymorphism was analyzed through polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The TC genotype was significantly higher in the SVO group compared with that in the control group (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.76, p = 0.035). In addition, the dominant phenotype (TC + CC vs TT) was also significantly different between the SVO and the control groups (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.01-1.70, p = 0.046). However, no association was found between RGS5 rs4657251 and LAA an HICH. After adjustment with gender, diabetes, smoking, cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels, RGS5 rs4657251 polymorphism remained an independent risk factor for SVO (OR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.12-1.98) but not for LAA or HICH.

CONCLUSION

Our findings, obtained among Taiwan Han Chinese subjects, provide the first evidence that RGS5 rs4657251 polymorphism is an independent risk factor for SVO.

Interaction between COX-1 and COX-2 increases susceptibility to ischemic stroke in a Chinese population

Background

Mutations of cyclooxygenase gene (COX gene) may increase the susceptibility of ischemic stroke. We investigated five variants (rs5788, rs1330344, rs3842788, rs20417, and rs689466) of two COX genes in order to explaining the association between these polymorphisms and we also investigated the association between these variants and ischemic stroke risk to determine whether gene–gene interaction between these genes increases the susceptibility of ischemic stroke or its subtypes.

Methods

A total of 1981 study subjects (1078 cases and 903 control subjects) were recruited. The interaction of multiple factors was investigated using Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction. The additive effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms on ischemic stroke or its subtypes were analyzed by multiple factor logistic regression.

Results

At COX-1(rs1330344), AA genotype carriers had a lower susceptibility of ischemic stroke (OR = 0.657, 95%CI = 0.437–0.988, P = 0.044), and A allele carriers had a lower susceptibility of ischemic stroke (OR = 0.812, 95%CI = 0.657–0.978, P = 0.029). At COX-1(rs3842788), AA genotype carriers had a higher susceptibility of ischemic stroke (OR = 5.203, 95% CI = 1.519–5.159, P = 0.016). At COX-2 (rs689466), AA genotype carriers had a higher susceptibility of large-artery atherosclerosis (OR = 1.404, 95% CI = 1.019–1.934, P = 0.038). COX-1(rs1330344, rs3842788) and COX-2 rs689466 interacted in SVO, but had no additive effect with ischemic stroke and other subtypes.

Conclusions

At rs1330344, AA genotype may reduce the susceptibility of ischemic stroke. At rs3842788, AA genotype may increase the susceptibility of ischemic stroke. At rs689466, AA genotype may increase the susceptibility of large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA). COX − 1(rs1330344, rs3842788) and COX-2 rs689466 interacted in small vessel occlusion (SVO), but had no additive effect with ischemic stroke and other subtypes.

Epidemiology of Cerebrovascular Disease Among Chinese Canadian Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

First-generation Chinese Canadians have usually maintained different lifestyles before immigration to North America, and the question of whether Chinese Canadians with type 2 diabetes have a different stroke profile than that of non-Chinese Canadians remains unanswered.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether 1) Chinese Canadians who have had a stroke within the last 15 years are more likely to have diabetes than non-Chinese Canadians and 2) to explore differences in stroke profiles between the 2 cohorts.

METHODS

Age- and sex-matched Chinese Canadians (n=70) and non-Chinese Canadians (n=107) were compared on the basis of stroke type, age at stroke onset, stroke etiology and common risk factors. Classifications for disease were done according to professional guidelines. Statistical analysis was done with Student t test and odds ratios to confirm differences between groups.

RESULTS

Chinese Canadians with stroke had a higher frequency of diabetes mellitus than non-Chinese Canadians. Chinese Canadians with diabetes were more likely to have small vessel disease, specifically lacunar stroke. Chinese Canadians at high risk for stroke were more likely to have a poor prognosis than non-Chinese Canadians, with near significance.

CONCLUSION

Chinese Canadians with diabetes who had ischemic strokes were especially susceptible to intracranial small vessel disease compared with non-Chinese Canadians. These results signify that risk factor prevalence and stroke types differ considerably between Chinese Canadians and non-Chinese Canadians residing in Toronto, warranting further study.

Angiogenesis-related genes and thalidomide teratogenesis in humans: an approach on genetic variation and review of past in vitro studies

Thalidomide embryopathy (TE) has affected more than 10,000 babies worldwide. The hypothesis of antiangiogenesis as the teratogenic mechanism of thalidomide has been investigated in several experimental models; but, in humans, it has only been accessed by in vitro studies. Here, we hypothesized the effect of thalidomide upon angiogenesis-related molecules or proteins, previously identified in human embryonic cells, through the in silico STRING-tool. We also investigated ten polymorphisms in angiogenesis-related genes in 38 Brazilian TE individuals and 136 non-affected Brazilians. NOS2, PTGS2, and VEGFA polymorphisms were chosen for genotyping. The STRING-tool suggested nitric oxide and β-catenin as the central angiogenesis-related molecules affected by thalidomide's antiangiogenic property. We did not identify a significant difference of allelic, genotypic or haplotypic frequencies between the groups. We could not predict a risk allele or a protective one for TE in NOS2, PTGS2, or VEGFA, although other genes should be analyzed in larger samples. The role of nitric oxide and β-catenin must be further evaluated, regarding thalidomide teratogenesis complex etiology.

Cox-2 promotes mesenchymal stem cells differentiation into cardiocytes by activating JNK and ERK pathway

Coronary heart disease and various cardiomyopathys may cause myocardial damage, reducing the number of myocardial cells with complete functions. Cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2) has been reported participating in a variety of pathological processes, including tumor invasion and metastasis. In this study, we sought to explore the correlation of Cox-2 with MSCs proliferation, and migration. MSCs were transfected with pcDNA-Cox2 and NS-398 to promote or inhibit the expression of Cox2. Then, MTT, transwell, qRT-PCR and western blot were used to test the influence of Cox2 on cells proliferation, cells migration and cell viability of mesenchymal stem. The results show that Cox-2 promotes directional differentiation of myocardial cells and the overexpression of cox-2 can activate the key factors of JNK and ERK signaling pathway, promotes myocardial cell directional differentiation.

Influence of the Cyclooxygenase-2 Gene -765G/C and -1195G/A Polymorphisms on Development of Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND

Many studies have investigated the association between the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene polymorphism and ischemic stroke. However, results of these studies still remain controversial. To better explain the association between COX-2 polymorphisms (-765G/C and -1195G/A) and ischemic stroke risk, a meta-analysis was performed.

METHODS

Relevant studies were identified from 4 Chinese databases (Chinese Biological Medical Literature database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database, Chongqing VIP database, and Chinese WANFANG database), PUBMED and EMBASE prior to December 2015. The strength of association between COX-2 polymorphism and ischemic stroke was evaluated by the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Inconsistency index (I(2)) and the Cochran's Q statistic were used to check heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated by funnel plots and Egger's regression test.

RESULTS

A total of 4086 ischemic stroke cases and 4747 controls were identified. Significant association between COX-2 -765G/C polymorphism and the risk of ischemic stroke was found in Brazilians and the African-Americans. The OR of (CC+GC versus GG) for the Brazilians and African-Americans were (6.328, 95% CI = 2.295-17.448) and (1.644, 95% CI = 1.060-2.551). In addition, the recessive model of the Brazilians gave an OR of 3.621 (95% CI: 1.519-8.630). Furthermore, the (GC versus GG) and the allele model of the African-Americans were (OR: 1.615, 95% CI = 1.015-2.572) and (OR: 1.422, 95% CI = 1.033-1.957). Significant association was also observed for COX-2 -1195G/A polymorphism in the subtypes of small vessel disease (SVD) of ischemic stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that COX-2 -765G/C and -1195G/A polymorphisms may contribute to susceptibility of ischemic stroke, specifically in Brazilians and the African-Americans, and those of SVD.

COX-2 rs20417 Polymorphism Is Associated with Stroke and White Matter Disease

BACKGROUND

To investigate the effect of COX-2 polymorphism and its product, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), on stroke risk in an endemic area for Chagas disease. In a separate cohort, to investigate the effect of COX-2 polymorphisms on the total burden of cerebral white matter disease.

METHODS

Cases were outpatients with ischemic stroke; controls were stroke-free subjects from 2 outpatient clinics (heart failure and caregivers of a movement disorders clinic). We extracted DNA from total blood to investigate the rs20417 COX-2 polymorphism. Serologic tests (Enzime-linked immunosorbent assay) were performed to confirm Trypanosoma cruzi infection and to quantify PGE2 levels. In the Boston cohort, white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHv) was quantified on the admission brain magnetic resonance images of subjects with ischemic stroke, who also donated DNA for the COX-2 gene region analysis.

RESULTS

We studied 44 patients with stroke and 96 controls (46 with heart failure and 50 caregivers) in the Brazilian cohort; and 788 stroke patients (302 cardioembolic and 486 noncardioembolic) in the Boston cohort. In the Brazilian cohort, rs20417 polymorphism was associated with both stroke (P = 5 × 10(-6)) and decreased PGE2 levels (P = 4 × 10(-5)); similarly, Chagas was associated with stroke (P = 4 × 10(-3)) and decreased PGE2 levels (P = 7 × 10(-3)). In the Boston cohort, rs20417 polymorphism was associated with increased WMHv among noncardioembolic (P = .037), but not among cardioembolic stroke patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Variation in COX-2 gene is associated with both symptomatic and silent brain cerebrovascular disease. This candidate gene region should be tested in population-based samples.

Pharmacogenomics of cyclooxygenases

Cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) are key enzymes in several physiopathological processes. Many adverse drugs reactions to NSAIDs are attributable to COX-inhibition. The genes coding for these enzymes (PTGS1 and PTGS2) are highly variable, and variations in these genes may underlie the risk of developing, or the clinical evolution of, several diseases and adverse drug reactions. We analyze major variations in the PTGS1 and PTGS2 genes, allele frequencies, functional consequences and population genetics. The most salient clinical associations of PTGS gene variations are related to colorectal cancer and stroke. In many studies, the SNPs interact with NSAIDs use, dietary or environmental factors. We provide an up-to-date catalog of PTGS clinical associations based on case–control studies and genome-wide association studies, and future research suggestions.