Association between STAT4 polymorphisms and risk of primary biliary cholangitis: a meta-analysis

Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 4 (STAT4) Association with Pituitary Adenoma

Background/Objectives: This study aims to investigate whether Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 4 (STAT4) influences the anti-tumor immune response and is possibly involved in the initiation or relapse of pituitary adenomas (PAs) by examining STAT4 polymorphisms and serum levels. This research seeks to uncover potential connections that could inform future therapeutic strategies and improve our understanding of PA pathogenesis. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at the Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. DNA was extracted from peripheral venous blood samples, and the genotyping of four STAT4 SNPs (rs7574865, rs10181656, rs7601754, and rs10168266) was performed using real-time PCR with TaqMan® Genotyping assays. The serum STAT4 levels were measured via ELISA, and the optical density was read at 450 nm. Genotype frequencies, allele distributions, and serum STAT4 levels were statistically analyzed to assess associations with pituitary adenoma occurrence. Results: A binary logistic regression revealed that the STAT4 rs7574865 GT + GG genotypes vs. TT were associated with 1.7-fold increased odds of PA occurrence under the dominant genetic model (p = 0.012). The stratification by gender showed no significant associations in females; however, in males, the STAT4 rs10168266 CC + CT genotypes compared to TT were linked to 2.5-fold increased odds of PA under the dominant genetic model (p = 0.005). STAT4 rs10181656, rs7574865, rs7601754, and rs10168266 were analyzed to evaluate the associations with the pituitary adenoma size. We found that the STAT4 rs7574865 GG genotype was statistically significantly less frequent in the macro PA group compared to in the reference group (p = 0.012). For PA relapse, the rs7574865 G allele was less frequent in the PA group without relapse (p = 0.012), and the GT + GG genotypes were associated with a 1.8-fold increase in the PA group without relapse occurrence (p = 0.008). The serum STAT4 levels were higher in the PA patients compared to those of the reference group (p < 0.001). Elevated STAT4 serum levels were observed in PA patients with the STAT4 rs10181656 CC or CG genotypes (CC: p = 0.004; CG: p = 0.023), and with the rs7574865 GG or GT genotypes (GG: p = 0.003; GT: p = 0.021). The PA patients with the STAT4 rs7601754 AA genotype exhibited higher serum levels compared to those of the reference group (p < 0.001). Similarly, higher serum levels were found in the PA patients with the STAT4 rs10168266 CC or CT genotypes (CC: p = 0.004; CT: p = 0.027). A haplotype frequency analysis revealed no statistically significant results. Conclusions: The STAT4 genotypes were significantly associated with the PA occurrence, size, and relapse. Elevated serum STAT4 levels were observed in the PA patients, highlighting its potential role in PA pathogenesis.

Influence of STAT4 Genetic Variants and Serum Levels on Multiple Sclerosis Occurrence in the Lithuanian Population

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease involving demyelination, inflammation, gliosis, and the loss of neurons. MS is a growing global health problem most likely caused by genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. However, the exact etiology of the disease is still unknown. Since MS is related to a dysregulation of the immune system, it could be linked to signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4). To fully comprehend the significance of the STAT4 gene and STAT4 serum levels in MS, further research is required. Methods: A total of 200 MS patients and 200 healthy controls participated in the study. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted using silica-based membrane technology. Polymerase chain reaction was used in real time for genotyping. Using the ELISA technique, serum levels were measured. Results:STAT4 rs7601754 AA genotype and the A allele were statistically significantly less frequent in MS patients (p = 0.003). Also, rs7601754 was associated with 1.9-fold increased odds of MS occurrence (p = 0.004). The rs7601754 AG genotype was more common in males with MS (p = 0.011) and was associated with 2.5-fold increased odds of MS occurrence in males (p = 0.012). STAT4 serum levels were statistically significantly lower in MS patients compared to the control group (p = 0.007). Conclusions:STAT4 rs7601754 increases the odds of MS occurrence. STAT4 serum levels were statistically significantly lower in MS patients compared to the control group.

Identification of genetic biomarkers for alloimmunization in sickle cell disease

Most sickle cell disease (SCD) patients rely on blood transfusion as their main treatment strategy. However, frequent blood transfusion poses the risk of alloimmunization. On average, 30% of SCD patients will alloimmunize while other patient groups form antibodies less frequently. Identification of genetic markers may help to predict which patients are at risk to form alloantibodies. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether genetic variations in the Toll-like receptor pathway or in genes previously associated with antibody-mediated conditions are associated with red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization in a cohort of SCD patients. In this case-control study, cases had a documented history of alloimmunization while controls had received ≥20 RBC units without alloantibody formation. We used a customized single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel to genotype 690 SNPs in 275 (130 controls, 145 cases) patients. Frequencies were compared using multiple logistic regression analysis. In our primary analysis, no SNPs were found to be significantly associated with alloimmunization after correction for multiple testing. However, in a secondary analysis with a less stringent threshold for significance we found 19 moderately associated SNPs. Among others, SNPs in TLR1/TANK and MALT1 were associated with a higher alloimmunization risk, while SNPs in STAM/IFNAR1 and STAT4 conferred a lower alloimmunization risk.