The relationship of haplotype in lactotransferrin and its expression levels in Chinese Han ovarian cancer

Investigating the Genetic Association of Selected Candidate Loci with Alopecia Areata Susceptibility in Jordanian Patients

Background and Objectives: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common cell-mediated autoimmune disease of the hair follicle that results in hair loss patches, affecting males and females of all ages and ethnicities. Although its etiology is not fully understood, AA is hypothesized to have a multifactorial basis with a strong genetic association. This study aims to replicate the genetic association of several risk loci in the Jordanian population for the first time. Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA samples of 152 patients with AA and 150 control individuals were extracted from EDTA blood tubes collected from dermatology clinics, in addition to the clinical data of participants. Genetic sequencing of the 21 targeted risk loci was carried out using the Sequenom MassARRAY® system (iPLEX GOLD), and the results were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: The results compared the distribution of alleles and genotypes and the association between control individuals and AA patients. However, our results do not support a significant association of all of the 21 SNPs in our AA cohort (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our data emphasize that AA has a varied genetic component between ethnic groups and suggest that other additional environmental and psychological triggers may be involved.

Exploring the Role of Lactoferrin in Managing Allergic Airway Diseases among Children: Unrevealing a Potential Breakthrough

The prevalence of allergic diseases has dramatically increased among children in recent decades. These conditions significantly impact the quality of life of allergic children and their families. Lactoferrin, a multifunctional glycoprotein found in various biological fluids, is emerging as a promising immunomodulatory agent that can potentially alleviate allergic diseases in children. Lactoferrin's multifaceted properties make it a compelling candidate for managing these conditions. Firstly, lactoferrin exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, which can mitigate the chronic inflammation characteristic of allergic diseases. Secondly, its iron-binding capabilities may help regulate the iron balance in allergic children, potentially influencing the severity of their symptoms. Lactoferrin also demonstrates antimicrobial properties, making it beneficial in preventing secondary infections often associated with respiratory allergies. Furthermore, its ability to modulate the immune response and regulate inflammatory pathways suggests its potential as an immune-balancing agent. This review of the current literature emphasises the need for further research to elucidate the precise roles of lactoferrin in allergic diseases. Harnessing the immunomodulatory potential of lactoferrin could provide a novel add-on approach to managing allergic diseases in children, offering hope for improved outcomes and an enhanced quality of life for paediatric patients and their families. As lactoferrin continues to capture the attention of researchers, its properties and diverse applications make it an intriguing subject of study with a rich history and a promising future.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism and mRNA Expression of LTF in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent types of cancers worldwide. LTF arrests the G1 to S phase transition of the cell cycle. This study is the first that has aimed to determine the possible association between the LTF polymorphisms (rs2073495, rs1126478, rs34827868, rs1042073, rs4637321, rs2239692 and rs10865941), the mRNA LTF expression, the risk of OSCC and the influence on the TNM staging and histological grading. This study was composed of 176 Polish patients, including 88 subjects diagnosed with OSCC and 88 healthy individuals. QuantStudio Design and Analysis Software v1.5.1 was used for the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis and mRNA LTF expression. The G/G genotype of rs2073495 and the G/G genotype of rs4637321 were linked, with an increased risk of OSCC. There were no significant influences between the TNM staging and the histological grading and the LTF genotype. We found no statistically significant dissimilarities in the expression level of LTF genes in the tumour and margin specimens. No association was found between the gene expression levels, the other parameters or LTF polymorphisms in the tumour and margin samples. In conclusion, rs2073495 and rs4637321 polymorphisms may affect the risk of OSCC. These results should be validated on larger and different cohorts to better comprehend the role of the LTF gene in OSCC.

Roles of Antimicrobial Peptides in Gynecological Cancers

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are essential components of the mucosal barrier of the female reproductive tract (FRT) and are involved in many important physiological processes, including shaping the microbiota and maintaining normal reproduction and pregnancy. Gynecological cancers seriously threaten women's health and bring a heavy burden to society so that new strategies are needed to deal with these diseases. Recent studies have suggested that AMPs also have a complex yet intriguing relationship with gynecological cancers. The expression level of AMPs changes during tumor progression and they may act as promising biomarkers in cancer detection and prognosis prediction. Although AMPs have long been considered as host protective, they actually play a "double-edged sword" role in gynecological cancers, either tumorigenic or antitumor, depending on factors such as AMP and cancer types, as well as AMP concentrations. Moreover, AMPs are associated with chemoresistance and regulation of AMPs' expression may alter sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy. However, more work is needed, especially on the identification of molecular mechanisms of AMPs in the FRT, as well as the clinical application of these AMPs in detection, diagnosis and treatment of gynecological malignancies.

Lack of association between LTF gene polymorphisms and different caries status in primary dentition

OBJECTIVE

Dental caries is related to cariogenic bacteria, salivary components, oral hygiene and host susceptibility. Lactoferrin is an important antimicrobial glycoprotein in saliva; however, the role of the LTF gene in caries susceptibility is unclear. We investigated the association between LTF polymorphisms and the severity of caries.

DESIGN

Our study included 910 healthy paediatric subjects (aged 24-48 months) categorised into three groups: 403 with no caries or white-spot lesions; 230 with moderate caries (8 ≤ dmft ≤ 12); and 277 with severe caries (13 ≤ dmft ≤ 20). Information regarding the subjects' oral habits was gathered using questionnaires. The LTF rs1126477 and rs1126478 polymorphism alleles were genotyped by Sanger sequencing.

RESULTS

The three groups showed no significant differences in LTF polymorphisms alleles, genotypes or haplotypes distribution. Multifactor dimensionality reduction analysis showed that the interactions between breastfeeding for a duration >24 months, night feeding >24 months and high frequency of sweet food intake increased the risk of caries (p = 0.0014); however, we detected no interaction effect between the LTF polymorphisms and oral habits on caries susceptibility.

CONCLUSIONS

The LTF rs1126477 and rs1126478 polymorphisms showed no association with the different levels of caries risk in our Chinese paediatric cohort.

Research and development on lactoferrin and its derivatives in China from 2011–2015

Lactoferrin (Lf), a multifunctional glycoprotein, is an important antimicrobial and immune regulatory protein present in neutrophils and most exocrine secretions of mammals. Lactoferricin (Lfcin) is located in the N-terminal region of this protein. In this review, the current state of research into Lf and Lfcin in China is described. Searching with HistCite software in Web Sci located 118 papers published by Chinese researchers from 2011–2015, making China one of the top 3 producers of Lf research and development in the world. The biological functions of Lf and Lfcin are discussed, including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory activities; targeted drug delivery, induction of neurocyte, osteoblast, and tenocyte growth, and possible mechanisms of action. The preparation and heterologous expression of Lf in animals, bacteria, and yeast are discussed in detail. Five Lf-related food additive factories and 9 Lf-related health food production companies are certified by the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA). The latest progress in the generation of transgenic livestock in China, the safety of the use of transgenic animals, and future prospects for the uses of Lf and Lfcin are also covered.

Expression levels of JNK associated with polymorphic lactotransferrin haplotypes in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Lactotransferrin (LTF), a member of the transferrin family, serves a role in the innate immune response and is involved in anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-tumor activity. Alterations in the LTF gene are associated with an increased incidence of cancer. The LTF gene is polymorphic, and several common alleles may be observed in the general population. Our previous study identified a lower rate of occurrence of the 'A-G-G-T' haplotype (constructed with rs1126477, rs1126478, rs2073495 and rs9110) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients compared with controls. In the present study, in order to elucidate a possible mechanism of LTF-mediated anti-tumor activity in NPC, the protein profiles of NPC and non-tumorous nasopharyngeal epithelium tissues with/without the 'A-G-G-T' haplotype were constructed using LTQ Orbitrap technology. The results revealed that c-Jun N-terminal kinase 2 (JNK2) was highly expressed in NPC tissues and non-tumor nasopharyngeal epithelium tissues without the 'A-G-G-T' haplotype. These results were confirmed by western blot analysis. Furthermore, microRNA (miRNA) microarray analysis was conducted to investigate the differential miRNA profiles of NPC and non-tumor nasopharyngeal epithelium tissues with/without the 'A-G-G-T' haplotype. It was observed that hsa-miR-1256 and hsa-miR-659, which are potentially targeted to the JNK2 gene, were downregulated in NPC tissues without the 'A-G-G-T' haplotype. Hsa-miR-298, another miRNA potentially targeted to the JNK2 gene, was downregulated in non-tumor nasopharyngeal epithelium tissues without the 'A-G-G-T' haplotype. In summary, these results suggested that the expression levels of JNK2 may be associated with polymorphic LTF haplotypes in human NPC.

Lactotransferrin gene functional polymorphisms do not influence susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus-1 mother-to-child transmission in different ethnic groups

Lactotransferrin, also known as lactoferrin, is an iron binding glycoprotein that displays antiviral activity against many different infectious agents, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1. Lactotransferrin is present in the breast milk and in the female genitourinary mucosa and it has been hypothesised as a possible candidate to prevent mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission. To verify if two functional polymorphisms, Thr29Ala and Arg47Lys, in the lactotransferrin encoding gene (LTF) could affect HIV-1 infection and vertical transmission, a preliminary association study was performed in 238 HIV-1 positive and 99 HIV-1 negative children from Brazil, Italy, Africa and India. No statistically significant association for the Thr29Ala and Arg47Lys LTF polymorphisms and HIV-1 susceptibility in the studied populations was found. Additionally LTF polymorphisms frequencies were compared between the four different ethnic groups.

Investigation of human cationic antimicrobial protein-18 (hCAP-18), lactoferrin and CD163 as potential biomarkers for ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Epithelial ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of gynaecological cancer morbidity and mortality in women. Early stage ovarian cancer is usually asymptomatic, therefore, is often first diagnosed when it is widely disseminated. Currently available diagnostics lack the requisite sensitivity and specificity to be implemented as community-based screening tests. The identification of additional biomarkers may improve the diagnostic efficiency of multivariate index assays. The aims of this study were to characterise and compare the ovarian tissue immunohistochemical localisation and plasma concentrations of three putative ovarian cancer biomarkers: human cationic antimicrobial protein-18 (hCAP-18); lactoferrin; and CD163 in normal healthy women and women with ovarian cancer.

METHODS

In this case-control cohort study, ovarian tissue and blood samples were obtained from 164 women (73 controls, including 28 women with benign pelvic masses; 91 cancer, including 21 women with borderline tumours). Localisation of each antigen within the ovary was assessed by immunohistochemistry and serum concentrations determined by ELISA assays.

RESULTS

Immunoreactive (ir) hCAP-18 and lactoferrin were identified in epithelial cells, while CD163 was predominately localised in stromal cells. Tissue ir CD163 increased significantly (P<0.05) with disease grade. Median plasma concentrations of soluble (s)CD163 were significantly greater in the cases (3220 ng/ml) than in controls (2488 ng/ml) (P< 0.01). Median plasma concentrations of hCAP-18 and lactoferrin were not significantly different between cases and controls. The classification efficiency of each biomarker (as determined by the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve; AUC) was: 0.67± 0.04; 0.62 ± 0.08 and 0.51 ± 0.07 for sCD163, hCAP-18 and lactoferrin, respectively. When the 3 biomarkers were modelled using stochastic gradient boosted logistic regression, the AUC increased to 0.95 ± 0.03.

CONCLUSIONS

The data obtained in this study establishes the localisation and concentrations of CD163, hCAP-18, and lactoferrin in ovarian tumours and peripheral blood. Individually, the 3 biomarkers display only modest diagnostic efficiency as assessed by AUC. When combined in a multivariate index assay, however, diagnostic efficiency increases significantly. As such, the utility of the biomarker panel, as an aid in the diagnosis of cancer in symptomatic women, is worthy of further investigation in a larger phase 2 biomarker trial.