TIM-1 rs41297579 G>A (-1454) and TIM-4 rs7700944 gene polymorphisms as possible risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis: relation to activity and severity

Association of interleukin-17F (rs763780) single nucleotide polymorphism with multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis

IL-17F single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) can affect IL-17F expression and activity and this can lead to the increased susceptibility to several autoimmune diseases. The aim was to investigate the association of IL-17F (rs763780) SNP with the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) in a cohort of Egyptian patients and to evaluate the effect of this polymorphism on the disease course. IL-17F (rs763780) gene polymorphisms was typed by TaqMan genotyping assay for 231 Egyptians divided into 102 MS patients and 129 healthy controls with matched age and sex. The IL-17F rs763780 C containing genotypes (CT+CC) and C allele have statistically significant increased frequency in MS patients when compared with controls (p = 0.005 and 0.004 respectively) especially in females' patients (p = 0.005 and 0.006 respectively). The heterozygous CT genotype was associated with the presence of optic neuritis (p = 0.038). The multivariable regression analysis revealed significant associations between smoking, the higher frequency of attacks and the prediction of higher EDSS score (p = 0.032, 0.049 respectively). It can be concluded that the IL-17F rs763780 C containing genotypes (CT and CC) and C allele may be risk factors for the development of MS in the studied Egyptian cohort by a gender-dependent mechanism that contributes to tendency for predisposition in females and optic neuritis is more common in patients carrying the CT heterozygous genotype.

Novel Roles of the Tim Family in Immune Regulation and Autoimmune Diseases

T cell Ig and mucin domain (Tim) protein family members were identified to be important regulators of the immune response. As their name indicates, Tim proteins were originally considered a T cell-specific markers, and they mainly regulate the responses of T helper cells. However, accumulating evidence indicates that Tims are also expressed on antigen-presenting cells (APCs), such as monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs) and B cells, and even plays various roles in natural killer cells (NKs) and mast cells. In recent years, the expression and function of Tims on different cells and the identification of new ligands for the Tim family have suggested that the Tim family plays a crucial role in immune regulation. In addition, the relationship between Tim family gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to several autoimmune diseases has expanded our knowledge of the role of Tim proteins in immune regulation. In this review, we discuss how the Tim family affects immunomodulatory function and the potential role of the Tim family in typical autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and type 1 diabetes (T1D). A deeper understanding of the immunoregulatory mechanism of the Tim family might provide new insights into the clinical diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Correlations Between TIMD-4 Gene Variants and the Risk and Clinical Features of Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Chinese Population

Introduction

T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-4 (TIMD-4) are likely to impact autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis (RA)). It is hypothesized here that TIMD-4 gene polymorphism is likely to display a correlation with the RA risk.

Methods

For examining the effect exerted by TIMD-4 genetic variant in the RA risk, a case–control study containing 379 RA cases and 432 healthy control groups in Chinese population was performed. This study conducted genotyping with the use of a custom-by-design 48-Plex single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Scan™ Kit. Blood serum conditions of TIMD-4 in RA cases and matched control groups were measured by enzyme-connected immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Our results demonstrated that the TIMD-4 rs7700944 polymorphism could increase the RA risk in Chinese population. According to stratification analyzing processes, the TIMD-4 rs7700944 polymorphism displayed the correlation to the elevated RA risk in the females, smokers and cases aged ≥55 years. Cross-over analyses also indicated that the combined effect of smoking or drinking and GA genotype of rs7700944 locus contributed to an elevated risk of RA. In addition, the TIMD-4 rs7700944 polymorphism was also related to RA cases with DAS ≥ 3.20, ESR ≥25.00 mm/h and positive anti-ccp. Moreover, compared with the control groups, the average expression level of TIMD-4 in the serum of RA cases was apparently increased.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the TIMD-4 rs7700944 polymorphism may increase the sensitivity to RA in Chinese population.

Tim-4 in Health and Disease: Friend or Foe?

T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain containing 4 (Tim-4) is a phosphatidylserine receptor and is selectively expressed on antigen presenting cells. Recently, Tim-4 was reported to be expressed on iNKT cells, B1 cells, and tumor cells, suggesting it has multiple biological functions. In this review, we mainly summarize the expression and regulation of Tim-4 in immune cells including T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, NKT cells, B cells, and mast cells. The expression of Tim-4 in these cells implies that Tim-4 might participate in immune related diseases. Emerging evidence emphasizes a substantial role for Tim-4 in maintaining homeostasis by regulating various immune responses, including viral infection, allergy, autoimmunity, and tumor immunity. Here, we collectively evaluated the role of Tim-4 in health and diseases. This summary will be extremely useful to fully understand the function of Tim-4 in the pathogenesis of immune related diseases, which would provide novel clues for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

TIM family gene polymorphism and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

TIM-family proteins are expressed on different immune cells such as dendritic cells, macrophages, type 1 and 2 T helper (Th) cells. Therefore, they have the ability to contribute to the various intracellular signals and immune responses, importantly the regulation of Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation, which plays a remarked role in fight against inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Association of TIM family gene polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been frequently investigated. The findings however are not entirely consistent. Therefore, we carried out the present meta-analysis to examine the association between RA and the following TIM family gene polymorphisms: rs41297579, rs1036199, rs10515746, and rs7700944.

METHODS

A systematic search of Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases was conducted through December 2018. Combined odds ratios (OR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated under different possible genetic models.

RESULTS

A total of eight case-control studies were included in the present meta-analysis. The results demonstrated significant association of RA with TIM-3 rs1036199 polymorphism under dominant (OR, 1.93, 95% CI, 1.43-2.61) and allelic models (OR, 1.74, 95% CI, 1.31-2.30). None of the other examined polymorphisms indicated significant association with RA.

CONCLUSIONS

The present meta-analysis revealed that the TIM-3 rs1036199 polymorphism might confer susceptibility to RA. Further studies are required to reassert our findings.

TIM-3 rs1036199 polymorphism increases susceptibility to autoimmune diseases: evidence based on 4200 subjects

Conflicting results have been reported regarding differing studies on the association between T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 polymorphisms and autoimmune disease. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the association of TIM-3 rs1036199 (4259 G/T) polymorphism with autoimmune disease susceptibility. A meta-analysis was performed to obtain a more precise evaluation of the association. Ten eligible studies were retrieved by searching PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases, and statistical analyses were performed using STATA software. The pooled results indicated that TIM-3 rs1036199 polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased risk of overall autoimmune disease in allele comparison (G versus T: OR = 1.59, 95%CI: 1.17-2.17) and heterozygous comparison (GT versus TT: OR = 1.68, 95%CI: 1.37-2.06). Subgroup analyses based on disease type demonstrated that TIM-3 rs1036199 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of rheumatic arthritis (G versus T: OR = 1.88, 95%CI: 1.45-2.44; GT versus TT: OR = 2.02, 95%CI: 1.53-2.65), especially in Asian populations.

Association Between C1q, TRAIL, and Tim-1 Gene Polymorphisms and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

AIM

The present study was designed to examine the relationship between gene polymorphisms of C1q, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), T cell immunoglobulin mucin (Tim-1), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 245 SLE patients were selected from February 2012 to August 2016, along with 245 healthy donors as the control group. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from all subjects followed by mutational analyses. Gene polymorphisms of the C1q gene (rs292001, rs631090, rs294223 loci); the TRAIL gene (1525A/G, 1588A/G, 1595T/C locus); and the Tim-1 gene were detected by sequencing after polymerase chain reaction amplification. The concentration of anti-C1q antibody and the protein levels of sTRAIL/Tim-1 in serum of all subjects were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

As for the C1q gene, the frequency of the T allele at the rs631090 locus in the study group was lower than that in the controls, and the frequency of the C allele was higher in the study group than in the healthy donors. The frequency of the G allele at the 1525A/G locus of TRAIL gene in the study group was significantly higher than those in the control group. The frequency of the G allele at -1454G/A of Tim-1 was dramatically higher in the study group than in the control group. Anti-C1q antibody concentrations of subjects carrying CC and CT genotype at the rs631090 locus were statistically higher than TT genotype carriers. The sTRAIL protein level of the TRAIL 1525A/G GG genotype carriers was significantly higher than that of GA and AA genotype carriers, as well as CC genotype carriers at 1595T/C site compared with CT/TT genotype carriers. GG genotype carriers at -1454G/A had higher Tim-1 expression levels than GA/AA genotype carriers.

CONCLUSION

The C allele at the rs631090 locus of C1q, the G allele at 1525A/G site of TRAIL, and the G allele of Tim-1 at -1454G/A site are susceptibility variants associated with SLE.

Association between CD226 polymorphism and soluble levels in rheumatoid arthritis: Relationship with clinical activity

OBJECTIVE

To study the relation between CD226 rs763361 gene polymorphism and CD226 serum level and to evaluate their role in susceptibility and disease activity of RA in a cohort of Egyptian individuals.

METHODS

The serum level of CD226 was measured using a suitable ELISA kit and the CD226 rs763361 gene polymorphism was typed by PCR-RFLP for 112 RA patients and 100 healthy controls.

RESULTS

Significant association with RA was found with CD226 T allele (OR (95%CI) = 1.6 (1.04-2.4), P = 0.032), and higher CD226 serum level (P = 0.001). Higher CD226 levels were associated with higher ESR values (P = 0.035), positive CRP (0.048), increased number of tender joints (P = 0.045), and higher DAS score (P = 0.035). Serum CD226 is an independent risk factor for the prediction of RA (P = 0.001). No correlations were found between the serum level of CD226 and different CD226 genotypes and also between them and RA activity grades.

CONCLUSION

The CD226 T allele may be susceptibility risk factors for the development of RA and the higher serum level of CD226 may be involved in the pathogenesis of RA in Egyptian patients. The serum level of CD226 and not CD226 genotypes could be considered as an independent risk factor for the prediction of RA within healthy individuals and also for RA disease activity.

Interleukin-17A rs2275913, Interleukin-17F rs763780 and rs2397084 gene polymorphisms as possible risk factors in Juvenile lupus and lupus related nephritis

There are no reports about the association of interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F gene polymorphism and susceptibility to pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE).

OBJECTIVE

To examine the possible role of IL-17A rs2275913, IL-17F rs763780 and rs2397084 polymorphisms as risk factors for pSLE in a cohort of Egyptian children and to investigate their association with the clinico-pathological features including lupus nephritis (LN).

METHODS

Typing of IL-17A and IL-17F polymorphisms was done using restriction fragment length polymorphism for 115 children with SLE and 259 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found between pSLE patients and healthy controls for the allele and genotype frequencies of IL-17A rs2275913, IL-17F rs763780 and rs2397084 (p > 0.05). However, the combined genotype GGAGAA and the haplotype GGA had significant association with pSLE (pc = 0.042 and <0.001, respectively). The AA genotype of IL-17F rs763780 is more frequent in female patients (p = 0.002) and the AA genotype of IL-17F rs2397084 is more associated with positivity of ds-DNA (p = 0.007). No more associations were found for the demographic and clinical data of pSLE patients including risk of LN development, risk of non-remission, overall survival, activity and chronicity indices.

CONCLUSION

The GGAGAA combined genotype and the GGA haplotype of IL-17A rs2275913, IL-17F rs763780 and rs2397084 can be considered risk factors for the development of SLE in Egyptian children. IL-17A rs2275913, IL-17F rs763780 and rs2397084 are not related to the LN development, SLE disease activity or overall survival.