Positive Association between EDN1 rs5370 (Lys198Asn) Polymorphism and Large Artery Stroke in a Ukrainian Population

EDNRA affects susceptibility to large artery atherosclerosis stroke through potential inflammatory pathway

This study aimed to explore the potential association between Endothelin type A receptor (EDNRA) genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to large artery atherosclerotic stroke (LAA), as well as the involvement of inflammation mechanisms. We recruited Han Chinese patients with LAA and age- and sex-matched controls. The distribution of alleles and genotypes for 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in EDNRA was analyzed using dominant, recessive, and co-dominant genetic models between cases and controls. We quantified the mRNA and protein levels of EDNRA and NLRP3 genes, and concentrations of inflammatory factors (TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, and CCL18) in peripheral blood samples randomly selected from cases and controls. We also investigated the relationship between these SNPs, gene expression patterns and inflammatory factor levels. A total of 428 LAA cases and 434 controls were enrolled in this study. The results showed that rs5343 TT genotype of EDNRA was significantly associated with an increased risk of LAA (OR = 3.243, 95%CI = 1.608-6.542, P = 0.001). It also demonstrated a significant upregulation level of NLRP3 as well as higher concentrations of IL-10, IL-18, and CCL-18 in cases compared to controls. Besides, we discovered that the EDNRA polymorphisms were linked to NLRP3, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-18 levels in cases. There existed a positive correlation between EDNRA transcription levels and both NLRP3 transcript levels (r = 0.437, p < 0.001) and IL-18 concentrations (r = 0.212, p < 0.001). EDNRA is linked to susceptibility of LAA. This association may be attributed to the NLRP3-mediated inflammatory pathway.

Association of Genetic polymorphisms of EDN1 gene and Endothelin-1 level in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Jordanian population

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is one of the most potent vasoconstrictors, encoded by the endothelin-1 (EDN1) gene. It has been shown to play an important role in different diseases including Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Various single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the EDN1 gene are related to microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) such as retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy. This study aims to determine the association between two selected EDN1 gene polymorphisms (rs2071942 G > A, rs5370 G > T) and T2DM in the Jordanian population, also to measure the level of ET-1 in T2DM. The samples were collected from the National Center of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Genetics- Amman, Jordan, including 97 patients with T2DM and 80 healthy individuals. PCR-RFLP was used for SNPs genotyping. ET-1 level was determined using IQELISA kits. The univariate analysis for both SNPs didn't show statistically significant differences in the genotype or allele frequencies among T2DM cases as well as in controls. The same results were obtained regarding ET-1 concentration. The subgroup analysis by sex showed that the genotype and allelic frequencies of rs5370, rs2071942 G/A polymorphisms were not significantly different in males and females. Multivariate Analysis adjusted for various confounders didn't express statistical significance difference for occurrences of both SNPs. However, height and gender showed to be significant risk factors for occurrences of heterozygote alleles in both SNPs. On the other hand, the duration of diabetes has appeared to be related to the recessive allele in rs5370.

Endothelin-1 gene polymorphism (G8002A) and endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide II: Role in vascular dysfunction in pediatric patients with β-thalassemia major

BACKGROUND

Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent endogenous vasoconstrictor, stimulates production of reactive oxygen species. Endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide-II (EMAP-II) is a multifunctional polypeptide.

AIM

To assess ET-1 gene polymorphism (G8002A) in pediatric patients with β-thalassemia major (β-TM) as a potential genetic marker for vascular dysfunction and its possible relation to EMAP II, oxidative stress and vascular complications.

METHODS

β-TM patients (n = 95) without symptomatic cardiac or renal disease were compared with 95 healthy controls. Markers of hemolysis, serum ferritin, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, serum EMAP II, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes; superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase and catalase were measured. ET-1 gene polymorphism (G8002A) was determined using polymerase chain reaction‑restriction fragment length polymorphism.

RESULTS

β-TM patients had significantly higher EMAP II than healthy controls. EMAP II was significantly higher among patients with cardiac disease, pulmonary hypertension (PH) risk, nephropathy, poor compliance to therapy and ferritin ≥ 2500 μg/L. There were significant correlations between EMAP II and transfusion index, LDH, ferritin and oxidative stress markers. The AA genotype of ET-1 gene polymorphism (G8002A) was significantly higher among β-TM patients than controls. The number of patients with cardiac disease, PH risk or nephropathy was significantly higher among AA genotype compared with GG and GA genotypes. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum ferritin, EMAP II, MDA, SOD and GPx were significantly higher in AA genotype.

CONCLUSION

ET-1 gene polymorphism (G8002A) could be a possible genetic marker for prediction of increased susceptibility to cardiopulmonary and renal complications among pediatric patients with β-TM.

Association of Polymorphisms in Endothelin-1 and Endothelin Receptor A Genes With Vasovagal Syncope

The endothelin system may play a role in the pathogenesis of vasovagal syncope (VVS) because it is implicated in blood pressure regulation. We hypothesized that endothelin-related genetic polymorphisms might modulate susceptibility to VVS. This study aimed to evaluate the possible influence of endothelin-1 (EDN1) and endothelin receptor A (EDNRA) gene variants on the occurrence of tilt-induced VVS and autonomic nervous system activity during the head-up tilt test (HUT). Results were expressed as mean ± SEM. In 254 patients with recurrent syncope (age 45.33±1.22 years, 94 males, 160 females), heart rate variability (HRV) was measured during HUT. EDN1 rs5370 G>T and EDNRA rs5333 T>C gene polymorphisms were assessed using high-resolution melting analysis. There was no statistically significant association between polymorphisms EDN1 rs5370 and EDNRA rs5333 and positivity of HUT or hemodynamic types of VVS. Patients with GT or TT genotypes at the rs5370 locus of the EDN1 had significantly higher values of high-frequency (HF) and the standard deviation of the average NN intervals at the time of the syncope, and they tended to have lower low-frequency (LF) and LF/HF ratio when compared to homozygotes (GG). No statistically significant differences were found in HRV parameters concerning the EDNRA rs5333 genotypes. Our findings suggest the potential role of EDN1 rs5370 variants in regulating autonomic nervous activity and pathogenesis of VVS.

Integrated bioinformatic analysis reveals immune molecular markers and potential drugs for diabetic cardiomyopathy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a pathophysiological condition induced by diabetes mellitus that often causes heart failure (HF). However, their mechanistic relationships remain unclear. This study aimed to identify immune gene signatures and molecular mechanisms of DCM. Microarray data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database from patients with DCM were subjected to weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identify co-expression modules. Core expression modules were intersected with the immune gene database. We analyzed and mapped protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks using the STRING database and MCODE and filtering out 17 hub genes using cytoHubba software. Finally, potential transcriptional regulatory factors and therapeutic drugs were identified and molecular docking between gene targets and small molecules was performed. We identified five potential immune biomarkers: proteosome subunit beta type-8 (PSMB8), nuclear factor kappa B1 (NFKB1), albumin (ALB), endothelin 1 (EDN1), and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1). Their expression levels in animal models were consistent with the changes observed in the datasets. EDN1 showed significant differences in expression in both the dataset and the validation model by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting(WB). Subsequently, we confirmed that the potential transcription factors upstream of EDN1 were PRDM5 and KLF4, as its expression was positively correlated with the expression of the two transcription factors. To repurpose known therapeutic drugs, a connectivity map (CMap) database was retrieved, and nine candidate compounds were identified. Finally, molecular docking simulations of the proteins encoded by the five genes with small-molecule drugs were performed. Our data suggest that EDN1 may play a key role in the development of DCM and is a potential DCM biomarker.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the ANGPTL4 gene and the SNP-SNP interactions on the risk of atherosclerotic Ischaemic stroke

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ANGPTL4 gene and the SNP–SNP interactions on atherosclerotic ischemic stroke (IS) risk.

Patients and methods

A case-control study was conducted. A total of 360 patients with atherosclerotic IS and 342 controls between December 2018 and December 2019 from Longyan First Hospital affiliated to Fujian Medical University were included. A logistic regression model was used to examine the association between SNPs and atherosclerotic IS risk. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction was employed to analyze the SNP-SNP interaction.

Results

Logistic regression analysis showed that atherosclerotic IS risk was significantly lower in carriers with the rs11672433-T allele than those with the CC genotype (CT+ TT vs. CC); adjusted OR, 0.005; 95% CI, 0.02–0.11. We found a significant 2-locus model (P = 0.0010) involving rs11672433 and rs4076317; the cross-validation consistency of this model was 10 of 10, and the testing accuracy was 57.96%. Participants with the CT or TT of rs11672433 and CC of rs4076317 genotype have the lowest atherosclerotic IS risk, compared to subjects with CC of rs11672433 and the CC of rs4076317 genotype, OR (95%CI) was 0.06(0.02–0.22), after covariates adjustment for gender, age, smoking and alcohol status, hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, Uric acid.

Conclusions

We found that rs11672433 was associated with decreased atherosclerotic IS risk; we also found that gene–gene interaction between rs11672433 and rs4076317 was associated with decreased atherosclerotic IS risk.

Genetic Relationship Between Endothelin-1 Gene Polymorphisms and Intracerebral Hemorrhage Among Chinese Han People

Background

The goal of the present study was to determine whether endothelin-1 (EDN1) variants are associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) risk among Chinese Han people.

Material/Methods

The genotyping of EDN1 rs5370 and rs6458155 polymorphisms were conducted in 154 ICH patients and 168 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. Deviation for genotype frequencies in controls from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was assessed. The genotype and allele distribution of EDN1 polymorphisms was checked via χ² test between 2 groups. Strength of the association between EDN1 polymorphisms and ICH risk is presented by odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results

Genotype distribution for rs5370 and rs6458155 polymorphisms in the control group both conformed to HWE (P>0.05). Only CC genotype and C allele frequencies of rs6458155 between ICH patients and healthy individuals were significantly different (P=0.025; P=0.043), indicating rs64581255 is associated with increased ICH onset (OR=2.214, 95% CI=1.009–4.461; OR=1.389, 95% CI=1.010–1.910). When adjusted by confounding factors, the significant correlations still existed between 2 groups (P=0.028, adjusted OR=2.217, 95% CI=1.092–4.500; P=0.046, adjusted OR=1.386, 95% CI=1.005–1.910).

Conclusions

EDN1 rs6458155 polymorphism may be a risk factor of ICH among Chinese Han people.

Association between Lys198Asn polymorphism of endothelin-1 gene and ischemic stroke: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Endothelin (ET)-1 is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide produced by endothelial cells and associated with vascular dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. Lys198Asn is a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of gene encoding ET-1 (EDN1). It is hypothesized that it might have a role in altering ET-1 and ultimately leading to vascular dysfunction and ischemic stroke. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the association between Lys198Asn polymorphism of EDN1 gene and susceptibility of ischemic stroke.

METHODS

This meta-analysis was conducted according to the guidance of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Web of Science, J-STAGE, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for relevant studies. The association between Lys198Asn polymorphism and ischemic stroke susceptibility was evaluated by calculating the pooled ORs and 95% CIs.

RESULTS

Our analysis included 1,291 cases and 2,513 controls. Meta-analysis established a significant association between Lys198Asn SNP of EDN1 gene and ischemic stroke when assuming either recessive model (OR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.02-1.65; p = .03; I2  = 41%) or dominant model (OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.24-1.76; p < .001; I2  = 61%). There was no evidence of publication bias in either of the recessive model (Egger test: p = .23; Begg test: p = .85) or dominant model (Egger test: p = .79; Begg test: p = .85). A subgroup analysis based on subtypes of ischemic stroke showed that Lys198Asn SNP was only associated with large vessel infarction but not with lacunar infarction caused by small vessel disease. A subgroup analysis based on ethnicity revealed that the Lys198Asn polymorphism of the EDN1 gene was associated with ischemic stroke only in Caucasians.

CONCLUSIONS

The present meta-analysis suggests that Lys198Asn polymorphism of EDN1 gene is associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke.

Associations of EDNRA and EDNRB Polymorphisms with Intracerebral Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

The most potent vasoconstrictor, endothelin-1 and its receptors, endothelin receptor A (EDNRA) and endothelin receptor B (EDNRB) are involved in hypertension. Hypertension is a major risk factor of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Recent studies have demonstrated increased plasma endothelin-1 level in ICH patients and relationships between EDNRA and EDNRB genetic variants and ischemic stroke. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether EDNRA and EDNRB polymorphisms are associated with ICH by interacting with blood pressure levels.

METHODS

Five EDNRA and EDNRB polymorphisms were genotyped in this case-control study.

RESULTS

We identified that EDNRA rs5333 T allele might be a protective factor of ICH (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.638, 95% CI: 0.417-0.977, P = 0.038), while EDNRB rs5351 A allele could be a risk factor of ICH (adjusted OR = 1.476, 95% CI: 1.042-2.089, P = 0.028). Moreover, we only found that the GG genotype of EDNRA rs5335 had higher diastolic blood pressure than the GC + CC genotypes in ICH patients (91.69 ± 18.77 vs. 84.71 ± 21.48, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support the important role of EDNRA and EDNRB polymorphisms in ICH, and suggest that they do not interact with blood pressure levels on altering ICH risk.