Functional promoter -94 ins/del ATTG polymorphism in NFKB1 gene is associated with bladder cancer risk in a Chinese population

NFKB1 as a key player in Tumor biology: from mechanisms to therapeutic implications

NFKB1, a core transcription factor critical in various biological process (BP), is increasingly studied for its role in tumors. This research combines literature reviews, meta-analyses, and bioinformatics to systematically explore NFKB1's involvement in tumor initiation and progression. A unique focus is placed on the NFKB1-94 ATTG promoter polymorphism, highlighting its association with cancer risk across diverse genetic models and ethnic groups, alongside comprehensive analysis of pan-cancer expression patterns and drug sensitivity. The study reveals the intricate connections between NFKB1 and tumors, highlighting its significant roles in invasion, metastasis, genomic stability, and metabolic changes. Through meta-analysis, it is evidenced that tumor specimens exhibit increased NFKB1 expression when compared to non-tumor specimens, although its association with cancer incidence requires further investigation. Analysis from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database suggests that high NFKB1 gene expression may not markedly impact tumor patient prognosis. The noticeable correlation between the NFKB1-94 ATTG promoter polymorphic sequence and elevated cancer susceptibility is highlighted across different genetic models. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis uncovers NFKB1's association with the sensitivity to various anticancer drugs and its central involvement in crucial BP like the cell cycle, cytoskeleton assembly, and cellular senescence. Overall, NFKB1's expression and polymorphisms are significantly linked to tumor risk, prognosis, and treatment response, highlighting its prospect as a forthcoming aim for cancer treatment. This study offers a robust foundation for further exploration of NFKB1's mechanisms and the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Identification and construction of prognostic clusters and risk-prognosis model based on aging-immune related genes in bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Faced with the current global ageing situation, advanced age has become a risk factor for bladder carcinogenesis progression and immunotherapy. Exploring the common mechanisms of aging and immune in bladder cancer and finding new prognostic markers and immunotherapeutic targets has become an urgent issue.

METHOD

Aging-immune related genes (AIGs) were collected from the public databases MSIGDB, HAGR and ImmPort, and hub AIGs were finally identified in the TCGA-BLCA disease cohort by expression, prognosis, and clinicopathological correlation analysis, and the correlation of hub AIGs with immune microenvironment, immunotherapeutic response, ferroptosis and m6A methylation was verified. Subsequently, prognostic clusters and risk-prognosis models for AIGs was constructed by cluster analysis and multifactorial Cox regression analysis, and the gene mutation and immune infiltration characteristics of the different clusters were explored. Finally, the expression level of related genes was verified by immunohistochemical experiments using patient samples from our medical center.

RESULT

145 potential prognostic AIGs were collected in bladder cancer and finally clarified NFKB1 and IL7 with significant expression differences, prognostic value and age correlation. By single gene analysis, hub AIGs were explored to be significantly correlated with immunotherapeutic response, immune microenvironment, ferroptosis and m6A methylation. Subsequently, the risk-prognosis model was constructed with Riskscore = (0.0581)*NFKB1 + (- 0.2285)*IL7. And prognostic clusters based on hub AIGs was performed by cluster analysis, which clarified that the high-risk group was the pro-cancer group, which had a lower mutation rate of hub genes and higher of neutrophil infiltration. Finally, immunohistochemistry of patients confirmed that IL7 and NFKB1 were underexpressed in bladder cancer, and the proliferation and migration ability of tumor cells were significantly decreased after overexpression of these genes.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to identify NFKB1 and IL7 as hub AIGs in bladder cancer, which provide new prognostic markers and immunotherapeutic targets.

Genetic Polymorphisms Involved in Bladder Cancer: A Global Review

Bladder cancer (BC) has been associated with genetic susceptibility. Single peptide polymorphisms (SNPs) can modulate BC susceptibility. A literature search was performed covering the period between January 2000 and October 2020. Overall, 334 articles were selected, reporting 455 SNPs located in 244 genes. The selected 455 SNPs were further investigated. All SNPs that were associated with smoking and environmental exposure were excluded from this study. A total of 197 genes and 343 SNPs were found to be associated with BC, among which 177 genes and 291 SNPs had congruent results across all available studies. These genes and SNPs were classified into eight different categories according to their function.

Genomic analysis of response to bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment in high-grade stage 1 bladder cancer patients

Background

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy is standard treatment for high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) but overall efficacy is low, and no reliable predictive biomarkers currently exist to refine patient selection. We performed genomic analysis on high-grade (HG) T1 NMIBCs to determine if response to therapy is predicted by certain mutational and/or expressional changes.

Methods

Patients with HG T1 NMIBC treated with induction BCG were stratified by response into durable and non-durable responders. Baseline tumor samples were subjected to targeted DNA sequencing and whole-exome RNAseq. Genomic variants differing significantly between response groups were analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software. Variant selection was refined to target potential biomarker candidates for responsiveness to BCG.

Results

Among 42 patients, the median follow-up was 51.7 months and 40.5% (n=17) were durable BCG responders. Deleterious mutations in the RNA sequence of JCHAIN, S100A7, CLEC2B, and ANXA10 were more common in non-durable responders. Mutations in MCL1 and MSH6 detected on targeted sequencing were more commonly found in durable responders. Of all deleterious DNA and RNA mutations identified, only MCL1 was significantly associated with longer recurrence free survival (RFS) (P=0.031).

Conclusions

Differences in the genomic profiles of HG T1 NMIBC tumors exist between those who show durable response to BCG and those who do not. Using pathway analysis, those differences imply upregulation of several interconnected inflammatory pathways among responders. Specific variants identified here, namely MCL1, are candidates for further study and, if clinically validated, may serve as useful biomarkers in the future.

Exploration of prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the microenvironment of bladder cancer based on CXC chemokines

BACKGROUND

Bladder cancer (BLCA) has a high rate of morbidity and mortality, and is considered as one of the most malignant tumors of the urinary system. Tumor cells interact with surrounding interstitial cells, playing a key role in carcinogenesis and progression, which is partly mediated by chemokines. CXC chemokines exert anti-tumor biological roles in the tumor microenvironment and affect patient prognosis. Nevertheless, their expression and prognostic values patients with BLCA remain unclear.

METHODS

We used online tools, including Oncomine, UALCAN, GEPIA, GEO databases, cBioPortal, GeneMANIA, DAVID 6.8, Metascape, TRUST (version 2.0), LinkedOmics, TCGA, and TIMER2.0 to perform the relevant analysis.

RESULTS

The mRNA levels of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)1, CXCL5, CXCL6, CXCL7, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL13, CXCL16, and CXCL17 were increased significantly increased, and those of CXCL2, CXCL3, and CXCL12 were decreased significantly in BLCA tissues as assessed using the Oncomine, TCGA, and GEO databases. GEO showed that high levels of CXCL1, CXCL6, CXCL10, CXCL11, and CXCL13 mRNA expression are associated significantly with the poor overall survival (all p < 0.05), and similarly, those of CXCL2 and CXCL12 in the TCGA database (p < 0.05). The predominant signaling pathways involving the differentially expressed CXC chemokines are cell cycle, chemokine, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. Moreover, transcription factors such as Sp1 transcription factor (SP1), nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 (NFKB1), and RELA proto-oncogene, NF-KB subunit (RELA) were likely play critical roles in regulating CXC chemokine expression. LYN proto-oncogene, src family tyrosine kinase (LYN) and LCK proto-oncogene, src family tyrosine kinase (LCK) were identified as the key targets of these CXC chemokines. MicroRNAs miR200 and miR30 were identified as the main microRNAs that interact with several CXC chemokines through an miRNA-target network. The expression of these chemokines is closely associated with the infiltration of six categories of immune cells.

CONCLUSION

We explored the CXC chemokines superfamily-based biomarkers associated with BLCA prognosis using public databases, and provided possible chemokine targets for patients with BLCA.

Loss of NF-κB1 Causes Gastric Cancer with Aberrant Inflammation and Expression of Immune Checkpoint Regulators in a STAT-1-Dependent Manner

Polymorphisms in NFKB1 that diminish its expression have been linked to human inflammatory diseases and increased risk for epithelial cancers. The underlying mechanisms are unknown, and the link is perplexing given that NF-κB signaling reportedly typically exerts pro-tumorigenic activity. Here we have shown that NF-κB1 deficiency, even loss of a single allele, resulted in spontaneous invasive gastric cancer (GC) in mice that mirrored the histopathological progression of human intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma. Bone marrow chimeras revealed that NF-κB1 exerted tumor suppressive functions in both epithelial and hematopoietic cells. RNA-seq analysis showed that NF-κB1 deficiency resulted in aberrant JAK-STAT signaling, which dysregulated expression of effectors of inflammation, antigen presentation, and immune checkpoints. Concomitant loss of STAT1 prevented these immune abnormalities and GC development. These findings provide mechanistic insight into how polymorphisms that attenuate NFKB1 expression predispose humans to epithelial cancers, highlighting the pro-tumorigenic activity of STAT1 and identifying targetable vulnerabilities in GC.

NFKB1 and Cancer: Friend or Foe?

Current evidence strongly suggests that aberrant activation of the NF-κB signalling pathway is associated with carcinogenesis. A number of key cellular processes are governed by the effectors of this pathway, including immune responses and apoptosis, both crucial in the development of cancer. Therefore, it is not surprising that dysregulated and chronic NF-κB signalling can have a profound impact on cellular homeostasis. Here we discuss NFKB1 (p105/p50), one of the five subunits of NF-κB, widely implicated in carcinogenesis, in some cases driving cancer progression and in others acting as a tumour-suppressor. The complexity of the role of this subunit lies in the multiple dimeric combination possibilities as well as the different interacting co-factors, which dictate whether gene transcription is activated or repressed, in a cell and organ-specific manner. This review highlights the multiple roles of NFKB1 in the development and progression of different cancers, and the considerations to make when attempting to manipulate NF-κB as a potential cancer therapy.

Analysis of 12 variants in the development of gastric and colorectal cancers

AIM

To evaluate the relation between 12 polymorphisms and the development of gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

In this study, we included 125 individuals with GC diagnosis, 66 individuals with CRC diagnosis and 475 cancer-free individuals. All participants resided in the North region of Brazil and authorized the use of their samples. The 12 polymorphisms (in CASP8, CYP2E1, CYP19A1, IL1A, IL4, MDM2, NFKB1, PAR1, TP53, TYMS, UGT1A1 and XRCC1 genes) were genotyped in a single PCR for each individual, followed by fragment analysis. To avoid misinterpretation due to population substructure, we applied a previously developed set of 61 ancestry-informative markers that can also be genotyped by multiplex PCR. The statistical analyses were performed in Structure v.2.3.4, R environment and SPSS v.20.

RESULTS

After statistical analyses with the control of confounding factors, such as genetic ancestry, three markers (rs79071878 in IL4, rs3730485 in MDM2 and rs28362491 in NFKB1) were positively associated with the development of GC. One of these markers (rs28362491) and the marker in the UGT1A1 gene (rs8175347) were positively associated with the development of CRC. Therefore, we investigated whether the joint presence of the deleterious alleles of each marker could affect the development of cancer and we obtained positive results in all analyses. Carriers of the combination of alleles RP1 + DEL (rs79071878 and rs28361491, respectively) are at 10-times greater risk of developing GC than carriers of other combinations. Similarly, carriers of the combination of DEL + RARE (rs283628 and rs8175347) are at about 12-times greater risk of developing CRC than carriers of other combinations.

CONCLUSION

These findings are important for the comprehension of gastric and CRC development, particularly in highly admixed populations, such as the Brazilian population.

Association of NFKB1 gene polymorphism (rs28362491) with levels of inflammatory biomarkers and susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy in Asian Indians

AIM

To investigate the association of NFKB1 gene -94 ATTG insertion/deletion (rs28362491) polymorphism with inflammatory markers and risk of diabetic nephropathy in Asian Indians.

METHODS

A total of 300 subjects were recruited (100 each), normoglycemic, (NG); type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) without any complications (DM) and T2DM with diabetic nephropathy [DM-chronic renal disease (CRD)]. Analysis was carried out by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and ELISA. Pearson’s correlation, analysis of variance and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The allelic frequencies of -94 ATTG insertion/deletion were 0.655/0.345 (NG), 0.62/0.38 (DM) and 0.775/0.225 (DM-CRD). The -94 ATTG ins allele was associated with significantly increased levels of urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (uMCP-1); uMCP-1 (P = 0.026) and plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α); TNF-α (P = 0.030) and almost doubled the risk of diabetic nephropathy (OR = 1.91, 95%CI: 1.080-3.386, P = 0.025).

CONCLUSION

-94 ATTG ins/ins polymorphism might be associated with increased risk of developing nephropathy in Asian Indian subjects with diabetes mellitus.

NFKB1 -94insertion/deletion ATTG polymorphism and cancer risk: Evidence from 50 case-control studies

Nuclear factor-kappa B1 (NF-κB1) is a pleiotropic transcription factor and key contributor to tumorigenesis in many types of cancer. Numerous studies have addressed the association of a functional insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism (-94ins/delATTG, rs28362491) in the promoter region of NFKB1 gene with the risk of various types of cancer; however, their conclusions have been inconsistent. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to reevaluate this association. PubMed, EMBASE, China National Knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), and WANFANG databases were searched through July 2016 to retrieve relevant studies. After careful assessment, 50 case-control studies, comprising 18,299 cases and 23,484 controls were selected. Crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to determine the strength of the association. The NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG polymorphism was associated with a decreased risk of overall cancer in the homozygote model (DD vs. II): OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.64-0.87); heterozygote model (ID vs. II): OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.83-0.99; recessive model (DD vs. ID/II): OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.71-0.91; dominant model (ID/DD vs. II): OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.78-0.95; and allele contrast model (D vs. I): OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.81-0.95). Subgroup and stratified analyses revealed decreased risks for lung cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and oral squamous cell carcinoma, and this association held true also for Asians (especially Chinese subjects) in hospital-based studies, and in studies with quality scores less than nine. Well-designed, large-scale case-control studies are needed to confirm these results.

An updated meta-analysis of 37 case-control studies on the association between NFKB1 -94ins/del ATTG promoter polymorphism and cancer susceptibility

As a cell survival signal, nuclear factor-kappa B (NFKB) is associated with the pathogenesis of numerous malignancies. According to several studies, NFKB1 -94ins/del ATTG promoter polymorphism is associated with the risk of different malignancies, but the results were not consistent. Therefore, we performed an updated meta-analysis based on 37 case-control studies from 33 articles (16,271 cases and 22,781 controls) to clarify the relationship. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to determine the strength of the association. We found that the NFKB1 -94ins/del ATTG promoter polymorphism was significantly associated with increased susceptibility to cancer in the recessive (II vs. ID+DD, OR = 1.140, 95% CI = 1.029-1.263, p =0.012), homozygote (II vs. DD, OR = 1.259, 95% CI = 1.068-1.485, p =0.006), and allele (I vs. D, OR = 1.109, 95% CI = 1.025-1.199, p =0.010) genetic models. The subgroup analysis for ethnicity found that the NFKB1 -94ins/del ATTG promoter polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased susceptibility to cancer in Asians and with a decreased susceptibility in Caucasians. The stratified analyses revealed significant associations between the polymorphism and increased susceptibility to ovarian cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Polymorphisms in CYP19A1 and NFKB1 genes are associated with cutaneous melanoma risk in southern Brazilian patients

BACKGROUND

Melanoma is the leading cause of death from skin cancers and its etiology is complex. Recent discoveries related to genetic risk factors are helping us to understand melanoma pathogenesis better. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) has a critical role in immunity, inflammation, and tumor growth. The 94ins/del ATTG (rs28362491) polymorphism located in the NFKB1 gene has been associated to various cancers and the ATTG2/ATTG2 genotype was correlated to melanoma risk in Sweden. The CYP19A1 gene encodes the enzyme aromatase, which is active in malignant melanoma tissue. In addition, the CYP19A1 TCT insertion/deletion variant in intron 4 (rs11575899) has been associated with an increased incidence of cancer, albeit with conflicting results. The goal of this study was to investigate possible associations between these two gene variants and melanoma.

METHODS

In this case-control study, we evaluated 117 cutaneous melanoma patients and 116 controls from southern Brazil. Genotyping of rs28362491 and rs11575899 was carried out by means of PCR amplification and capillary electrophoresis. Logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (ORs) of melanoma, according to genotypes.

RESULTS

We identified an association between the ATTG2/ATTG2 and melanoma [OR=1.78; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-3.00; P=0.03]. In addition, there was a dose effect: for each ins allele in the genotype, the risk for melanoma increased (OR=1.51; 95% CI: 1.08-2.11; P=0.017). As regards the CYP19A1 variant, genotype 11 (del/del) was more frequent in patients than in controls (OR=1.85; 95% CI 1.06-3.22; P=0.03).

CONCLUSION

The NFKB1 ATTG2/ATTG2 and CYP19A1 del/del genotypes are significantly associated with melanoma and could be genetic markers of melanoma susceptibility in southern Brazilian population.

Genetic association between NFKB1 -94 ins/del ATTG Promoter Polymorphism and cancer risk: a meta-analysis of 42 case-control studies

Accumulating evidences have indicated that the functional -94 ins/del ATTG polymorphism in the promoter region of human nuclear factor-kappa B1 (NFKB1) gene may be associated with cancer risk. However, some studies yielded conflicting results. To clarify precise association, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis of 42 case-control studies involving 43,000 subjects (18,222 cases and 24,778 controls). The overall results suggested that the -94 ins/del ATTG polymorphism had a decreased risk for cancer, reaching significant levels in five genetic models (dominant model: OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.79–0.95, P = 0.002; recessive model: OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.74–0.94, P = 0.003; homozygous model: OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.66–0.90, P = 0.001; heterozygous model: OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.83–0.98, P = 0.011; allelic model: OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.83–0.96, P = 0.002). Furthermore, the -94 ins/del ATTG polymorphism could confer a decreased or increased risk for cancer development among Asians and Caucasians, respectively. Additionally, the stratification analysis revealed a significant association between the variant and decreased risk of oral, ovarian, and nasopharyngeal cancer in Asians. After we adjusted p values using the Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate method to account for multiple comparisons, these associations remained.

Multiplex Droplet Digital PCR Quantification of Recurrent Somatic Mutations in Diffuse Large B-Cell and Follicular Lymphoma

BACKGROUND

A plethora of options to detect mutations in tumor-derived DNA currently exist but each suffers limitations in analytical sensitivity, cost, or scalability. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is an appealing technology for detecting the presence of specific mutations based on a priori knowledge and can be applied to tumor biopsies, including formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues. More recently, ddPCR has gained popularity in its utility in quantifying circulating tumor DNA.

METHODS

We have developed a suite of novel ddPCR assays for detecting recurrent mutations that are prevalent in common B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs), including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. These assays allowed the differentiation and counting of mutant and wild-type molecules using one single hydrolysis probe. We also implemented multiplexing that allowed the simultaneous detection of distinct mutations and an "inverted" ddPCR assay design, based on employing probes matching wild-type alleles, capable of detecting the presence of multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms.

RESULTS

The assays successfully detected and quantified somatic mutations commonly affecting enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit (EZH2) (Y641) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) (D419) hotspots in fresh tumor, FFPE, and liquid biopsies. The "inverted" ddPCR approach effectively reported any single nucleotide variant affecting either of these 2 hotspots as well. Finally, we could effectively multiplex hydrolysis probes targeting 2 additional lymphoma-related hotspots: myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MYD88; L265P) and cyclin D3 (CCND3; I290R).

CONCLUSIONS

Our suite of ddPCR assays provides sufficient analytical sensitivity and specificity for either the invasive or noninvasive detection of multiple recurrent somatic mutations in B-cell NHLs.

Distribution of allelic and genotypic frequencies of IL1A, IL4, NFKB1 and PAR1 variants in Native American, African, European and Brazilian populations

BACKGROUND

The inflammatory response plays a key role at different stages of cancer development. Allelic variants of the interleukin 1A (IL1A), interleukin 4 (IL4), nuclear factor kappa B1 (NFKB1) and protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) genes may influence not only the inflammatory response but also susceptibility to cancer development. Among major ethnic or continental groups, these polymorphic variants present different allelic frequencies. In admixed populations, such as the Brazilian population, data on distribution of these polymorphisms are limited. Here, we collected samples of cancer-free individuals from the north, northeast, midwest, south and southeast regions of Brazil and from the three main groups that gave rise to the Brazilian population: Native Americans from the Brazilian Amazon, Africans and Europeans. We describe the allelic distributions of four IL1A (rs3783553), IL4 (rs79071878), NFKB1 (rs28362491) and PAR1 (rs11267092) gene polymorphisms, which the literature describes as polymorphisms with a risk of cancer or worse prognosis for cancer.

RESULTS

The genotypic distribution of the four polymorphisms was statistically distinct between Native Americans, Africans and Europeans. For the allelic frequency of these polymorphisms, the Native American population was the most distinct among the three parental populations, and it included the greatest number of alleles with a risk of cancer or worse prognosis for cancer. The PAR1 gene polymorphism allelic distribution was similar among all Brazilian regions. For the other three markers, the northern region population was statistically distinct from other Brazilian region populations.

CONCLUSION

The IL1A, IL4, NFKB1 and PAR1 gene polymorphism allelic distributions are homogeneous among the regional Brazilian populations, except for the northern region, which significantly differs from the other four Brazilian regions. Among the parental populations, the Native American population exhibited a higher incidence of alleles with risk of cancer or worse prognosis for cancer, which can indicate greater susceptibility to this disease. These genetic data may be useful for future studies on the association between these polymorphisms and cancer in the investigated populations.

The potential anticancer effect of beta-blockers and the genetic variations involved in the interindividual difference

β-ARs are extensively spread in different tissues of our body, which could be activated by neurotransmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine to mediate physiological function and abnormal states including cancer. Recently, β-AR blockers could have significant implications in cancer therapy. But the precise molecular mechanisms are far from being fully understood. Through identifying the β-AR system signal pathways relevant to cancer, we can understand the mechanisms of β-blockers used for cancer treatment. What's more, retrospective clinical data made β-blockers jump out of the traditional field of cardiovascular disease and strengthened our confidence in cancer therapy. At last, genetic studies of β-adrenergic system offered crucial genes to analyze the effects of polymorphisms on cancer susceptibility, therapy response and prognosis of cancer patients.

Association and interaction of NFKB1 rs28362491 insertion/deletion ATTG polymorphism and PPP1R13L and CD3EAP related to lung cancer risk in a Chinese population

The nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells 1 (NFKB1) gene encodes p105 and p50 kD which are both subunits of the transcription factor NF-kB, involved in a wide variety of diseases and pathological states associated with inflammation, immunity, and tumorigenesis. The NFKB1 rs28362491 polymorphism in the promoter region (-94 insertion/deletion ATTG) has been associated with risk of various cancers. Our study aims were to evaluate the associations of NFKB1 rs28362491 polymorphism and interactions of this single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and PPP1R13L and CD3EAP and smoking duration in relation to lung cancer risk in a Chinese population. The study population consisted of 544 Chinese lung cancer cases and 550 cancer-free matched (age, sex, and ethnicity) controls. No associations were found between NFKB1 rs28362491 and lung cancer risk. CD3EAP rs967591 was associated with increased lung cancer risk in the dominant model [OR (95 % CI) = 1.38 (1.05-1.80), P = 0.018]. The common haplotype containing PPP1R13L rs1970764(G), CD3EAP rs967591(A), and CD3EAP rs735482(C) was associated with lung cancer [adjusted OR (95 % CI) = 1.29 (1.03-1.62), P = 0.028]. Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) analysis revealed two-way and three-way interactions between CD3EAP rs735482 and smoking and between NFKB1 rs28362491, PPP1R13L rs1970764, and smoking. In conclusion, we were able to reproduce previously found associations between PPP1R13L and CD3EAP polymorphisms and lung cancer risk in an increased study group, and we found interactions between NFKB1 rs28362491-PPP1R13L rs1970764 and smoking duration and between CD3EAP rs735482 and smoking duration. These results suggest that these genes and smoking are part of the same biological pathway leading to smoking-induced lung cancer.

Polymorphisms of NFκB1 and IκBα and Their Synergistic Effect on Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Susceptibility

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a multifactoral and polygenic disease with high prevalence in Southeast Asia and Southern China. Environmental factors and genetic susceptibility play important roles in NPC pathogenesis. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in nuclear factor-kappa B (NFκB) and its inhibitor (IκBα) conferred consistent risks for NPC. Four putatively functional SNPs (NFκB1: rs28362491del>ins ATTG; NFκB2: rs12769316G>A; IκBα: rs2233406C>T and rs696G>A) were analyzed to evaluate their associations with NPC risk in total 1590 NPC cases and 1979 cancer-free controls. We found that the rs28362491 insATTG variants (ins/del + ins/ins) in NFκB1 conferred an increased risk of NPC (odds ratio [OR] = 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09–1.55, and P = 2.80 × 10⁻³) compared with the del/del homozygous genotype. The rs696AA variant in IκBα had an increased risk of NPC (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.20–1.66, and P = 2.28 × 10⁻⁵) by decreasing IκBα expression due to the modulation of microRNA hsa-miR-449a. Furthermore, both adverse genotypes of NFκB/IκBα and their interaction also exerted an increased risk on NPC. Taken together, Our findings indicated that genetic variants in NFκB1 (rs28362491del>ins ATTG) and IκBα (rs696G>A) and their synergistic effect might contribute to NPC predisposition.

Genetic polymorphisms in inflammatory response genes and their associations with breast cancer risk

Aim

To explore the association of NFKB1 c.-798_-795delATTG (rs28362491), NFKBIA c.-949C>T (rs2233406), IL-8 c.-352A>T (rs4073), IL-10 c.-854T>C (rs1800871), TNF c.-418G>A (rs361525), and TNF c.-488G>A (rs1800629) polymorphisms with breast cancer risk in an East Chinese population.

Methods

We conducted a case-control study including 975 study participants (474 breast cancer patients and 501 female controls without cancer) and genotyped the polymorphisms employing polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Logistic regression was used to assess the association of the polymorphisms with breast cancer risk.

Results

We found that the ins/del and del/del genotypes of NFKB1 polymorphism and TT genotype of IL-10 polymorphism significantly increased breast cancer risk (NFKB1 ins/del odds ratio [OR] 1.69, 95% [CI] 1.23-2.33, P = 0.001; NFKB1 del/del OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.72-3.42, P < 0.001; IL-10 TT OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.58-3.52, P < 0.001). On the other hand, the TT genotype of IL-8 polymorphism, GA and AA genotypes of TNF c.-418G>A polymorphism, and GA genotype of TNF c.-488G>A polymorphism significantly reduced breast cancer risk (IL-8 TT OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.33-0.72, P < 0.001; TNF c.-418 GA OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.41-0.80, P = 0.001; TNF c.-418 AA OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.14-0.98, P = 0.044; TNF c.-488 GA OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.48-0.96, P = 0.029). When stratified by menopausal status, the CT genotype of NFKBIA polymorphism significantly reduced the risk among pre-menopausal women (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.40-0.99, P = ,043), but not among post-menopausal women.

Conclusions

NFKB1, NFKBIA, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF polymorphisms could serve as useful predictive biomarkers for breast cancer risk among women in East China.

Identification of haplotype tag single nucleotide polymorphisms within the nuclear factor-κB family genes and their clinical relevance in patients with major trauma

INTRODUCTION

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) family plays an important role in the development of sepsis in critically ill patients. Although several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified in the NF-κB family genes, only a few SNPs have been studied.

METHODS

A total of 753 patients with major blunt trauma were included in this study. Tag SNPs (tSNPs) were selected from the NF-κB family genes (NFKB1, NFKB2, RELA, RELB and REL) through construction of haplotype blocks. The SNPs selected from genes within the canonical NF-κB pathway (including NFKB1, RELA and REL), which played a critical role in innate immune responses were genotyped using pyrosequencing method and analyzed in relation to the risk of development of sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction (MOD) syndrome. Moreover, the rs842647 polymorphism was analyzed in relation to tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production by peripheral blood leukocytes in response to bacterial lipoprotein stimulation.

RESULTS

Eight SNPs (rs28362491, rs3774932, rs4648068, rs7119750, rs4803789, rs12609547, rs1560725 and rs842647) were selected from the NF-κB family genes. All of them were shown to be high-frequency SNPs in this study cohort. Four SNPs (rs28362491, rs4648068, rs7119750 and rs842647) within the canonical NF-κB pathway were genotyped, and rs842647 was associated with sepsis morbidity rate and MOD scores. An association was also observed between the rs842647 A allele and lower TNF-α production.

CONCLUSIONS

rs842647 polymorphism might be used as relevant risk estimate for the development of sepsis and MOD syndrome in patients with major trauma.

To be an ally or an adversary in bladder cancer: the NF-κB story has not unfolded

Signaling and regulation of transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) has been an area of extensive research since its first discovery nearly three decades ago. Members of the NF-κB family have been reported to critically mediate a multitude of responses in normal cells. Therefore, it is not surprising that NF-κB function can go awry and result in pathological conditions including cancer. Despite its critical importance, the functional role of NF-κB has not received the same attention in cancers of all tissue types. In the case of cancer of the urinary bladder, which is the second most common urologic cancer, the involvement of NF-κB in the development of superficial or muscle invasive disease and during cancer recurrence is rudimentary at best. Nuclear expression of p65/RelA is seen in bladder cancer patients and has been found to negatively affect survival of patients with superficial and muscle invasive disease. Despite these observations, the exact mechanism of NF-κB upregulation and function remains unknown. Furthermore, the emergence of a tumor suppressive role for NF-κB in recent years suggests that the family may play the role of a double-edged sword in cancer, which remains unexplored in bladder cancer. The challenge now is to delineate the increasing complexity of this pathway in the development and progression of bladder cancer. Here, we review key aspects of the current knowledge of signaling and regulation by the NF-κB family focusing on its controversial role in cancer and highlight the importance of studying NF-κB in bladder cancer in particular.

A functional insertion/deletion polymorphism in the promoter region of the NFKB1 gene increases the risk of papillary thyroid carcinoma

This study aimed to assess whether an insertion/deletion polymorphic variation rs28362491 in the NFKB1 promoter region was related to the risk of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral venous blood of 352 patients with PTC and 459 controls. The NFKB1 rs28362491 polymorphism was genotyped by using a polymerase chain reaction assay. We found that the frequency of the heterozygous genotype ATTG1/ATTG2 was significantly higher in the cases compared to the controls (odds ratios [OR]=1.44, 95% confidence intervals [CI]=1.05-1.96, p=0.02). Moreover, the frequency of ATTG1/ATTG2+ATTG1/ATTG1 genotypes was significantly elevated in the cases compared to the controls (OR=1.38, 95% CI=1.03-1.85, p=0.03). These findings suggest that the -94 insertion/deletion ATTG polymorphism in the NFKB1 promoter might be associated with an increased risk of PTC.

A functional 12T-insertion polymorphism in the ATP1A1 promoter confers decreased susceptibility to hypertension in a male Sardinian population

Identification of susceptibility genes for essential hypertension in humans has been a challenge due to its multifactorial pathogenesis complicated by gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, developmental programing and sex specific differences. These concurrent features make identification of causal hypertension susceptibility genes with a single approach difficult, thus requiring multiple lines of evidence involving genetic, biochemical and biological experimentation to establish causal functional mutations. Here we report experimental evidence encompassing genetic, biochemical and in vivo modeling that altogether support ATP1A1 as a hypertension susceptibility gene in males in Sardinia, Italy. ATP1A1 encodes the α1Na,K-ATPase isoform, the sole sodium pump in vascular endothelial and renal tubular epithelial cells. DNA-sequencing detected a 12-nucleotide long thymidine (12T) insertion(ins)/deletion(del) polymorphism within a poly-T sequence (38T vs 26T) in the ATP1A1 5’-regulatory region associated with hypertension in a male Sardinian population. The 12T-insertion allele confers decreased susceptibility to hypertension (P = 0.035; OR = 0.50 [0.28–0.93]) accounting for 12.1 mmHg decrease in systolic BP (P = 0.02) and 6.6 mmHg in diastolic BP (P = 0.046). The ATP1A1 promoter containing the 12T-insertion exhibited decreased transcriptional activity in in vitro reporter-assay systems, indicating decreased α1Na,K-ATPase expression with the 12T-insertion, compared with the 12T-deletion ATP1A1 promoter. To test the effects of decreased α1Na,K-ATPase expression on blood pressure, we measured blood pressure by radiotelemetry in three month-old, highly inbred heterozygous knockout ATP1A1+/− male mice with resultant 58% reduction in ATP1A1 protein levels. Male ATP1A1+/− mice showed significantly lower blood pressure (P < 0.03) than age-matched male wild-type littermate controls. Concordantly, lower ATP1A1 expression is expected to lower Na-reabsorption in the kidney thereby decreasing sodium-associated risk for hypertension and sodium-induced endothelial stiffness and dysfunction. Altogether, data support ATP1A1 as a hypertension susceptibility gene in a male Sardinian population, and mandate further investigation of its involvement in hypertension in the general population.

Interaction of PTPRO and TLR4 signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma

Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type O (PTPRO) has been identified as a tumor suppressor in a number of cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays diverse roles in HCC tumorigenesis and progression. The association between PTPRO and TLR4 signaling in HCC remains largely unknown. We aimed to clarify the interaction between PTPRO and TLR4 in HCC. Surprisingly, we found reduced and positive-related expression of TLR4 and PTPRO in 84 human HCC specimens. Increased TLR4 expression and activity was found in PTPRO-overexpressed HCC cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The feedback regulation of PTPRO and TLR4 was dependent on nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, as suggested by NF-κB inhibition and luciferase reporter assay. Our study suggests that the effect of PTPRO on TLR4 signaling is dependent on NF-κB pathway, suggesting an interesting PTPRO/TLR4/NF-κB signaling feedback loop in HCC carcinogenesis and progression.

Association between the NFKB1-94ins/del ATTG polymorphism and cancer risk: an updated meta-analysis

To assess the effect of the NFKB1 -94ins/del polymorphism on cancer, we conducted a meta-analysis based on 25 studies including 8,750 cases and 9,170 controls. Overall, the -94ins/del polymorphism was associated with cancer risk in the pooled analysis and in Asian population, whereas no association was observed in Caucasian population. Stratified analysis by subtypes of cancer showed that the -94ins/del polymorphism was associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma and ovarian cancer risk, but had no association with colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, and renal cell cancer. Our meta-analysis suggests the NFKB1 -94ins/del polymorphism affects cancer susceptibility, and the association is ethnic-specific.

Association between NFKB1 -94ins/del ATTG Promoter Polymorphism and Cancer Susceptibility: An Updated Meta-Analysis

Nuclear factor-κB is associated with the pathogenesis of numerous malignancies, and the functional polymorphism −94ins/del ATTG (rs28362491) in the human NFKB1 gene is associated with cancer risk. Previous studies on the association between the −94ins/del ATTG polymorphism and cancer risk reported conflicting results. To clarify this relationship, we performed a meta-analysis of 21 case-control studies involving 6127 cases and 9238 controls. We used pooled odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to assess the association. We found that the NFKB1 promoter −94ins/del ATTG polymorphism was significantly associated with cancer risk in four genetic models (ins/ins versus del/del, OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.11–1.93; dominant model, OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.03–1.53; recessive model, OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.05–1.51; ins allele versus del allele, OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.05–1.35). Stratified analyses revealed a significant association between the polymorphism and ovarian, oral, and prostate cancers. Similar results were determined in an Asian population and not in a Caucasian population. Thus, our results suggested that the polymorphism can contribute to cancer risk. Moreover, the polymorphism can exert race- and cancer-specific effects on cancer risk. Further large-scale and functional studies are necessary to elucidate this possible effect.

NFKB1 -94 insertion/deletion polymorphism and cancer risk: a meta-analysis

Previous studies on the associations of the NFKB1 -94 insertion/deletion polymorphism with cancer risk have produced conflicting results. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to define the effect of the NFKB1 -94 insertion/deletion polymorphism on cancer risk. A search of the literature by PubMed was performed to identify studies based on the predetermined inclusion criteria. Twenty-three studies consisting of 6,494 cases and 9,884 controls were identified and analyzed. Overall, significant association was observed between the polymorphism and cancer risk under all genetic models. Subgroup analysis according to ethnicity and cancer type also detected significant association. The NFKB1 -94 insertion/deletion polymorphism was associated with cancer risk in Asian population (dominant model: OR=1.52, 95 % CI=1.17-1.98; recessive model: OR=1.50, 95 % CI=1.26-1.79; II vs. DD: OR=1.90, 95 % CI=1.37-2.65; ID vs. DD: OR=1.32, 95 % CI=1.05-1.66; I vs. D: OR=1.37, 95 % CI=1.17-1.60), but not in Caucasian population. In addition, significant associations in OC, HCC, and OSCC were observed, but significant associations were not found in BC and LC. The current meta-analysis suggested that NFKB1 -94 insertion/deletion polymorphism may influence cancer risk in Asian population.