Association between CD14 gene polymorphisms and cancer risk: a meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2014;9:e100122. [PMID: 24978812 PMCID: PMC4076245 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100122]

IL-18 and CD14 variants in chronic HBV predisposition: a case-control study with in silico analyses focused on transcription and splicing

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a vaccine-avoidable infection, is a health concern worldwide, leading to liver disorders such as acute self-constraint and chronic hepatitis, liver failure, hepatic cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma if untreated. 'Immunogeneticprofiling', genetic variations of the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines responsible for regulating the immune responses, cause person-to-person differences and impact the clinical manifestation of the disease. The current experimental-bioinformatics research was conducted to examine whether promoteric IL-18-rs187238 C > G and -rs1946518 T > G and intronic CD14-rs2569190 A > G variations are associated with chronic HBV. A total of 400 individuals (200 in each case and control group) participated in the study and were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. The data was also assessed bioinformatics-wise for conservation, genomic transcription and splicing, and protein interactions. Findings proposed that unlike the IL-18-rs1946518 T > G and CD14-rs2569190 A > G, the IL-18-rs187238 C > G is a protector against chronic HBV (odds ratio [OR] = 0.62, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.46-0.83, and p = 0.002). The TG/CC/AA, TG/CC/AG, TT/CC/AG, and GG/CC/AA combined genotypes significantly increased chronic HBV risk (p < 0.05), while the IL-18 G/T and G/G haplotypes lessened it (p < 0.05). Moreover, IL-18-rs1946518 T > G is in the protected genomic regions across mammalian species. In contrast to the IL-18-rs1946518 T > G, IL-18-rs187238 C > G is likely to create novel binding sites for transcription factors, and the CD14-rs2569190 A > G presumably changed the ribonucleic acid splicing pattern. More research on larger populations and other ethnicities is required to authenticate these results.

Role of CD14 in human disease

The cell surface antigen CD14 is primarily understood to act as a co-receptor for toll-like receptors (TLRs) to activate innate immunity responses to pathogens and tissue injury in macrophages and monocytes. However, roles for CD14 are increasingly being uncovered in disease responses in epithelial and endothelial cells. Consistent with these broader functions, CD14 expression is altered in a variety of non-immune cell types in response to a several of disease states. Moreover, soluble CD14 activated by factors from both pathogens and tissue damage may initiate signalling in a variety of non-immune cells. This review examined the current understanding CD14 in innate immunity as well as its potential functions in nonimmune cells and associated human diseases.

Systematic Construction and Validation of a Novel Macrophage Differentiation–Associated Prognostic Model for Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a malignant tumor of the human urinary system. Macrophage differentiation is associated with tumorigenesis. Therefore, exploring the prognostic value of macrophage differentiation–associated genes (MDGs) may contribute to better clinical management of ccRCC patients.

Methods: The RNA sequence data of ccRCC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differentially expressed MDGs were unveiled in ccRCC and normal samples. The prognostic model was established according to the univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. By combining clinico-pathological features and prognostic genes, a nomogram was established to predict individual survival probability. The Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database was utilized to analyze the correlation between prognostic genes and immune infiltrating cells. Eventually, the mRNA and protein expression levels of prognostic genes were verified.

Results: A total of 52 differentially expressed prognosis-related MDGs were identified in ccRCC. Afterward, a six-gene prognostic model (ABCG1, KDF1, KITLG, TGFA, HAVCR2, and CD14) was constructed through the Cox analysis. The overall survival in the high-risk group was relatively poor. Moreover, the risk score was identified as an independent prognostic factor. We constructed a prognostic nomogram with a well-fitted calibration curve based on risk score and clinical data. Furthermore, the prognostic genes were significantly related to the level of immune cell infiltration including B cells, CD8+T cells, CD4+T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Finally, the mRNA expression of prognostic genes in clinical ccRCC tissues showed that the ABCG1, HAVCR2, CD14, and TGFA mRNA in tumor samples were increased compared with the adjacent control tissue samples, while KDF1 and KITLG were decreased, which was consistent with the verification results in the GSE53757.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this study identified and validated a macrophage differentiation–associated prognostic model for ccRCC that could be used to predict the outcomes of the ccRCC patients.

Interdisciplinary insights into the link between gut microbiome and gastric carcinogenesis-what is currently known?

Currently, gastric cancer is one of the leading death-related cancer globally. The etiopathogenesis of gastric cancer is multifactorial and includes among others dysbiotic alterations of gastric microbiota. Molecular techniques revealed that stomach is not a sterile organ and it is resides with ecosystem of microbes. Due to the fact that the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in development of gastric cancer is established and well-studied, this paper is mainly focused on the role of other bacterial as well as viral and fungal gut microbiota imbalance in gastric carcinogenesis. Notably, not only the composition of gastric microbiota may play an important role in development of gastric cancer, but also its activity. Microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, polyamines, N-nitroso compounds, and lactate, may significantly affect gastric carcinogenesis. Therefore, this paper discussed aforementioned aspects with the interdisciplinary insights (regarding also immunological point of view) into the association between gut microbiome and gastric carcinogenesis based on up-to-date studies.

Association of polymorphisms in TP53 and the promoter region of IL10 with gastric cancer in a Kazakh population

The emerging evidence indicates that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 10 (IL10), tumor protein p53 (TP53), and cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) genes may determine individual susceptibility to gastric cancer (GC). We aimed to investigate the associations for polymorphisms of the TNF, IL10, TP53, and CD14 genes in a population of Kazakhs, to identify potential risk or protective associations of the SNPs with GC. A case group of 143 patients hospitalized for GC was enrolled. Controls were 355 volunteers with no history of any cancer and frequency matched with cases by age. Differences in proportions for categorical variables and the assessment of genotypic frequencies conforming to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium law were evaluated by the Chi-square test. Associations between genetic polymorphisms and the risk of GC were estimated by regression analysis. For genetic analysis, three genetic models (additive, dominant, and recessive) were used. Four significant associations were found. The SNPs rs1042522 of TP53 and rs1800896 of IL10 were risk factors for GC by the additive model. Two polymorphisms of IL10 were protective of GC, namely, rs1800872 by additive model and rs1800871 by recessive model. No significant associations were observed between the TNF and CD14 polymorphisms and GC. The polymorphisms TP53 rs1042522 and IL10 rs1800896 are associated with GC risk, while the polymorphisms IL10 rs1800872 and rs1800871 are protective of GC in the population of Kazakhs.

Association of CD14 gene -260C>T and -561C>T polymorphisms with cancer susceptibility: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Two polymorphisms, -260C>T (rs2569190) and -561C>T (rs5744455), in the CD14 gene have been implicated in susceptibility to cancer. However, the results remain inconclusive. The current meta-analysis was carried out aiming to confirm the function of these two polymorphisms on the susceptibility of cancer.

METHODS

We collected eligible studies from databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP (Weipu). We used logistic regression calculation to compute odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

After strict selection, 24 studies with 5854 cases and 10339 controls for -260C>T and seven studies with 1809 cases and 7289 controls for -561C>T were finally enlisted into our analysis reference material. Pool results revealed that neither -260C>T, nor -561C>T was found to have any association with overall cancer susceptibility. Nevertheless, when stratified by cancer type, we detected a decreased risk associated with other cancers in a heterozygous model (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.51-0.93, p = 0.014) and a dominant model (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.53-0.93, p = 0.012) for -561C>T. An increased risk was found in other cancers under an allele model (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.03-1.62, p = 0.026), in laryngeal cancer under a dominant model (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.11-1.71, p = 0.003) and for a score ≤ 9 under a recessive model (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.09-1.91, p = 0.009) for -561C>T.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, we conclude that the CD14 -260C>T and -561C>T polymorphisms might not be associated with overall cancer risk. Further studies are encouraged to confirm this conclusion.

Genetic Polymorphisms in Inflammatory and Other Regulators in Gastric Cancer: Risks and Clinical Consequences

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with the development of a chronic inflammatory response, which may induce peptic ulcers, gastric cancer (GC), and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Chronic H. pylori infection promotes the genetic instability of gastric epithelial cells and interferes with the DNA repair systems in host cells. Colonization of the stomach with H. pylori is an important cause of non-cardia GC and gastric MALT lymphoma. The reduction of GC development in patients who underwent anti-H. pylori eradication schemes has also been well described. Individual susceptibility to GC development depends on the host's genetic predisposition, H. pylori virulence factors, environmental conditions, and geographical determinants. Biological determinants are urgently sought to predict the clinical course of infection in individuals with confirmed H. pylori infection. Possible candidates for such biomarkers include genetic aberrations such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) found in various cytokines/growth factors (e.g., IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A/B, IFN-γ, TNF, TGF-β) and their receptors (IL-RN, TGFR), innate immunity receptors (TLR2, TLR4, CD14, NOD1, NOD2), enzymes involved in signal transduction cascades (PLCE1, PKLR, PRKAA1) as well as glycoproteins (MUC1, PSCA), and DNA repair enzymes (ERCC2, XRCC1, XRCC3). Bacterial determinants related to GC development include infection with CagA-positive (particularly with a high number of EPIYA-C phosphorylation motifs) and VacA-positive isolates (in particular s1/m1 allele strains). The combined genotyping of bacterial and host determinants suggests that the accumulation of polymorphisms favoring host and bacterial features increases the risk for precancerous and cancerous lesions in patients.

Genetic polymorphisms and gastric cancer risk: a comprehensive review synopsis from meta-analysis and genome-wide association studies

Objective

In the past few decades, more than 500 reports have been published on the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on candidate genes and gastric cancer (GC) risk. Previous findings have been disputed and are controversial. Therefore, we performed this article to summarize and assess the credibility and strength of genetic polymorphisms on the risk of GC.

Methods

We used Web of Science, PubMed, and Medline to identify meta-analyses published before July 30th, 2018 that assessed associations between variants on candidate genes and the risk of GC. Cumulative epidemiological evidence of statistical associations was assessed combining Venice criteria and a false-positive report probability (FPRP) test.

Results

Sixty-one variants demonstrated a significant association with GC risk, whereas 29 demonstrated no association. Nine variants on nine genes were rated as presenting strong cumulative epidemiological evidence for a nominally significant association with GC risk, including APE1 (rs1760944), DNMT1 (rs16999593), ERCC5 (rs751402), GSTT1 (null/presence), MDM2 (rs2278744), PPARG (rs1801282), TLR4 (rs4986790), IL-17F (rs763780), and CASP8 (rs3834129). Eleven SNPs were rated as moderate, and 33 SNPs were rated as weak. We also used the FPRP test to identify 13 noteworthy SNPs in five genome-wide association studies.

Conclusions

Sixty-one variants are significantly associated with GC risk, and 29 variants are not associated with GC risk; however, five variants on five genes presented strong evidence for an association upgraded from moderate. Further study of these variants may be needed in the future. Our study also provides referenced information for the genetic predisposition to GC.

Exposure-response relationship of ramucirumab in East Asian patients from RAINBOW: a randomized clinical trial in second-line treatment of gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Ramucirumab is a recombinant human IgG1 neutralizing monoclonal antibody specific for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2. Second-line ramucirumab, in conjunction with paclitaxel (ramucirumab 8 mg/kg or placebo in combination with 80 mg/m2 paclitaxel), has been shown to be effective and safe in patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma in RAINBOW, a global phase III randomized clinical trial. We conducted an exploratory exposure-response analysis of efficacy and safety of ramucirumab in East Asian patients from the RAINBOW trial.

METHODS

Using sparse pharmacokinetic samples collected in the RAINBOW trial, a population pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted to predict ramucirumab minimum trough concentration at steady state (C min,ss) using a nonlinear mixed-effect modeling approach. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses were conducted to evaluate ramucirumab exposure (C min,ss) and efficacy relationship by overall survival and progression-free survival. Exposure-safety relationships were assessed descriptively.

RESULTS

Two hundred and twenty-two East Asian patients were included in this exposure-response analysis. Higher ramucirumab C min,ss was associated with longer overall survival (p = 0.0115) and progression-free survival (p = 0.0179) in this patient cohort. Patients with higher ramucirumab C min,ss (≥56.87 ng/ml median) had higher incidences of grade ≥3 leukopenia and neutropenia, but not febrile neutropenia or hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

This exploratory analysis suggests a positive relationship between efficacy and ramucirumab exposure with manageable toxicities in East Asian patients from RAINBOW, consistent with the overall exposure-response analysis from this trial. A regimen with a higher dosage of ramucirumab warrants further consideration for East Asian patients with gastric/GEJ cancer.

Host pathogen interactions in Helicobacter pylori related gastric cancer

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), discovered in 1982, is a microaerophilic, spiral-shaped gram-negative bacterium that is able to colonize the human stomach. Nearly half of the world's population is infected by this pathogen. Its ability to induce gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma has been confirmed. The susceptibility of an individual to these clinical outcomes is multifactorial and depends on H. pylori virulence, environmental factors, the genetic susceptibility of the host and the reactivity of the host immune system. Despite the host immune response, H. pylori infection can be difficult to eradicate. H. pylori is categorized as a group I carcinogen since this bacterium is responsible for the highest rate of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Early detection of cancer can be lifesaving. The 5-year survival rate for gastric cancer patients diagnosed in the early stages is nearly 90%. Gastric cancer is asymptomatic in the early stages but always progresses over time and begins to cause symptoms when untreated. In 97% of stomach cancer cases, cancer cells metastasize to other organs. H. pylori infection is responsible for nearly 60% of the intestinal-type gastric cancer cases but also influences the development of diffuse gastric cancer. The host genetic susceptibility depends on polymorphisms of genes involved in H. pylori-related inflammation and the cytokine response of gastric epithelial and immune cells. H. pylori strains differ in their ability to induce a deleterious inflammatory response. H. pylori-driven cytokines accelerate the inflammatory response and promote malignancy. Chronic H. pylori infection induces genetic instability in gastric epithelial cells and affects the DNA damage repair systems. Therefore, H. pylori infection should always be considered a pro-cancerous factor.

Association between CD14 SNP -159 C/T and gastric cancer: an independent case-control study and an updated meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The association between CD14 -159C/T polymorphism and the susceptibility to gastric cancer (GC) has been reported. However, the results were inconclusive. In the present study, a case-control study and a meta-analysis were performed to assess the possible association between -159C/T in the CD14 gene and GC risk.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Relevant studies were searched in several databases including PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database, and Wanfang database (last search was performed on December 30, 2015). In addition, a case-control study involving 164 GC cases and 169 controls was also performed in the analysis. Statistical analysis was performed by the software Revman5.3.

RESULTS

A total of ten published studies and the present case-control study involving 2,844 GC and 3,983 controls were included for the meta-analysis. The analysis result indicated that the T allele of CD14 -159C/T polymorphism did not confer risk for GC (in our study: [P=0.93]; in the meta-analysis: T vs 2N odds ratio =1.28 and 95% confidence interval (CI) =0.95-1.24, [P=0.24]). However, we found a significant association in the recessive model (in our study: TT vs TC+CC [P=0.04]; in the meta-analysis: TT vs TC+CC odds ratio =1.12 and 95% CI =1.01-1.26, [P=0.04]). Furthermore, a subgroup analysis by ethnicity showed that TT genotype was significantly associated with GC in Asian (odds ratio =1.17 and 95% CI =1.02-1.34, [P=0.02]) but not in Caucasian.

CONCLUSION

Our results highlight the TT genotype of CD14 -159C/T as a genetic susceptibility factor for gastric cancer, particularly, in Asians and population-based controls.

Association between matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 polymorphisms and endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2)-735C/T and MMP-9-1562C/T polymorphisms have been indicated in the predisposition to endometriosis. However, due to the small sample sizes of previous studies, the results remain inconclusive. The present meta-analysis was conducted to detect the association between the two genetic polymorphisms and the risk of endometriosis by pooling all the available data. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and CNKI, were searched comprehensively for studies examining a link between MMP-2 and MMP-9 polymorphisms and endometriosis. The strength of the association was assessed based on the pooled odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval, which was calculated using either the fixed- or random-effect model. Following the inclusion criteria, 6 case-control studies were included. The total number of participants was 2,486 (558 cases and 797 controls concerning the MMP-9-1562C/T polymorphism, and 525 cases and 606 controls concerning the MMP-2-735C/T polymorphism). No significant association was identified between the MMP-2-735C/T or MMP-9-1562C/T polymorphism and endometriosis. In further stratified analysis, no significant association was identified between the MMP-9-1562C/T polymorphism and endometriosis. The present meta-analysis revealed no association between the MMP-2-735C/T and MMP-9-1562C/T polymorphisms and the risk of developing endometriosis. Considering the limitations of the meta-analysis, well-designed studies with larger sample sizes are required.

Lack of association between CD14-159 C/T polymorphism and acute pancreatitis: a meta-analysis

The CD14-159 C/T polymorphism has been implicated in susceptibility to acute pancreatitis (AP), but the results were inconclusive. The present meta-analysis aimed to explore the correlation between CD14-159 C/T polymorphism and AP risk. All eligible case-control studies published up to November 10th, 2014 were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and WanFang databases. Two reviewers independently identified the literature according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 and Stata 12.0 software. A total of five studies comprising 1211 cases and 932 controls were included. Overall, no significant association between CD14-159 C/T polymorphism and AP risk was found under all four genetic models [CT + TT vs CC: OR = 1.09, 95% CI (0.91, 1.31); TT vs CT + CC: OR = 1.04, 95% CI (0.83, 1.29); CT vs CC: OR = 1.08, 95% CI (0.89, 1.32); TT vs CC: OR = 1.15, 95% CI (0.88, 1.49)]; In stratification analysis by disease severity, we also failed to detect any association between CD14-159C/T polymorphism and the risk of mild AP (MAP) or severe AP (SAP); In subgroup analysis by ethnicity, similar results were observed in Asian and European populations. This meta-analysis suggested that the CD14-159C/T polymorphism is not associated with the susceptibility of acute pancreatitis.