The rs12526453 Polymorphism in an Intron of the PHACTR1 Gene and Its Association with 5-Year Mortality of Patients with Myocardial Infarction

Rabeprazole inhibits inflammatory reaction by inhibition of cell pyroptosis in gastric epithelial cells

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common pathogen in development of peptic ulcers with pyroptosis. Rabeprazole, a critical component of standard triple therapy, has been widely used as the first-line regimen for H. pylori infectious treatment. The aim of this study to explore the function of Rabeprazole on cell pyroptosis in vitro.

Methods

The clinical sample from patients diagnosed with or without H. pylori-infection were collected to analyze by Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), western blot (WB) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) were performed to analyze the effect of Rabeprazole on cell pyroptosis, including LDH, IL-1β and IL-18.

Results

In this study, we showed that Rabeprazole regulated a phenomenon of cell pyroptosis as confirmed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. Further results showed that Rabeprazole inhibited cell pyroptosis in gastric epithelial cells by alleviating GSDMD-executed pyroptosis, leading to decrease IL-1β and IL-18 mature and secretion, which is attributed to NLRP3 inflammasome activation inhibition. Further analysis showed that ASC, NLRP3 and Caspase-1, was significantly repressed in response to Rabeprazole stimulation, resulting in decreasing cleaved-caspase-1 expression. Most important, NLRP3 and GSDMD is significantly increased in gastric tissue of patients with H. pylori infection.

Conclusion

These findings revealed a critical role of Rabeprazole in cell pyroptosis in patients with H. pylori infection, suggesting that targeting cell pyroptosis is an alternative strategy in improving H. pylori treatment.

A Study of Associations Between rs9349379 (PHACTR1), rs2891168 (CDKN2B-AS), rs11838776 (COL4A2) and rs4880 (SOD2) Polymorphic Variants and Coronary Artery Disease in Iranian Population

Recent genome-wide association studies reported the association of polymorphic alleles of PHACTR1 (rs9349379 (G)), CDDKN2B-AS1 (rs2891168 (G)), COL4A2 (rs11838776 (A)) and SOD2 (rs4880 (T)) with increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of our study was to assess the association of genetic variants with risk of CAD and its severity and in Southeast Iranian population. This study was examined in 250 CAD-suspected patients (mean age 53.49 ± 6.9 years) and 250 healthy individuals (mean age 52.96 ± 5.9 years). The Taqman SNP genotyping assay was used for genotyping of rs9349379 and rs2891168 variants. Tetra-primer Amplified refractory mutation system-PCR (Tetra-primer ARMS-PCR) was employed for rs11838776 and rs4880. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that the G allele of rs9349379 and rs2891168 were associated with increased risk of CAD. The GG homozygous genotype of rs9349379 and rs2891168 had also been associated with risk of CAD. Additionally, the AG genotype of rs2891168 was associated with CAD. The significance of association of rs2891168 (G, GG, AG) increases with severity of CAD; but the rs9349379 (G, GG) have shown reverse association with severity of CAD. The genetic variants of COL4A2 (rs11838776) and SOD2 (rs4880) reflected no association with CAD in Southeast Iranian population. The findings of this study revealed that the PHACTR1 (rs9349379) and CDKN2B-AS1 (rs2891168) genetic variants might serve as genetic risk factor in CAD.

Roles of endothelial lipase gene related single nucleotide polymorphisms in patients with coronary artery disease

The current work focused on evaluating the roles of endothelial lipase gene (LIPG) related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study involved 1,883 subjects with 959 CAD patients and 924 healthy controls. Data were harvested to assess the association of LIPG related SNPs including rs3744841, rs3744843, rs3813082 and rs2000813 with the risk of CAD. The CC + AC genotype in rs3813082 played a protective role for CAD [odds ratio (OR) = 0.709, P = 0.039]. Differences existed in apolipoprotein-A1 (Apo-A1) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in rs3744843 variant between control and CAD groups. The rs3744841 variant increased the levels of total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), Apo-A1 and Lipoprotein a (LPa) in the CAD group and TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, Apo-B, Apo-A1 in the control group. The triglyceride (TG) level was lower in rs2000813 variant in the CAD group and elevated in the control group. The rs2000813 variant decreased the number of vascular stenosis while rs3744843 and rs3744841 variants increased the number of vascular stenosis in CAD patients. This study explored the roles of LIPG related SNPs in CAD, showing that CC + AC genotype in rs3813082 was a protective factor for CAD. The rs3744843, rs3744841 and rs2000813 variants were associated with the levels of lipid parameters in CAD patients. The rs3744843, rs3744841 and rs2000813 variants influenced the number of vascular stenosis in CAD patients. The results of our study might be a promising reference for preventing CAD.

Associations between PHACTR1 gene polymorphisms and pulse pressure in Chinese Han population

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) in Chinese twins was performed to explore associations between genes and pulse pressure (PP) in 2012, and detected a suggestive association in the phosphatase and actin regulator 1 (PHACTR1) gene on chromosome 6p24.1 (rs1223397, P=1.04e⁻⁰⁷). The purpose of the present study was to investigate associations of PHACTR1 gene polymorphisms with PP in a Chinese population. We recruited 347 subjects with PP ≥ 65 mmHg as cases and 359 subjects with 30 ≤ PP ≤ 45 mmHg as controls. Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PHACTR1 gene were genotyped. Logistic regression was performed to explore associations between SNPs and PP in codominant, additive, dominant, recessive and overdominant models. The Pearson’s χ² test was applied to assess the relationships of haplotypes and PP. The A allele of rs9349379 had a positive effect on high PP. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that rs9349379 was significantly related to high PP in codominant [AA vs GG, 2.255 (1.132–4.492)], additive [GG vs GA vs AA, 1.368 (1.049–1.783)] and recessive [AA vs GA + GG, 2.062 (1.051–4.045)] models. The positive association between rs499818 and high PP was significant in codominant [AA vs GG, 3.483 (1.044–11.613)] and recessive [AA vs GG + GA, 3.716 (1.119–12.339)] models. No significant association of haplotypes with PP was detected. There was no significant interaction between six SNPs without strong linkage. In conclusion, the present study presents that rs9349379 and rs499818 in the PHACTR1 gene were significantly associated with PP in Chinese population. Future research should be conducted to confirm them.

Importance of Thyroid Hormone level and Genetic Variations in Deiodinases for Patients after Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Longitudinal Observational Study

This study aimed to examine the influence of thyroid hormone (TH) levels and genetic polymorphisms of deiodinases on long-term outcomes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In total, 290 patients who have experienced AMI were evaluated for demographic, clinical characteristics, risk factors, TH and NT-pro-BNP. Polymorphisms of TH related genes were included deiodinase 1 (DIO1) (rs11206244-C/T, rs12095080-A/G, rs2235544-A/C), deiodinase 2 (DIO2) (rs225015-G/A, rs225014-T/C) and deiodinase 3 (DIO3) (rs945006-T/G). Both all-cause and cardiac mortality was considered key outcomes. Cox regression model showed that NT-pro-BNP (HR = 2.11; 95% CI = 1.18– 3.78; p = 0.012), the first quartile of fT3, and DIO1 gene rs12095080 were independent predictors of cardiac-related mortality (HR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.04–2.91; p = 0.034). The DIO1 gene rs12095080 AG genotype (OR = 3.97; 95% CI = 1.45–10.89; p = 0.005) increased the risk for cardiac mortality. Lower fT3 levels and the DIO1 gene rs12095080 are both associated with cardiac-related mortality after AMI.

PHACTR1 gene polymorphism with the risk of coronary artery disease in Chinese Han population

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most frequent multifactorial disease worldwide and is characterised by endothelial injury, lipid deposition and coronary artery calcification. The purpose of this study was to determine the allelic and genotypic frequencies of two loci (rs2026458 and rs9349379) of phosphatase and actin regulator 1 (PHACTR1) to the risk of developing CAD in the Chinese Han population.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted including 332 patients with CAD and 119 controls. Genotype analysis was performed by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Genetic model analysis was performed to evaluate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms and CAD susceptibility using Pearson's χ² test and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The GG genotype of rs9349379 represented 50% and 29% of patients with CAD and controls, respectively (p<0.001). The CC genotype of rs2026458 was more prevalent in the controls than in patients with CAD compared with TT genotype (OR=0.548, 95% CI 0.351 to 0.856, p=0.008). Logistic regression analyses revealed that PHACTR1 rs9349379 GG genotype was significantly associated with increased risk of CAD in the recessive model (OR=2.359, 95% CI 1.442 to 3.862, p=0.001), even after adjusting for age gender, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and smoking habit. Heterogeneity test proved that rs9349379's risk effects on CAD were more significant among women.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicate that the PHACTR1 rs9349379 polymorphism is associated with the increased risk for CAD in the female Chinese Han population.

Phosphatase Actin Regulator-1 (PHACTR-1) Knockdown Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Migration and Promotes Cell Apoptosis in the bEnd.3 Mouse Brain Capillary Endothelial Cell Line

Background

The phosphatase actin regulator-1 (PHACTR-1) gene on chromosome 6 encodes an actin and protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) binding protein, Phactr-1, which is highly expressed in brain tissues. Phactr-1 expression is involved in physiological and pathological cerebral microvascular events. This study aimed to investigate the role of expression of Phactr-1 in a mouse brain capillary endothelial cell line, bEnd.3, by knockdown the PHACTR-1 gene.

Material/Methods

Three bEnd.3 cell groups were studied, CON (normal control cells), NC (control scramble transfected cells), and KD (cells with PHACTR-1 gene knockdown). The PHACTR-1 gene was knocked down using transfection with small hairpin RNA (shRNA). In the three cell groups cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were studied by MTT and colony formation assays, transwell and scratch assays, and flow cytometry. The related cell pathways of associated with Phactr-1 knockdown were studied by Western blot.

Results

Phactr-1 knockdown suppressed bEnd.3 cell proliferation and migration, promoted cell apoptosis, and downregulated the expressions of migration-associated proteins, including matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 and upregulated apoptosis-associated proteins, including Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, and caspase-3.

Conclusions

Phactr-1 was shown to have a role in the inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation and migration, promoted cell apoptosis, and regulated matrix metalloproteinases and apoptosis-associated proteins. These findings indicate that the expression of the Phactr-1 should be studied further in the cerebral microvasculature, both in vitro and in vivo, regarding its potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for cerebral microvascular disease.

Regulatory SNPs and their widespread effects on the transcriptome

Currently, it is generally accepted that the cis-acting effects of noncoding variants on gene expression are a major factor for phenotypic variation in complex traits and disease susceptibility. Meanwhile, the protein products of many target genes for the identified cis-regulatory variants (rSNPs) are regulatory molecules themselves (transcription factors, effectors, components of signal transduction pathways, etc.), which implies dramatic downstream effects of these variations on complex gene networks. Here, we brief the results of recent most comprehensive studies on the role of rSNPs in transcriptional regulation across the genome.

PHACTR1 regulates oxidative stress and inflammation to coronary artery endothelial cells via interaction with NF-κB/p65

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Genome-wide association studies have showed that genetic variants in phosphatase and actin regulator 1 (PHACTR1) are associated with coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. However, the underlying mechanism of PHACTR1 in atherosclerosis remains unknown.

METHODS

Immunoblots were performed to evaluate the expression of PHACTR1 and phosphorylation of NF-κB signaling. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) labeled with DCFH-DA were assessed by flow cytometry. Fluorescence microscope was used to detect the translocation of p65 in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HACECs). Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to determine the interaction of PHACTR1 with MRTF-A.

RESULTS

The mRNA and protein levels of PHACTR1 were markedly increased in carotid plaquescompared with normal carotid arteries. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that PHACTR1 was constitutively expressed in endothelial cells in carotid plaques. Knockdown of PHACTR1 reduced excessive ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and VE-cadherin expression induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) in HCAECs. Additionally, silencing PHACTR1 alleviated p47phox phosphorylation and intracellular oxidative stress reflected by the reduction of ROS. Molecular experiments revealed that knockdown of PHACTR1 attenuated NF-κB activity without affecting IκBα and IKKα/β phosphorylation. In contrast, nuclear translation of p65 was blocked by depletion of PHACTR1. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation showed that PHACTR1 interacted with MRTF-A and p65 in HCAECs. Knockdown of MRTF-A suppressed the interaction of PHACTR1 with p65, subsequently blocking the nuclear translocation of p65.

CONCLUSIONS

Our finding suggest that silencing PHACTR1 alleviates the nuclear accumulation of p65 and NF-κB via interaction with MRTF-A, ensuing attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation in HCAECs.

Possible role of intronic polymorphisms in the PHACTR1 gene on the development of cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a complex multifactorial and polygenetic disease in which the interaction of numerous genes, genetic variants, and environmental factors plays a major role in its development. In an attempt to demonstrate the association between certain genetic variants and CVD, researchers have run large genomic wild association studies (GWAS) in recent decades. These studies have correlated several genomic variants with the presence of CVD. Recently, certain polymorphisms in the phosphatase and actin regulator 1 (PHACTR1) gene have been shown to be associated with CVD (i.e., coronary artery disease, coronary artery calcification, early onset myocardial infarction, cervical artery dissection and hypertension) in different ethnic groups. It is important to state that all of the described PHACTR1 genetic variants associated with CVD are located in non-translating gene regions known as introns. Thus, the purpose of this article is to hypothesize the effect of certain intronic polymorphisms in the PHACTR1 gene on pathological processes in the cardiovascular system. In addition, we present compelling evidence that supports this hypothesis as well as a methodology that could be used to assess the allelic effect using in vitro and in vivo models, which will ultimately demonstrate the pathophysiological contribution of PHACTR1 intronic polymorphisms to the development of CVD.

Associations of Rs3744841 and Rs3744843 Polymorphisms in Endothelial Lipase Gene with Risk of Coronary Artery Disease and Lipid Levels in a Chinese Population

Objective

The aim of the present study was to assess the association between the 2037T/C and 2237G/A polymorphisms in the EL gene and the risk of CAD and lipid levels in a Chinese population.

Methods

A case-control study including 706 patients with CAD and 315 controls was performed. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used to identify the genotypes.

Results

The EL 2037 T/C polymorphism was associated with CAD risk and HDL-C levels. No significant differences were found between the EL 2237 G/A genotypes and CAD risk and lipid levels in the whole population. However, carriers of the 2237 A allele had higher Apo A1 levels than those with the 2237 GG genotype and in the CAD subgroup (P = 0.044). The CAD cases have a significantly lower frequency of the C-G haplotypes than the controls, and the T-A haplotype was significantly more common in the CAD patients than in the controls.

Conclusions

Our study concluded that the EL 2037 T/C polymorphism was associated with CAD risk and HDL-C levels, and that the C allele might be a protective factor against CAD in the Chinese Han population. In addition, the EL 2237 A allele might be associated with an increased Apo A1 level in CAD subjects.

PHACTR1 Gene Polymorphism Is Associated with Increased Risk of Developing Premature Coronary Artery Disease in Mexican Population

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the protein phosphatase and actin regulator 1 gene (PHACTR1) have been associated with susceptibility to develop several diseases, including cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of two polymorphisms (rs2026458 and rs9349379) of the PHACTR1 gene in the susceptibility to the risk of developing premature coronary artery disease (CAD) in the Mexican population. The genotype analysis was performed using 5’exonuclease TaqMan genotyping assays in a group of 994 patients with premature CAD and 703 controls. A similar genotype distribution of rs2026458 was observed in both groups; however, under an additive model adjusted by age, body mass index, type 2 diabetes mellitus, smoking, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, the rs9349379 G allele was associated with a higher risk for developing premature CAD (odds ratio (OR) = 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03–1.46, p-value (p) = 0.024). The two PHACTR1 polymorphisms were not in linkage disequilibrium. In summary, our results suggest that the PHACTR1 rs9349379 polymorphism plays an important role in the risk of developing premature CAD in the Mexican population.