K121Q polymorphism in the Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase/Phosphodiesterase 1 gene is associated with acute kidney rejection

Correlation Between ENPP1 Gene rs1044498 Polymorphism with the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-analysis

As a common metabolic disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is regulated by the ectoenzyme nucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1). A functional polymorphism of ENPP1 (rs1044498, K121Q) has been found to contribute to T2DM susceptibility. This study aims to analyze the combined association of ENPP1 rs1044498 polymorphism with T2DM risk. We searched for publications in Embase, Medline, EBSCO, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases from January 2010 to December 2023. Pooled association strength was analyzed using either a random-effects or fixed-effects model, and expressed as combined odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Data analysis was performed by STAT 12.0. Due to high heterogeneity, a random-effects model was used for the calculation. In the total population, ENPP1 rs1044498 was evidently related to an increased susceptibility to T2DM under the following models: Q vs. K (OR = 1.405, 95% CI = 1.059-1.863), KQ + QQ vs. KK (OR = 1.475, 95% CI = 1.075-2.023), QQ vs. KK + KQ (OR = 2.355, 95% CI = 1.302-4.262), QQ vs. KK (OR = 3.096, 95% CI = 1.393-6.882) and KQ vs. KK (OR = 1.399, 95% CI = 1.038-1.885). In ethnic subgroups, rs1044498 was associated with T2DM risk in Asians under the following models: Q vs. K (OR = 1.480, 95% CI = 1.017-2.154), KQ + QQ vs. KK (OR = 1.578, 95% CI = 1.047-2.379), QQ vs. KK+ KQ (OR = 3.709, 95% CI = 1.727-7.967), QQ vs. KK (OR = 5.049, 95% CI = 1.784-16.397) and KQ vs. KK (OR = 1.478, 95% CI = 1.008-2.167). The distinct association between rs1044498 and T2DM risk was discovered in the diagnostic criteria not shown subgroup and plasma subgroup. This study demonstrated high sensitivity with minimal publication bias. The ENPP1 121Q allele is a risk factor for T2DM, particularly in the Asian population.

Conversion of extracellular ATP into adenosine: a master switch in renal health and disease

ATP and its ultimate degradation product adenosine are potent extracellular signalling molecules that elicit a variety of pathophysiological functions in the kidney through the activation of P2 and P1 purinergic receptors, respectively. Extracellular purines can modulate immune responses, balancing inflammatory processes and immunosuppression; indeed, alterations in extracellular nucleotide and adenosine signalling determine outcomes of inflammation and healing processes. The functional activities of ectonucleotidases such as CD39 and CD73, which hydrolyse pro-inflammatory ATP to generate immunosuppressive adenosine, are therefore pivotal in acute inflammation. Protracted inflammation may result in aberrant adenosinergic signalling, which serves to sustain inflammasome activation and worsen fibrotic reactions. Alterations in the expression of ectonucleotidases on various immune cells, such as regulatory T cells and macrophages, as well as components of the renal vasculature, control purinergic receptor-mediated effects on target tissues within the kidney. The role of CD39 as a rheostat that can have an impact on purinergic signalling in both acute and chronic inflammation is increasingly supported by the literature, as detailed in this Review. Better understanding of these purinergic processes and development of novel drugs targeting these pathways could lead to effective therapies for the management of acute and chronic kidney disease.