Role of the rs2274907 allelic variant of the ITLN1 gene in patients with diabetic foot

Single nucleotide variations in the development of diabetic foot ulcer: A narrative review

Diabetes mellitus has become a global health problem, and the number of patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) is rapidly increasing. Currently, DFU still poses great challenges to physicians, as the treatment is complex, with high risks of infection, recurrence, limb amputation, and even death. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of DFU pathogenesis is of great importance. In this review, we summarized recent findings regarding the DFU development from the perspective of single-nucleotide variations (SNVs). Studies have shown that SNVs located in the genes encoding C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, stromal cell-derived factor-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2, sirtuin 1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, heat shock protein 70, hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha, lysyl oxidase, intelectin 1, mitogen-activated protein kinase 14, toll-like receptors, osteoprotegerin, vitamin D receptor, and fibrinogen may be associated with the development of DFU. However, considering the limitations of the present investigations, future multi-center studies with larger sample sizes, as well as in-depth mechanistic research are warranted.

Association between intelectin-1 variation and human kidney stone disease in northeastern Thai population

An interplay of multiple genetic and environmental factors implicates an incidence of human kidney stone disease (KSD). However, the genetic factors associated with KSD are not completely known or understood. To identify KSD-associated genetic variations among the northeastern Thai patients, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted. We initially employed genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) using Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 in 105 patients and in 105 normal control subjects. To overcome the limitation of small sample size, we set forth to analyze SNPs as clusters based on the concept of linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotype. Using this analysis, 29 genes were identified. Three candidate SNPs, including rs2039415, rs2274907, and rs3747515, were selected on the basis of haplotype analysis, potentially functional SNPs, and the functions of associated genes. Further genotyping of these SNPs in a larger sample size (altogether 216 patients and 216 control subjects) showed that the candidate SNP rs2274907 remained significantly different between case and control subjects in both genotype frequencies (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.38-4.30; p = 0.0015) and allele frequencies (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.17-2.03; p = 0.0021). The non-synonymous SNP rs2274907 (c.326T > A) located in exon 4 of the ITLN1 gene results in a substitution of valine (V) by aspartate (D) at position 109 (p.V109D). This substitution could affect the predicted hydrogen (H)-bonds between lysine (K) 107 and glutamine (Q) 104, which supports its association with KSD in this population.

Identification and development of a novel invasion-related gene signature for prognosis prediction in colon adenocarcinoma

The overall survival of metastatic colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) remains poor, so it is important to explore the mechanisms of metastasis and invasion. This study aimed to identify invasion-related genetic markers for prognosis prediction in patients with COAD. Three molecular subtypes (C1, C2, and C3) were obtained based on 97 metastasis-related genes in 365 COAD samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). A total of 983 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified among the different subtypes by using the limma package. A 6-gene signature (ITLN1, HOXD9, TSPAN11, GPRC5B, TIMP1, and CXCL13) was constructed via Lasso-Cox analysis. The signature showed strong robustness and could be used in the training, testing, and external validation (GSE17537) cohorts with stable predictive efficiency. Compared with other published signatures, our model showed better performance in predicting outcomes. Pan-cancer expression analysis results showed that ITLN1, TSPAN11, CXCL13, and GPRC5B were downregulated and TIMP1 was upregulated in most tumor samples, including COAD, which was consistent with the results of the TCGA and GEO cohorts. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed to validate protein expression. Tumor immune infiltration analysis results showed that TSPAN11, GPRC5B, TIMP1, and CXCL13 protein levels were significantly positively correlated with CD4+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Further, the TIMP1 and CXCL13 proteins were significantly related to the tumor immune infiltration of CD8+ T cells. We recommend using our signature as a molecular prognostic classifier to assess the prognostic risk of patients with COAD.

Reply to Comment: Evaluation of the Association of Omentin 1 rs2274907 A > T and rs2274908 G > A Gene Polymorphisms with Coronary Artery Disease in Indian Population: A Case-Control Study

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of death all over the world. CAD is caused by atherosclerosis which is induced by the interaction of genetic factors and environmental factors. Genome-wide association studies have revealed the association of certain gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to CAD. Omentin 1 is an adipokine secreted by the visceral adipose tissues and has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and enhances insulin sensitivity. In this study, we examined the role of omentin-1 common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2274907 A > T and rs2274908 G > A) in CAD. We conclude that the AT genotype and the T allele of the rs2274907 A > T is associated with Cad in the south Indian population. Our results indicated that the rs2274907 SNP may be associated with CAD in this population. This finding needs further validation in well-designed and large-sample size studies before being introduced in clinical settings.

Association of Omentin rs2274907 and FTO rs9939609 gene polymorphisms with insulin resistance in Iranian individuals with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes

Background

Insulin resistance (IR) and fat accumulation in visceral adipose tissue are key players in developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). Several adipose tissue derived-gene polymorphisms are related to higher body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance and T2D. The association of omentin rs2274907 (Val109Asp) and fat-mass and obesity-associated (FTO) rs9939609 gene polymorphisms with overweight/obesity and T2D is controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the association between omentin Val109Asp and FTO rs9939609 polymorphisms and insulin resistance in newly-diagnosed T2D patients.

Methods

The case-control study included 83 newly-diagnosed T2D patients and 85 healthy matched controls, aged 20–80 years. Fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were measured by the enzymatic method and enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay, respectively. Insulin resistance was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index. Genotyping was examined using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

Results

There are significant differences between both omentin Val109Asp and FTO rs9939609 polymorphisms and studied individuals (P = 0.011 and P = 0.0001, respectively). Both genetic polymorphisms of omentin Val109Asp and FTO rs9939609 (T/A) are significantly related to higher HOMA index (P = 0.030 and P = 0.046, respectively). However, omentin Val109Asp polymorphism was only related to individuals who were overweight/obese. Additionally, both omentin Val109Asp and FTO rs9939609 polymorphisms were significantly positively correlated to familial history of diabetes (P = 0.046 and P = 0.024, respectively).

Conclusions

Omentin V109D and FTO rs9939609 genetic variations may change insulin metabolism and have key roles in developing T2D through insulin resistance. Thus, the evaluation of these polymorphic regions may be helpful for predicting type 2 diabetes.

Ozone therapy for diabetic foot

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a burden to the diabetic community. With increasing medical bills, to unsuccessful treatment, those suffering from DFUs can use alternative therapeutics. First seen in the mid-1800s, ozone (O₃) is thought to be unstable, due to inherent molecular nature. With the help of pharmaceutical science, various O₃ treatments have flourished in the medical community to help those suffering from DFUs. Promising results are seen through numerous studies. Usually, a mixture of both O₂ and O₃ is seen in pressurized machines as administered to the foot ulcer. Foot ulcers, specifically DFUs, need to be assessed, cleaned, and treated as fast as possible for the fastest results. Results such as amputation can be seen if the foot is not attended to as soon as possible. With fast growing clinical trials in O₃ therapy and quick administration of the O₃, O₃ therapy may be on the rise to be at the forefront of treating DFUs. Compelling evidence is seen in clinical trials, but more must be done to fully understand the role of O₃ in DFUs.