The genetic association between iNOS and eNOS polymorphisms and gastric cancer risk: a meta-analysis

NOS3 Gene Polymorphisms (rs2070744 and rs1799983) and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Investigating Associations with Clinical Outcomes

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is the most common endocrine malignancy, with genetic factors playing an important role in its development and progression. This study investigated the association between nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) gene polymorphisms (-786T>C or rs2070744 and Glu298Asp or c.894T>G or rs1799983) and the clinical characteristics and outcomes of DTC, aiming to evaluate their potential as biomarkers for prognosis. A case-control study was conducted, enrolling 172 individuals from the Endocrinology Clinics of Târgu Mureș and Iași, Romania, between 2021 and 2023. This study included 88 patients with DTC and 84 healthy controls, matched for age and sex. DNA was extracted from blood samples, and the NOS3 polymorphisms were genotyped using TaqMan assays. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests with a significance level set at p < 0.05. The distribution of the rs2070744 and rs1799983 polymorphisms showed no significant differences between the patients with DTC and healthy controls (p = 0.387 and p = 0.329, respectively). Furthermore, no significant associations were found between these polymorphisms and key clinical outcomes such as biochemical control, structural control, or loco-regional metastases. Our findings indicate that NOS3 rs2070744 and rs1799983 gene polymorphisms do not significantly influence the clinical outcomes of DTC, suggesting their limited utility as biomarkers for DTC prognosis.

NOS2 Polymorphism in Aspect of Left and Right-Sided Colorectal Cancer

Background: The NOS2 gene polymorphism rs2297518 is associated with an increased level of NO, which could contribute to colorectal cancer (CRC) development. We hypothesized that the potential influence of the NOS2 gene polymorphism on cancer development may vary between right-sided and left-sided colon cancers, and rectal cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the rs2297518 polymorphism influence on colorectal cancer development with regard to tumor localization. Methods: This case-control study included 199 patients with CRC and 120 controls. The qPCR endpoint genotyping was conducted using the TaqMan® genotyping assay. Results: This study revealed significant differences in tumor characteristic and in the minor alelle A frequency in the NOS2 genotype between colorectal cancers with different localizations. The mucinous adenocarcinoma was diagnosed significantly more often in right-sided cancers than in left-sided (30.6% vs. 10.9%, p = 0.009) and rectal cancers (30.6% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.0003). The minor allele A of the NOS2 genotype was observed more frequently in right-sided cancers than in left-sided cancers (44.9% vs. 23.1%, p = 0.0137) and more frequently in rectal cancers than in left-sided cancers (40.0% vs. 23.1%, p = 0.0285). Conclusions: In conclusion, the results support the hypothesis that the SNP rs2297518 of the NOS2 gene influences colorectal cancer development with regard to tumor localization.

The role of SOD2 and NOS2 genes in the molecular aspect of bladder cancer pathophysiology

Bladder cancer (BC) is a severe health problem of the genitourinary system and is characterised by a high risk of recurrence. According to the recent GLOBOCAN report, bladder cancer accounts for 3% of diagnosed cancers in the world, taking 10th place on the list of the most common cancers. Despite numerous studies, the full mechanism of BC development remains unknown. Nevertheless, precious results suggest a crucial role of oxidative stress in the development of BC. Therefore, this study explores whether the c. 47 C > T (rs4880)-SOD2, (c. 1823 C > T (rs2297518) and g.-1026 C > A (rs2779249)-NOS2(iNOS) polymorphisms are associated with BC occurrence and whether the bladder carcinogenesis induces changes in SOD2 and NOS2 expression and methylation status in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In this aim, the TaqMan SNP genotyping assay, TaqMan Gene Expression Assay, and methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting techniques were used to genotype profiling and evaluate the expression of the genes and the methylation status of their promoters, respectively. Our findings confirm that heterozygote of the g.-1026 C > A SNP was associated with a decreased risk of BC. Moreover, we detected that BC development influenced the expression level and methylation status of the promoter region of investigated genes in PBMCs. Concluding, our results confirmed that oxidative stress, especially NOS2 polymorphisms and changes in the expression and methylation of the promoters of SOD2 and NOS2 are involved in the cancer transformation initiation of the cell urinary bladder.

Clonorchis sinensis legumain promotes migration and invasion of cholangiocarcinoma cells via regulating tumor-related molecules

BACKGROUND

Clonorchis sinensis infection causes serious pathological changes in the bile duct and is highly correlated with cholangiocarcinoma. The excretory-secretory products (ESP) of C. sinensis play a critical role in the oncogenesis and progression of cholangiocarcinoma, while the components and precise mechanism remain unclear. Here, we evaluated the function of C. sinensis legumain (Cslegumain) in promoting the invasion and migration of cholangiocarcinoma cells and the mechanism involved.

METHODS

The structural and molecular characteristics of Cslegumain were predicted and analyzed using the online program Phyre2. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemical staining were performed to test the transcriptional level of Cslegumain and its localization in the adult. Native Cslegumain was detected by western blotting assay. The effects of Cslegumain on the proliferation, invasion and migration of cholangiocarcinoma cells were checked using CCK-8 assay, Matrigel transwell assay and scratch wound healing assay. Expression levels of tumor-related molecules regulated by Cslegumain were evaluated by qRT-PCR and western blotting assay.

RESULTS

Cslegumain showed high similarity with human legumain in the secondary and tertiary structures and displayed higher transcriptional levels in the adult worm than in the metacercariae. Native Cslegumain was detected in a catalytic form and was localized mainly in the intestine of the C. sinensis adult and epithelial cells of the intrahepatic bile duct. After transfection into RBE cells, Cslegumain showed high ability in promoting the invasion and migration but not the proliferation of cholangiocarcinoma RBE cells. Furthermore, the expression levels of some molecules including E-cadherin and N-cadherin were downregulated, while the levels of α-actinin 4, β-catenin and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were upregulated.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicated that Cslegumain showed very similar structures as those of human legumain and could promote the invasion and migration of cholangiocarcinoma cells by regulating some tumor-related molecules.

Variation of genes encoding nitric oxide synthases and antioxidant enzymes as potential risks of multiple sclerosis development: a preliminary study

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a variable clinical course and diverse pathophysiology, including nitrative and oxidative stresses as well as inflammation. We aimed to detect the potential association between five selected single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding nitric oxide synthetases as well as antioxidant enzymes and the development of MS in a Polish population. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood collected from 142 MS patients and 140 controls. Using Taq-Man® probes, we genotyped the following SNPs: rs1879417 in NOS1, and rs2297518 in NOS2 as well as rs4880 in SOD2, rs7943316 in CAT, rs713041 in GPX4. In the case of rs2297518, the C/C genotype and C allele SNP were associated with an enhanced occurrence of MS, while the C/T, T/T genotypes, and T allele of the same polymorphism reduced this risk. Moreover, the C/C homozygote and C allele of the rs4880 SNP reduced MS risk, while the T allele increased the risk. In addition, the A/T heterozygote of rs7943316 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of MS occurrence. We also detected that the C/C genotype and C allele of rs713041 decreased the risk of MS, whereas the T/T genotype and T allele increased this risk. In conclusion, the results of our study suggest some links between polymorphic variability in the nitrative/oxidative stress-related genes and the risk of MS development in the Polish population.

Oxidative Stress Markers Are Associated with a Poor Prognosis in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a malignancy of rising prevalence, especially in developed countries where dietary patterns and sedentariness favor its onset. This malady ranks seventh in cancer-related deaths in the world, although it is expected to rank second in the coming years, behind lung cancer. The low survival rate is due to the asymptomatic course of the early stages, which in many cases leads to metastases when becoming evident in advanced stages. In this context, molecular pathology is on the way towards finding new approaches with biomarkers that allow a better prognosis and monitoring of patients. So the present study aims to evaluate a series of molecular biomarkers, PARP1, NOX1, NOX2, eNOS and iNOS, as promising candidates for prognosis and survival by using immunohistochemistry. The analysis performed in 41 patients with pancreatic cancer showed a correlation between a high expression of all these components with a low survival rate, with high statistical power for all. In addition, a 60-month longitudinal surveillance program was managed, accompanied by several clinical parameters. The derivative Kaplan–Meier curves indicated a low cumulative survival rate as well. Ultimately, our research emphasized the value of these molecules as survival-associated biomarkers in pancreatic cancer, offering new gates for clinical management.

Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Oxidative Stress-Related Genes and the Risk of a Stroke in a Polish Population-A Preliminary Study

The present preliminary case-control study was undertaken to detect the potential association of six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in oxidative stress-related genes: SOD2 (c.47T > C; rs4880), CAT (c.-89A > T; rs7943316), GPX4 (c.660T > A; rs713041), NOS1 (g.117803515C > T; rs1879417) and NOS2 (c.1823C > T; rs2297518 and c.-227G > C; rs10459953) and the occurrence of a stroke. The SNPs were determined using the TaqMan^® Allelic Discrimination Assay in 107 patients with strokes and 107 age- and sex-matched individuals who had not experienced cerebrovascular accidents. The T alleles of the rs4880 were positively correlated with a stroke (bootstrap OR 1.31; 1.07-1.59 95% CI). In the case of the rs713041, an association with the T allele was found (bootstrap OR 1.36; 1.12-1.67). In addition, the occurrence of a stroke was associated with the presence of the C allele of the rs1879417 (bootstrap OR 1.32; 1.09-1.61). We also found that the C/C genotype and C allele of the rs2297518 increased the risk of a stroke (bootstrap ORs 7.00; 4.34-11.29 and 4.96; 3.88-6.34, respectively). Moreover, the C allele of the rs10459953 was associated with an increased occurrence of this disease (bootstrap OR 1.31; 1.08-1.60). These results indicated that genetics variants in the SOD2, GPX4, NOS1 and NOS2 might be associated with susceptibility to strokes in the Polish population.

Pan-Cancer Analysis of NOS3 Identifies Its Expression and Clinical Relevance in Gastric Cancer

Background:NOS3 (endothelial NOS, eNOS) is a member of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme family, mainly participating in nitric oxide (NO) generation. NOS3 has been reported to inhibit apoptosis and promote angiogenesis, proliferation, and invasiveness. However, the expression pattern of NOS3 and its diagnostic and prognostic potential has not been investigated in a pan-cancer perspective.

Methods: Data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE), and the Cancer Therapeutics Response Portal (CTRP) were employed and NOS3 expression was comprehensively analyzed in normal tissues, cancer tissues, and cell lines. Immunohistochemical staining of tissue sections were used to validate the prognostic role of NOS3 in gastric cancer patients. GSVA and GSEA analyses were performed to investigate signaling pathways related to NOS3 expression.

Results: In normal tissues, NOS3 was expressed highest in the spleen and lowest in the blood. NOS3 expression was increased in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) and significantly associated with poor prognosis of patients. Immunohistochemical staining validated that NOS3 was an independent prognostic factor of gastric cancer. Several canonical cancer-related pathways were found to be correlated with NOS3 expression in STAD. The expression of NOS3 was related to the response to QS-11 and brivinib in STAD.

Conclusions:NOS3 was an independent prognostic factor for patients with STAD. Increased expression of NOS3 influenced occurrence and development of STAD through several canonical cancer-related pathways. Drug response analysis reported drugs to suppress NOS3. NOS3 might be a novel target for gastric cancer treatment.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase polymorphisms/haplotypes are strong modulators of oral cancer risk in Serbian population

Oral carcinoma is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide, with survival rates of approximately 50%. The major type of oral cancer, present in 90% of the cases, is oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The genetic background predisposing an individual to OSCC is complex and largely unknown. Studies have suggested that endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphisms modulate the cancer risk, prompting us to assess the impact of three functional eNOS gene polymorphisms on OSCC risk. The present study included 50 patients with OSCC and 110 controls. Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis were used for genotyping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms -786 T/C (rs2070744) and 894 G/T (rs1799983) and variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) intron 4b/a polymorphism. Homozygous carriers of -786 T/C and intron 4b/a VNTR variant alleles paired with a significant increase of oral cancer risk [odds ratio (OR): 3.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-12.21; P = 0.045 and OR: 11.29, 95% CI: 2.71-47.11; P < 0.001, respectively]. When combined, CC and 4b4a genotypes together led to a 21-fold OSCC risk increase (OR: 21, 95% CI: 2.07-213.29; P = 0.006). Haplotype analysis showed that the C-G-4b haplotype conferred an 11-fold increase in OSCC risk. In conclusion, eNOS polymorphisms considerably influence levels of OSCC risk in the Serbian population.

GCH1 (rs841) polymorphism in the nitric oxide-forming pathway has protective effects on obstructive sleep apnea

Several studies have recently investigated the contribution of genetic factors in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Patients with OSA suffer from a reduction in nitric oxide (NO) serum level. This study investigated rs841, A930G p22phox, and rs1799983 polymorphisms in three critical genes involved in NO formation. A total of 94 patients with OSA and 100 healthy controls were enrolled into the study. Results showed there was no association between rs841, A930G p22phox and rs1799983 polymorphism and the risk of OSA (P = 0.51, P = 0.4 and P = 0.33, respectively). Moreover, rs841 GA genotype had a reverse relationship with the severity of OSA (P = 0.005). On the other hand, rs841 GA and A930G p22phox AA genotypes had a protective effect on daytime sleepiness in OSA patients (P = 0.01and P = 0.02, respectively). Additionally, the combination of rs841 and A930G p22phox (AG/AG and AG/AA) genotypes was significantly associated with a reduction in daytime sleepiness in OSA patients (P = 0.03 and P = 0.03, respectively). According to the results of our study, GA genotype of rs841 and GA/AA genotypes of A930G p22phox polymorphisms significantly reduced the severity of the problem and daytime sleepiness in OSA patients.

Involvement of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene variants in the aggressiveness of uterine cervical cancer

To date, few studies explore the involvement of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene variants in uterine cervical cancer. Therefore, we conducted this study to assess the clinical implication of eNOS in cervical carcinogenesis, clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival. One hundred and seventeen patients with cervical invasive cancer and 95 with preinvasive lesions and 330 control women were consecutively enrolled. Real time polymerase chain reaction was used to examine the genotypic distributions of eNOS single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1799983 (894G>T) at the exon 7 region and rs2070744 (-786T>C) at the promoter region. Our results indicated no significant associations among genotypic distributions of eNOS SNPs and patients with cervical invasive cancer and those with preinvasive lesions as well as normal controls. However, cervical cancer patients with genotypes TC/CC in eNOS SNP rs2070744 carried less risk of advanced stage [odds ratios (OR) = 0.30, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.09-0.97, p=0.036], parametrium invasion (OR=0.16, 95% CI=0.02-0.75, p=0.009) and pelvic lymph node metastasis (OR=0.12, 95% CI=0.01-0.89, p=0.016). In conclusion, although eNOS SNPs rs2070744 and rs1799983 do not display significant associations with cervical carcinogenesis and patient survival, cervical cancer patients with genotypes TC/CC in rs2070744 carry less risk of advanced stage, parametrium invasion and pelvic lymph node metastasis in Taiwan.