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Cuthbertson L, Löber U, Ish-Horowicz JS, McBrien CN, Churchward C, Parker JC, Olanipekun MT, Burke C, McGowan A, Davies GA, Lewis KE, Hopkin JM, Chung KF, O'Carroll O, Faul J, Creaser-Thomas J, Andrews M, Ghosal R, Piatek S, Willis-Owen SAG, Bartolomaeus TUP, Birkner T, Dwyer S, Kumar N, Turek EM, William Musk A, Hui J, Hunter M, James A, Dumas ME, Filippi S, Cox MJ, Lawley TD, Forslund SK, Moffatt MF, Cookson WOC. Genomic attributes of airway commensal bacteria and mucosa. Commun Biol 2024; 7:171. [PMID: 38347162 PMCID: PMC10861553 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05840-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial communities at the airway mucosal barrier are conserved and highly ordered, in likelihood reflecting co-evolution with human host factors. Freed of selection to digest nutrients, the airway microbiome underpins cognate management of mucosal immunity and pathogen resistance. We show here the initial results of systematic culture and whole-genome sequencing of the thoracic airway bacteria, identifying 52 novel species amongst 126 organisms that constitute 75% of commensals typically present in heathy individuals. Clinically relevant genes encode antimicrobial synthesis, adhesion and biofilm formation, immune modulation, iron utilisation, nitrous oxide (NO) metabolism and sphingolipid signalling. Using whole-genome content we identify dysbiotic features that may influence asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We match isolate gene content to transcripts and metabolites expressed late in airway epithelial differentiation, identifying pathways to sustain host interactions with microbiota. Our results provide a systematic basis for decrypting interactions between commensals, pathogens, and mucosa in lung diseases of global significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Cuthbertson
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ulrike Löber
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site, 10785, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jonathan S Ish-Horowicz
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Mathematics, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Claire N McBrien
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Colin Churchward
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jeremy C Parker
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Conor Burke
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Connolly Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aisling McGowan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Connolly Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gwyneth A Davies
- Population Data Science and Health Data Research UK BREATHE Hub, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
- College of Medicine, Institute of Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Keir E Lewis
- College of Medicine, Institute of Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
- Respiratory Medicine, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Llanelli, UK
| | - Julian M Hopkin
- College of Medicine, Institute of Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Kian Fan Chung
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Orla O'Carroll
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Connolly Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John Faul
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Connolly Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Joy Creaser-Thomas
- College of Medicine, Institute of Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Mark Andrews
- Respiratory Medicine, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Llanelli, UK
| | - Robin Ghosal
- Respiratory Medicine, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Llanelli, UK
| | - Stefan Piatek
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Theda U P Bartolomaeus
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site, 10785, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Till Birkner
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sarah Dwyer
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nitin Kumar
- Host-Microbiota Interactions Laboratory, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Elena M Turek
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - A William Musk
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Busselton Population Medical Research Institute, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jennie Hui
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Busselton Population Medical Research Institute, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Michael Hunter
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Busselton Population Medical Research Institute, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Alan James
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Pulmonary Physiology and Sleep Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Marc-Emmanuel Dumas
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
- U1283 INSERM / UMR8199 CNRS, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille University Hospital, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, University of Lille, Lille, France
- McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sarah Filippi
- Department of Mathematics, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Michael J Cox
- University of Birmingham College of Medical and Dental Sciences, 150183, Institute of Microbiology and Infection, Birmingham, UK
| | - Trevor D Lawley
- Host-Microbiota Interactions Laboratory, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Sofia K Forslund
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany.
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany.
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site, 10785, Berlin, Germany.
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Structural and Computational Biology Unit, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Miriam F Moffatt
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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Chen W, Wang T, Pino-Yanes M, Forno E, Liang L, Yan Q, Hu D, Weeks DE, Baccarelli A, Acosta-Perez E, Eng C, Han YY, Boutaoui N, Laprise C, Davies GA, Hopkin JM, Moffatt MF, Cookson WOCM, Canino G, Burchard EG, Celedón JC. An epigenome-wide association study of total serum IgE in Hispanic children. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017; 140:571-577. [PMID: 28069425 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Total IgE is a therapeutic target in patients with allergic diseases. DNA methylation in white blood cells (WBCs) was associated with total IgE levels in an epigenome-wide association study of white subjects. Whether DNA methylation of eosinophils explains these findings is insufficiently understood. METHODS We tested for association between genome-wide DNA methylation in WBCs and total IgE levels in 2 studies of Hispanic children: the Puerto Rico Genetics of Asthma and Lifestyle Study (PR-GOAL; n = 306) and the Genes-environments and Admixture in Latino Americans (GALA II) study (n = 573). Whole-genome methylation of DNA from WBCs was measured by using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Total IgE levels were measured by using the UniCAP 100 system. In PR-GOAL WBC types (ie, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes) in peripheral blood were measured by using Coulter Counter techniques. In the GALA II study WBC types were imputed. Multivariable linear regression was used for the analysis of DNA methylation and total IgE levels, which was first conducted separately for each cohort, and then results from the 2 cohorts were combined in a meta-analysis. RESULTS CpG sites in multiple genes, including novel findings and results previously reported in white subjects, were significantly associated with total IgE levels. However, adjustment for WBC types resulted in markedly fewer significant sites. Top findings from this adjusted meta-analysis were in the genes ZFPM1 (P = 1.5 × 10-12), ACOT7 (P = 2.5 × 10-11), and MND1 (P = 1.4 × 10-9). CONCLUSIONS In an epigenome-wide association study adjusted for WBC types (including eosinophils), methylation changes in genes enriched in pathways relevant to asthma and immune responses were associated with total IgE levels among Hispanic children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Ting Wang
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Maria Pino-Yanes
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
| | - Erick Forno
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Liming Liang
- Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Mass
| | - Qi Yan
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Donglei Hu
- Department of Therapeutic Sciences and Bioengineering, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif
| | - Daniel E Weeks
- Departments of Human Genetics and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Andrea Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Mass
| | - Edna Acosta-Perez
- Behavioral Sciences Research Institute and Department of Pediatrics, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Celeste Eng
- Department of Therapeutic Sciences and Bioengineering, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif
| | - Yueh-Ying Han
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Nadia Boutaoui
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | | | - Gwyneth A Davies
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Julian M Hopkin
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Miriam F Moffatt
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Glorisa Canino
- Behavioral Sciences Research Institute and Department of Pediatrics, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Esteban G Burchard
- Department of Therapeutic Sciences and Bioengineering, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif
| | - Juan C Celedón
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Ziyab AH, Davies GA, Ewart S, Hopkin JM, Schauberger EM, Wills-Karp M, Holloway JW, Arshad SH, Zhang H, Karmaus W. Interactive effect of STAT6 and IL13 gene polymorphisms on eczema status: results from a longitudinal and a cross-sectional study. BMC Med Genet 2013; 14:67. [PMID: 23815671 PMCID: PMC3700873 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2350-14-67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2012] [Accepted: 06/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eczema is a prevalent skin disease that is mainly characterized by systemic deviation of immune response and defective epidermal barrier. Th2 cytokines, such as IL-13 and transcription factor STAT6 are key elements in the inflammatory response that characterize allergic disorders, including eczema. Previous genetic association studies showed inconsistent results for the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with eczema. Our aim was to investigate whether SNPs in IL13 and STAT6 genes, which share a biological pathway, have an interactive effect on eczema risk. METHODS Data from two independent population-based studies were analyzed, namely the Isle of Wight birth cohort study (IOW; n = 1,456) and for the purpose of replication the Swansea PAPA (Poblogaeth Asthma Prifysgol Abertawe; n = 1,445) cross-sectional study. Log-binomial regressions were applied to (i) account for the interaction between IL13 (rs20541) and STAT6 (rs1059513) polymorphisms and (ii) estimate the combined effect, in terms of risk ratios (RRs), of both risk factors on the risk of eczema. RESULTS Under a dominant genetic model, the interaction term [IL13 (rs20541) × STAT6 (rs1059513)] was statistically significant in both studies (IOW: adjusted P(interaction) = 0.046; PAPA: P(interaction) = 0.037). The assessment of the combined effect associated with having risk genotypes in both SNPs yielded a 1.52-fold increased risk of eczema in the IOW study (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05 - 2.20; P = 0.028) and a 2.01-fold higher risk of eczema (95% CI: 1.29 - 3.12; P = 0.002) in the PAPA study population. CONCLUSIONS Our study adds to the current knowledge of genetic susceptibility by demonstrating for the first time an interactive effect between SNPs in IL13 (rs20541) and STAT6 (rs1059513) on the occurrence of eczema in two independent samples. Findings of this report further support the emerging evidence that points toward the existence of genetic effects that occur via complex networks involving gene-gene interactions (epistasis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali H Ziyab
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
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Healey GD, Evans N, Hopkin JM, Davies G, Walker W. Evaluation of nasal epithelium sampling as a tool in the preclinical development of siRNA-based therapeutics for asthma. J Cell Mol Med 2013; 17:356-64. [PMID: 23402658 PMCID: PMC3823017 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Accepted: 11/28/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of siRNA-based asthma therapeutics is currently hampered by a paucity of relevant biomarkers and the need to ascertain tissue-specific gene targeting in the context of active disease. Epithelial STAT6 expression is fundamental to asthma pathogenesis in which inflammatory changes are found throughout the respiratory tract. Therefore, to improve preclinical evaluation, we tested the efficacy of STAT6-targeting siRNA within nasal epithelial cells (NEC's) obtained from asthmatic and non-asthmatic donors. STAT6 expression was invariant in both donor groups and amenable to suppression by siRNA treatment. In addition, STAT6 mRNA was also suppressible by apically delivered siRNA treatment in comparative differentiated nasal epithelial cell-line monolayer cultures. Analysis of donor NEC's showed consistent elevation in CCL26 (eotaxin-3) mRNA within the asthmatic group suggesting potential as a relevant biomarker. Furthermore, targeting of STAT6 with siRNA attenuated IL-13-driven CCL26 expression in these cells, pointing to the utility of this approach in preclinical testing. Finally, siRNA-mediated suppression of STAT6 was independent of donor disease phenotype or epithelial cell differentiation status, signifying therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth D Healey
- College of Medicine, Institute of Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.
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Roberts SE, Button LA, Hopkin JM, Goldacre MJ, Lyons RA, Rodgers SE, Akbari A, Lewis KE. Influence of social deprivation and air pollutants on serious asthma. Eur Respir J 2013; 40:785-8. [PMID: 22941547 DOI: 10.1183/09031936.00043311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Abstract
Clinical experience and now genetic data indicate that asthma is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome--clinical cases emerge, proceed and respond to treatments in different ways. Currently the diagnosis of asthma (as enunciated in national guidelines) is based on incisive clinical methods, supported by lung function testing that substantiates labile or reversible bronchial airflow obstruction. But this approach alone is insufficient to address the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges presented by asthma's heterogeneity. This article contends that bronchial pathology (with molecular and morphologic analysis) should be adopted into the mainstream clinical practice of asthma so as to clarify the nature of the bronchial disorder in compliant patients not settling securely on moderate-dose inhaled corticosteroid. This would allow a differentiated approach to appropriate therapeutics--those already available and those yet to be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian M Hopkin
- College of Medicine, Institute of Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
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Matsuda A, Okayama Y, Ebihara N, Yokoi N, Hamuro J, Walls AF, Ra C, Hopkin JM, Kinoshita S. Hyperexpression of the high-affinity IgE receptor-beta chain in chronic allergic keratoconjunctivitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2009; 50:2871-7. [PMID: 19136704 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.08-3022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Although the existence of Fc(epsilon)RI-alphabetagamma(2) and Fc(epsilon)RI-alphagamma(2) receptor subtypes was reported, there has been no direct evidence of these two subtypes of Fc(epsilon)RI in vivo. To investigate the existence of these two subtypes of Fc(epsilon)RI in vivo, the authors evaluated the expression of Fc(epsilon)RI-beta in the giant papillae of chronic allergic conjunctivitis and compared the expression level of Fc(epsilon)RI-beta with control conjunctivae using the anti-human Fc(epsilon)RI-beta antibody. METHODS Fc(epsilon)RI-beta expression in giant papillae obtained from patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis and vernal keratoconjunctivitis in control conjunctivae was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using anti-Fc(epsilon)RI-beta, -alpha, -gamma, and anti-human mast cell tryptase, anti-chymase, anti-basophil, and anti-CD1a antibodies. RESULTS Statistical analyses revealed that the densities of Fc(epsilon)RI-beta(+) cells, Fc(epsilon)RI-alpha(+) cells, tryptase(+) cells, and Fc(epsilon)RI-beta(+)/tryptase(+) cells were significantly increased in giant papillae compared with controls. There were two types of Fc(epsilon)RI (alphabetagamma(2) and alphagamma(2)) on the mast cells of the giant papillae. The ratio of the Fc(epsilon)RI-beta(+) cell number/Fc(epsilon)RI-alpha(+) cell number in the giant papillae (0.69 +/- 0.08 [mean +/- SD]) was significantly higher than that of the controls (0.07 +/- 0.16). Fc(epsilon)RI-beta/tryptase double immunostaining revealed that 81% +/- 13% of tryptase(+) cells expressed Fc(epsilon)RI-beta. Fc(epsilon)RI-beta(+) cells were preferentially localized within and around epithelial tissue. The authors also found that Fc(epsilon)RI-beta was expressed by basophils but not by Fc(epsilon)RI-alphagamma(2)-positive Langerhans cells in the giant papillae samples. CONCLUSIONS Preferential Fc(epsilon)RI-beta expression observed in the mast cells and basophils of giant papillae suggests important roles of Fc(epsilon)RI-beta in the pathophysiology of atopic keratoconjunctivitis and vernal keratoconjunctivitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Matsuda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
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Walker W, Healey GD, Hopkin JM. RNA interference of STAT6 rapidly attenuates ongoing interleukin-13-mediated events in lung epithelial cells. Immunology 2008; 127:256-66. [PMID: 19175798 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2008.02951.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) expression in lung epithelial cells plays a central role in asthma pathogenesis, with its activation driving the development of airway hyper-reactivity and local inflammation. Therefore, inhibition of local STAT6 expression provides a rationale for therapeutic intervention in bronchial asthma. Given the absence of specific inhibitory drugs, we tested the ability of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to target STAT6 gene expression through the molecular process of RNA interference (RNAi). At pico-molar concentrations, STAT6-specific siRNAs potently inhibited STAT6 mRNA expression in lung epithelial cells (50% inhibitory concentration range = 134-861 pm) without inducing cellular interferon responses. Detectable STAT6 protein expression was rapidly abolished within 48 hr of treatment (t(1/2) range = or < 12-37 hr) and this was unaffected by pretreatment with STAT6-activating cytokines. Furthermore, STAT6 suppression by RNAi produced downstream functional inhibitory effects in that interleukin (IL)-13- or IL-4-driven eotaxin chemokine family [chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 11 (CCL11), CCL24 and CCL26] mRNA expression was markedly inhibited. Induction of detectable CCL26 protein synthesis was completely ablated by pretreating cells with STAT6-specific siRNA. The therapeutic potential of this approach is further demonstrated by novel findings that cells pre-exposed to IL-13 or IL-4 and subsequently treated with STAT6-targeting siRNA exhibited a rapid and significant attenuation of ongoing CCL26 protein expression, suggesting that chronic asthma-associated lung inflammation will be responsive to this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Walker
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Life Science, Swansea University, UK.
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Mao XQ, Shirakawa T, Kawai M, Enomoto T, Sasaki S, Dake Y, Kitano H, Hagihara A, Hopkin JM, Morimoto K. Association between asthma and an intragenic variant of CC16 on chromosome 11q13. Clin Genet 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.1998.tb02582.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Moller M, Gravenor MB, Roberts SE, Sun D, Gao P, Hopkin JM. Genetic haplotypes of Th-2 immune signalling link allergy to enhanced protection to parasitic worms. Hum Mol Genet 2007; 16:1828-36. [PMID: 17519224 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddm131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic worm infection, allergy and asthma involve increased IgE production, eosinophil activity, mucus secretion and smooth muscle reactivity, effected through Th-2 immune signalling. These pathological features of allergic disorder, common in developed countries, appear to be protective features in resistance to parasitic worm infections prevalent in many developing countries. We investigated how genetic variation in the Th-2 signalling transduction molecule STAT6 relates to these clinical disorders, using immune phenotyping by serum IgE levels and haplotyping nine STAT6 genetic variants in a rural Chinese population, where Ascaris infection is prevalent, and an urban UK population where Ascaris is largely unknown but asthma and allergy are prevalent. We show for the first time that STAT6 haplotypes relate clearly to IgE levels, allergy and worm burden. The haplotypes segregated into two groups: those with raised IgE/low worm burden tended to have increased risk of allergic disorder, whereas low IgE/high worm burden tended to have a reduced risk of allergies. By estimating the mean worm burden for each haplotype in China and the relative risk of asthma for the matching haplotype in the UK, we draw a cross-population comparison and show a negative correlation between worm burden and expected risk of asthma. These data imply that the origin of common up-regulating variants of Th-2 signalling, involving STAT6, promotes asthma and allergy in developed countries, whereas in developing countries it protects against parasitic worm infections. Selective evolutionary mechanisms, driven by parasitic worm infection, may underlie the genetic contribution to risk of allergy and asthma in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Moller
- School of Medicine, Institute of Life Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
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12
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Tanaka K, Roberts MH, Yamamoto N, Sugiura H, Uehara M, Hopkin JM. Upregulating promoter polymorphisms of RANTES relate to atopic dermatitis. Int J Immunogenet 2007; 33:423-8. [PMID: 17117952 DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-313x.2006.00635.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
It has been reported that a functional polymorphism in the promoter of the RANTES gene (-403G/A) is associated with atopic dermatitis in a German population. Although there are several reports on the association of RANTES promoter polymorphisms (-403G/A and -28C/G) with asthma, the association of these polymorphisms with atopic dermatitis has not yet been confirmed in other populations. We therefore aimed to test whether the RANTES promoter polymorphisms relate to atopic dermatitis in a well-defined Japanese population. We conducted an association study of upregulating promoter polymorphisms of RANTES (-403G/A and -28C/G) in 389 patients with atopic dermatitis and 177 healthy control subjects. There was a significant association between the upregulating variant of RANTES -28G and atopic dermatitis, while -403A variant showed a significant association with atopic dermatitis with high IgE productivity. These results support a role for RANTES promoter polymorphisms in susceptibility to atopic dermatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Tanaka
- Experimental Medicine Unit, School of Medicine, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
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13
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Cheng L, Hirota T, Enomoto T, Tamari M, Akahoshi M, Matsuda A, Shimizu M, Takahashi N, Enomoto K, Yamasaki A, Mao XQ, Hopkin JM, Shirakawa T. Lack of association between the IL13 variant Arg110Gln and susceptibility to cedar pollinosis in a Japanese population. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2005; 139:25-30. [PMID: 16272823 DOI: 10.1159/000089519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2005] [Accepted: 08/18/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interleukin (IL)-13 has come to be appreciated as a molecule critically involved in allergic inflammatory responses. Recent studies revealed that a common variant in the coding region of the IL13 gene, Arg110Gln, has been implicated in the development of asthma and atopy. METHODS To assess whether the IL13 variant Arg110Gln is associated with cedar pollinosis, one of the most common atopic diseases in the Japanese population, we examined the Arg110Gln variant using PCR-RFLP to compare the genotype and allele frequencies between 95 patients with cedar pollinosis and 95 healthy control subjects. Relationships between the Arg110Gln variant and the pollinosis-related traits, e.g. rhinitis severity, eosinophil counts in nasal secretion and serum total and allergen-specific IgE levels, were also investigated. RESULTS The frequencies of the minor allele Gln110 were 25.8% in patients with cedar pollinosis and 30.9% in healthy control subjects (p > 0.05). There was also no significant difference in the genotype frequencies between cases and controls (p > 0.05). In addition, we found no significant association of the Arg110Gln variant with any of the pollinosis-related phenotypes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest lack of evidence for identifying the variant Arg110Glnat the IL13 locus as a genetic risk factor involved in the development of Japanese cedar pollinosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Cheng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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14
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15
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Gao PS, Heller NM, Walker W, Chen CH, Moller M, Plunkett B, Roberts MH, Schleimer RP, Hopkin JM, Huang SK. Variation in dinucleotide (GT) repeat sequence in the first exon of the STAT6 gene is associated with atopic asthma and differentially regulates the promoter activity in vitro. J Med Genet 2004; 41:535-9. [PMID: 15235025 PMCID: PMC1447608 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.2003.015842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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16
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Cheng L, Enomoto T, Hirota T, Shimizu M, Takahashi N, Akahoshi M, Matsuda A, Dake Y, Doi S, Enomoto K, Yamasaki A, Fukuda S, Mao XQ, Hopkin JM, Tamari M, Shirakawa T. Polymorphisms in ADAM33 are associated with allergic rhinitis due to Japanese cedar pollen. Clin Exp Allergy 2004; 34:1192-201. [PMID: 15298558 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2004.02008.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A recent report provided evidence that a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain 33 (ADAM33), a member of the ADAM family, is a novel susceptibility gene in asthma linked to bronchial hyper-responsiveness. However, there has been no investigation of the genetic role of ADAM33 variants in nasal allergy. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to test the association between ADAM33 polymorphisms and Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCPsis), a most common seasonal allergic rhinitis in Japan. METHODS We conducted a case-control association study among a Japanese population, involving 95 adult individuals with JCPsis and 95 normal healthy controls. A total of 22 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ADAM33 were genotyped using PCR-based molecular methods. RESULTS Six SNPs of ADAM33 gene, three in introns (7575G/A, 9073G/A and 12540C/T) and three in the coding region (10918G/C, 12433T/C and 12462C/T), were strongly associated with JCPsis (P = 0.0002-0.022 for absolute allele frequencies) and most of the SNPs were in linkage disequilibrium with each other. A higher frequency of the common alleles of these SNPs was noted for the subjects with JCPsis in comparison with healthy controls. We also identified a haplotype associated with the disease susceptibility. In addition, associations were found between ADAM33 polymorphisms and various cedar pollinosis phenotypes including clinical severity, eosinophil counts in nasal secretion and allergen-specific IgE levels in sera, but not total serum IgE levels. CONCLUSION These results indicate that polymorphisms in the ADAM33 gene are associated with susceptibility to allergic rhinitis due to Japanese cedar pollen, but the functional relationship still needs clarification.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Cheng
- Department of Health Promotion and Human Behaviour, Kyoto University Graduate School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan
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17
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Peisong G, Yamasaki A, Mao XQ, Enomoto T, Feng Z, Gloria-Bottini F, Bottini E, Shirakawa T, Sun D, Hopkin JM. An asthma-associated genetic variant of STAT6 predicts low burden of ascaris worm infestation. Genes Immun 2004; 5:58-62. [PMID: 14735150 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gene.6364030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Th-2 immune mechanisms are involved in the pathology of asthma and in the protective immune response to parasitic worms. Common upregulating genetic variants of Th-2 immune signalling are risk factors for asthma, and we tested whether they may confer a counteradvantage in protecting against parasitic worms. We examined the intensity of infection by the parasitic worm, Ascaris lumbricoides, by microsopic counting of ascaris eggs in the stool of 614 schoolchildren from an area of endemic ascaris infection in China. We investigated the relationship between the intensity of ascaris infection and common, asthma-associated genetic variants of Th-2 and Th-1 immune signalling. Ascaris egg counts per gram of stool (epg), mean 1068 epg, ranged from barely detectable (<240 epg) to heavy (approximately 9600 epg) in a skewed distribution. Logistic regression, after exploratory discriminant analysis, showed a major association between a common genetic variant of the 3'-UTR regulatory elements of the signal transducer and transactivating factor (STAT6) (P=0.0002) and egg counts, at the 77 th centile. Linear regression after log transformation of egg counts confirmed a highly significant association with this STAT6 variant (P=0.001). Thus, a common, asthma-associated, genetic variant of the pivotal transduction and transactivating factor for Th-2 immune signalling, STAT6, predicts increased resistance to ascaris worm infection. The evolution of enhanced resistance to parasitic worm infection, through human genetic variation in Th-2 immune signalling, may represent one origin for asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Peisong
- Experimental Medicine Unit, The Clinical School, University of Wales Swansea, Swansea, UK
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18
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Atopy results from the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The aim of our study was to clarify the association between the FcRIint2 polymorphic variant, the Glu237Gly mutation in exon 7 of FcepsilonRIbeta and (-590 C/T) Il-4 gene promoter polymorphism with atopy in a randomized Polish sample. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Unrelated subjects aged 18-45 years who were residents of an urban area (Lodz, Poland) were included in the study: 98 patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis, and 87 non-atopic, non-asthmatic controls. We used common criteria for atopy and asthma. Atopic status was determined by positive skin prick tests (SPT) and IgE levels. The severity of asthma was assessed in spirometric measurements; SPTs to house dust mite (HDM) and mixed grass pollen (MGP) were performed. Total and specific IgE were measured in each subject. Genotypic analysis was performed by PCR for FcRIint2 and (590 C/T) Il-4 gene promoter polymorphism and ARMS-PCR was performed for the Glu237Gly mutation. RESULTS We found a statistically significant association between atopy and FcRIint2 variant polymorphism (OR = 2.96), a correlation between positive skin prick tests to MGP and raised MGP-specific IgE concentrations in patients bearing this variant (OR = 4.0). We did not observe that the FcRIint2 variant was associated with positive SPTs to HDM or high levels of HDM-specific IgE (OR = 1.0). The intronic variant of FcepsilonRIbeta was strongly correlated with elevated total serum IgE (OR = 4.74). No statistically significant association was found between atopy and the Glu237Gly mutation of FcepsilonRIbeta(OR = 1.36) or (-590 C/T) Il-4 gene promoter polymorphism (OR = 0.88). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that FcRIint2 polymorphism is related to atopy and may influence its development.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Amino Acid Substitution
- Asthma/epidemiology
- Asthma/genetics
- Case-Control Studies
- Female
- Gene Frequency
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Genotype
- Humans
- Hypersensitivity, Immediate/epidemiology
- Hypersensitivity, Immediate/genetics
- Immunoglobulin E/blood
- Immunoglobulin E/immunology
- Interleukin-4/genetics
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Mutation, Missense
- Point Mutation
- Poland/epidemiology
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
- Receptors, IgE/genetics
- Receptors, IgE/physiology
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/epidemiology
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/genetics
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/epidemiology
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/genetics
- Skin Tests
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19
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Akahoshi M, Ishihara M, Remus N, Uno K, Miyake K, Hirota T, Nakashima K, Matsuda A, Kanda M, Enomoto T, Ohno S, Nakashima H, Casanova JL, Hopkin JM, Tamari M, Mao XQ, Shirakawa T. Association between IFNA genotype and the risk of sarcoidosis. Hum Genet 2004; 114:503-9. [PMID: 15004750 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-004-1099-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2003] [Accepted: 02/03/2004] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Sarcoidosis is known to be a systemic granulomatous disorder characterized by a cell-mediated Th1-type inflammatory response. To identify a key genetic factor in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis, we investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms within 10 candidate genes involved in type 1 immune process ( IFNA17, IFNB, IFNG, IFNGR1, IFNGR2, IL12B, IL12RB1, IL12RB2, ETA-1, and NRAMP1) in an association-based study of 102 Japanese patients with sarcoidosis, 114 with tuberculosis, and 110 control subjects. After correction for multiple testing, an IFNA17 polymorphism (551T-->G) was found to be associated with susceptibility to sarcoidosis (odds ratio 3.27 [95% CI: 1.44-7.46], P=0.004, P(c)=0.04), but not to tuberculosis. We observed no significant associations with the other polymorphisms of the Th1-related genes. We further typed another IFNA polymorphism ( IFNA10 60T-->A) and confirmed two major haplotypes of the IFNA gene, viz., allele 1: IFNA10 [60T]- IFNA17 [551T] and allele 2: IFNA10 [60A]- IFNA17 [551G], in the Japanese population. In healthy subjects, IFNA allele 2, which is over-represented in patients with sarcoidosis, was significantly associated with increased IFN-alpha and IL-12p70 production induced by Sendai virus in vitro. This study suggests that possession of the IFNA allele with higher levels of IFN-alpha significantly increases the risk of sarcoidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuteru Akahoshi
- Laboratory for Genetics of Allergic Diseases, SNP Research Center, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, RIKEN Yokohama Institute, Yokohama, Japan
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20
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Korzycka-Zaborowska B, Hopkin JM, Górski P. Genetic variants of FcεRIβand Il-4 and atopy in a Polish population. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2004. [DOI: 10.1157/13059844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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21
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Abstract
Lung cancer results from man-made and natural environmental exposures acting in concert with both genetic and acquired characteristics. Chronic inhalation of cigarette smoke is a major risk factor, and environmental tobacco exposure can cause lung cancer in life-long neversmokers. Air pollution, indoor-radon exposure, occupational exposures, dietary, physical activity, and reproductive history have been identified as independent or contributing risk factors for lung cancer. Because only a small portion of smokers develops the disease, genetic susceptibility can contribute to the risk. Developments in molecular biology have led to the discovery of biological markers that increase predisposition to lung carcinogenesis. Therefore, the high-risk genotype of an individual can be determined easily. Because of the great number of carcinogen-activating and -detoxifying enzymes, the variation in their expression, the complexity of exposures to tobacco carcinogens, and the existence of multiple alleles at loci of those enzymes results in differential susceptibilities of individuals. As lung cancer is a multifactorial disease, an improved understanding of the interplay of environmental and genetic polymorphisms at multiple loci can help identify individuals who are at increased risk for lung cancer. Hopefully, in the future we will be able to screen for lung cancer susceptibility by using specific biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chikako Kiyohara
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Division of Social Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
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22
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Bottini N, Mao XQ, Borgiani P, Saccucci P, Stefanini L, Greco E, Fontana L, Shirakawa T, Hopkin JM. Low molecular weight PTP-IL-4RA interaction in atopy predisposition. Allergy 2002; 57 Suppl 72:10-2. [PMID: 12144546 DOI: 10.1034/j.1398-9995.57.s72.4.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We recently described a protective effect of the low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMPTP) BC genotype, associated with the highest total enzymatic activity, against high serum IgE levels both in the English and the Italian populations. Here we test the hypothesis of a role of LMPTP in the negative modulation of IL-4 signal transduction checking for genetic interaction between interleukin-4 receptor alpha chain (IL-4RA) genetic polymorphisms and LMPTP polymorphism in the predisposition to high total IgE levels in the English population. We find a significant interaction between LMPTP polymorphism and the intracellular Gln/Arg polymorphism in position 551 of IL-4RA. Our data support the hypothesis of a direct or indirect biochemical interaction between LMPTP and IL-4RA resulting in different modulation of IL-4 signal transduction among joint genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzio Bottini
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 135 via di Tor Vergata, I-00133 Rome, Italy
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23
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Abstract
Atopy is the state of allergy to common environmental antigens. Genetic and environmental factors promote the disorder. The impressive rise in prevalence, mainly centred on socio-economically developed communities around the world, emphasizes the potent action of environmental factors in moulding this immune disorder which is characterized by inadequately restrained Th-2 immune mechanisms and IgE production. Reversing the epidemiological trend depends on our identifying the major environmental inputs and acting against these. As yet, the nature of these environmental factors remains to be clarified. Candidate factors include changes in diet, chemical air pollution and microbial exposures in developed countries. This article limits its scope to changing microbial exposures as a potential mechanism. (a) It records epidemiological data that have associated atopic status with less natural exposure to pathogens, parasites and commensal micro-organisms, but with more exposure to certain antibiotics and public health immunizations in early life. (b) It records studies in mice that support the concept that certain microbial exposures can inhibit experimental allergy. (c) It considers potential immune mechanisms for such an action, including the possibility that certain natural infections promote immune regulatory processes that can restrain atopy. It is concluded that the hypothesis that changing patterns of microbial exposure may have promoted the rise in atopy is viable, and that exciting possibilities for reversing the rise of atopy may be derived from further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Hopkin
- University of Wales-Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
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24
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Abstract
Lung cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death in the developed countries and the overall survival rate has still an extremely poor. Cigarette smoking is an established risk factor for lung cancer although a possible role for genetic susceptibility in the development of lung cancer has been inferred from familial clustering of the disease and segregation analyzes. Everyone may have a unique combination of polymorphic traits that modify genetic susceptibility and response to drugs, chemicals and carcinogens. Developments in molecular biology have led to growing interest in investigation of biological markers, which may increase predisposition to lung carcinogenesis. Therefore, the high-risk genotype of an individual could be determined easily. As there are the great number of carcinogen-activating and -detoxifying enzymes, the variation in their expression and the complexity of exposures to tobacco carcinogens, the existence of multiple alleles at loci of those enzymes may result in differential susceptibilities of individuals. This review summarize data addressing the relationships of lung cancer to markers of genetic susceptibility genes, including metabolic polymorphisms other than well-investigated cytochrome P450s or glutathione S-transferases, DNA repair genes and the p53 tumor suppressor gene. Among genetic polymorphisms reviewed here, myeloperoxidase gene (a G to A mutation) and microsomal epoxide hydrolase exon 4 polymorphism (substitution of Arg for His) were significantly associated with lung cancer risk. As lung cancer is a multifactorial disease, an improved understanding of the interplay of environmental and genetic polymorphisms at multiple loci may help identify individuals who are at increased risk for lung cancer. Hopefully, in the future we will be able to screen for lung cancer susceptibility by using specific biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chikako Kiyohara
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Division of Social Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
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25
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Arima K, Umeshita-Suyama R, Sakata Y, Akaiwa M, Mao XQ, Enomoto T, Dake Y, Shimazu SI, Yamashita T, Sugawara N, Brodeur S, Geha R, Puri RK, Sayegh MH, Adra CN, Hamasaki N, Hopkin JM, Shirakawa T, Izuhara K. Upregulation of IL-13 concentration in vivo by the IL13 variant associated with bronchial asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2002; 109:980-7. [PMID: 12063528 DOI: 10.1067/mai.2002.124656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A substantial body of evidence exists to support the pivotal role of IL-13 in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. We recently found that a variant of the IL13 gene (Arg110Gln) is genetically associated with bronchial asthma, which is concordant with animal experiments using IL-13 in the development of asthma. OBJECTIVE To address whether the Gln110 variant of IL13 influences IL-13 function, contributing to the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, we studied the functional properties of the variant. METHODS We generated 2 types of recombinant IL-13 proteins, the amino acids of which at 110 were arginine or glutamine, and analyzed the binding affinities with the IL-13 receptors, as well as the stability of the proteins. We further compared the relationship between the genotype and serum levels of IL-13. RESULTS The variant showed a lower affinity with the IL-13 receptor alpha2 chain, a decoy receptor, causing less clearance. The variant also demonstrated an enhanced stability in both human and mouse plasma. We further identified that asthmatic patients homozygous for the Gln110 variant have higher serum levels of IL-13 than those without the variant. CONCLUSION These results suggested that the variant might act as a functional genetic factor of bronchial asthma with a unique mechanism to upregulate local and systemic IL-13 concentration in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiko Arima
- Department of Biochemistry, Saga Medical School, Saga, Japan
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26
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Kiyohara C, Shirakawa T, Hopkin JM. Genetic polymorphism of enzymes involved in xenobiotic metabolism and the risk of lung cancer. Environ Health Prev Med 2002; 7:47-59. [PMID: 21432264 PMCID: PMC2723399 DOI: 10.1007/bf02897330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2001] [Accepted: 02/13/2002] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inhalation of cigarette smoke is a major risk factor for the development of lung cancer. It has been suggested that genetic susceptibility may contribute to the risk, because only a small portion of smokers develops the disease. Several polymorphisms that involve the metabolic activation or detoxification of carcinogens derived from cigarette smoke have been found to be associated with lung cancer risk. Many studies have focused on the relation between the distribution of polymorphic variants of different forms of the metabolic enzymes and lung cancer susceptibility. In this respect two groups of genetic polymorphisms of enzymes involved in xenobiotic metabolism, cytochrome P450 (CYP) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), have been discussed.CYP multigene superfamily consists of 10 subfamilies (CYP1-CYP10). A positive association between development of lung cancer and the mutant homozygous genotype ofCYP1A1 gene has been reported in several Japanese populations but such an association has not been observed in either Caucasians or African-Americans. The relation betweenCYP2D6 and lung cancer remains conflicting and inconclusive. Several polymorphisms have been identified at theCYP2E1 locus. No definitive link between the polymorphisms ofCYP2E1 and the risk of lung cancer has, however, been identified. The role of otherCYP2 isoforms in lung carcinogenesis has not been sufficiently investigated.GSTs form a superfamily of genes consisting of five distinct families, namedGSTA, GSTM, GSTP, GSTT andGSTS. The role ofGSTM, GSTT1 orGSTP1 polymorphism in modifying the lung cancer risk may be more limited than has been so far anticipated.Although some genetic polymorphisms discussed here have not shown significant increases/decreases in risk, individuals with differing genotypes may have different susceptibilities to lung cancer. Hopefully, in future studies it will be possible to screen for lung cancer using specific biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chikako Kiyohara
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashi-Ku, 812-8582, Fukuoka, Japan,
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27
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Tanaka K, Roberts MH, Yamamoto N, Sugiura H, Uehara M, Mao XQ, Shirakawa T, Hopkin JM. Genetic variants of the receptors for thromboxane A2 and IL-4 in atopic dermatitis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2002; 292:776-80. [PMID: 11922633 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.2002.6713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) is an arachidonate metabolite which is considered to relate to chronic inflammation in atopic diseases characterized by elevated immunoglobulin E productivity. The elevation of immunoglobulin E levels involves many molecules including interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-4 receptor alpha chain (IL-4R alpha). To assess whether genetic variants of TXA2 receptor, IL-4 and IL-4R alpha genes relate to the elevation of serum immunoglobulin E levels in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), we conducted an association study of genetic polymorphisms of TXA2 receptor (795C/T), IL-4 (-589C/T), and IL-4R alpha (Ile50Val) in a Japanese population (n = 789). The TXA2 receptor 795TT genotype strongly related to AD with high serum immunoglobulin E concentrations. AD patients with both TXA2 receptor 795TT genotype and the IL-4R alpha Ile50/Ile50 genotype showed the greatest immunoglobulin E concentrations. These results suggest TXA2 receptor polymorphism strongly interacts with IL-4R alpha polymorphism as a major determinant of high serum immunoglobulin E levels in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Tanaka
- Experimental Medicine Unit, University of Wales Swansea, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom.
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28
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Bottini N, Borgiani P, Otsu A, Saccucci P, Stefanini L, Greco E, Fontana L, Hopkin JM, Mao XQ, Shirakawa T. IL-4 receptor alpha chain genetic polymorphism and total IgE levels in the English population: two-locus haplotypes are more informative than individual SNPs. Clin Genet 2002; 61:288-92. [PMID: 12030894 DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-0004.2002.610408.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The IL-4RA locus encodes for the alpha chain of the IL-4 receptor, and is both a functional and positional candidate gene for atopy and allergic disease. Recently Ober et al. have shown that the study of haplotypes at multiple loci in the IL-4RA gene could be more informative than the separate study of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). One hundred and fifty subjects affected by atopic asthma and 150 healthy control subjects were studied in the English population (Oxford district). Subjects and controls were genotyped for the Ile50Val, Ser478Pro and Gln551Arg polymorphism of the IL-4 receptor alpha chain. The distribution of haplotypes 50-478 shows a highly significant association with IgE levels. In particular, the haplotype Val50/Pro478 is much less frequent in subjects with IgE levels > 100 U mL-1 than in those with IgE levels < 100 U mL-1. Furthermore, the distribution of haplotype 50-551 shows a weak association with IgE levels that is lacking for 478-551 haplotypes. A lower frequency of the Val50/Pro478 haplotype is also observed among asthmatic subjects as compared to healthy controls. With regard to individual SNPs (50 478 and 551), no significant association has been observed with IgE levels or with asthma, thus confirming the higher informative value of the haplotype analysis as compared to separate study on SNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Bottini
- Experimental Medicine Unit, University of Wales Swansea, UK
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29
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Seah GT, Gao PS, Hopkin JM, Rook GA. Interleukin-4 and its alternatively spliced variant (IL-4delta2) in patients with atopic asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2001; 164:1016-8. [PMID: 11587989 DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm.164.6.2012138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The interleukin-4 (IL-4) splice variant (IL-4delta2) is known to antagonize many biological activities of IL-4, and this challenges our understanding of the role of IL-4 in asthma. Studies that have used nonspecific antibodies, probes, and/or primers to quantify IL-4 in clinical samples would not have distinguished the expression of IL-4 from IL-4delta2. This is the first study to examine patients with chronic asthma and atopy for IL-4delta2 mRNA in their peripheral blood mononuclear cells without antigen stimulation, using a quantitative nested reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) protocol. The median IL-4 mRNA copy number in cells from the patients with asthma was 2.8 logs higher than in a comparator group of patients with tuberculosis (p = 0.0005) and 4.5 logs higher (p = 0.0004) than in healthy control subjects. In contrast, IL-4delta2 expression in cells from patients with asthma was similar to that seen in cells from patients with tuberculosis. Hence, the median ratio of IL-4 to IL-4delta2 was 500-fold higher in the patients with asthma when compared with either patients with tuberculosis or healthy control subjects. The relative expression of IL-4 and IL-4delta2 may be a reason for the functional diversity of Th2 cells in different clinical conditions, and a hitherto unexplored mechanism for the pulmonary pathology in patients with atopic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- G T Seah
- Windeyer Institute of Medical Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, United Kingdom
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30
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Izuhara K, Umeshita-Suyama R, Akaiwa M, Shirakawa T, Deichmann KA, Arima K, Hamasaki N, Hopkin JM. Recent advances in understanding how interleukin 13 signals are involved in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2001; 48:505-12. [PMID: 11197605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of allergic disease has dramatically increased in recent decades, especially in urban and industrialized areas. Allergic diseases are disorders of the immune system, the results of complex interactions among various genetic and environmental factors. Among them, the important role of interleukin 13 (IL-13), a Th2-type cytokine, has recently emerged in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. Based on studies using mice, great attention has been paid to the direct effects of IL-13 on bronchial tissues. In this review, we describe recent advances in understanding the signal transduction mechanism of IL-13, the involvement of IL-13 signal-related genes as genetic factors in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, and the expression of IL-13 receptor on bronchial tissues. We describe potential strategies for targeting IL-13 signals to improve allergic states.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Izuhara
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
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Fukunaga K, Asano K, Mao XQ, Gao PS, Roberts MH, Oguma T, Shiomi T, Kanazawa M, Adra CN, Shirakawa T, Hopkin JM, Yamaguchi K. Genetic polymorphisms of CC chemokine receptor 3 in Japanese and British asthmatics. Eur Respir J 2001; 17:59-63. [PMID: 11307756 DOI: 10.1183/09031936.01.17100590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Whole genome scan analyses have revealed that chromosomal region 3p21-24, which contains a gene cluster of CC chemokine receptors such as CCR3, is possibly linked to asthma. Because CCR3 ligands play a pivotal role in the selective recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells in the asthmatic airway, the authors examined whether there is any association between asthma and the CCR3 gene polymorphisms. Three polymorphisms were identified using the single stranded conformational polymorphism method in Japanese (Asian) and British (Caucasian) subjects; one silent mutation T51C and two missense mutations G824A and T971C. These polymorphisms were examined in 391 Japanese subjects (210 asthmatics and 181 nonasthmatic controls) and 234 British subjects (142 asthmatics and 92 nonasthmatic controls). Asthma diagnosis was based on episodic symptoms, documented wheeze, and the presence of reversible airflow limitation. CCR3 T51C demonstrated a significant association with the diagnosis of asthma in the British population (odds ratio 2.35, p<0.01), but not in the Japanese population. Multiple logistic regression analysis also showed that CCR3 T51C was associated with asthma (odds ratio 2.83, p < 0.02), independent of atopic phenotypes such as high levels of total or house dust mite-specific immunoglobulin-E in serum. In conclusion, a significant association between asthma and CCR3 T51C polymorphism localized on chromosome 3p21 was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Fukunaga
- Dept of Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Izuhara K, Umeshita-Suyama R, Akaiwa M, Shirakawa T, Deichmann KA, Arima K, Hamasaki N, Hopkin JM. Recent Advances in Understanding How Interleukin 13 Signals are Involved in the Pathogenesis of Bronchial Asthma. Inflammation 2001. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-015-9702-9_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Gao PS, Mao XQ, Hopkin JM, Adra CN, Yang X, Shirakawa T. Functional significance of polymorphisms of the interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 receptors in allergic disease. Clin Exp Allergy 2000; 30:1672-5. [PMID: 11122203 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2000.01011.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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34
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Mao XQ, Kawai M, Yamashita T, Enomoto T, Dake Y, Sasaki S, Kataoka Y, Fukuzumi T, Endo K, Sano H, Aoki T, Kurimoto F, Adra CN, Shirakawa T, Hopkin JM. Imbalance production between interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in bronchial asthma. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2000; 276:607-12. [PMID: 11027520 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.2000.3516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Genes of the IL-1 family encode three different peptides, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-1Ra, respectively. IL-1 operates through IL-1RI, and is involved in airway inflammation in asthmatic subjects, whereas IL-1Ra appears to be a specific competitive inhibitor of IL-1. All genes are on chromosome 2q12-21 where genomewide searches have identified linkage for asthma. To test whether variants of IL-1 relate to asthma, we conducted a genetic association study in a Japanese population. We show that the A2 allele of IL1RN (encoding IL-1Ra) associates with nonatopic asthma [OR = 5.71, 95% CI: 1.63-19. 8, Pc = 0.007]. Both atopic and nonatopic asthmatics with the A2 allele had significantly lower serum IL-1Ra levels in both types of asthmatics. Peripheral blood cells from asthmatics with A2 alleles, however, produced as much IL-1 as did those with A1 homozygotes. Since Th1 and Th2 cytokines differentially regulate the ratio between IL-1beta and IL-1Ra, these findings suggest that dysregulation of IL-1beta/IL-1Ra, probably due to interaction between epithelium and immuno-competent cells in the airway, is important in asthma inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Q Mao
- Experimental Medicine Unit, University of Wales Swansea, Swansea, United Kingdom
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Atopy is a common inherited disorder characterized by increased IgE responsiveness, but no functional analysis of the candidate genes related to atopy has been performed. IL-4 is important for B-cell production of IgE, and the human IL-4 receptor alpha chain (hIL-4Ralpha) is crucial for the binding and signal transduction of IL-4, so hIL-4Ralpha may be a candidate gene related to atopy. OBJECTIVE We examined the relationship between the variation at amino acid 50 of hIL-4Ralpha and atopic asthma. METHODS We performed a genetic study to investigate the relationship between the variation of amino acid 50 (isoleucine [Ile(50)] or valine [Val(50)]) and atopic asthma in a Japanese population and a functional study with the use of transfectants that expressed hIL4Ralpha bearing either Ile(50) or Val(50). Furthermore, we analyzed CD23 expression and IgE synthesis after IL-4 stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells bearing either Ile(50) or Val(50). RESULTS The prevalence of Ile(50) was higher than that of Val(50) in individuals with atopic asthma, especially during childhood. In transfectants, germline epsilon transcription activity and Stat6 activity were upregulated by the Ile(50) variant, compared with Val(50), but receptor affinity for IL-4 was similar between the two. CD23 expression and IgE synthesis in response to IL-4 were augmented in Ile(50)-expressing peripheral mononuclear blood cells compared to cells expressing Val(50). CONCLUSION The Ile(50) variant of hIL-4Ralpha may be related to atopic asthma, particularly in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Izuhara
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University; the Clinical Research Center for Allergy, National Sagamihara Hospital, Japan
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Gao PS, Fujishima S, Mao XQ, Remus N, Kanda M, Enomoto T, Dake Y, Bottini N, Tabuchi M, Hasegawa N, Yamaguchi K, Tiemessen C, Hopkin JM, Shirakawa T, Kishi F. Genetic variants of NRAMP1 and active tuberculosis in Japanese populations. International Tuberculosis Genetics Team. Clin Genet 2000; 58:74-6. [PMID: 10945666 DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-0004.2000.580113.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- X Q Mao
- Experimental Medicine Unit, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea, UK
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Gao PS, Mao XQ, Roberts MH, Arinobu Y, Akaiwa M, Enomoto T, Dake Y, Kawai M, Sasaki S, Hamasaki N, Izuhara K, Shirakawa T, Hopkin JM. Variants of STAT6 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 6) in atopic asthma. J Med Genet 2000; 37:380-2. [PMID: 10905892 PMCID: PMC1734576 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.37.5.380a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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40
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Kruse S, Mao XQ, Heinzmann A, Blattmann S, Roberts MH, Braun S, Gao PS, Forster J, Kuehr J, Hopkin JM, Shirakawa T, Deichmann KA. The Ile198Thr and Ala379Val variants of plasmatic PAF-acetylhydrolase impair catalytical activities and are associated with atopy and asthma. Am J Hum Genet 2000; 66:1522-30. [PMID: 10733466 PMCID: PMC1378003 DOI: 10.1086/302901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/1999] [Accepted: 02/07/2000] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The platelet-activating factor (PAF) represents a phospholipid with complex biological functions, including involvement in inflammatory processes. The degrading enzyme PAF acetylhydrolase (PAFAH) represents a candidate for asthma and other atopic diseases. Two loss-of-function mutations of PAFAH are associated with severe asthma in Japanese individuals. Our aim was to look for further PAFAH variants in white populations, their possible association with atopic and asthmatic phenotypes, and their functional importance. We picked up three common variants in the PAFAH gene: Arg92His (exon 4), Ile198Thr (exon 7), and Ala379Val (exon 11). The known loss-of-function mutations were not seen. The variant allele Thr198 was found to be highly associated with total IgE concentrations in an atopic population (P=.009) and with "atopic asthma" in an asthmatic population (P=.008). The variant allele Val379 was found to be highly associated with "specific sensitization" in the atopic population (P=.002) and with "asthma" in the asthmatic population (P=.003). By use of recombinant PAFAH enzymes, the variant Val379 showed increased (14 microM) and Thr198 markedly increased (42 microM) KM values compared to the wild type (7 microM); furthermore, Vmax of Val379 was highly increased (132%). Thr198 and Val379 influence plasmatic PAFAH toward lower substrate affinities and therefore are very likely to prolong the activities of PAF. At the same time, they are associated with an increased risk to develop asthma and atopy. Thus, two PAFAH variants seem to play a key role in atopic and asthmatic processes in Caucasian populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kruse
- University Children's Hospital, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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41
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Heinzmann A, Mao XQ, Akaiwa M, Kreomer RT, Gao PS, Ohshima K, Umeshita R, Abe Y, Braun S, Yamashita T, Roberts MH, Sugimoto R, Arima K, Arinobu Y, Yu B, Kruse S, Enomoto T, Dake Y, Kawai M, Shimazu S, Sasaki S, Adra CN, Kitaichi M, Inoue H, Yamauchi K, Tomichi N, Kurimoto F, Hamasaki N, Hopkin JM, Izuhara K, Shirakawa T, Deichmann KA. Genetic variants of IL-13 signalling and human asthma and atopy. Hum Mol Genet 2000; 9:549-59. [PMID: 10699178 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/9.4.549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 331] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma and atopy show epidemiological association and are biologically linked by T-helper type 2 (T(h)2) cytokine-driven inflammatory mechanisms. IL-4 operates through the IL-4 receptor (IL-4R, a heterodimer of IL-4Ralpha and either gammac or IL-13Ralpha1) and IL-13 operates through IL-13R (a heterodimer of IL-4Ralpha and IL-13Ralpha1) to promote IgE synthesis and IgE-based mucosal inflammation which typify atopy. Recent animal model data suggest that IL-13 is a central cytokine in promoting asthma, through the stimulation of bronchial epithelial mucus secretion and smooth muscle hyper-reactivity. We investigated the role of common genetic variants of IL-13 and IL-13Ralpha1 in human asthma, considering IgE levels. A novel variant of human IL-13, Gln110Arg, on chromosome 5q31, associated with asthma rather than IgE levels in case-control populations from Britain and Japan [peak odds ratio (OR) = 2.31, 95% CI 1.33-4.00]; the variant also predicted asthma and higher serum IL-13 levels in a general, Japanese paediatric population. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that both subunits of IL-13R are prominently expressed in bronchial epithelium and smooth muscle from asthmatic subjects. Detailed molecular modelling analyses indicate that residue 110 of IL-13, the site of the charge-modifying variants Arg and Gln, is important in the internal constitution of the ligand and crucial in ligand-receptor interaction. A non-coding variant of IL-13Ralpha1, A1398G, on chromosome Xq13, associated primarily with high IgE levels (OR = 3. 38 in males, 1.10 in females) rather than asthma. Thus, certain variants of IL-13 signalling are likely to be important promoters of human asthma; detailed functional analysis of their actions is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Heinzmann
- University Children's Hospital, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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MESH Headings
- Asian People
- Asthma/blood
- Asthma/ethnology
- Asthma/genetics
- Asthma/immunology
- Genetic Variation/genetics
- Humans
- Hypersensitivity, Immediate/blood
- Hypersensitivity, Immediate/ethnology
- Hypersensitivity, Immediate/genetics
- Hypersensitivity, Immediate/immunology
- Immunoglobulin E/blood
- Interleukin-13/genetics
- Interleukin-13/physiology
- Interleukin-13 Receptor alpha1 Subunit
- Interleukin-4/genetics
- Interleukin-4/physiology
- Polymorphism, Genetic/genetics
- Receptors, Interleukin/genetics
- Receptors, Interleukin/physiology
- Receptors, Interleukin-13
- Receptors, Interleukin-4/genetics
- Receptors, Interleukin-4/physiology
- Signal Transduction
- White People
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Affiliation(s)
- I Shirakawa
- Experimental Medicine Unit, University of Wales Swansea, Swansea, UK SA2 8PP.
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Gao PS, Kawada H, Kasamatsu T, Mao XQ, Roberts MH, Miyamoto Y, Yoshimura M, Saitoh Y, Yasue H, Nakao K, Adra CN, Kun JF, Moro-oka S, Inoko H, Ho LP, Shirakawa T, Hopkin JM. Variants of NOS1, NOS2, and NOS3 genes in asthmatics. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2000; 267:761-3. [PMID: 10673365 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.1999.2030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) gas concentrations are higher in expired air in asthmatics. NO is synthesized by three isoforms of NO synthase (NOS) encoded by three distinct genes, NOS1, NOS2, and NOS3. Genome-wide searches have identified linkages to asthma on chromosomes 7, 12, and 17 where these three genes are localized. No association study, however, has been reported to date. To test whether variants of NOS1, NOS2, and NOS3 relate to asthma, a genetic association study was conducted in a British population (n = 300). Intragenic microsatellite variants of NOS1 were significantly associated with asthma [odds ratio (OR) = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.20-3.57 (95% CI), P = 0.008 (Pc = 0.048)], but not with IgE levels. Neither NOS2 nor NOS3 variants showed any association with asthma nor IgE levels. These findings suggest that NOS1 variants may be a significant contributor to asthma in a British population.
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Affiliation(s)
- P S Gao
- Experimental Medicine Unit, University of Wales Swansea, Swansea, United Kingdom
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Gao PS, Mao XQ, Jouanguy E, Pallier A, Döffinger R, Tanaka Y, Nakashima H, Otsuka T, Roberts MH, Enomoto T, Dake Y, Kawai M, Sasaki S, Shaldon SR, Coull P, Adra CN, Niho Y, Casanova JL, Shirakawa T, Hopkin JM. Nonpathogenic common variants of IFNGR1 and IFNGR2 in association with total serum IgE levels. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1999; 263:425-9. [PMID: 10491309 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.1999.1368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Atopy is an immune disorder in which a Th2 dominant mechanism leads to high IgE levels and the clinical disorder asthma. It has been postulated that the Th1 cytokine IFNgamma, acting through its heterodimeric receptors, IFNgammaR1 and IFNgammaR2, in the induction/proliferation of Th1 cells, might suppress the Th2 responses that may underlie atopic asthma. However, neither murine nor human variants of IFNgamma associate with atopy. Several dysfunctional mutations have been identified in IFNgamma receptor genes (IFNGR1 and IFNGR2) in relation to severe and selective infections with poorly pathogenic organisms. However, little is known about common polymorphisms and their functional role in atopy. To test whether such variants of IFNGR1 and IFNGR2 relate to atopic asthma, we conducted a genetic association study in both British (n = 300) and Japanese (n = 200) populations. An intronic variant of IFNGR1 showed marginal association with total serum IgE levels in the British population compared with those with total IgE levels <30 IU/ml and those with >120-500 IU/ml [odds ratio = 2.00 (95% CI 1. 00-4.07), P = 0.048]. A coding variant, Gln64Arg of the IFNGR2, also associated with total serum IgE levels in the British population [chi(2) = 5.08, P = 0.024]. Further genetic and functional analyses are needed to clarify the role of variants of IFNgamma receptor genes in atopic immune disorder among different ethnic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- P S Gao
- Experimental Medicine Unit, University of Wales Swansea, Swansea, United Kingdom
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Mao XQ, Gao PS, Roberts MH, Enomoto T, Kawai M, Sasaki S, Shaldon SR, Coull P, Dake Y, Adra CN, Hagihara A, Shirakawa T, Hopkin JM. Variants of endothelin-1 and its receptors in atopic asthma. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1999; 262:259-62. [PMID: 10448102 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.1999.1158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a 21 amino acid peptide released from several types of bronchial cells. It operates through two types of receptors, type A(ET-RA) and type B(ET-RB) and has various activities in the pathophysiology of atopic asthma. These genes are localised on different chromosomes where genome-wide searches have identified linkage for atopic asthma, thus supporting the candidacy of ET-1 and its receptors for atopic asthma. A genetic association study was performed with variants of these three genes in both British (n = 300) and Japanese populations (n = 200). No significant association was found between variants of EDN1 and EDNRB genes, and atopic asthma in either population. However, variants of EDNRA gene showed a marginal association with atopy [odds = 0.39(95% CI: 0.17-0.89), p = 0.022, Pc = 0.066], especially with antigen specific IgE levels [odds = 0.31 (95% CI: 0.20-0.77), p = 0.006, Pc = 0.018] in the British population. These findings suggest that EDNRA is a major candidate locus for atopy on chromosome 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Q Mao
- Experimental Medicine Unit, University of Wales Swansea, Swansea, United Kingdom
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Gao PS, Mao XQ, Baldini M, Roberts MH, Adra CN, Shirakawa T, Holt PG, Martinez FD, Hopkin JM. Serum total IgE levels and CD14 on chromosome 5q31. Clin Genet 1999; 56:164-5. [PMID: 10517256 DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-0004.1999.560213.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Adra CN, Mao XQ, Kawada H, Gao PS, Korzycka B, Donate JL, Shaldon SR, Coull P, Dubowitz M, Enomoto T, Ozawa A, Syed SA, Horiuchi T, Khaeraja R, Khan R, Lin SR, Flinter F, Beales P, Hagihara A, Inoko H, Shirakawa T, Hopkin JM. Chromosome 11q13 and atopic asthma. Clin Genet 1999; 55:431-7. [PMID: 10450859 DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-0004.1999.550606.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is a complex syndrome in which bronchial inflammation and smooth muscle hyperactivity lead to labile airflow obstruction. The commonest form of asthma is that due to atopy, which is an immune disorder where production of IgE to inhaled antigens leads to bronchial mucosal inflammation. The ultimate origins of asthma are interactive environmental and genetic factors. The genetics is acknowledged to be heterogeneous, and one chromosomal region of interest and controversy has been 11q13. To clarify the nature of the chromosome 11q13 effect in atopy and asthma, we conducted a genetic association study in subjects with marked atopic asthma and matched controls, which incorporated the study of 13 genetic variants over a distance of 10-12 cM and which took account of detailed immune and clinical phenotyping. Association with high IgE levels was limited to the interval flanked by D11S1335 and CD20 in a 0.8-Mb interval and was greatest for variants of Fc epsilonRIbeta and HTm4; these variants also associated with asthma (recurrent wheeze with labile airflow obstruction and need for regular inhaler treatment). At the more telomeric marker, D11S480, variants associated with asthma, but not with high IgE levels. The data might support the possibility of multiple loci relevant to atopic asthma on chromosome 11q13.
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Affiliation(s)
- C N Adra
- Hematology/Oncology Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Mitsuyasu H, Yanagihara Y, Mao XQ, Gao PS, Arinobu Y, Ihara K, Takabayashi A, Hara T, Enomoto T, Sasaki S, Kawai M, Hamasaki N, Shirakawa T, Hopkin JM, Izuhara K. Cutting Edge: Dominant Effect of Ile50Val Variant of the Human IL-4 Receptor α-Chain in IgE Synthesis. The Journal of Immunology 1999. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.162.3.1227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Two variants of the IL-4R α-chain (IL-4Rα) gene have been recently identified in association with different atopic disorders. To clarify the etiological relationship between the two variants, we analyzed responsiveness to IL-4 of transfectants with four kinds of IL-4Rα carrying either Val or Ile at 50 and either Gln or Arg at 551. The substitution of Ile for Val augmented STAT6 activation, proliferation, and transcription activity of the Iε promoter by IL-4, whereas that of Arg for Gln did not change these IL-4 signals. Arg551 was not associated with atopic asthma in the Japanese population. CD23 expression and IgE synthesis by IL-4 were augmented in Ile50-bearing PBMC, compared with those bearing Val50. Taken together, substitution of Arg551 does not enhance the IL-4 signal for generation of germline ε transcript, whereas the substitution of Ile50 contributes to enhancement of IgE synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromichi Mitsuyasu
- *Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yukiyoshi Yanagihara
- †Clinical Research Center for Allergy, National Sagamihara Hospital, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Xiao-Quan Mao
- ‡Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Wales, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Pei-Sun Gao
- ‡Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Wales, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Yojiro Arinobu
- *Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kenji Ihara
- §Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Akira Takabayashi
- §Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Toshiro Hara
- §Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tadao Enomoto
- ¶Department of Otolaryngology, Japanese Red Cross Society, Wakayama Medical Center, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Sei Sasaki
- ∥Department of Pediatrics, Osaka College of Medicine, Takatsuki, Japan; and
| | | | - Naotaka Hamasaki
- *Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Taro Shirakawa
- ‡Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Wales, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Julian M. Hopkin
- ‡Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Wales, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Kenji Izuhara
- *Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Mitsuyasu H, Yanagihara Y, Mao XQ, Gao PS, Arinobu Y, Ihara K, Takabayashi A, Hara T, Enomoto T, Sasaki S, Kawai M, Hamasaki N, Shirakawa T, Hopkin JM, Izuhara K. Cutting edge: dominant effect of Ile50Val variant of the human IL-4 receptor alpha-chain in IgE synthesis. J Immunol 1999; 162:1227-31. [PMID: 9973373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Two variants of the IL-4R alpha-chain (IL-4Ralpha) gene have been recently identified in association with different atopic disorders. To clarify the etiological relationship between the two variants, we analyzed responsiveness to IL-4 of transfectants with four kinds of IL-4Ralpha carrying either Val or Ile at 50 and either Gln or Arg at 551. The substitution of Ile for Val augmented STAT6 activation, proliferation, and transcription activity of the Iepsilon promoter by IL-4, whereas that of Arg for Gln did not change these IL-4 signals. Arg551 was not associated with atopic asthma in the Japanese population. CD23 expression and IgE synthesis by IL-4 were augmented in Ile50-bearing PBMC, compared with those bearing Val50. Taken together, substitution of Arg551 does not enhance the IL-4 signal for generation of germline epsilon transcript, whereas the substitution of Ile50 contributes to enhancement of IgE synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Mitsuyasu
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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