Search

Melanoma is the most deadly skin cancer, and its incidence is growing. EZH2, a member of the Polycomb Group (PcGs) proteins family, plays an important biological role in the occurrence and development of melanoma. EZH2 germline genetic polymorphisms have not been yet evaluated in melanoma predisposition. Three hundred thirty sporadic Italian melanoma patients and 333 healthy volunteers were genotyped to analyse the association between EZH2 variants rs6950683, rs2302427, rs3757441, rs2072408 and melanoma risk. The functionality of rs6950683 alleles was investigated in keratinocytes (HaCat), melanoma cells (A375) and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293), using promoter-reporter assays. Genotype distribution of SNPs showed that rs6950683T and rs3757441C alleles were positively associated with melanoma risk (P = .003 and .004, respectively). Haplotype analysis revealed that TCCA and CCCG haplotypes were associated with a higher risk of melanoma (P = .02 and .04, respectively). Functional assays demonstrated that allele rs6950683T reduce promoter activity in the three cell lines analysed compared to C allele. rs6950683T and rs3757441C alleles in the EZH2 gene appear positively associated with melanoma risk in the analysed population. In addition, we demonstrated for the first time the functional role of rs6950683 upstream polymorphism on EZH2 gene expression regulation.

Background Circulating microRNAs have emerged as novel multiple sclerosis (MS) biomarkers. Aims To assess the association between candidate miR expression in serum samples of patients with MS and the disease course. Methods Serum levels of ten microRNAs (ie, miR-199, miR-128-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-27a-3p, miR-15b-5p, miR-325, miR-92a1-5p, miR-223-5p, miR-22-5p, and miR-23a-5p) were measured in 74 MS cases and 17 non-MS controls consecutively enrolled at Verona University Hospital. The association of microRNA expression with patients' clinical and MRI features was analyzed. Candidate microRNAs were detected by real-time PCR and expressed as ratio of each microRNA level to a normalizer. Results Serum miR-128-3p levels were higher in progressive than relapsing MS (median ratio 2.86 vs 0.73, P = .036). In addition, miR-128-3p was upregulated in patients without relapses after sample collection compared to cases who relapsed (1.64 vs 0.82; P = .014). miR-128-3p levels and relapse rate were inversely correlated (r = -.44, P = .008). Conclusions Serum levels of mir-128-3p could be related to biological mechanisms underlying MS activity and progression.

Aims: The miR-17-92 cluster and the HDAC9 gene are involved in inflammatory, apoptotic, and angiogenic processes that are activated in the vulnerable carotid plaque. The aim of this research was to determine whether expression of one or more of the miRs of the miR-17-92 cluster and/or HDAC9 expression could represent biomarkers for patients with unstable atherosclerotic carotid plaques. Materials and Methods: Plasma levels of miRs and HDAC9 expression in peripheral blood were analyzed by real-time PCR in patients with histologically classified stable or unstable plaques. Results: No differences were observed between the two groups. Discussion and Conclusions: Levels of the miR-17-92 cluster in plasma and HDAC9 gene expression in peripheral blood cannot be considered appropriate biomarkers to identify patients with unstable plaques at risk of rupture.

Objectives To assess the clinical, microbiologic, and radiologic status of soft and hard tissues surrounding zygomatic implants. Study Design Patients who had at least two zygomatic implants were eligible for the study. Their soft tissues were analyzed, and microbial samples were collected. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and orthopantomography were used to measure bone levels. The patients were also asked to complete a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) questionnaire assessing their satisfaction. Results A total of 65 zygomatic implants placed in 20 patients were assessed. As one zygomatic implant was lost, the cumulative survival rate was 98.5%. All the prostheses were successful. Peri-implant soft tissues were generally in a healthy condition. The patients with a history of periodontitis had worse mean peri-implant clinical parameters and showed more bacterial colonization with respect to their nonperiodontal counterparts. The implant recipients had low levels of crestal and zygomatic bone loss and high VAS scores indicating their general satisfaction. Conclusions Although zygomatic implants were confirmed to be a reliable treatment option, patients with a history of periodontitis were, nevertheless, found to have special needs, such as frequent dental hygiene sessions.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/prostaglandine synthetase 2 (PTGS2) signaling plays a relevant role in atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability. The purpose of this study was to check the gene expression of 6 genes participating to TLR4/PTGS2 signaling (TLR4, PTGS2, ACSL4, PTGER3, PTGER4, and EPRAP) in carotid plaques and blood samples from the same individual and to evaluate these genes as biomarker of plaque progression. We investigated differential gene expression by qRT-PCR in 62 atherosclerotic patients’ carotid plaques and corresponding blood sample. A very weak or no correlation was observed in the overall population or analyzing asymptomatic patients. These analyzed genes are most likely not suitable for inclusion in the clinical routine as biomarkers of plaque instability.

Inflammation has a key role and translates the effects of many known risk factors for the disease in atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques. Aiming to look into the elements that induce the development of either a vulnerable or stable atherosclerotic plaque, and considering that inflammation has a central role in the progression of lesions, we analyzed the expression of genes involved in the ACE/TLR4/PTGS2 signaling in carotid plaques of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Patients with internal carotid artery stenosis undergoing carotid endarterectomy at Verona University Hospital were included in this study. A total of 71 patients was considered for gene expression analysis (29 atherothrombotic stroke patients and 42 asymptomatic patients). Total RNA was extracted from the excised plaques and expression of PTGS2, ACE, TLR4, PTGER4, PTGER3, EPRAP and ACSL4 genes was analyzed by real-time PCR. The correlation between the pair of genes was studied by Spearman coefficient. From the analyzed genes, we did not observe any individual difference in gene expression but the network of co-expressed genes suggests a different activation of pathways in the two groups of plaques.

The genetics of melanoma is complex and, in addition to environmental influences, numerous genes are involved or contribute toward melanoma predisposition. In this study, we evaluated the possible interaction between miR-146a and one of its putative targets ribonuclease L (RNASEL) in the risk of sporadic melanoma. Polymorphisms rs2910164 in miR-146a and rs486907 in the RNASEL gene have both independently been associated with the risk of different cancers, and an interaction between them has been observed in nonmelanoma skin cancer. Polymorphisms rs2910164 G/C and rs486907 A/G were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in 304 sporadic melanoma patients and 314 control individuals. Genotype distribution between cases and controls for each of the two polymorphisms was compared using Fisher's exact test. Epistasis between the two polymorphisms was tested by a logistic regression model. In the present study, we observed a sex-specific effect of the miR-146a rs2910164 C allele restricted to individuals carrying the RNASEL rs486907 A allele as well. Men carrying this allelic combination have the highest risk of melanoma, whereas it seems to have no effect or even an opposite relationship to melanoma risk in the female population. The results reported in the present study suggest a sex-specific interaction between miR-146a and RNASEL genes in melanoma skin cancer susceptibility, and could account for possible discordant results in association studies when stratification according to sex is not performed.

A variant located at the end of HDAC9 gene within clusters of DNAse I sensitivity zones and histone modification hotspots has been associated with large vessel stroke and could be linked to plaque instability. The aim of the study is to define if an altered expression of HDAC9, TWIST1 and FERD3L genes could be involved in plaque vulnerability. Histological classification and gene expression analysis were performed in 6 stable and 16 unstable plaques obtained from asymptomatic patients undergoing endarterectomy. Gene expression was analysed by real-time PCR. TWIST1 gene expression resulted higher in stable plaques (P

We re-evaluated the association with multiple sclerosis (MS) of the C77G splicing regulatory variation in the CD45 gene and screened for new mutations the three alternatively spliced exons (#4, 5 and 6). No association with C77G was detected in two groups of patients (total=448) and controls (total=559) from Northern and Southern Italy. When excluding the first published study indicating a positive association, a meta-analysis of the five further studies conducted to date (including the present one) led to a non-significant combined odds ratio (OR) of 1.11. None of the four newly identified nucleotide substitutions, namely C77T (Pro59Pro) in exon 4, G69C (Asp121His) in exon 5, T127A (Ile187Asn) and A138G (Thr191Ala) in exon 6, was significantly associated to MS.

Prostaglandins, especially prostaglandin E synthetase (PGE2), influence carcinogenesis by promoting cell proliferation, inhibiting apoptosis, stimulating angiogenesis and mediating immune suppression. Cyclooxygenase-2, coded by the PTGS2 gene, is the key enzyme in the production of prostaglandins. In melanoma, Cox-2 is over expressed in primary malignant melanoma (MM) and in their corresponding metastases. Polymorphisms in the promoter region of PTGS2 gene can modulate gene expression and could modify individual susceptibility to MM. Two hundred and forty melanoma patients and 342 controls were genotyped for polymorphisms −765G>C (rs20417) and −1195A>G (rs689466). Allele −765C frequency was significantly higher in melanoma patients. No allele frequency differences for −1195A>G polymorphism were observed. Haplotype analysis revealed that the haplotypes carrying the minor alleles were associated to a higher risk of melanoma (P = 0.02). Expression analysis showed that allele −765C is associated to a higher gene expression and could represent a risk allele by affecting the functionality of the promoter.

Inflammation has a prominent role in the development of atherosclerosis. Type 2 diabetes could contribute to atherosclerosis development by promoting inflammation. This status might accelerate changes in intrinsic vascular wall cells and favor plaque formation. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is highly expressed in atherosclerotic plaques. COX-2 gene expression is promoted through activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1β (IL1-β). Aim of this study is to investigate whether expression profiles of pro-inflammatory genes such as COX-2, TLR4 and IL1-β in atherosclerotic plaques are altered in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Total RNA was isolated from plaques of atherosclerotic patients and expression of COX-2, TLR4, IL1-β analyzed using real-time PCR. Histological analysis was performed on sections of the plaque to establish the degree of instability. Statistically significant differences in mRNA expression of COX-2 and IL1-β were found in plaques of T2D compared with non-T2D patients. A multi-variable linear regression model suggests that COX-2 mRNA expression is affected by T2D pathology and IL1-β mRNA expression in atherosclerotic plaques. Our results support the hypothesis that T2D pathology contributes in vivo to increase the inflammatory process associated with the atherosclerotic plaque formation, as shown by an increment of COX-2 and IL1-β mRNA expression.

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is an autosomal recessive storage disease caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme, arylsulfatase A. Two common mutations causing MLD have been characterized and correlations between phenotype and genotype have been established. A third common mutation, T799G, has also been identified in European MLD patients, and is associated with the late-onset forms of the disease. We report the molecular analysis of two Italian MLD patients, with juvenile and adult onset of the disease, respectively, who carried the T799G mutation in compound heterozygosity with different null mutations. A novel rapid mutation detection method is demonstrated for patient screening. One patient has a novel mutation, a T553C [corrected] transition that results in the substitution of Pro for Leu at codon 135, and produces no enzymatic activity in transfection experiments.

Background and purpose Recent multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence studies classify Italy as a high-risk area without intra-regional latitude effect. Objectives To determine MS prevalence in Verona, Italy, and frequency of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) gene G511C polymorphism and HLA-DRB1*15 locus in a sample of cases and healthy controls. Methods The study area population on the prevalence date (31 December 2001) was 253 208 (133 508 women, 119 700 men). Multiple case sources were examined. Patients fulfilling McDonald's criteria (2001) were included. Crude, age- and sex-specific prevalence rates were computed. MOG G511C polymorphism and HLA-DRB1*15 were determined by standard methods. Results We identified 270 cases of MS yielding a crude prevalence rate of 106.6/100 000 (95% CI: 94–120). Prevalence was higher in women (140.8/100 000) than in men (68.5/100 000). The age-adjusted prevalence rate standardized to the European population was 96.0/100 000. MOG G511C polymorphism did not differ between cases and controls. HLA-DRB1*15 frequency was 58/155 (37%) in cases and 24/157 (15%) in controls (P

Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) is a primary receptor of the innate immune reaction and compelling evidence demonstrates its involvement in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and stroke. TLR4 is constitutively expressed on monocytes and endothelial cells; it is highly expressed in atherosclerotic plaques and in peripheral blood of patients after ischemic stroke. Polymorphisms in the promoter region that alter the transcriptional regulation of this gene may represent genetic risk factors involved in the predisposition to atherosclerotic disease. In this study we investigated the effect on TLR4 gene expression of three polymorphisms in the upstream regulatory region at positions -1607T>C/rs10759932, -2026A>G/rs1927914 and -2604G>A/rs10759931 in peripheral blood of atherosclerotic patients. RNA from individuals homozygous for the -2604A allele showed a lower expression of the gene when compared to patients carrying the counterparts GG+GA. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed differences in the electrophoretic mobility of the DNA-nuclear protein complexes formed by the G>A variants, suggesting that the two alleles differ in their binding affinity to transcriptional factors.

The molecular defect responsible for a sporadic case of extremely severe (type II/III) osteogenesis imperfecta was investigated. The mutation site was localised in the collagen type I pro alpha 2 mRNA molecules produced by the proband's skin fibroblasts by chemical cleavage of mismatch in heteroduplex nucleic acids. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction DNA amplification, followed by cloning and sequencing, showed heterozygosity for a G to T transversion in the first nucleotide of exon 37 of the COL1A2 gene, which led to a cysteine for glycine substitution at position 640 of the triple helical domain. This newly characterised mutation is localised in a domain which contains several milder mutations, confirming that glycine substitutions within the alpha 2(I) chain do not follow a linear gradient pattern for genotype to phenotype correlations. In a subsequent pregnancy, absence of the G2327T mutation in the fetus was shown by allele specific oligonucleotide hybridisation to the trophoblast derived fibroblast mRNA after reverse transcription and in vitro amplification. (The nucleotide number assigned to the mutant base was inferred from the numbering system devised by the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Analysis Consortium (The OIAC Newsletter, 1 April 1994).)

A detailed analysis of the coding sequences of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotei (MOG) gene was performed in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and in control individuals and three new polymorphisms are described: T636C, nt 571+77C→T (IVS 4), and nt 710−44A→G (IVS 6). Screening studies demonstrated that T636C was present in three MS patients and in no control individual and that polymorphisms nt 571+77C→T (IVS 4), and nt 710−44A→G (IVS 6), were present with no significant frequency differences in MS patients and control individuals. No mutations were found after sequencing the coding sequences of the extracellular domain of MOG gene in 20 MS patients and 20 control individuals. Screening studies were also performed for known polymorphisms: G15A, Val142Leu, nt 571+68A→G (IVS 4), and 571+92C→G (IVS 4). Polymorphism Val 142 Leu, which is linked to nt 571+68A→G (IVS 4), resulted under-represented in MS patients.

Solid organ transplant recipients are at higher risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), especially basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Genetic alterations in the production of detoxifying enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) and CYP1A1 may enhance this risk. We investigated the frequency of GST genotypes (GSTM1, GSTM3, GSTT1 and GSTP1) and CYP1A1 in 239 transplant recipients: 107 cases with NMSC and 132 controls free from NMSC matched for type of transplanted organ, duration of transplantation, sex and age. Allele GSTP1*A was associated with a higher risk of NMSC [odds ratio (OR) 1.7 (1.1-2.5); P = 0.017]. Homozygosity for allele GSTP1 Val(105) was lower in cases [OR 0.3 (0.1-0.8); P = 0.012], especially in patients with SCC [OR 0.1 (0.0-0.7); P = 0.012]. A higher risk of BCC was found in patients with GSTM1 null/null [null/null versus A + B, OR 3.1 (1.4-6.8); P = 0.003]. Analysis of allelism and interaction between allelic variants showed significant association between combined GSTM1 and CYP1A1 Val(462) genotypes, where individuals homozygous for the risk allele GSTM1 null and carrying also the allele CYP1A1 Val(462), show a higher risk of developing NMSC [OR 4.5 (1.1-21.4); P = 0.03], especially SCC [OR 6.5 (1.4-34.4); P = 0.01]. GSTP1 polymorphisms are associated with both BCC and SCC risk. GSTM1 polymorphisms seem to be involved in BCC risk, while GSTM1 null/null genotype combined with CYP1A1 allele Val(462) are associated with a higher risk for SCC, indicating that allelism and/or interactions between allelic variants at other loci may also influence the risk of NMSC, particularly SCC.

Idiopathic chronic and acute recurrent pancreatitis (IP) have been associated with mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Mutations in the serine protease inhibitor Kazal 1 (SPINK1) have been described in some idiopathic chronic patients and it has been suggested that mutations in this gene could be responsible for a loss of trypsin inhibitor function. In this study, the 5'UTR region, and the four exons and exon-intron boundaries of the SPINK1 gene in 32 IP patients have been analyzed. Three IP patients (9.3%) and one control/100 carried the N34S mutation of the SPINK1 gene (Fisher's exact test, P=0.044). No other mutation that could be associated with an altered function of the SPINK1 protein was observed. The N34S mutation was present in two patients who carried the CFTR-IVS8 5T variant and in one who carried the L997F variant in the CFTR gene. The association of SPINK1 with CFTR gene mutations in IP patients is statistically significant (3/32 IP cases and 0/100 control individuals carrying mutations in both genes; Fisher's exact test P=0.01).

Many Cystic Fibrosis (CF) carriers have been detected testing some subjects with chronic pancreatititis for a limited number of mutations. The aim of this study was to find out if some subjects with pancreatitis and a CFTR mutation actually carry another, undetected mutation. We screened for 18 CFTR mutations plus the CFTR intron 8 poly(T) tract length a population of 67 patients suffering from idiopathic either acute, or recurrent acute, or chronic pancreatitis. Three of them were diagnosed as affected by CF. Among the others, a subset of 14 (8 CFTR mutation carriers, 4 5T carriers, and 2 sweat chloride borderliners) was selected and analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Six possibly CF-related mutations were detected: L997F and 3878delG were found in two of the subjects already carrying another mutation, S1235R and L997F in one patient carrying the 5T, and L997F and D614G in the two patients with borderline sweat chloride. Among the 14 selected cases a total of 11 patients carried at least one mutation, and three of them were compound heterozygotes. Though it is debatable whether these three individuals can be considered affected by CF, their pancreatitis is possibly a clinical manifestation of some CFTR-related disease. Hum Mutat 18:166, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The authors present two new missense mutations in exon 1 of the adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) gene. The first, a C813T transition, results in the substitution Pro143 Ser in the third putative transmembrane domain of the adrenoleukodystrophy protein (ALDP) in an adult onset case. The second, a de novo C709T transition, results in a substitution Ser 108 Leu between the second and the third putative transmembrane segments, in a childhood case.

The molecular defect responsible for a case of mild osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) with repeated femoral fractures was investigated. The proband and his mother, who presented minor OI signs but no bone fractures, were shown to produce normal and abnormal type-I procollagen molecules in their dermal fibroblasts. The molecular defect was localized in about half of the proband's pro alpha 1(I) mRNA molecules by chemical cleavage with piperidine of hydroxylamine-reacted mRNA:cDNA heteroduplexes. The corresponding region was reverse-transcribed and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Cloning and sequencing of the amplified products revealed in both subjects a G-to-A transition in the first base of codon 901 of the alpha 1(I) triple helical domain, which led to a serine for glycine substitution. Allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization to amplified genomic DNA from fibroblasts and leukocytes confirmed the heterozygous nature of both patients and proved the absence of mosaicism. The presence of the mutation was excluded in other healthy family members, who were reported to have bluish selerae. The mild phenotypic outcome of this newly characterized mutation contradicts previous findings on glycine substitutions in the C-terminal region of collagen triple helix, most of which caused lethal OI.

Udgivelsesdato: 2007-Oct Multiple self-healing squamous epithelioma (MSSE), also known as Ferguson-Smith Disease, is a rare cancer-associated genodermatosis with an autosomal dominant inheritance. Affected patients suffer from recurrent skin lesions, which clinically and histologically resemble keratoacanthomas or well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas, but which, if left, undergo spontaneous regression, leaving pronounced scarring. The majority of MSSE cases previously described were of Scottish ancestry and all shared the same at-risk haplotype, suggesting that this disorder was caused by a founder mutation. The candidate locus for MSSE lies in a region of

ObjectivesAn inflammatory process following stroke in human brains and systemic inflammatory responses after stroke in humans have been reported by numerous investigators. The aim of the study was to investigate if genes involved in the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) pathway are upregulated at peripheral level in patients after transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and stroke.Design of StudyBlood samples were obtained from two groups of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. The first group included 25 patients who presented TIA or ischaemic stroke. The second group included 35 patients who had an asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis. Total RNA was isolated and the expression of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4), COX-2, membrane-associated Prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES-1), Prostaglandin E2 receptors (EP3 and EP4) was analysed by real time RT-PCR.ResultsExpression of COX-2 and TLR4 were significantly increased in symptomatic patients (p

Cells possessing widely different physiological and morphological features have been treated with substances known to stimulate the differentiation of erythroleukemia cells. Only short fatty acids are capable of causing a hyperacetylation of the core histones and of enhancing the level of an H1-like protein in Chinese hamster ovary cells. While the time courses of a butyrate-mediated acetylation are similar for all cells, the maximum histone acetyl contents are much higher for the transformed cell of a given type. A withdrawal of butyrate rapidly (within 45 min) gives rise to a ‘hypoacetylated state’ for fibroblasts and transformed fibroblast (epithelial) cells from which there is a slow recovery Lymphoid cells, on the other hand, display a marked persistence of the highly aaacetylated forms of histone H4.