DDAH1-V3 transcript might act as miR-21 sponge to maintain balance of DDAH1-V1 in cultured HUVECs.

Nitric Oxide. 2016 Nov 30;60:59-68

Authors: Kuang DB, Zhou JP, Yu LY, Zeng WJ, Xiao J, Zhu GZ, Zhang ZL, Chen XP

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether microRNA (miRNA) miR-21 regulates dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH1) expression through binding 3'-UTR region directly in human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVECs) and to explore whether DDAH1-V2/V3 transcripts can function as microRNA sponge, thereby modulating DDAH1-V1 expression.
METHODS: The DDAH1 3'-UTR containing miR-21 recognizing sequence was cloned into PmirGLO dual-luciferase miRNA target expression plasmid to construct PmirGLO-miR-21. The plasmid and miR-21 (at concentrations of 25, 50, 100 nM, respectively) or negative control (100 nM) were co-transfected into HUVECs, luciferase activity was detected at 24 h. HUVECs were incubated with 2 μg/ml Actinomycin D for the indicated time after miR-21 (25 nM) transfection, half-lives of DDAH1 mRNA were determined. HUVECs were transfected with PmirGLO-miR-21 alone or co-transfected with miR-21 for 24 h, DDAH1 transcripts mRNA, eNOS activity and DDAH1 protein expression were determined.
RESULTS: MiR-21 decreased luciferase activity of PmirGLO-miR-21 in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05 for 25 nM miR-21, P < 0.01 for 50 nM and 100 nM miR-21), and miR-21 inhibitor increased reporter activity of PmirGLO-miR-21 and mRNA expression of all three DDAH1 transcript variants significantly (P < 0.05, respectively). The degree of increase in endogenous DDAH1 mRNA expression by miR-21 inhibitor was more obvious for DDAH1-V3. Overexpression of miR-21 decreased mRNA expression and mRNA half-life time of all DDAH1 transcripts significantly (P < 0.05), and DDAH1-V2 displayed significantly decreased half-life time than DDAH1-V1 and -V3 with or without miR-21 transfection (P < 0.05, respectively). MiR-21 (100 nM) decreased DDAH1 protein expression and eNOS activity significantly (P < 0.05), which was reversed by PmirGLO-miR-21 transfection (P < 0.05). Transfection of PmirGLO-miR-21 alone increased intracellular miR-21 expression by approximately 5.6-fold, but only showed a trend of increase in DDAH1 protein expression.
CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed DDAH1 3'-UTR as a target for miR-21, and endogenous miR-21 showed increased inhibitory effect on DDAH1-V3 transcript. DDAH1 3'-UTR, especially for DDAH1-V3, may function as miR-21 sponge to regulate DDAH1 protein expression. Modulation of miR-21-DDAH1 interaction may provide a new approach for tackling cardiovascular diseases.

PMID: 27663503 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Gut microbiota and obesity: implications for fecal microbiota transplantation therapy.

Hormones (Athens). 2017 Jul;16(3):223-234

Authors: Kang Y, Cai Y

Abstract
Obesity is a major public health issue as it is causally associated with several chronic disorders, including type-2 diabetes, cerebrovascular disease (CVD), and cancer. In the United States and other countries worldwide, the obesity epidemic has drastically impacted the status of health of millions as well as healthcare costs. Aside from poor diet, hygiene, and genetics, there are many other factors thought to play an important role in the emergence of obesity. Nowadays, accumulating evidence is elucidating the relation of dysbiosis of intestinal bacteria with obesity and metabolic disorders. Certain gut microbial strains have been shown to inhibit or attenuate immune responses related to chronic inflammation in experimental models, suggesting that specific species among gut microbiota may play either a protective or a pathogenic role in the progression of obesity. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can therefore represent a therapeutic approach for obesity treatment. FMT is a relatively straightforward therapy that manipulates the human gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota by transferring healthy donor microbiota into an existing but disturbed microbial ecosystem. However, the relevant scientific work is still in its early stages. In this review, we summarize the cutting-edge research being done into FMT treatment of obesity, current issues in FMT treatment, and the future of FMT and microbial therapeutics.

PMID: 29278509 [PubMed - in process]

Chemotherapy Immunophenoprofiles in Non-small-cell Lung Cancer by Personalized Membrane Proteomics.

Proteomics Clin Appl. 2017 Dec 26;:

Authors: Putri DU, Feng PH, Hsu YH, Lee KY, Jiang FW, Kuo LW, Chen YJ, Han CL

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: No study has addressed how the immune status at the molecular level is affected by first-line pemetrexed and cisplatin (PEM-CIS) combination therapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Thus, we aimed to identify the immune status from membrane proteome alterations in patients with NSCLC upon PEM-CIS treatment.
METHODS: The paired peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from four patients with lung adenocarcinoma before and after the first regimen of PEM-CIS treatment and applied quantitative membrane proteomics analysis.
RESULT: In the personalized PBMC membrane proteome profiles, 2,424 proteins were identified as displaying patient-specific responsive patterns. We discovered an elevated neutrophil activity and a more suppressive T-cell phenotype with the downregulation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 degradation and the upregulation of type 2 T-helper and T-regulatory cells in the patient with the highest progression-free survival (PFS) of 14.5 months. Patients with a PFS of 2 months showed higher expressions of T-cell subsets, major histocompatibility complex class II pathways, and T-cell receptor signaling, which indicated an activated immune status.
CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Without the additional isolation of specific immune cell populations, our study demonstrated that PEM-CIS chemotherapy altered patients' immune system in terms of neutrophils, T cells, and antigen presentation pathways. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 29278294 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Enhanced antitumor and anti-metastasis efficacy against aggressive breast cancer with a fibronectin-targeting liposomal doxorubicin.

J Control Release. 2017 Dec 22;:

Authors: Jiang K, Song X, Yang L, Li L, Wan Z, Sun X, Gong T, Lin Q, Zhang Z

Abstract
The chemotherapy of aggressive breast tumor is usually accompanied by a poor prognosis because of the metastasis of tumor cells. Thus, it is important to simultaneously enhance antitumor and anti-metastasis efficacy. Fibronectin and its complexes are expressed on the walls of tumor vessels and in tumor stroma. Moreover, the expression of fibronectin in metastatic sites is even higher than that in primary tumors. Herein, we designed a fibronectin-targeting CREKA-modified liposomal doxorubicin (CREKA-Lipo-Dox) for the therapy of metastatic breast tumor. CREKA-Lipo was uniformly formed with high entrapment efficiency. It exhibited longer blood circulation time compared with free Dox, and there was no significant change compared with PEG-Lipo-Dox. Immunofluorescence results revealed that the CREKA-Lipo-Dox could specifically bind to fibronectin in the tumor vessels and tumor stroma. The antitumor and anti-metastasis efficacy of CREKA-loaded liposome was more obvious than that of free Dox or unmodified Dox-Lipo. Taken together, binding fibronectin by CREKA could be an attractive therapeutic strategy for metastatic breast cancer in the future.

PMID: 29277681 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Colorectal cancer stages transcriptome analysis.

PLoS One. 2017;12(11):e0188697

Authors: Huo T, Canepa R, Sura A, Modave F, Gong Y

Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the gene expression differences in different stages of CRC. Gene expression data on 433 CRC patient samples were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Gene expression differences were evaluated across CRC stages using linear regression. Genes with p≤0.001 in expression differences were evaluated further in principal component analysis and genes with p≤0.0001 were evaluated further in gene set enrichment analysis. A total of 377 patients with gene expression data in 20,532 genes were included in the final analysis. The numbers of patients in stage I through IV were 59, 147, 116 and 55, respectively. NEK4 gene, which encodes for NIMA related kinase 4, was differentially expressed across the four stages of CRC. The stage I patients had the highest expression of NEK4 genes, while the stage IV patients had the lowest expressions (p = 9*10-6). Ten other genes (RNF34, HIST3H2BB, NUDT6, LRCh4, GLB1L, HIST2H4A, TMEM79, AMIGO2, C20orf135 and SPSB3) had p value of 0.0001 in the differential expression analysis. Principal component analysis indicated that the patients from the 4 clinical stages do not appear to have distinct gene expression pattern. Network-based and pathway-based gene set enrichment analyses showed that these 11 genes map to multiple pathways such as meiotic synapsis and packaging of telomere ends, etc. Ten of these 11 genes were linked to Gene Ontology terms such as nucleosome, DNA packaging complex and protein-DNA interactions. The protein complex-based gene set analysis showed that four genes were involved in H2AX complex II. This study identified a small number of genes that might be associated with clinical stages of CRC. Our analysis was not able to find a molecular basis for the current clinical staging for CRC based on the gene expression patterns.

PMID: 29182684 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Curcumin protects neuronal cells against status-epilepticus-induced hippocampal damage through induction of autophagy and inhibition of necroptosis.

Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2017 May;95(5):501-509

Authors: Wang J, Liu Y, Li XH, Zeng XC, Li J, Zhou J, Xiao B, Hu K

Abstract
Status epilepticus, the most severe form of epilepsy, is characterized by progressive functional and structural damage in the hippocampus, ultimately leading to the development and clinical appearance of spontaneous, recurrent seizures. Although the pathogenesis underlying epileptogenesis processes remains unclear, a substantial body of evidence has shown that status epilepticus acts as an important initial factor in triggering epileptogenesis. Notably, besides classical cell death mechanisms such as apoptosis and necrosis, 2 novel regulators of cell fate known as necroptosis and autophagy, are demonstrated to be involved in neuronal damage in various neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. However, whether necroptosis and autophagy play a role in post-status-epilepticus rat hippocampus and other epilepsy mechanisms deserves further research effort. In addition, research is needed to determine whether compounds from traditional Chinese herbs possess antiepileptic effects through the modulation of necroptosis and autophagy. In this study, we found that curcumin, a polyphenolic phytochemical extracted from the Curcuma longa plant, protects neuronal cells against status-epilepticus-induced hippocampal neuronal damage in the lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus rat model through induction of autophagy and inhibition of necroptosis.

PMID: 28177687 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Considerable impacts of AGXT2 V140I polymorphism on chronic heart failure in the Chinese population.

Atherosclerosis. 2016 Aug;251:255-262

Authors: Hu XL, Zhou JP, Kuang DB, Qi H, Peng LM, Yang TL, Li X, Zhang W, Zhou HH, Chen XP

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase 2 (AGXT2) polymorphisms have been extensively studied to be associated with many cardiovascular diseases, with the exception of chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of this study was to determine whether the AGXT2 rs37369 (V140I) polymorphism is associated with risk for and prognosis of CHF in Chinese patients.
METHODS: 1000 CHF patients and 1200 healthy controls were recruited and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) was used to determine the genotypes of rs37369 polymorphism. Tube formation assay and transwell migration assay were performed to assess the effects of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and to explore the significance of rs37369 polymorphism in the pathogenesis of CHF. 140 CHF patients underwent a median follow-up of 38.7 months by telephone.
RESULTS: The rs37369 GG genotype was significantly over-represented in CHF patients compared to controls (18.9% vs 14.7%, p = 0.009) and was significantly associated with increased risk of CHF (p = 0.030), especially in patients with hypertension (p = 0.021). Besides, the rs37369 GG genotype marginally increased the risk for CHF in smokers. ADMA stimulated migration and inhibited tube formation of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Overexpression of AGXT2 with pcAGXT2-rs37369-A or G plasmid reversed ADMA-induced HUVECs migration and tube formation. AGXT2 rs37369-A showed increased ADMA degradation activity and marginally prolonged the lifetime of CHF patients.
CONCLUSIONS: ADMA might accelerate the progression of CHF possibly by inhibiting angiogenesis and promoting migration of HUVECs. AGXT2 rs37369 polymorphism is associated with increased risk for CHF, which may due to distinct disparities of alleles in ADMA degradation.

PMID: 27423328 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Cetuximab continuation after first progression in metastatic colorectal cancer (CAPRI-GOIM): a randomized phase II trial of FOLFOX plus cetuximab versus FOLFOX.

Ann Oncol. 2016 Jun;27(6):1055-61

Authors: Ciardiello F, Normanno N, Martinelli E, Troiani T, Pisconti S, Cardone C, Nappi A, Bordonaro AR, Rachiglio M, Lambiase M, Latiano TP, Modoni G, Cordio S, Giuliani F, Biglietto M, Montesarchio V, Barone C, Tonini G, Cinieri S, Febbraro A, Rizzi D, De Vita F, Orditura M, Colucci G, Maiello E, CAPRI-GOIM Investigators, CAPRI-GOIM investigators

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cetuximab plus chemotherapy is a first-line treatment option in metastatic KRAS and NRAS wild-type colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. No data are currently available on continuing anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy beyond progression.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: We did this open-label, 1:1 randomized phase II trial at 25 hospitals in Italy to evaluate the efficacy of cetuximab plus 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) as second-line treatment of KRAS exon 2 wild-type metastatic CRC patients treated in first line with 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) plus cetuximab. Patients received FOLFOX plus cetuximab (arm A) or FOLFOX (arm B). Primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Tumour tissues were assessed by next-generation sequencing (NGS). This report is the final analysis.
RESULTS: Between 1 February 2010 and 28 September 2014, 153 patients were randomized (74 in arm A and 79 in arm B). Median PFS was 6.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.7-8.0] versus 4.5 months (95% CI 3.3-5.7); [hazard ratio (HR), 0.81; 95% CI 0.58-1.12; P = 0.19], respectively. NGS was performed in 117/153 (76.5%) cases; 66/117 patients (34 in arm A and 32 in arm B) had KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA wild-type tumours. For these patients, PFS was longer in the FOLFOX plus cetuximab arm [median 6.9 (95% CI 5.5-8.2) versus 5.3 months (95% CI 3.7-6.9); HR, 0.56 (95% CI 0.33-0.94); P = 0.025]. There was a trend in better overall survival: median 23.7 [(95% CI 19.4-28.0) versus 19.8 months (95% CI 14.9-24.7); HR, 0.57 (95% CI 0.32-1.02); P = 0.056].
CONCLUSIONS: Continuing cetuximab treatment in combination with chemotherapy is of potential therapeutic efficacy in molecularly selected patients and should be validated in randomized phase III trials.

PMID: 27002107 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Are strong opioids equally effective and safe in the treatment of chronic cancer pain? A multicenter randomized phase IV 'real life' trial on the variability of response to opioids.

Ann Oncol. 2016 Jun;27(6):1107-15

Authors: Corli O, Floriani I, Roberto A, Montanari M, Galli F, Greco MT, Caraceni A, Kaasa S, Dragani TA, Azzarello G, Luzzani M, Cavanna L, Bandieri E, Gamucci T, Lipari G, Di Gregorio R, Valenti D, Reale C, Pavesi L, Iorno V, Crispino C, Pacchioni M, Apolone G, CERP STUDY OF PAIN GROUP (List of collaborators), CERP STUDY OF PAIN GROUP

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Guidelines tend to consider morphine and morphine-like opioids comparable and interchangeable in the treatment of chronic cancer pain, but individual responses can vary. This study compared the analgesic efficacy, changes of therapy and safety profile over time of four strong opioids given for cancer pain.
PATIENT AND METHODS: In this four-arm multicenter, randomized, comparative, of superiority, phase IV trial, oncological patients with moderate to severe pain requiring WHO step III opioids were randomly assigned to receive oral morphine or oxycodone or transdermal fentanyl or buprenorphine for 28 days. At each visit, pain intensity, modifications of therapy and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were recorded. The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of nonresponders, meaning patients with worse or unchanged average pain intensity (API) between the first and last visit, measured on a 0-10 numerical rating scale. (NCT01809106).
RESULTS: Forty-four centers participated in the trial and recruited 520 patients. Worst pain intensity and API decreased over 4 weeks with no significant differences between drugs. Nonresponders ranged from 11.5% (morphine) to 14.4% (buprenorphine). Appreciable changes were made in the treatment schedules over time. Each group required increases in the daily dose, from 32.7% (morphine) to 121.2% (transdermal fentanyl). Patients requiring adjuvant analgesics ranged from 68.9% (morphine) to 81.6% (oxycodone), switches varied from 22.1% (morphine) to 12% (oxycodone), discontinuation of treatment from 27% ( morphine) to 14.5% (fentanyl). ADRs were similar except for effects on the nervous system, which significantly prevailed with morphine.
CONCLUSION: The main findings were the similarity in pain control, response rates and main adverse reactions among opioids. Changes in therapy schedules were notable over time. A considerable proportion of patients were nonresponders or poor responders.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01809106 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01809106?term=cerp&rank=2).

PMID: 26940689 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Quaking Deficiency Amplifies Inflammation in Experimental Endotoxemia via the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1-NF-κB Pathway.

Front Immunol. 2017;8:1754

Authors: Wang L, Zhai DS, Ruan BJ, Xu CM, Ye ZC, Lu HY, Jiang YH, Wang ZY, Xiang A, Yang Y, Yuan JL, Lu ZF

Abstract
Macrophages, characterized by considerable diversity and plasticity, play a crucial role in a broad spectrum of biological processes, including inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the diverse phenotypes of macrophages are not well defined. Here, we show that the RNA-binding protein, quaking (QKI), dynamically modulates macrophage polarization states. After lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, QKI-silenced RAW 264.7 cells displayed a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype characterized by increased expression of iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-6 and decreased expression of anti-inflammatory factors, such as IL-10, found in inflammatory zone (Fizz1), and chitinase-like 3 (Chil3 or Ym1). By contrast, QKI5 overexpression led to a suppressive phenotype resembling M2 macrophages, even under M1 differentiation conditions. Moreover, myeloid-specific QKI-deficient mice tended to be more susceptible to LPS-induced endotoxic shock, while the exogenous transfer of macrophages overexpressing QKI5 exerted a significant improving effect. This improvement corresponded to a higher proportion of M2 macrophages, in line with elevated levels of IL-10, and a decrease in levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β. Further mechanistic studies disclosed that QKI was a potent inhibitor of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, suppressing p65 expression and phosphorylation. Strikingly, reduced expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) and reduced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 in QKI-deficient cells failed to restrain the transcriptional activity of NF-κB and NRL pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) activation, while restoring QKI expression skewed the above M1-like response toward an anti-inflammatory M2 state. Taken together, these findings suggest a role for QKI in restraining overt innate immune responses by regulating the Ahr/STAT1-NF-κB pathway.

PMID: 29276519 [PubMed]

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for treatment of ovarian cancer.

Int J Hyperthermia. 2016 May;32(3):298-310

Authors: Polom K, Roviello G, Generali D, Marano L, Petrioli R, Marsili S, Caputo E, Marrelli D, Roviello F

Abstract
Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), a strategy combining maximal cytoreductive surgery and maximal regional chemotherapy, has been applied to treat ovarian cancer resulting in long-term survival rates in selected patients. However, the status of HIPEC in ovarian cancer remains an experimental procedure, given the many variables among the data and trials reviewed, to enable us to derive strong conclusions about its role from this overview. In this review we discuss treatment with HIPEC in patients with ovarian cancer and future prospective of its use in clinical setting. HIPEC is an effective tool in the treatment of selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, due to the lack of randomised trials, the evidence of HIPEC is very limited. Future randomised studies are awaited to define the role and clinical impact of HIPEC in ovarian cancer.

PMID: 26984715 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Branching tryptamines as a tool to tune their antiproliferative activity.

Eur J Med Chem. 2017 Dec 09;144:211-217

Authors: Salikov RF, Trainov KP, Belousova IK, Belyy AY, Fatkullina US, Mulyukova RV, Zainullina LF, Vakhitova YV, Tomilov YV

Abstract
The influence of a series of tryptamine derivatives on the viability of normal (HEK293) and tumor (HepG2, Jurkat and SH-SY5Y) cells has been evaluated. All tryptamines tested were three different substitution types: C- and N-branching, and indole benzylation. All the derivations enhance the activity of compounds separately, although the effects of different substitutions were not additive. Thus, combinations of C- and N-branchings as well as C-branching and indole benzylation gave little or no increase in activity.

PMID: 29274489 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Synthesis, characterization, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of 2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-ylthio)-N-(substituted 4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl) acetamides.

Chem Cent J. 2017 Dec 22;11(1):137

Authors: Yadav S, Narasimhan B, Lim SM, Ramasamy K, Vasudevan M, Shah SAA, Selvaraj M

Abstract
BACKGROUND: A series of 2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-ylthio)-N-(substituted 4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl) acetamides was synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectral means. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger by tube dilution method. The in vitro cytotoxicity study of the compounds was carried out against human colorectal (HCT116) cell line. The most promising anticancer derivatives (5l, 5k, 5i and 5p) were further docked to study their binding efficacy to the active site of the cyclin-dependent kinase-8.
RESULTS: All the compounds possessed significant antimicrobial activity with MIC in the range of 0.007 and 0.061 µM/ml. The cytotoxicity study revealed that almost all the derivatives were potent in inhibiting the growth of HCT116 cell line in comparison to the standard drug 5-fluorouracil. Compounds 5l and 5k (IC50 = 0.00005 and 0.00012 µM/ml, respectively) were highly cytotoxic towards HCT116 cell line in comparison to 5-fluorouracil (IC50 = 0.00615 µM/ml) taken as standard drug.
CONCLUSION: The molecular docking studies of potent anticancer compounds 5l, 5k, 5i and 5p showed their putative binding mode and significant interactions with cyclin-dependent kinase-8 as prospective agents for treating colon cancer.

PMID: 29274036 [PubMed]

Protein-altering variants associated with body mass index implicate pathways that control energy intake and expenditure in obesity.

Nat Genet. 2018 Jan;50(1):26-41

Authors: Turcot V, Lu Y, Highland HM, Schurmann C, Justice AE, Fine RS, Bradfield JP, Esko T, Giri A, Graff M, Guo X, Hendricks AE, Karaderi T, Lempradl A, Locke AE, Mahajan A, Marouli E, Sivapalaratnam S, Young KL, Alfred T, Feitosa MF, Masca NGD, Manning AK, Medina-Gomez C, Mudgal P, Ng MCY, Reiner AP, Vedantam S, Willems SM, Winkler TW, Abecasis G, Aben KK, Alam DS, Alharthi SE, Allison M, Amouyel P, Asselbergs FW, Auer PL, Balkau B, Bang LE, Barroso I, Bastarache L, Benn M, Bergmann S, Bielak LF, Blüher M, Boehnke M, Boeing H, Boerwinkle E, Böger CA, Bork-Jensen J, Bots ML, Bottinger EP, Bowden DW, Brandslund I, Breen G, Brilliant MH, Broer L, Brumat M, Burt AA, Butterworth AS, Campbell PT, Cappellani S, Carey DJ, Catamo E, Caulfield MJ, Chambers JC, Chasman DI, Chen YI, Chowdhury R, Christensen C, Chu AY, Cocca M, Collins FS, Cook JP, Corley J, Corominas Galbany J, Cox AJ, Crosslin DS, Cuellar-Partida G, D'Eustacchio A, Danesh J, Davies G, Bakker PIW, Groot MCH, Mutsert R, Deary IJ, Dedoussis G, Demerath EW, Heijer M, Hollander AI, Ruijter HM, Dennis JG, Denny JC, Angelantonio E, Drenos F, Du M, Dubé MP, Dunning AM, Easton DF, Edwards TL, Ellinghaus D, Ellinor PT, Elliott P, Evangelou E, Farmaki AE, Farooqi IS, Faul JD, Fauser S, Feng S, Ferrannini E, Ferrieres J, Florez JC, Ford I, Fornage M, Franco OH, Franke A, Franks PW, Friedrich N, Frikke-Schmidt R, Galesloot TE, Gan W, Gandin I, Gasparini P, Gibson J, Giedraitis V, Gjesing AP, Gordon-Larsen P, Gorski M, Grabe HJ, Grant SFA, Grarup N, Griffiths HL, Grove ML, Gudnason V, Gustafsson S, Haessler J, Hakonarson H, Hammerschlag AR, Hansen T, Harris KM, Harris TB, Hattersley AT, Have CT, Hayward C, He L, Heard-Costa NL, Heath AC, Heid IM, Helgeland Ø, Hernesniemi J, Hewitt AW, Holmen OL, Hovingh GK, Howson JMM, Hu Y, Huang PL, Huffman JE, Ikram MA, Ingelsson E, Jackson AU, Jansson JH, Jarvik GP, Jensen GB, Jia Y, Johansson S, Jørgensen ME, Jørgensen T, Jukema JW, Kahali B, Kahn RS, Kähönen M, Kamstrup PR, Kanoni S, Kaprio J, Karaleftheri M, Kardia SLR, Karpe F, Kathiresan S, Kee F, Kiemeney LA, Kim E, Kitajima H, Komulainen P, Kooner JS, Kooperberg C, Korhonen T, Kovacs P, Kuivaniemi H, Kutalik Z, Kuulasmaa K, Kuusisto J, Laakso M, Lakka TA, Lamparter D, Lange EM, Lange LA, Langenberg C, Larson EB, Lee NR, Lehtimäki T, Lewis CE, Li H, Li J, Li-Gao R, Lin H, Lin KH, Lin LA, Lin X, Lind L, Lindström J, Linneberg A, Liu CT, Liu DJ, Liu Y, Lo KS, Lophatananon A, Lotery AJ, Loukola A, Luan J, Lubitz SA, Lyytikäinen LP, Männistö S, Marenne G, Mazul AL, McCarthy MI, McKean-Cowdin R, Medland SE, Meidtner K, Milani L, Mistry V, Mitchell P, Mohlke KL, Moilanen L, Moitry M, Montgomery GW, Mook-Kanamori DO, Moore C, Mori TA, Morris AD, Morris AP, Müller-Nurasyid M, Munroe PB, Nalls MA, Narisu N, Nelson CP, Neville M, Nielsen SF, Nikus K, Njølstad PR, Nordestgaard BG, Nyholt DR, O'Connel JR, O'Donoghue ML, Olde Loohuis LM, Ophoff RA, Owen KR, Packard CJ, Padmanabhan S, Palmer CNA, Palmer ND, Pasterkamp G, Patel AP, Pattie A, Pedersen O, Peissig PL, Peloso GM, Pennell CE, Perola M, Perry JA, Perry JRB, Pers TH, Person TN, Peters A, Petersen ERB, Peyser PA, Pirie A, Polasek O, Polderman TJ, Puolijoki H, Raitakari OT, Rasheed A, Rauramaa R, Reilly DF, Renström F, Rheinberger M, Ridker PM, Rioux JD, Rivas MA, Roberts DJ, Robertson NR, Robino A, Rolandsson O, Rudan I, Ruth KS, Saleheen D, Salomaa V, Samani NJ, Sapkota Y, Sattar N, Schoen RE, Schreiner PJ, Schulze MB, Scott RA, Segura-Lepe MP, Shah SH, Sheu WH, Sim X, Slater AJ, Small KS, Smith AV, Southam L, Spector TD, Speliotes EK, Starr JM, Stefansson K, Steinthorsdottir V, Stirrups KE, Strauch K, Stringham HM, Stumvoll M, Sun L, Surendran P, Swift AJ, Tada H, Tansey KE, Tardif JC, Taylor KD, Teumer A, Thompson DJ, Thorleifsson G, Thorsteinsdottir U, Thuesen BH, Tönjes A, Tromp G, Trompet S, Tsafantakis E, Tuomilehto J, Tybjaerg-Hansen A, Tyrer JP, Uher R, Uitterlinden AG, Uusitupa M, Laan SW, Duijn CM, Leeuwen N, van Setten J, Vanhala M, Varbo A, Varga TV, Varma R, Velez Edwards DR, Vermeulen SH, Veronesi G, Vestergaard H, Vitart V, Vogt TF, Völker U, Vuckovic D, Wagenknecht LE, Walker M, Wallentin L, Wang F, Wang CA, Wang S, Wang Y, Ware EB, Wareham NJ, Warren HR, Waterworth DM, Wessel J, White HD, Willer CJ, Wilson JG, Witte DR, Wood AR, Wu Y, Yaghootkar H, Yao J, Yao P, Yerges-Armstrong LM, Young R, Zeggini E, Zhan X, Zhang W, Zhao JH, Zhao W, Zhou W, Zondervan KT, CHD Exome+ Consortium, EPIC-CVD Consortium, ExomeBP Consortium, Global Lipids Genetic Consortium, GoT2D Genes Consortium, EPIC InterAct Consortium, INTERVAL Study, ReproGen Consortium, T2D-Genes Consortium, MAGIC Investigators, Understanding Society Scientific Group, Rotter JI, Pospisilik JA, Rivadeneira F, Borecki IB, Deloukas P, Frayling TM, Lettre G, North KE, Lindgren CM, Hirschhorn JN, Loos RJF

Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified >250 loci for body mass index (BMI), implicating pathways related to neuronal biology. Most GWAS loci represent clusters of common, noncoding variants from which pinpointing causal genes remains challenging. Here we combined data from 718,734 individuals to discover rare and low-frequency (minor allele frequency (MAF) < 5%) coding variants associated with BMI. We identified 14 coding variants in 13 genes, of which 8 variants were in genes (ZBTB7B, ACHE, RAPGEF3, RAB21, ZFHX3, ENTPD6, ZFR2 and ZNF169) newly implicated in human obesity, 2 variants were in genes (MC4R and KSR2) previously observed to be mutated in extreme obesity and 2 variants were in GIPR. The effect sizes of rare variants are ~10 times larger than those of common variants, with the largest effect observed in carriers of an MC4R mutation introducing a stop codon (p.Tyr35Ter, MAF = 0.01%), who weighed ~7 kg more than non-carriers. Pathway analyses based on the variants associated with BMI confirm enrichment of neuronal genes and provide new evidence for adipocyte and energy expenditure biology, widening the potential of genetically supported therapeutic targets in obesity.

PMID: 29273807 [PubMed - in process]

The rs2108622 polymorphism is related to the early risk of ischemic stroke in non-valvular atrial fibrillation subjects under oral anticoagulation.

Pharmacogenomics J. 2017 Dec 22;:

Authors: Colàs-Campàs L, Royo JL, Montserrat MV, Marzo C, Molina-Seguín J, Benabdelhak I, Cambray S, Purroy F

Abstract
Oral anticoagulant treatments, such as vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), are the main treatments administered to atrial fibrillation (AF) patients in order to prevent ischemic stroke (IS). However, the genes involved in the VKA metabolism can undergo variations in a single nucleotide (SNP). These SNPs may then affect the VKA target enzyme (VKORC1), VKA degradation enzyme (CYP2C9), and vitamin K bioavailability enzyme (CYP4F2). We genotyped these SNPs in a cohort of patients with non-valvular AF who were under VKA treatment after suffering an IS. Clinical variables, CHADS2-VASC score and data about the international normalized ratio (INR) within the therapeutic range were all recorded. DNA was extracted from blood and genotyping was carried out by DNA sequencing. The main endpoint was the time from VKA onset to IS. Of a total of 356 consecutive IS patients monitored, 33 were included in the study. The median time to the event was 2248.0 days (interquartile range [IQR] 896.3-3545.3). The median CHADS2-VASC score was 4.0 (IQR 3.0-6.0). When we considered the risk of IS within 2 years under VKA treatment, we found that only the rs2108622 AA genotype was significantly associated with this endpoint (early IS) (hazard ratio 6.81, 95% CI 1.37-33.92, p = 0.019). Kaplan-Meier curve analysis also showed a significant relationship between early IS and rs2108622 AA genotype (Log rank p = 0.022). The CYP4F2 gene rs2108622 polymorphism was associated with a risk of early IS in NV-AF patients under VKA treatment.

PMID: 29273767 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Corrigendum to "The expression of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 and its interaction with dendritic marker microtubule-associated protein-2 after status epilepticus" [Epilepsy Res. 138 (2017) 62-70].

Epilepsy Res. 2017 Dec 19;:

Authors: Zeng X, Chen S, Gao Q, Zong W, Jiang D, Zeng G, Zhou L, Chen L, Luo W, Xiao J, Xiao B, Dongsheng-Ouyang, Hu K

PMID: 29273340 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Genetic variation in human drug-related genes.

Genome Med. 2017 Dec 22;9(1):117

Authors: Schärfe CPI, Tremmel R, Schwab M, Kohlbacher O, Marks DS

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Variability in drug efficacy and adverse effects are observed in clinical practice. While the extent of genetic variability in classic pharmacokinetic genes is rather well understood, the role of genetic variation in drug targets is typically less studied.
METHODS: Based on 60,706 human exomes from the ExAC dataset, we performed an in-depth computational analysis of the prevalence of functional variants in 806 drug-related genes, including 628 known drug targets. We further computed the likelihood of 1236 FDA-approved drugs to be affected by functional variants in their targets in the whole ExAC population as well as different geographic sub-populations.
RESULTS: We find that most genetic variants in drug-related genes are very rare (f < 0.1%) and thus will likely not be observed in clinical trials. Furthermore, we show that patient risk varies for many drugs and with respect to geographic ancestry. A focused analysis of oncological drug targets indicates that the probability of a patient carrying germline variants in oncological drug targets is, at 44%, high enough to suggest that not only somatic alterations but also germline variants carried over into the tumor genome could affect the response to antineoplastic agents.
CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that even though many variants are very rare and thus likely not observed in clinical trials, four in five patients are likely to carry a variant with possibly functional effects in a target for commonly prescribed drugs. Such variants could potentially alter drug efficacy.

PMID: 29273096 [PubMed - in process]

miR-302b inhibits tumorigenesis by targeting EphA2 via Wnt/ β-catenin/EMT signaling cascade in gastric cancer.

BMC Cancer. 2017 Dec 22;17(1):886

Authors: Huang J, He Y, Mcleod HL, Xie Y, Xiao D, Hu H, Chen P, Shen L, Zeng S, Yin X, Ge J, Li L, Tang L, Ma J, Chen Z

Abstract
BACKGROUND: EphA2 is a crucial oncogene in gastric cancer (GC) development and metastasis, this study aims to identify microRNAs that target it and serve as key regulators of gastric carcinogenesis.
METHODS: We identified several potential microRNAs targeting EphA2 by bioinformatics websites and then analyzed the role of miR-302b in modulating EphA2 in vitro and in vivo of GC, and it's mechanism.
RESULTS: Our analysis identified miR-302b, a novel regulator of EphA2, as one of the most significantly downregulated microRNA (miRNA) in GC tissues. Overexpression of miR-302b impaired GC cell migratory and invasive properties robustly and suppressed cell proliferation by arresting cells at G0-G1 phase in vitro. miR-302b exhibited anti-tumor activity by reversing EphA2 regulation, which relayed a signaling transduction cascade that attenuated the functions of N-cadherin, β-catenin, and Snail (markers of Wnt/β-catenin and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, EMT). This modulation of EphA2 also had distinct effects on cell proliferation and migration in GC in vivo.
CONCLUSIONS: miR-302b serves as a critical suppressor of GC cell tumorigenesis and metastasis by targeting the EphA2/Wnt/β-catenin/EMT pathway.

PMID: 29273006 [PubMed - in process]

Accelerated DNA Methylation Age: Associations With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Mortality.

Psychosom Med. 2018 Jan;80(1):42-48

Authors: Wolf EJ, Logue MW, Stoop TB, Schichman SA, Stone A, Sadeh N, Hayes JP, Miller MW

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Recently developed indices of cellular age based on DNA methylation (DNAm) data, referred to as DNAm age, are being used to study factors that influence the rate of aging and the health correlates of these metrics of the epigenetic clock. This study evaluated associations between trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and accelerated versus decelerated DNAm age among military veterans. We also examined whether accelerated DNAm age predicted mortality over the course of a 6.5-year medical record review period.
METHODS: Three hundred thirty-nine genotype-confirmed white, non-Hispanic, middle-aged, trauma-exposed veterans underwent psychiatric assessment and genome-wide DNAm analysis. DNAm age was calculated using a previously validated algorithm. Medical records were available for a subset of 241 veterans and were reviewed approximately 6.5 years after DNA collection and PTSD assessment.
RESULTS: PTSD hyperarousal symptoms were associated with accelerated DNAm age (β = 0.20, p = .009) but trauma exposure and total PTSD severity were not. Accelerated DNAm age was also associated with 13% increased risk for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio = 1.13, 95% confidence interval = 1.01-1.26) during the medical record review period.
CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study replicate the association between PTSD and accelerated DNAm age and suggest that this effect may be specific to the hyperarousal symptom cluster. Results point to the potential utility of DNAm age algorithms for identifying individuals who are aging at an accelerated rate and for determining the factors that influence this process.

PMID: 29271864 [PubMed - in process]

An initial health economic evaluation of pharmacogenomic testing in patients treated for childhood cancer with anthracyclines.

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2017 Dec 22;:

Authors: Dionne F, Aminkeng F, Bhavsar AP, Groeneweg G, Smith A, Visscher H, Rassekh SR, Ross C, Carleton B

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anthracyclines are a class of highly effective chemotherapeutic drugs commonly used to treat cancer patients. Anthracyclines, however, are associated with the development of serious adverse reactions, including anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (ACT). It is not possible, within current practice, to accurately individualize treatment to minimize risk.
PROCEDURE: Recently, genetic variants have been associated with the risk of ACT in children. Building on these findings and the related genetic test, a predictive model was developed which classifies pediatric patients by their risk of developing ACT. We assessed the value of this ACT-predictive risk classification in addressing ACT.
RESULTS: With current care, the estimated average lifetime cost of ACT is $8,667 per anthracycline-treated patient and approximately 7% of patients are expected to die from ACT. The projected impact of the information from the new predictive model is a 17% reduction in the risk of mortality from ACT and savings of about 6%: lives saved and lower costs.
CONCLUSION: The newly identified genetic variants associated with the risk of ACT provide information that allows a more reliable prediction of the risk of ACT for a given patient and can be obtained at a very moderate cost, which is expected to lead to meaningful progress in reducing harm and costs associated with ACT.

PMID: 29271558 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]