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PubMed1989

[Autoimmunity and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Experimental data and therapeutic prospects].

Experimental results and therapeutic strategies. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) results from an autoimmune aggression toward beta cells in genetically predisposed individuals. Examination of the frequency of the different antigens coded by the major histocompatibility complex reveals an increased proportion of DR3-DQ2 and DR4-DQ8 haplotypes in IDDM subjects. Sequencing DQ-beta chains in such patients indicates the absence of aspartate in position 57 when compared to control individuals. Islet cell cytoplasmic autoantibodies are early markers of ongoing autoimmunity in addition to insulin autoantibodies before administration of exogenous insulin. Experimental models of autoimmune diabetes like the NOD (NonObese Diabetes) mouse underline the predominant role of T lymphocytes in the constitution of both insulitis and beta cell destruction. In humans, an increased proportion of activated T lymphocytes can be observed but is not specific of the disease. This underlines the need for new cellular markers of the autoimmune process. Transgenic mice allow studies on the consequences of abnormal expression of new molecules on beta cell surface like cytokines or MHC class II molecules which represent a new field of investigation on the pathogenesis of IDDM. Prospective studies in first degree relatives of type I diabetic patients indicate the existence of an asymptomatic phase of beta cell destruction where specific autoimmune markers can be individualized. In some individuals abnormal insulin response to glucose--loss of first phase insulin release during intravenous glucose tolerance test--precedes insulin deficiency. The identification of an autoimmune process leading to beta cell destruction allows new therapeutic approaches with immunointervention at early stages of the disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Phylogeography of the human mitochondrial L1c haplogroup: genetic signatures of the prehistory of Central Africa.

Interindividual variation of human mitochondrial DNA has been extensively studied over the last two decades, and its usefulness for reconstructing evolutionary relationships of extant populations has been proved. However, some mitochondrial lineages still need to be studied using a combination of larger and tailored datasets and increased level of resolution in order to shed light on their origin and on the processes underlying their present distribution. In this study, we analyze the phylogeny of the L1c haplogroup of human mitochondrial DNA using sequence data from hypervariable regions 1 and 2 obtained from 455 individuals (extracted from a total sampling of 2542 individuals) belonging to sub-Saharan African and African-American populations. We propose a substantial revision of L1c phylogeny, by introducing one new sub-haplogroup (L1c4), two new L1c1 clades (L1c1b and L1c1c), and by reassigning the previous L1c1a1 sequences to a clade which we termed L1c5. The new phylogeny encompasses distinct lineages with different evolutionary histories. In fact, based on population frequency, internal variation and mismatch distribution, we propose that L1c1b, L1c1c and L1c2 originated in Bantu ancestors, whereas L1c1a, L1c4 and L1c5 evolved among Western Pygmies. The population structure of L1c is not comparable to any known mitochondrial or, even, Y-chromosomal haplogroup, and challenges the current view that most of mtDNA variation in Pygmies might reflect admixture with Bantu or a persistence of plesiomorphic characters. In fact, the unique feature of the L1c is that it retains a signature of a phase common to the ancestors of the Bantu and Western Pygmies, while encompassing some specific sub-clades which can indicate their divergence. This allowed us to attempt a phylogenetically based assessment of the evolutionary relationships between the two groups. Taking into consideration estimates of the time to the most recent common ancestor of L1c and its clades together with archaeological and paleoclimatological evidence, we propose that the ancestors of Bantu and Western Pygmies separated between 60 and 30 kya.

Africa, Central↗
PubMed2004

Interleukin-1 gene cluster polymorphisms and susceptibility to clinical malaria in a Gambian case-control study.

Interleukin-1 (IL1) is a potent endogenous pyrogen and inducer of the acute phase response, and these innate immune responses are an important part of the human host's initial reaction to infection by the malaria parasite. In addition, several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this region have previously been demonstrated to be associated with susceptibility to infectious disease. Therefore, a possible association with malaria susceptibility was investigated. A total of 13 polymorphic markers were used in a two-stage screening strategy to genotype a Gambian case-control study group by either restriction endonuclease digestion or the Sequenom MassARRAY assay. This involved an initial screen of 188 severe cases and 188 mild controls, and if there was a significant association with a malaria phenotype (P<0.05); this was followed by screening of the remaining 1044 samples. Two markers showed significant association with malaria: interleukin-1 alpha +4845 G --> T (P=0.035 for mild malaria versus controls) and interleukin-1 beta +3953 C --> T (P=0.030 for mild malaria versus severe malaria). Haplotypes constructed using the SNPHAP programme were not associated with any of the malaria phenotypes investigated. In summary, if IL1 variants are involved in malaria susceptibility in the Gambia at all, then the effects are small.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2000

Twenty two novel mutations of the factor VII gene in factor VII deficiency.

Factor VII is a vitamin K-dependent coagulation protease essential for the initiation phase of normal hemostasis. The human factor VII gene (FVII, also known as F7) spans 13 kb and is located on chromosome 13, 2.8 kb upstream of the factor X gene. In the Greifswald FVII deficiency study the molecular basis for inherited factor VII was investigated. All exons, exon-intron boundaries and the promotor of the FVII gene were amplified by PCR and directly sequenced. 87 unrelated probands with reduced or low FVII activities were investigated. Thirty-four different FVII gene lesions were analyzed in 101 FVII alleles of 77 unrelated probands. Twenty-two of these FVII gene lesions are novel FVII variations. The 34 different lesions comprise 31 point mutations and three small deletions. A transition in the CpG doublet accounted for 12 of the 34 different mutants. Sixteen mutations were noted only once. The missense mutation A294V and the double mutation A294V; 11128delC in exon 8 were by far the most common mutations found in this study. The haplotype of the different mutant FVII alleles were analyzed using six polymorphisms of the FVII gene. The haplotypes were identified in 29 mutant FVII alleles. Five different haplotypes are linked to the mutant FVII alleles. Except for one, the same haplotype was detected in FVII genes with an identical FVII gene mutation. Different haplotypes were identified in two patients with the mutant allele A206T. It is likely that identical mutant FVII alleles with the same haplotype share the same origin.

Alleles↗
PubMed1997

The T/B cell interaction involved in induction of the mouse IgG2ab suppression is restricted by major histocompatibility complex class I, but not class II molecules.

To determine the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction of the T/ B cell interaction involved in a negative regulation of Ig production, we used mouse model of T cell-induced IgG2ab suppression in vivo. Normal or specifically triggered T splenocytes from mice of the Igha haplotype, when neonatally transferred into histocompatible Igha/b heterozygotes, are able to induce a specific and total suppression of the IgG2ab allotype. Nevertheless, only transfer of IgG2ab-primed Igha T splenocytes induces this suppression in Ighb/b homozygous congenic mice in which the whole IgG2a isotype production is inhibited. This suppression is chronically maintained by CD8+ T cells, but can be experimentally reversed. We have established that the suppression induction required a CD4+CD8+ T cell cooperation and operated via the recognition by the involved TCR of C gamma 2ab-derived peptides presented by the target B cells in an MHC haplotype-restricted manner. Here, by using Ighb mice genetically deficient for MHC class I (beta 2-microglobulin%, or beta 2m%) or class II (I-A beta%) molecules, we demonstrate functionally that the suppression induction implicates an MHC class I-, but not class II-restricted interaction. Indeed, the anti-IgG2ab T cells transferred into Ighb H-2b I-A beta% mice carry out the suppression process normally, while in Ighb H-2b beta 2m% recipients, their suppression induction capacity is significantly inhibited. Moreover, the C gamma 2ab 103-118 peptide, identified as the sole C gamma 2ab-derived peptide able to amplify the anti-IgG2ab T cell reactivity in Igha H-2b mice, is also able to stabilize the H-2Db, but not the H-2Kb class I molecules at the surface of RMA-S (TAP2-, H-2b) cells. These results indicate that, despite the CD4+/CD8+ T cell cooperation during the induction phase of suppression only MHC class I molecule expression is required at the surface of IgG2ab+ B cells for suppression establishment.

Adoptive Transfer↗
PubMed1998

Polymorphism of feline beta-globins studied by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the feline beta-globin system with respect to the number and genetics of adult beta-globin chains. ANIMALS: 84 domestic and purebred cats (9 breeds), 14 cats were mildly to severely anemic. For genetic analyses, 12 litters with 1 to 5 offspring for a total of 29 kittens. PROCEDURE: Feline globins from erythrocyte lysates were separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and analyzed on the basis of retention time and area of each beta-globin peak. Mixing studies with half the amount of hemoglobin (Hb) from 2 cats were performed to assign the beta-globin peaks in each cat. The Hb from 60 cats were also separated by standard isoelectric focusing methods. RESULTS: Heme and alpha- and beta-globins were effectively separated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Although there was only 1 alpha-globin, a total of 6 beta-globins (I through VI) were identified, with each cat having 1 to 4 beta-globin chains. From analysis of the number of beta-globins, their relative amounts, and Hb mixing studies, 17 beta-globin patterns were observed. The beta-globin pattern in healthy and anemic cats was identical. Family studies documented an autosomal codominant mode of inheritance of the adult beta-globins and a linkage of 2 beta-chains forming haplotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Biochemical and genetic evidence for the greatest polymorphism of adult beta-globins thus far described in any species is provided. A feline beta-globin gene region with 2 linked beta-globin gene loci and 2 and 5 alleles is proposed. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Better understanding of feline Hb will likely be helpful for diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies in anemic cats.

Alleles↗
PubMed1996

Recombination patterns around the breakpoints of a balanced 1;11 autosomal translocation associated with major mental illness.

The frequency and extent of pairing failure around human translocations are unknown. We have examined the pattern of recombination around the breakpoints of a balanced autosomal translocation t(1;11) (q43;q21) associated with major mental illness. DNA was available from 17 carriers and 10 non-translocation carriers with meioses involving four generations. The derivative 1 and 11 chromosomes were also isolated in somatic cell hybrids and used to confirm phase. We have genotyped pedigree members using 20 polymorphic markers within 10 cM on either side of both chromosome 1 and 11 breakpoints. We find no significant reduction of recombination in the vicinity of either breakpoint. However we estimate that there are insufficient meioses even in this large family to make a meaningful interpretation and suggest that sperm typing alone can answer these interesting questions.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1987

The chicken erythrocyte-specific MHC antigen. Characterization and purification of the B-G antigen by monoclonal antibodies.

Mouse monoclonal antibodies with B-G antigen (major histocompatibility complex class IV) specificity were obtained after immunization with erythrocytes or partially purified B-G antigen. The specificities of the hybridoma antibodies were determined by precipitation of B-G antigens from 125I-labeled chicken erythrocyte membranes (CEM) followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and autoradiography. The B-G antigen had an approximate molecular mass of 46-48 kd in reduced samples, depending on the haplotype, and in unreduced samples contained either dimers (85 kd), when labeled erythrocytes were the antigen source, or trimers (130 kd), when B-G was purified and precipitated from CEM. The B-G antigen was unglycosylated as studied by in vitro synthesis in the presence or absence of tunicamycin, binding experiments with lectin from Phaseolus limensis, and treatment of purified B-G antigen with Endoglycosidase-F or trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. Two-way sequential immunoprecipitation studies of erythrocyte membrane extracts with anti-B-G alloantisera and monoclonal antibodies revealed only one population of B-G molecules. Pulse-chase experiments have shown B-G to be synthesized as a monomer, with dimerization taking place after 20-30 min. No change in the monomer's molecular mass due to posttranslational modifications was revealed. The antigen was purified from detergent extract of CEM by affinity chromatography with a monoclonal antibody, and then reduced and alkylated and affinity-purified once more. Finally, reverse-phase chromatography resulted in a pure product. The B-G antigen was identified in the various fractions by rocket immunoelectrophoresis. The final product was more than 99% pure, as estimated by SDS-PAGE analysis followed by silver stain of proteins. The yield from the affinity chromatography step was 3-4 micrograms B-G/ml blood, calculated from Coomassie-stained SDS-PAGE of B-G using ovalbumin standards. The monoclonal antibodies were also used to identify the B-G (class IV) precipitation arc in crossed immunoelectrophoresis. No common precipitate with the B-F (class I) antigen was observed.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

NQO1, MPO, and the risk of lung cancer: a HuGE review.

The aim of this study is to summarize the available molecular epidemiologic studies of lung cancer and metabolic genes, such as NAD(P)H quinone reductase 1 (NQO1) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). NQO1 plays a dual role in the detoxification and activation of procarcinogens whereas MPO has Phase I activity by converting lipophilic carcinogens into hydrophilic forms. Variant genotypes of both NQO1 Pro187 Ser and MPO G-463A polymorphisms may be related to low enzyme activity. The Pro/Ser and Ser/Ser genotypes combined of NQO1 was significantly associated with decreased risk of lung cancer in Japanese [random effects odds ratio (OR) = 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.56-0.88] among whom the variant allele is common. The variant genotype of MPO was associated with decreased risk of lung cancer among Caucasians (random effects OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.47-1.04). Gene-environment interactions in both polymorphisms may be hampered by inaccurate categorization of tobacco exposure. Evidence on gene-gene interactions is extremely limited. As lung cancer is a multifactorial disease, an improved understanding of such interactions may help identify individuals at risk for developing lung cancer. Such a study should include larger sample size and other polymorphisms in the metabolism of tobacco-derived carcinogens and address interactions with smoking status. The effects of polymorphisms are best represented by their haplotypes. In future studies on lung cancer, the development of haplotype-based approaches will facilitate the evaluation of haplotypic effects, either for selected polymorphisms physically close to each other or for multiple genes within the same drug-metabolism pathway.

Genetic Predisposition to Disease↗
PubMed2005

Identification of genetic markers for fat deposition and meat tenderness on bovine chromosome 5: development of a low-density single nucleotide polymorphism map.

As genetic markers, SNP are well suited for the development of genetic tests for production traits in livestock. They are stable through many generations and can provide direct assessment of individual animal's genetic merit if they are in linkage disequilibrium and phase with functional genetic variation. Bovine chromosome 5 has been shown to harbor genetic variation affecting production traits in multiple cattle populations; thus, this chromosome was targeted for SNP-based marker development and subsequent association analysis with carcass and growth phenotypes. Discovery of SNP was performed in a panel of 16 sires representing two sires from each of seven beef breeds and two Holstein sires by PCR amplification and sequencing using primers designed from genomic sequence obtained by low-coverage sequencing of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones. From 550 SNP, 296 (54%) were tentatively identified as having a minor allele frequency >10%. Forty-five SNP derived from 15 BAC were chosen based on minor allele frequency and were genotyped in 564 steers and their sires. Production and carcass data were collected on the steers as a part of the Germplasm Evaluation (GPE), Cycle VII Project at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (Clay Center, NE), which involves of the evaluation of sires from seven of the most popular U.S. breeds. Haplotypes based on seven SNP derived from a BAC containing the bovine genes HEM1 and PDE1B were associated with traits related to carcass fat. Steers homozygous for the major haplotype had 0.15 +/- 0.04 cm less subcutaneous fat, 0.57 +/- 0.18 kg less rib fat, 0.18 +/- 0.07 lower yield grade, 1.11 +/- 0.35% less predicted fat yield, and 0.79 +/- 0.3% greater predicted retail product yield than heterozygotes. The frequency of the major haplotype was 0.70 in the steers, and it ranged from 0.44 (Limousin) to 0.98 (Simmental and Gelbvieh) in a panel consisting of an average of 20 purebred sires from each of the seven breeds. A second set of haplotypes based on four SNP derived from a BAC containing the genes NOL1 and CHD4 was associated with Warner-Bratzler shear force. Steers homozygous for the major haplotype had 0.27 +/- 0.11 kg greater shear force than those heterozygous for the major haplotype and one of two minor haplotypes. The frequency of the major haplotype was 0.59 in the steers and ranged from 0.27 (Hereford) to approximately 0.95 (Angus and Red Angus) in the panel of purebred sires. These results demonstrate the feasibility of targeting QTL regions for SNP-based marker development and that a low level of coverage can identify markers associated with phenotypic traits.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

Characterization of a disease-causing Glu119-Lys mutation in the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene in two Danish families with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Mutations in the gene for the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL receptor) cause the autosomal dominant inherited disease familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). In 15 Danish patients with heterozygous FH we have screened exon 4 of the LDL receptor gene for point mutations and small rearrangements employing genomic DNA amplification and bidirectional solid-phase sequencing. Two subjects were found to be heterozygous for a guanine to adenine base substitution at nucleotide position 418 of the LDL receptor cDNA. This point mutation results in an amino acid change from glutamic acid to lysine at amino acid residue 119 in the third repeat of the cysteine-rich ligand binding domain of the mature LDL receptor. Disruption of LDL receptor function by the Glu119-Lys mutation was confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis and expression in COS-7 cells. By Western blotting the mutation was found to affect the processing of the LDL receptor protein. Using flow cytometric analysis of the transfected cells a decreased binding and internalization of LDL by the mutant receptor was documented. By means of a mutation-specific PCR-based assay the Glu119-Lys mutation was not detected in another 85 apparently unrelated Danish heterozygous FH patients. We identified six persons in the index families with the Glu119-Lys mutation cosegregating with the clinical syndrome of FH in these families. Furthermore, haplotype analysis revealed that the haplotype [SfaNI+, StuI+, AvaII-, (dTA)7] of the mutation carrying allele was the same in the two apparently unrelated patients. This indicates that the mutation has been inherited from a common ancestor.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Incipient speciation across a depth gradient in a scleractinian coral?

A few marine cases have demonstrated morphological and genetic divergence in the absence of spatial barriers to gene flow, suggesting that the initial phase of speciation is possible without geographic isolation. In the Bocas del Toro Archipelago of the Atlantic Coast of Panama, we found two morphotypes of the scleractinian coral Favia fragum with opposing depth distributions. One morphotype fit the classical description of F. fragum and was most abundant at 3 m depth. A second morphotype was distinguished by raised corallites and was restricted to < or = 1 m depth. The two morphotypes overlapped in distribution at 1 m depth. Multivariate analysis of polyp-level characters (shape and distribution of septa within corallites) divided samples into two groups corresponding to initial qualitative observations of colony shape and corallite relief. To determine whether reduced gene flow maintains morphological variation, we measured the frequencies of alleles at five allozyme loci in both morphotypes at three sites 1-2 km distant. While there were significant differences in allele frequencies between morphotypes within sites, there were also frequency differences among sites at most loci, with the exception of nearly fixed alleles at the PGM locus. Extremely low heterozygosity permitted us to use haplotypes to compare genetic distance between morphotypes and among sites. Comparisons between haplotype data and a null model assuming gene flow between morphotypes showed that the two morphotypes shared significantly fewer haplotypes than expected, and average genetic distance between morphotypes was significantly greater than expected. Partitioning haplotype variation with analysis of molecular variance demonstrated that 35% of the variation was explained by morphotype, whereas 28% of the variation was explained by site. Two PGM heterozygotes and several individuals homozygous for rare PGM alleles are consistent with hybridization, and perhaps introgression by selfing within morphotypes. We consider three hypotheses for this morphological and genetic divergence in F. fragum: (1) intraspecific polymorphism, (2) incipient species, (3) biological species; and discuss the role of reproductive characters in a divergence-with-gene flow mechanism of speciation.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Mutations in the pyruvate kinase L gene in patients with hereditary hemolytic anemia.

We have completely sequenced the introns of the human L-type pyruvate kinase (PK) gene using the published cDNA sequence. Subsequently, DNA from 12 unrelated PK deficiency (PKD) patients of Central European origin was investigated for mutations in this gene by solid-phase sequencing. We detected 10 different mutations, 9 of which result in single amino acid alterations, whereas the tenth destroys a splice site. Eight of the 10 mutations have not been described before. We found 7 missense mutations: G994-->A (Gly-332-->Ser), G1006-->T (Ala-336-->Ser), A1081-->G (Asn-361-->Asp), G1174-->A (Ala-392-->Thr), G1493-->A (Arg-498-->His), G1529-->A (Arg-510-->Gln), C1594-->T (Arg-532-->Trp), one in-frame triplet deletion (del) as well as one insertion (ins): del AAG1060-62 (del Lys-354), ins AGC after C1203 (ins Ser after Cys-401), and one splice-site mutation at the border of intron A to exon 3: g/G283-->a/G. Although the enzymatic properties are substantially changed in all PK mutations, only two affected amino acid positions are in or close to the active site. Mutations C1594-->T, G994-->A, del AAG1060-62 and the splice-site mutation g/G283-->a/G have been detected in two different patients each. Mutation G1529-->A was found in five different alleles. Haplotype analysis with the A/C polymorphism at position 1705 gave evidence for a single origin of this most frequent mutation in PKD as suggested by Baronciani and Beutler (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 90:4324, 1993). Carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis are now feasible for the affected families.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital↗
PubMed2001

In vivo variability of TMA oxidation is partially mediated by polymorphisms of the FMO3 gene.

Trimethylaminuria (TMAU) results from an accumulation of an excessive amount of unoxidized trimethylamine that is excreted in urine and body secretions. Mutations of the flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) gene (a hepatic phase I drug-metabolizing enzyme) account for the severe recessively encoded form of this condition. We have previously described a number of FMO3 polymorphisms which in vitro exhibit reduced substrate affinity for several FMO substrates. Here we show that three prevalent polymorphisms (E158K, V257M, and E308G) inherited in particular combinations confer a slight decrease in TMA oxidation under normal physiological conditions, which may be clinically "silent." With the use of substrate loading or with the interaction of other known modulators of FMO3 activity such as hormonal influences, these genotypes may predispose to mild TMAU.

Alleles↗
PubMed2006

A new method for detecting human recombination hotspots and its applications to the HapMap ENCODE data.

Computational detection of recombination hotspots from population polymorphism data is important both for understanding the nature of recombination and for applications such as association studies. We propose a new method for this task based on a multiple-hotspot model and an (approximate) log-likelihood ratio test. A truncated, weighted pairwise log-likelihood is introduced and applied to the calculation of the log-likelihood ratio, and a forward-selection procedure is adopted to search for the optimal hotspot predictions. The method shows a relatively high power with a low false-positive rate in detecting multiple hotspots in simulation data and has a performance comparable to the best results of leading computational methods in experimental data for which recombination hotspots have been characterized by sperm-typing experiments. The method can be applied to both phased and unphased data directly, with a very fast computational speed. We applied the method to the 10 500-kb regions of the HapMap ENCODE data and found 172 hotspots among the three populations, with average hotspot width of 2.4 kb. By comparisons with the simulation data, we found some evidence that hotspots are not all identical across populations. The correlations between detected hotspots and several genomic characteristics were examined. In particular, we observed that DNaseI-hypersensitive sites are enriched in hotspots, suggesting the existence of human beta hotspots similar to those found in yeast.

Base Composition↗
PubMed1995

Orosomucoid and haptoglobin types in patients with sarcoidosis.

Association with HLA and complement factors has been reported in sarcoidosis, and the results of previous studies suggest a multifactorial and immunogenetic etiology of the disease. We have studied two genetic acute-phase reactant systems, orosomucoid (ORM) and haptoglobin (HP), in 226 patients with sarcoidosis and population controls from northern Sweden. Significant allele and phenotype differences between patients and controls were found in both systems. The ORM1 phenotype showed a significant increase in sarcoidosis (RR = 1.34, p = 0.036), which was more pronounced among patients with low (< 1,500 nkat/l) angiotensin-converting enzyme levels (RR = 1.83, p = 0.00065) and hypercalcemia (RR = 3.69, p = 0.0023). The HP1 type was significantly increased among the sarcoidosis patients (RR = 1.57, p = 0.013). The results suggest that the ORM1 1 and HP1 types may be contributory determinants in the multifactorial etiology of sarcoidosis.

Female↗
PubMed2005

Variations of the interleukin-6 promoter are associated with features of the metabolic syndrome in Caucasian Danes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) is an essential regulator of the acute phase response associated with insulin-resistant states including type 2 diabetes and obesity. Three polymorphisms at positions -597, -572, and -174 of the IL6 promoter have been reported to influence IL6 transcription. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the IL6 promoter polymorphisms were associated with features of the WHO-defined metabolic syndrome and related quantitative traits in 7,553 Caucasian Danes. METHODS: Using analysis of PCR-generated primer extension products by mass spectrometry we examined -597 G/A, -572 G/C, and -174 G/C IL6 variants in the population-based Inter99 study cohort of middle-aged people (n=6,164) and in a group of type 2 diabetic patients (n=1,389). RESULTS: The -174 G/C and -597 G/A polymorphisms were in strong linkage disequilibrium (R(2)=0.95). In the Inter99 cohort the -174 G-allele was associated with insulin resistance (p<0.02) and dyslipidaemia (p<0.007) whereas the C-allele of the -572 polymorphism was associated with increased serum insulin release during an OGTT (p<0.0005). Composite genotype or haplotype analyses of all 3 IL6 promoter variants showed associations with type 2 diabetes (p<0.002), obesity (p<0.02), and the metabolic syndrome (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The present studies suggest that single-nucleotide polymorphisms and composite genotypes or haplotypes of the IL6 promoter may be associated with several features of the metabolic syndrome in Caucasians.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2001

"Electronic nose" detects major histocompatibility complex-dependent prerenal and postrenal odor components.

Mice prefer to mate with individuals expressing different MHC genes from their own. Volatile components presenting MHC-dependent odor types are present in urine and can be detected by mice, as shown by extensive behavioral studies. Similar odor types are suspected to influence human behavior as well. Although a recent report indicates that MHC expression influences the ratio of volatile compounds such as phenylacetic acid, so far no other means than studying the behavior of mice or rats has been available to assess odor types. Here, we report the ability of a gas sensor array (referred to as "electronic nose") to detect MHC-dependent odor types. The electronic nose consists of an array of chemophysical detectors, in our case quartz crystal microbalances and semiconducting metal-oxide sensors that change frequency or conductivity upon binding of very small numbers of individual molecules present in the gas phase of odorous fluids. The pattern of changes is characteristic for a particular smell. Our electronic nose distinguishes the urine odor types of MHC congenic mouse strains, MHC class I mutant mice, and HLA-A2 transgenic mice. In addition, MHC-dependent odor types can be detected in serum. The device also clearly differentiates between individual odor types of human sera from HLA homozygous individuals; however, HLA expression seems to have only a secondary influence. Thus, odor-type research can now be carried out with an objective and fast through-put system independent of behavioral studies.

Animals↗