Thesis (Masters Diploma (Medical Technology))-- Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 1992 / Studies that document the higher incidence of tuberculosis as well as the variable efficacy of the BCG vaccine in Black, compared to White, populations have alluded to resistance or susceptibility to tuberculosis being genetically controlled.The HIA system has been associated with many diseases involving an immune aetiology. It has been shown that T cell receptor genes have limited restriction fragment length polymorphisrns, serving to create a variation in the repertoire of expressed T cell receptor genes. These repertoire differences may play a fundamental role in disease susceptibility.A study was therefore undertaken to establish whether linkage exists between the HIA system or the T cell receptor genes and a putative susceptibility gene for tuberculosis.Polymorphisrns of these genetic markers were examined in three Cape Coloured multiplex families, affected individuals having culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis.HLA haplotypes were derived from serological typing of peripheral leucocytes from each individual. B-Iymphoblastoid cell lines were established from each family member. DNA was then extracted and digested with a variety of restriction endonucleases. After gel electrophoresis and Southern blotting, the DNA fragments were probed with a panel of T cell receptor cDNA probes, revealing the allelic polymorphisms.Linkage analysis was done using the Liped computer programme and Lad scores were determined for each marker locus using various genetic models. Haplotypes were also established for the T cell receptor genes and used in the linkage analysis.Although most of the Lad scores fell within the indeterminate range, a cumulative Lod score of 1.79 was obtained from the allele generated by the EcoRV/a2 enzyme/probe combination under a recessive model with 50% penetrance. This represents odds of about 52: 1 in favour of linkage between the T cell receptor a gene and a putative susceptibility gene to tuberculosis.

In malaria-endemic regions, Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) infection is characterized by extensive genetic/antigenic diversity. Describing this diversity provides important information about the local molecular epidemiology of infecting P. falciparum parasites. Intriguingly, one of the major obstacles to the development of an effective malaria vaccine has been the genetic polymorphisms exhibited by P. falciparum genes encoding targets of human immune system. This situation has necessitated the development of polyvalent vaccines with wide antigenic coverage that would increase the likelihood of vaccine efficacy that covers wide geographical areas of malaria endemic countries. Limited reports are available on the population genetic diversity and structure of P. falciparum in Malawi, and this is of particular concern as the country has put in place several interventions to combat the disease. The primary aim of the research project was to determine the genetic diversity and population structure of P. falciparum isolates and comparing complexity from four different epidemiological settings in Malawi using msp-2 gene polymorphisms. Samples were collected from four epidemiological locations in the north, centre and southern regions of Malawi. The diversity and genetic differentiation of P. falciparum populations were analyzed based on the highly polymorphic block 3 msp-2 gene. One hundred and twenty patient samples who presented with signs and symptoms of malaria and who had microscopically confirmed P. falciparum infection were enrolled in the study after they had satisfied the inclusion criteria. Parasite DNA was extracted from the blood spot on to filter paper and analyzed by genotyping the msp-2 gene using allele-specific nested PCR. A total of 28 msp-2 block 3 fragments, defined by the size and the allelic types were detected in the 102 patients. The length variants of the PCR product ranged from 240basepairs (bp) to 450bp for the K1/FC and 410bp to 780bp for the 3D7/IC allelic families. Isolates of the 3D7 alleles were predominant in the population (59 percent), compared to isolates of the K1/ FC27 alleles (41 percent) and for 3D7 and K1 most of the isolates were monoclonal infections. In comparisons between the sites, we observed the highest prevalence of mixed infection in Mwanza (46.7 percent) followed by Dwangwa (23.3 percent) compared to Bolero (16.7 percent) and Mitundu (16.7 percent). The difference in prevalence of mixed infections between Mwanza and the other sites was statistically significant (p=0.041). There was also a non-significant trend towards a higher mean genotype number per isolate in the children aged >5 years compared to those below 5 years of age. These data suggest differences in prevalence rates of mixed infections in different geographical/epidemiological settings in Malawi. Further studies are needed to confirm, with larger sample sizes, the observation of a non-significant trend towards higher multiclonality of infection in older children in malaria endemic areas of Malawi.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Tuberculosis (TB) disease results in approximately 2 million deaths annually and is the leading cause of death due to a single infectious agent. Previous studies have indicated that host genetics play an important role in the development of TB. This together with pathogen and environmental factors intensifies the complexity of this disease. The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) and Leukocyte Receptor Complex (LRC) comprise several genes which are known to be important modulators of the host immune response. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class-I genes of the MHC are involved in the presentation of pathogenic antigens on the surfaces of infected cells, while the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) of the LRC are involved in the recognition of self and non-self cells. Natural Killer (NK) cells through their KIRs are thus able to kill non-self cells through recognition of the class-I molecules expressed. Additionally, HLAs and KIRs are extremely polymorphic and differ markedly across populations of different ethnicities. Here we studied these genes and their polymorphisms in the South African Coloured (SAC) population to determine their involvement in susceptibility to TB, susceptibility to disease caused by specific Mycobacterium tuberculosis subtypes, and understanding their ancestral contribution to the SAC with regards to the development of TB. We showed that the KIR3DS1 gene and KIR genotypes with five or more activating KIRs, and the presence of 3DS1, protected against the development of active TB in the SAC population. Several HLA class-I alleles were identified as susceptibility factors for TB disease. With regards to genes of the MHC and LRC, several loci were found to alter susceptibility to TB in the SAC population, including MDC1, BTNL2, HLA-DOA, HLA-DOB, C6orf10, TAP2, LILRA5, NCR1, NLRP7 and the intergenic regions between HLA-C/WASF5P and LAIR1/TTYH1. We showed that the Beijing strain occurred more frequently in individuals with multiple disease episodes, with the HLA-B27 allele lowering the odds of having an additional episode. Associations were identified for specific HLA types and disease caused by the Beijing, Latin America-Mediterranean (LAM), Low-Copy Clade (LCC), and Quebec strains. HLA types were associated with disease caused by strains from the Euro-American or East Asian lineages, and the frequencies of these alleles in their sympatric human populations identified potential co-evolutionary events between host and pathogen. Finally, we showed that the SAC population is the most diverse SA population with regards to HLA alleles and KIR genotypes, as would be expected given the admixture of the SAC. Based on the HLA allele class-I profiles across SA populations, we noted that the Ag85BESAT- 6, Ag85B-TB10.4 and Mtb72f vaccines currently undergoing clinical trials would have low efficacy across most SA populations. We showed that the MHC and LRC regions in SAC healthy controls are predominantly of European ancestry, and that SAC TB cases are more closely related to Khoisan and black SA population groups. Our work highlights the importance of investigating both host and pathogen genetics when studying TB disease development and that understanding the genetic ancestral contributions to the SAC population can contribute to the identification of true and novel TB causing variants. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tuberkulose (TB) is jaarliks verantwoordelik vir ongeveer 2 miljoen sterftes en is die hoofoorsaak van dood as gevolg van „n aansteeklike siekte. Vorige navorsingstudies het aangedui dat die genetiese samestelling van die gasheer „n beduidende rol speel in die ontwikkeling van TB. Die kompleksiteit van hierdie siekte word vererger deur die betrokkenheid van die gasheer genoom sowel as bakteriële en omgewings faktore. Die Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) en Leukocyte Receptor Complex (LRC) bestaan uit verskeie gene wat die gasheer immuunrespons verstel. Die human leukocyte antigen (HLA) klas I gene van die MHC is betrokke by die aanbieding van patogeniese antigene op die oppervlak van geïnfekteerde selle, terwyl die killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), geleë in die LRC, betrokke is by die herkenning van eie en vreemde selle. NK selle, deur middel van hul KIRs, kan dus vreemde selle uitwis aangesien hulle die uitgedrukte klas I molekules kan herken. Beide HLA en KIRs is hoogs polimorfies en verskil beduidend tussen etniese groepe. In hierdie studie is die bogenoemde gene en hul polimorfismes in die Suid Afrikaanse Kleurling bevolking (SAC) ondersoek om vas te stel tot watter mate dit genetiese vatbaarheid vir TB, asook vatbaarheid vir TB wat deur spesifieke Mycobacterium tuberculosis subtipes veroorsaak word, beïnvloed. Daar is ook gepoog om te verstaan hoe die voorouerlike bydrae van hierdie gene die SAC met betrekking tot TB vatbaarheid affekteer. Die resultate van die studie het aangedui dat die KIR3DS1 geen en KIR genotipes met vyf of meer aktiewe KIRs en die teenwoordigheid van 3DS1, die SAC bevolking beskerm teen die ontwikkeling van aktiewe TB. Verskeie HLA klas I allele is geïdentifiseer as vatbaarheidsfaktore vir TB. Talle lokusse van die MHC en LRC gene is ook as vatbaarheidsfaktore vir TB in die SAC bevolking geïdentifiseer, insluitende MDC1, BTNL2, HLA-DOA, HLA-DOB, C6orf10, TAP2, LILRA5, NCR1, NLRP7 en die intergeniese areas tussen HLA-C/WASF5P en LAIR1/TTYH1. Die studie het aangedui dat die Beijing stam meer voorkom in individue wat verskeie kere TB gehad het en dat die HLA-B27 alleel die kanse om „n verdere episode te hê, verlaag het. Assosiasies is geïdentifiseer tussen spesifieke HLA tipes en siekte veroorsaak deur die Beijing, LAM, LCC, en Quebec TB stamme. HLA tipes was geassosieer met siekte veroorsaak deur TB stamme van Euro-Amerikaanse en Oos-Asiëse afkoms. Die frekwensies van hierdie allele, in hul ooreenstemmende mensbevolkings, dui op „n potensïele koevolusionêre gebeurtenis tussen die gasheer en patogeen. Die studie het ook vasgestel dat die SAC populasie die mees diverse SA bevolking is met betrekking tot die HLA allele en KIR genotipes, soos verwag sou word gegewe die gemengde genetiese herkoms van die SAC. Gebaseer op die HLA allele klas I profiel van verskillende SA bevolkings merk ons op dat die Ag85B-ESAT-6, Ag85B-TB10.4 en Mtb72f vaksiene, wat huidiglik kliniese toetsing ondergaan, nie so effektief in die meeste SA bevolkings sal wees nie. Die studie het ook bewys dat die MHC en LRC streke in gesonde SAC kontroles, grootliks afkomstig was van „n Europese nalatenskap en dat die SAC TB gevalle meer verwant is aan die Khoisan en swart SA bevolkings. Hierdie studie beklemtoon die noodsaaklikheid om beide gasheer en patogeen genetika te bestudeer wanneer die ontwikkeling van TB ondersoek word en dat die verstaan van die genetiese voorouerlike bydrae van die SAC bevolking kan bydra tot die identifisering van ware en nuwe TB-veroorsakende variante.

Escherichia coli diarrhoea is the most important source of mortality in piglets. The most frequently isolated strain in enterotoxigenic E. coli diarrhoea is F4ab/ac. Recent studies in South Africa reported non-fimbrial strains such as PAA and EAST-1 to be prevalent. The objective of the study was to determine whether there are breed differences among pigs with respect to E. coli adhesion phenotypes and correlate them to polymorphisms at selected candidate genes in the South African population. A total of 225 pigs aged 3-12 weeks of the imported (Large White, Landrace and Duroc), local and crossbreds, were sampled from the Eastern Cape and Limpopo provinces of South Africa and genotyped for PCR-RFLP polymorphisms at four candidate genes associated with E. coli F4ab/ac resistance/susceptibility. These genes were Mucin 4 (MUC4), Mucin 13, (MUC13), Mucin 20 (MUC20) and Transferrin Receptor (TFRC). The TFRC and MUC13 genes were less polymorphic, the C allele was close to fixation and the homozygous CC genotype was the most frequent in all three pig populations. There was a significant difference (P <0.05) in allelic and genotypic distribution amongst breeds for the TFRC locus. The g.8227G>C polymorphism in MUC4 segregated in all three breeds and the marker was moderately polymorphic. There was a significant difference (P <0.05) in genotypic distribution amongst breeds for MUC4.The g.191C>T polymorphism in MUC20 segregated in the local and crossbred pigs and was close to fixation in the imported pigs. There was a significant difference (P <0.05) in allelic and genotypic distribution amongst breeds for MUC20, which was moderately polymorphic. There was a reduction in heterozygosity in both the TFRC and MUC13 loci, although MUC4 and MUC20 genes had higher heterozygosity levels. The MUC4 gene had a negative FIS value, indicating outbreeding at this locus. The MUC20, MUC13 and TFRC genes had a positive FIS value, indicating inbreeding at these loci. Overall, the studied population was outbred. Imported pigs in TFRC and MUC20 deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). All breeds were in HWE at the MUC4 and MUC13 genes. There was no linkage disequilibrium observed amongst the analysed loci. iv A total of 109 piglets of three breeds (Large White, indigenous and crossbred) aged 3-5 weeks, were investigated for the susceptibility to E. coli F4, PAA strains and EAST-1 toxin. Adhesion tests were conducted on pig intestinal cells, which were viewed under a phase contrast microscope. Three phenotypes were identified as, adhesive, weakly adhesive and non-adhesive. There was a significant association (P <0.05) between breed and level of adherence of the F4 and PAA strains. Highest frequencies of adhesion phenotypes were observed in the indigenous pigs for both F4 and PAA E. coli strains. Large White pigs had the lowest frequency of non-adhesion in F4 and PAA E. coli strains. The F4 strain had a higher (P <0.05) level of adherence compared to PAA and EAST-1 in Large White pigs. Age of pigs had a significant effect on the level of E. coli adherence in indigenous and crossbred pigs (P <0.05). Adhesion of F4 and EAST-1 was higher in weaned indigenous and crossbred pigs, respectively, than in suckling piglets. There was no significant difference between F4 adhesion and the genotypes at all four candidate genes genotypes. The study showed that both imported and local pig populations carry receptors and are susceptible to F4, PAA and EAST-1 E. coli infections. Indigenous pigs were less susceptible than Large White to E. coli infection. Although polymorphic and segregating in the populations, the MUC4 g.8227G>C and MUC20 g.191C>T mutations were not associated with the adhesion phenotypes and cannot be used in the selection of susceptible animals. / M.Sc.Agric. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2013.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Although rare, classification of over 200 hereditary cancer susceptibility syndromes accounting for ~5-10% of cancer incidence has enabled the discovery and understanding of cancer predisposition genes that are also frequently mutated in sporadic cancers. The need to prevent or delay invasive cancer can partly be addressed by characterization of cells derived from healthy individuals predisposed to cancer due to inherited "single-hits" in genes in order to develop patient-derived samples as preclinical models for mechanistic in vitro studies. Here, we present microarray-based transcriptome profiling of Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) patient-derived unaffected breast epithelial cells and their phenotypic characterization as in vitro three-dimensional (3D) models to test pharmacological agents. In this study, the epithelial cells derived from the unaffected breast tissue of a LFS patient were cultured and progressed from non-neoplastic to a malignant stage by successive immortalization and transformation steps followed by growth in athymic mice. These cell lines exhibited distinct transcriptomic profiles and were readily distinguishable based upon their gene expression patterns, growth characteristics in monolayer and in vitro 3D cultures. Transcriptional changes in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition gene signature contributed to the unique phenotypes observed in 3D culture for each cell line of the progression series; the fully transformed LFS cells exhibited invasive processes in 3D culture with disorganized morphologies due to cell-cell miscommunication, as seen in breast cancer. Bioinformatics analysis of the deregulated genes and pathways showed inherent differences between these cell lines and targets for pharmacological agents. After treatment with small molecule APR-246 that restores normal function to mutant p53, we observed that the neoplastic LFS cells had reduced malignant invasive structure formation from 73% to 9%, as well as an observance of an increase in formation of well-organized structures in 3D culture (from 27% to 91%) by stereomicroscopy and confocal microscopy. Therefore, the use of well-characterized and physiologically relevant preclinical models in conjunction with transcriptomic profiling of high-risk patient derived samples as a renewable laboratory resource can potentially guide the development of safer and more effective chemopreventive approaches.