No description available.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The high incidence is still found in Taiwan. There is strong evidence that host genes influence individual susceptibility to tuberculosis. Young children, like immunocompromised patients, once infected are at increased risk for TB disease and progression to extrapulmonary disease. Thus far, to identify the genes responsible for the variation in the human susceptibility/resistance to TB has remained elusive. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) activates the complement system in an antibody-independent manner, enhances complement-mediated phagocytosis, and plays an important role in innate immunity in the regulation of inflammatory cytokine release by monocytes. It is one of the molecules that have been suggested to have a link to human susceptibility or protection against infection. According to some studies (mostly conducted in adult populations) , low levels of MBL associated with variant alleles at the promoter and exon 1 regions of MBL protect against tuberculosis. Other investigators instead claim that protection against the disease is associated with high levels of MBL. In this study we aimed to investigate the relationships between the susceptibility to TB and MBL gene polymorphisms in children with cervical mycobacterial lymphadenitis infected by M. tuberculosis.139 case patients with cervical mycobacterial lymphadenitis and 102 unrelated healthy control subjects were tested by real-time PCR for polymorphisms at the promoter and the exon 1 regions of the MBL gene. Diagnosis of mycobacterial lymphadenitis infected by M. tuberculosis, based on findings of pathological examination of the lymph nodes, was confirmed by acid-fast stain and TB PCR.The frequency of A allele was significantly higher in TB+ patients compared with TB- controls (82.7% vs 72.6%; odds ratio 1.813; p=0.007). The frequency of high-producer MBL2 genotypes (A/A) was higher in TB+ patients than in TB- subjects (70.5% vs 45.1%, odds ratio 2.91, p<0.001), while patients carried the B alleles (A/B and B/B) that have decreased levels of MBL was inversely associated with mycobacterial infectivity (29.5% vs 54.9%; odds ratio 2.910; p<0.001). The frequencies of MBL promoter -550 genotypes also revealed a significant difference between TB+ and TB- groups (p = 0.046), but in contrast, with significantly higher frequency of L/L genotype (of low MBL level) in TB+ patients (34.5% vs 21.6%; odds ratio 1.918; p=0.029). The frequencies of MBL promoter -221 genotypes (X and Y) was similar in TB+ and TB- groups.This study supports the conclusion that MBL can protect or predispose the host to tuberculosis, depending on the host¡¦s haplotype pair.

Previous studies show that coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multi-factors and chronic inflammatory disease, and is associated with lipid metabolism. IL-1ra is a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory molecules that block the action of IL-1. However, little is known about the imbalance between IL-1ra and inflammatory mediators in CAD. We attempted to investigate the relationships between inflammatory mediators and serum IL-1ra levels in patients with CAD. In 95 patients with angiographically defined CAD, and 70 healthy controls were studied in a case-control manner. Serum levels of cytokines and the risk factor of CAD were examined. Polymorphisms for IL-1ra gene were detected by PCR, and genotypes and allelic frequencies in both groups were compared. Our major finding include: (1) The risk factors such as elevated BMI, systolic BP, smoking, hypertension, blood glucose, and TG was more frequently found in the CAD group than the control group ( p < 0.001). However, the HDL-C and bilirubin were significantly higher in control group than the CAD group. (2) The relative risk of those in the highest quartile of ratio of LDL-C to HDL-C, TC to HDL-C, and TG to HDL-C were significantly elevated. ( OR = 2.98, p < 0.01; OR = 5.31, p <0.001; OR = 8.43, p < 0.001 respectively) (3) Five different inflammatory markers were significantly elevated including IL-1ra, hs-CRP, IL-6, leukocyte count, and neutrophil percentage between healthy controls and CAD patients. ( p < 0.01) (4) Levels of IL-1ra and other variables such as blood glucose, BMI, TG, IL-6, hs-CRP, and leukocyte count has significantly correlated, and were inversed correlation in bilirubin, and HDL-C in all study subjects. ( p < 0.01) (5) In the multiple logistic regression analysis, adjustment was made for variables. The relative risk of CAD for the highest quartile of IL-1ra, as compared with the lowest quartile, had an Odds ratio 2.57 ( 95% confidence intervals, 1.12 - 5.91, p = 0.026 ) increase in risk for CAD. (6) Similar results were obtained hs-CRP, IL-6 in the highest quartile were increase risk for future CAD. ( OR = 5.86 and 5.79 respectively; p < 0.001) (7) The join effect cytokines of hs-CRP, IL-6, IL-1ra concentrations may play important role in CAD risk. ( OR = 10.19, p < 0.001 ) (8) In addition, IL-1ra allele 2 genotype and allelic frequencies were no significant association with increase in IL-1ra with CAD. In conclusion, we find a significant association of elevated IL-1ra levels in the patients with CAD. Thus, these results support the hypothesis that inflammation, anti-inflammation cytokines and lipoprotein metabolism provide a useful marker for predicting the development of CAD events.

No description available.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-06-13T14:33:26Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Jacyra Salucy Antunes Ferreira.pdf: 1876152 bytes, checksum: ac08788f02861882b87798086b8b7c71 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-13T14:33:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jacyra Salucy Antunes Ferreira.pdf: 1876152 bytes, checksum: ac08788f02861882b87798086b8b7c71 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-05-12 / Despite the economic and social transformations, leprosy remains a public health problem. Pernambuco has 60 % of cases concentrated in the Recife metropolitan area and is responsible for 30% of the cases in the state, being considered a priority for leprosy control. The spatial distribution and identification of risk groups and the study of new technologies which may collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of the cases is important to assist in the planning, implementation and monitoring of prevention and control measures of this disease. The use of serological and molecular markers appears as an option that can help to develop future strategies for contacting chemoprophylaxis, as measures of disease control. Genetic studies suggest that variations in the susceptibility of humans to leprosy involve complex characteristics of various polymorphic alleles, moreover the polymorphism of the mannose binding lectin (MBL2 ) gene have been associated with the protection against lepromatous leprosy .The present study aimed to investigate the association of polymorphism of MBL2 gene with operating class and clinical forms of leprosy and anti - PGL - 1 serology in household contacts in the highest risk areas in the city Recife in the period 2006-2013. The construction of the Social Need Indicator (ICS) was performed using data from the 2010 demographic census. For the detection of anti- PGL – 1 in the contacts, the ML Flow test was used. This test was developed in the Laboratory of Immunology of AIDS and Leprosy Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health (IPTSP) at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG). Genotyping of the promoting region was performed using Taqman fluorescent probes by PCR technology in real time. The comparison of the Social Need indicator with the detection rate of leprosy showed a direct relationship between them. The Spearman correlation coefficient was positive, but weak, probably due to the heterogeneous composition of the city. The seroprevalence of anti -PGL- 1 was 36.80 % being greater in female contacts, aged over 15, and in contacts of multibacillary patients MBL2 structural variantallele O andgenotype OO were associated to PB in univariate (p= 0.034 and 0.003) in manand cases olderthan 40 years; and in multivariate analysis the genotype OO also was independently associated to PB (p= 0.023). Interestingly, the O allele and HYO and LYO haplotype were associated to IgM anti-PGL-1 positive serology (p= 0.046 and 0.032). MBL2 polymorphism may influence leprosy development by anefficient modulation of anti-PGL-1 response and low complement activation. / Apesar das transformações econômicas e sociais, a hanseníase persiste como um problema de saúde pública. Pernambuco apresenta 60% dos casos concentrado na região metropolitana e o Recife é responsável por 30% dos casos do estado sendo considerado prioritário para o controle da hanseníase. Sua distribuição espacial com identificação de grupos de risco e o estudo de novas tecnologias que colaborem no diagnóstico e tratamento dos casos são importantes para auxiliar no planejamento, implementação e monitoramento de ações de prevenção e controle dessa doença. A utilização de marcadores sorológicos e moleculares surge como uma opção que podem auxiliar na elaboração de futuras estratégias de quimioprofilaxia de contactantes, como medidas de controle da doença. Estudos genéticos sugerem que variações na susceptibilidade dos seres humanos a hanseníase envolvem características complexas de vários alelos polimórficos e o polimorfismo do gene da lectina ligadora de manose (MBL2) tem sido associado à proteção para forma lepromatosa da hanseníase. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar a associação do polimorfismo do gene MBL2 com classe operacional e formas clínicas da Hanseníase e a sorologia anti-PGL-1 em contatos intradomiciliares nas áreas de maior risco no município Recife no período de 2006 a 2013. A construção do Indicador de Carência Social (ICS) foi realizada a partir de dados do censo demográfico de 2010. Para detecção do anti-PGL-1 nos contatos utilizou-se o teste ML Flow desenvolvido no Laboratório de Imunologia da AIDS e da Hanseníase do Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública (IPTSP) da Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG). A genotipagem da região promotora do gene MBL2 foi realizada pelo sistema de sondas fluorescentes Taqman através da tecnologia de PCR em tempo real. A comparação do Indicador de Carência Social com o coeficiente de detecção da hanseníase mostrou existir uma relação direta entre eles. O coeficiente de correlação de Spearman apresentou-se positiva, porém fraca, provavelmente devido à composição heterogênea da cidade. A soroprevalencia do anti-PGL 1 foi de 36,80% sendo maior nos contatos do sexo feminino, na faixa etária de maiores de 15 anos e em contatos de pacientes multibacilares. Na análise univariada o alelo O e o genótipo OO foram associados a classificação operacional Paucibacilar, no sexo masculino e com mais de 40 anos (p = 0,034 e 0,003, respectivamente). Na análise multivariada o genótipo OO também foi associado a Paucibacilar (p = 0,023). O alelo O e os haplótipos HYO e LYO foram associadas à sorologia positiva para anti-PGL-1 (p = 0,046 e 0,032). Portanto, os polimorfismos do gene MBL2 podem influenciar no desenvolvimento das formas clínicas mais graves da hanseniase com baixa ativação do complemento, assim como na modulação de anti-PGL-1

Abstract Neurogenic factors are known to be important in the development of hypertension. Our current knowledge of the role of autonomic nervous system in chronic hypertension is, however, limited. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the possible abnormalities in heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in patients with long standing systemic hypertension compared to subjects without evidence of cardiovascular disease. A particular aim was also to examine whether genetic variation in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) genes have an influence on cardiovascular autonomic regulation. Case-control studies were carried out on a total of 280 normotensive and 214 hypertensive subjects drawn from a random middle-aged population originally recruited for an epidemiologic study of cardiovascular risk factors. The possible association of BRS with the genetic polymorphisms of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system genes was studied in a cross-sectional study of 315 healthy controls. Genetic associations were also tested in a younger, independent population sample of 66 subjects. The effects of intensified antihypertensive treatment on autonomic cardiovascular control were evaluated in 33 hypertensive patients with poor blood pressure control. Wide interindividual variation in both HRV and BRS was observed in normotensive as well as hypertensive subjects. Overall HRV and autonomic responses to a change in body posture were blunted in long-standing hypertension. Decreased HRV was mainly related to elevated blood pressure and obesity. For the first time in a population-based study, it was confirmed that BRS is impaired in patients with long-standing hypertension despite adequate antihypertensive treatment. In contrast to HRV, BRS was reduced in hypertensive subjects also after adjustment for blood pressure and obesity. BRS also varied widely both between healthy and hypertensive individuals. The wide interindividual variation in the markers of autonomic cardiovascular regulation was not, however, completely explained by demographic variables, cardiovascular risk factors or lifestyle, suggesting a genetic component contributing to HRV and BRS. The polymorphism in the aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene was found to strongly associate with BRS in two independent random populations of apparently healthy subjects. The association was even stronger in the younger population. On the basis of the observations made in the older population, it seems possible that women are protected against the effect of age and blood pressure on BRS and tend to maintain the genomic influence longer. Intensified antihypertensive combination therapy improved blood pressure control and caused regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, and resulted in significant improvements of HRV and BRS. The present study shows that HRV and BRS are altered in long-standing systemic hypertension. Together with age, blood pressure and obesity, genetic factors seem to be important determinants of BRS. However, abnormal autonomic cardiovascular regulation does not seem to be an irreversible phenomenon, but can be partly restored by modern combination antihypertensive therapy.

Το σύνδρομο πολυκυστικών ωοθηκών (PCOS) αποτελεί την πιο συχνή ενδοκρινολογική διαταραχή των γυναικών αναπαραγωγικής ηλικίας που χαρακτηρίζεται από κεντρικού τύπου παχυσαρκία, ακμή, υπερτρίχωση και διαταραχές των εμμηνορησιακών κύκλων που οφείλονται στην υπερανδρογοναιμία και την χρόνια ανωοθυλακιορρηξία. Οι γυναίκες με PCOS αναπτύσσουν και μεταβολικού τύπου διαταραχές όπως η υπερινσουλιναιμία λόγω αντίστασης στην ινσουλίνη, η υπέρταση, ο σακχαρώδης διαβήτης, η δυσλιπιδαιμία και το μεταβολικό σύνδρομο. Τα τελευταία χρόνια γίνονται πολλές γενετικές μελέτες προκειμένου να προσδιορισθούν οι μοριακοί γενετικοί μηχανισμοί που εμπλέκονται στην παθογένεια του ΣΠΩ. Ένας σημαντικός ρυθμιστής της ωοθυλακιογένεσης που πιθανόν να παίζει ρόλο στην παθοφυσιολογία του ΣΠΩ είναι η αντιμυλλεριανική ορμόνη (ΑΜΗ). Eντός του εξωνίου 1 του γονιδίου της ΑΜΗ εδράζεται ο πολυμορφισμός Ιle49Ser (ref SNPID:rs10407022) που συνίσταται στην αλλαγή μιας βάσης θυμίνης (T) από γουανίνη (G) δημιουργώντας τρεις γονότυπους: ομοζυγώτες GG, oμοζυγώτες TT, ετεροζυγώτες GT. Δεδομένου του ρόλου της ΑΜΗ στην παθοφυσιολογία του συνδρόμου των πολυκυστικών ωοθηκών αλλά και της ενδεχόμενης χρήσης της ως διαγνωστικό και προγνωστικό δείκτη του συνδρόμου, ο πολυμορφισμός Ιle49Ser έχει καταστεί αντικείμενο μελέτης. Στην παρούσα μελέτη προσδιορίστηκε ο πολυμορφισμός Ιle49Ser σε 111 γυναίκες με ΣΠΩ και 67 υγιείς μάρτυρες . Από τη στατιστική ανάλυση δεν προέκυψε κάποια στατιστικά σημαντική διαφορά στη συχνότητα των γονοτύπων του πολυμορφισμού Ile49Ser του γονιδίου της ΑΜΗ ανάμεσα στις γυναίκες με ΣΠΩ και του υγιούς πληθυσμού ελέγχου. Από τη στατιστική ανάλυση, επίσης, δεν προέκυψε συσχέτιση των γονοτύπων με κάποια από τις ορμονικές ή κλινικές παραμέτρους των γυναικών με ΣΠΩ. Η απουσία συσχέτισης του πολυμορφισμού Ile49Ser με αυξημένο κίνδυνο για ΣΠΩ δείχνει ότι το σηματοδοτικό μονοπάτι της ΑΜΗ εμπλέκεται στην παθογένεια του συνδρόμου με έναν έμμεσο τρόπο. Ωστόσο περισσότερες μελέτες είναι απαραίτητες προκειμένου να διαλευκανθεί ο ρόλος της ΑΜΗ στην ανθρώπινη ωοθυλακιογένεση, όπως και στην παθοφυσιολογία του συνδρόμου των πολυκυστικών ωοθηκών. / The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder of women of reproductive age, characterized by central obesity, acne, hirsutism and disorders of menstrual cycles due to hyperandrogonemia and chronic anovulation. Women with PCOS develop type and metabolic disorders such as hyperinsulinemia due to insulin resistance, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome. Over the last decade there are an increasing number of studies conducted in order to identify the molecular genetic mechanisms that are involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS. AMH seems to be an important regulator of follicle development and may also play a significant role in the pathogenesis of PCOS. The polymorphism Ile49Ser (ref SNPID:rs10407022) is located in exon 1 of AMH gene and results from the conversion of thymine (T) to guanine (G) giving three genotypes: homozygotes TT, GG and heterozygotes GT. Taken as granted the role of AMH in the pathophysiology of PCOS and the possible use of AMH levels as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of the syndrome, recent studies concern the involvement of IIe49Ser polymorphism. The precent study identified the polymorphism Ile49Ser in a cohort of 111 women with PCOS and 67 controls. Genotype frequencies for the AMH Ile49Ser polymorphism were similar in PCOS women and controls. In addition, AMH Ile49 Ser variant was not associated with clinical or hormonal parameters of PCOS women. The absence of an association of AMH Ile49Ser polymorphism with susceptibility to PCOS indicates that the AMH signaling pathway is not directly involved in the pathophysiology of PCOS. More studies should be carried out in order to determine the role of AMH in human ovarian physiology.

A proteína catiônica eosinofílica (ECP) presente nos grânulos específicos dos eosinófilos apresenta atividade citotóxica, particularmente para células tumorais, entretanto a função exata dos eosinófilos e de seus produtos nas neoplasias malignas continua obscura. O objetivo desse trabalho foi investigar a prevalência do polimorfismo 434(G>C) do gene ECP em pacientes com carcinoma espinocelular (CEC) de boca e sua correlação com a eosinofilia tecidual associada aos tumores (TATE), bem como com as características demográficas, clínicas e microscópicas. O genótipo 434 do gene ECP em 165 pacientes saudáveis e em 157 pacientes com CEC de boca, tratados no Hospital do Câncer A.C. Camargo entre 1984 a 2002, foi detectado pela clivagem da seqüência específica de DNA amplificada com a enzima de restrição PstI e análise dos produtos de clivagem pela eletroforese em gel de agarose. A TATE foi determinada por análise morfométrica. A associação entre os genótipos, a intensidade da TATE e as variáveis demográficas, clínicas e microscópicas foi avaliada pelo teste qui-quadrado ou teste exato de Fisher. As análises das sobrevidas global, livre de doença e específica por câncer foram feitas pelo estimador limite de Kaplan-Meier e a comparação das curvas de sobrevida foi realizada utilizando-se o teste log-rank. Notou-se uma predominância dos indivíduos heterozigotos para o polimorfismo 434(G>C) do gene ECP. Nenhuma diferença estatística significativa foi obtida entre os diferentes genótipos, a intensidade da TATE e as variáveis demográficas, clínicas e microscópicas. Uma maior freqüência de esvaziamento cervical bilateral, recidiva local, embolização vascular, comprometimento das margens cirúrgicas e realização de radioterapia pós-operatória foi observada nos pacientes com CEC de boca, TATE intensa e genótipos 434GC/CC. Não houve correlação estatística significativa entre os diferentes genótipos 434 do gene ECP e as sobrevidas global, livre de doença e específica por câncer. Baseados em nossos resultados, concluímos que houve uma tendência de os pacientes com CEC de boca, intensa eosinofilia tecidual e genótipos 434GC/CC do gene ECP apresentarem uma evolução clínica desfavorável, quando comparados aos indivíduos com genótipo 434GG, provavelmente pela presença de uma variante genética dessa proteína com propriedades citotóxicas alteradas. / Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), found in secretory granules of human eosinophils, presents cytotoxic activity, particularly against cancer cells. The specific functional role of eosinophils in solid malignant tumors remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the ECP-gene polymorphism 434(G>C) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients and its association with tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE), as well as demographic, clinical and microscopic variables. The 434 genotypes in the ECP-gene of 165 healthy individuals and 157 OSCC patients, submitted to surgical treatment at the Hospital A.C. Camargo from 1984 to 2002, were detected by cleavage of the amplified DNA sequence with restriction enzyme PstI and analyses of the cleaved product by agarose gel electrophoresis. TATE, in OSCC, was obtained by morphometric analysis. Chisquare test or Fishers exact test was used to analyze the association among ECP-gene polymorphism 434(G>C), TATE, demographic, clinical and microscopic variables. Diseasefree survival and overall survival were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier product-limit actuarial method and the comparison of the survival curves were performed using log rank test. Most of healthy individuals and OSCC patients showed the genotype 434GC. There was no statistical association among 434 genotypes, TATE intensity and demographic, clinical or microscopic variables of OSCC patients. Higher frequency of bilateral neck dissection, local recurrence, vascular embolization, involved resection margins and postoperative radiotherapy was detected in OSCC patients with intense TATE and 434GC/CC genotypes. No statistically significant differences on survival rates were found among 434 genotypes. In conclusion, these results suggest a tendency of worse clinical outcome in OSCC patients with intense TATE and 434GC/CC genotypes, probably due an ECP genetic variant with altered cytotoxic activity.

A ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) é uma proteína transmembrana responsável pelo efluxo celular de colesterol e fosfolipídeos, que é um passo essencial para o transporte reverso do colesterol e para a biogênese da HDL. Polimorfismos do gene ABCA1 foram associados com risco de doença arterial coronariana, variações no perfil lipídico e diferenças na resposta a fármacos hipolipemiantes. Com a finalidade de avaliar os efeitos de polimorfismos do ABCA1 sobre a expressão gênica e a resposta a vastatinas, foram selecionados indivíduos normolipidemicos (NL, n=143) e hipercolesterolêmicos (HC, n=224). A resposta a atorvastatina (10 mg/dia/4 semanas) foi avaliada pelo perfil lipídico sérico em 141 indivíduos do grupo HC (ATORVA). DNA e RNA total foram extraídos de amostras de sangue periférico. Os polimorfismos de nucleotídeo único (SNP) G70943A (R219K), C-14T e C-105T, uma variante nova do ABCA1, foram detectados por PCR-RFLP e confirmados por seqüenciamento de DNA. A expressão de RNAm do ABCA1 em células mononucleares do sangue periférico (CMSP) foi analisada por PCR-duplex e PCR em tempo real, utilizando o gene GAPD como referência endógena. A freqüência do alelo -105T foi 1,4% em NL e 2,0% em HC. O alelo 70943A (genótipos GA+AA) foi associado com maior concentração sérica basal de apoAI (NL), de HDL-c (ATORVA) e com menores concentrações basais de triglicerídeos e VLDL-c e menor índice TG/HDL-c (HC e ATORVA) em comparação com o genótipo 70943GG (p<0,05). O polimorfismo C-105T está em desequilíbrio de ligação com o SNP C-14T (p=0,006). Portadores do alelo -105T (genótipos CT+TT), quando comparados aos portadores do genótipo -105CC, tiveram menores valores basais de triglicerídeos e VLDL-c, maior concentração de HDL-c e menor índice TG/HDL-c nos grupos HC e ATORVA e também maiores concentrações de apoAI e menor índice apoB/apoAI no grupo ATORVA (p<0,05). Nos grupos HC e ATORVA, os portadores do haplótipo -14CT+TT/-105CT+TT tiveram menores valores de triglicerídeos e VLDL-c basais, maiores concentrações de HDL-c e menor índice TG/HDL-c quando comparados aos portadores dos outros haplótipos (p<0,05). A expressão basal do ABCA1 foi menor nos HC que nos NL independentemente da taxa de expressão alta (GM1) ou baixa (GM2). Este efeito foi associado com os SNPs C-14T e G70943A SNPs. Após o tratamento com atorvastatina, a expressão de RNAm foi reduzida nos HC portadores do alelo - 14T em comparação com os portadores de alelo -14C. Esses resultados são sugestivos de que ABCA1 SNPs estão envolvidos na variação do perfil lipídico sérico e na expressão de RNAm em resposta a atorvastatina. / The ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is a transmembrane protein involved on cholesterol and phospholipid cellular efflux, which is an essential step for the reverse cholesterol transport and HDL biogenesis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ABCA1 gene have been associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease, differences on serum lipid profile and response to lowering-cholesterol drugs. We have evaluated the influence of ABCA1 SNPs on mRNA expression and lipid-lowering response to atorvastatin. Normolipidemic (NL, n=143) hypercholesterolemic (HC, n=224) individuals were enrolled in this study and the response to atorvastatin (10 mg/day/4 weeks) was evaluated in HC individuals (ATORVA, n=141). Blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses, genomic DNA and total RNA extraction. SNPs G70943A (R219K), C-14T and C-105T, a novel variant of ABCA1, were detected by PCR-RFLP and confirmed for DNA sequencing. ABCA1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was analysed by PCR-duplex and Real Time PCR, using the GAPD as the endogenous reference. In HC and NL, the frequency of -105T allele was 2.0% and 1.4%, respectively. The 70943A allele (genotypes GA+AA) was associated with higher basal concentrations of apoAI (NL) and HDL-c (ATORVA) and lower triglyceride and VLDL-c and TG/HDL-c ratio (HC and ATORVA) than the 70943GG genotype (p<0.05). We found a linkage disequilibrium between C-14T and C-105T SNPs in HC group (p=0.006). Individuals carrying -105T allele (CT/TT genotypes), when compared with -105CC carriers, had lower basal concentrations of triglyceride and VLDL-c, higher concentration of HDL-c and lower TG/HDL-c ratio in HC and ATORVA groups and also higher concentration of apoAI and lower apoB/apoAI ratio in ATORVA group (p<0.05). In HC and ATORVA, individuals with -14CT+TT/-105CT+TT haplotype had lower basal values of triglyceride and VLDL-c, higher concentration of HDL-c and lower TG/HDL-c ratio than carries of others haplotypes (p<0,05). ABCA1 mRNA basal expression was lower in HC when compared to NL independently of high (GM1) or low (GM2) basal expression rate. This effect was associated with C-14T and G70943A SNPs. After atorvastatin treatment, mRNA expression was reduced in HC individuals carrying -14T allele in comparison with the -14C allele carriers. These results are sugestive that ABCA1 SNPs are involved on variation of serum lipid profile and mRNA expression in response to atorvastatin.

A proteína catiônica eosinofílica (ECP) presente nos grânulos específicos dos eosinófilos apresenta atividade citotóxica, particularmente para células tumorais, entretanto a função exata dos eosinófilos e de seus produtos nas neoplasias malignas continua obscura. O objetivo desse trabalho foi investigar a prevalência do polimorfismo 434(G>C) do gene ECP em pacientes com carcinoma espinocelular (CEC) de boca e sua correlação com a eosinofilia tecidual associada aos tumores (TATE), bem como com as características demográficas, clínicas e microscópicas. O genótipo 434 do gene ECP em 165 pacientes saudáveis e em 157 pacientes com CEC de boca, tratados no Hospital do Câncer A.C. Camargo entre 1984 a 2002, foi detectado pela clivagem da seqüência específica de DNA amplificada com a enzima de restrição PstI e análise dos produtos de clivagem pela eletroforese em gel de agarose. A TATE foi determinada por análise morfométrica. A associação entre os genótipos, a intensidade da TATE e as variáveis demográficas, clínicas e microscópicas foi avaliada pelo teste qui-quadrado ou teste exato de Fisher. As análises das sobrevidas global, livre de doença e específica por câncer foram feitas pelo estimador limite de Kaplan-Meier e a comparação das curvas de sobrevida foi realizada utilizando-se o teste log-rank. Notou-se uma predominância dos indivíduos heterozigotos para o polimorfismo 434(G>C) do gene ECP. Nenhuma diferença estatística significativa foi obtida entre os diferentes genótipos, a intensidade da TATE e as variáveis demográficas, clínicas e microscópicas. Uma maior freqüência de esvaziamento cervical bilateral, recidiva local, embolização vascular, comprometimento das margens cirúrgicas e realização de radioterapia pós-operatória foi observada nos pacientes com CEC de boca, TATE intensa e genótipos 434GC/CC. Não houve correlação estatística significativa entre os diferentes genótipos 434 do gene ECP e as sobrevidas global, livre de doença e específica por câncer. Baseados em nossos resultados, concluímos que houve uma tendência de os pacientes com CEC de boca, intensa eosinofilia tecidual e genótipos 434GC/CC do gene ECP apresentarem uma evolução clínica desfavorável, quando comparados aos indivíduos com genótipo 434GG, provavelmente pela presença de uma variante genética dessa proteína com propriedades citotóxicas alteradas. / Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), found in secretory granules of human eosinophils, presents cytotoxic activity, particularly against cancer cells. The specific functional role of eosinophils in solid malignant tumors remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the ECP-gene polymorphism 434(G>C) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients and its association with tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE), as well as demographic, clinical and microscopic variables. The 434 genotypes in the ECP-gene of 165 healthy individuals and 157 OSCC patients, submitted to surgical treatment at the Hospital A.C. Camargo from 1984 to 2002, were detected by cleavage of the amplified DNA sequence with restriction enzyme PstI and analyses of the cleaved product by agarose gel electrophoresis. TATE, in OSCC, was obtained by morphometric analysis. Chisquare test or Fishers exact test was used to analyze the association among ECP-gene polymorphism 434(G>C), TATE, demographic, clinical and microscopic variables. Diseasefree survival and overall survival were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier product-limit actuarial method and the comparison of the survival curves were performed using log rank test. Most of healthy individuals and OSCC patients showed the genotype 434GC. There was no statistical association among 434 genotypes, TATE intensity and demographic, clinical or microscopic variables of OSCC patients. Higher frequency of bilateral neck dissection, local recurrence, vascular embolization, involved resection margins and postoperative radiotherapy was detected in OSCC patients with intense TATE and 434GC/CC genotypes. No statistically significant differences on survival rates were found among 434 genotypes. In conclusion, these results suggest a tendency of worse clinical outcome in OSCC patients with intense TATE and 434GC/CC genotypes, probably due an ECP genetic variant with altered cytotoxic activity.