Kazuko Nakashima

Functional promoter polymorphism in the TBX21 gene associated with aspirin-induced asthma

Asthma is a phenotypically heterogeneous disorder with many etiologic factors and clinical characteristics. T-bet, a Th1-specific transcription factor of T-box family, has been found to control interferon-γ (IFN-γ) expression in T cells. Mice lacking the T-bet gene (tbx21) demonstrate multiple physiological and inflammatory features reminiscent of human asthma. In order to examine whether polymorphisms in the candidate gene, TBX21, located on chromosome 17q21.32, are related to the risk of human asthma phenotypes, we have searched for genetic variations in the human TBX21 gene and identified 24 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including five novel SNPs, by direct sequencing in Japanese subjects. Among asthma phenotypes, a promoter −1993T→C SNP, which is in linkage disequilibrium with a synonymous coding 390A→G SNP in exon 1, is significantly associated with a risk of aspirin-induced asthma (AIA; P=0.004, Pc=0.016). This association has also been confirmed in additional independent samples of asthma with nasal polyposis (P=0.008), regardless of aspirin hypersensitivity. Furthermore, our data indicate that the −1993T→C substitution increases the affinity of a particular nuclear protein to the binding site of TBX21 covering the −1993 position, resulting in increased transcriptional activity of the TBX21 gene. Thus, in addition to the antigen-driven excess Th2 response, increased T-bet (and subsequent IFN-γ) production in human airways of individuals with the −1993T→C polymorphism could contribute to the development of certain asthma-related phenotypes, such as AIA.

Association between ADAM33 polymorphisms and adult asthma in the Japanese population

Background ADAM33, a member of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family, is a putative asthma susceptibility gene recently identified by positional cloning. It is important to know whether the association exists in ethnically diverse populations.

An association study of asthma and related phenotypes with polymorphisms in negative regulator molecules of the TLR signaling pathway

AbstractAlthough associations between endotoxin exposure or respiratory infection and asthma have been recognized, the genetic effects in these conditions are unclear. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an essential role in innate host defense and in the control of adaptive immune responses. IL-1R-associated kinase-M (IRAK-M) and single immunoglobulin IL-1R-related molecule (SIGIRR) negatively regulate TLR-signaling pathways. To investigate whether polymorphisms in these genes were associated with asthma or asthma-related phenotypes, we screened these genes for polymorphisms by direct sequencing of 24 asthmatics and identified 19 variants in IRAK-M and 12 variants in SIGIRR. We next conducted linkage disequilibrium mapping of the genes, and examined the association of polymorphisms and haplotypes using 391 child patients with asthma, 462 adult patients with asthma, and 639 controls. None of the alleles or haplotypes of IRAK-M and SIGIRR were associated with asthma susceptibility or asthma-related phenotype. Our results indicate that polymorphisms in IRAK-M and SIGIRR are not likely to be associated with the development of asthma in the Japanese population.

Association between genetic variation in the gene for death-associated protein-3 (DAP3) and adult asthma.

AbstractLung epithelium plays a central role in modulation of the lung inflammatory response, and lung repair and airway epithelial cells are targets in asthma and viral infection. Activated T lymphocytes release cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) that induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, of damaged epithelial cells. Death-associated protein-3 (DAP3) is involved in mediating IFN-γ-induced cell death. To assess the possible involvement of genetic variants of DAP3 with asthma, we searched for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene and conducted a case-control study with 1,341 subjects. We found a strong association between bronchial asthma (BA) in adults (P=0.0051, odds ratio=1.87, 95% CI=1.20-2.92), whereas no association was found with childhood asthma. The tendency was more prominent in patients with higher serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) (>250 IU/ml) (P=0.00061, odds ratio=2.40, 95% CI=1.44-4.00). DAP3 was expressed in normal bronchial epithelial cells, and the expression was induced by IFN-γ. These results indicated that specific variants of the DAP3 gene might be associated with the mechanisms responsible for adult BA and contribute to airway inflammation and remodeling.

Differentiation, distribution, and chemical state of intracellular trace elements in LAD2 mast cell line

Oxidation state changes of metallic ions are involved in the generation and biological defense against reactive oxygen species. The relationship between allergy and oxidative damage by metallic elements was studied by X-ray fluorescence analysis using a mast cell line. The distribution of metallic elements is changed by the induction of reactive oxygen species. In mast cells, the degranulation leading to antigen or calcium ionophore stimulation is related to excessive accumulation of iron and to its chemical state. X-ray absorpotion near-edge structure spectroscopy showed that the oxidation state of iron in the cells shifted from Fe(II) to Fe(III) in degranulation. This finding might have implications for understanding the mechanisms involved in IgE-mediated cell responses as seen in allergic reaction.

Enterprise Failures Correlate Positively with Suicide Rate for Both Sexes in Japan

Correlations among suicide rate, unemployment rate, and enterprise failure were examined from 1976 to 1994 by using a Loess smoothing method. Significant positive correlations were found between suicide rate in men and unemployment and between suicide rate in both sexes and enterprise failure (p < .001).