Maciej Borowiec

Mutations at the BLK locus linked to maturity onset diabetes of the young and β-cell dysfunction

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a subtype of diabetes defined by an autosomal pattern of inheritance and a young age at onset, often before age 25. MODY is genetically heterogeneous, with 8 distinct MODY genes identified to date and more believed to exist. We resequenced 732 kb of genomic sequence at 8p23 in 6 MODY families unlinked to known MODY genes that showed evidence of linkage at that location. Of the 410 sequence differences that we identified, 5 had a frequency <1% in the general population and segregated with diabetes in 3 of the families, including the 2 showing the strongest support for linkage at this location. The 5 mutations were all placed within 100 kb corresponding to the BLK gene. One resulted in an Ala71Thr substitution; the other 4 were noncoding and determined decreased in vitro promoter activity in reporter gene experiments. We found that BLK—a nonreceptor tyrosine-kinase of the src family of proto-oncogenes—is expressed in β-cells where it enhances insulin synthesis and secretion in response to glucose by up-regulating transcription factors Pdx1 and Nkx6.1. These actions are greatly attenuated by the Ala71Thr mutation. These findings point to BLK as a previously unrecognized modulator of β-cell function, the deficit of which may lead to the development of diabetes.

Role of 657del5 NBN mutation and 7p12.2 (IKZF1), 9p21 (CDKN2A), 10q21.2 (ARID5B) and 14q11.2 (CEBPE) variation and risk of childhood ALL in the Polish population.

Recent studies have shown that SNPs mapping to 7p12.2 (IKZF1), 9p21 (CDKN2A), 10q21.2 (ARID5B), and 14q11.2 (CEBPE) and carrier status for recessively inherited Nijmegen Breakage syndrome (NBS) influence childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) risk. To examine these relationship, we analysed 398 ALL cases and 731 controls from Poland. Statistically significant association between genotype at 7p12.2 (IKZF1), 10q21.2 (ARID5B) and the NBS associated locus, 8q21.3 (NBN) and ALL risk was found; odds ratios (ORs), 1.34 (P=0.002), 1.33 (P=0.003), and 1325.21 (P=0.0028), respectively. These data provide further insights into the biological basis of ALL highlighting the existence of both common and rare disease susceptibility variants.

GATA4 mutations are a cause of neonatal and childhood-onset diabetes

The GATA family zinc finger transcription factors GATA4 and GATA6 are known to play important roles in the development of the pancreas. In mice, both Gata4 and Gata6 are required for pancreatic development. In humans, GATA6 haploinsufficiency can cause pancreatic agenesis and heart defects. Congenital heart defects also are common in patients with GATA4 mutations and deletions, but the role of GATA4 in the developing human pancreas is unproven. We report five patients with deletions (n = 4) or mutations of the GATA4 gene who have diabetes and a variable exocrine phenotype. In four cases, diabetes presented in the neonatal period (age at diagnosis 1–7 days). A de novo GATA4 missense mutation (p.N273K) was identified in a patient with complete absence of the pancreas confirmed at postmortem. This mutation affects a highly conserved residue located in the second zinc finger domain of the GATA4 protein. In vitro studies showed reduced DNA binding and transactivational activity of the mutant protein. We show that GATA4 mutations/deletions are a cause of neonatal or childhood-onset diabetes with or without exocrine insufficiency. These results confirm a role for GATA4 in normal development of the human pancreas.

Evaluation of Apolipoprotein M Serum Concentration as a Biomarker of HNF-1alpha MODY

Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is a 26-kDa protein expressed mainly in the liver and kidneys. It is present predominantly in high-density lipoproteins (HDL). ApoM expression is influenced by the hepatocyte nuclear factor-1alpha (HNF-1alpha), which is a transcription factor associated with the pathogenesis of MODY. Some earlier data suggested that apoM levels were lower in the serum of HNF-1alpha MODY subjects, than in that of other diabetics and healthy controls. The aim of this study was to evaluate apoM as a biomarker for HNF-1alpha MODY. We included in this study 48 HNF-1alpha mutation carriers (40 diabetic patients and 8 subjects with normal glucose levels in the fasted state) from the Polish Nationwide Registry of MODY. In addition, we examined 55 T2DM patients and 55 apparently healthy volunteers who had normal fasting glucose levels. ApoM was measured by the sandwich dot-blot technique with recombinant apoM (Abnova) as a protein standard, mouse anti-human apoM monoclonal primary antibody and rat anti-mouse HRP-conjugated secondary antibody (BD Biosciences). Mean apoM level in the MODY group was 13.6 mug/ml, SD 1.9 (13.5 mug/ml, SD 1.7 in diabetic subjects and 13.9 mug/ml, SD 2.0 in non-diabetic mutation carriers respectively). In the T2DM group, mean apoM level was 13.7 mug/ml, SD 2.1, while it reached 13.8 mug/ml, SD 2.0 in healthy controls. There was no difference between apoM serum concentrations in all the study groups. In summary, our study showed no association between HNF-1alpha mutations resulting in MODY phenotype and apoM levels. Thus, we cannot confirm the clinical usefulness of apoM as a biomarker of HNF-1alpha MODY.

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha polymorphism as one of the complex inherited factors in pemphigus.

The aim of our study was to analyse a significance of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha promoter gene polymorphisms in relation to the HLA-DR locus in genetic predisposition to pemphigus. TNF-alpha gene polymorphisms in position -238 and -308 were identified using a modified polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method in 53 patients with pemphigus (38 with pemphigus vulgaris, 15 with pemphigus foliaceus) and 87 healthy controls. The HLA-DRB1 locus was typed using the polymerase chain reaction SSO method in all the patients and 152 population controls. Carriers of the TNF-alpha polymorphic -308 A allele were found to be more frequent in the pemphigus foliaceus group in comparison with the control group (odds ratio (OR) = 8.12; p = 0.0005). A significant association between HLA-DRB1*04 (OR = 3.86; pcor = 0.0001) and DRB1*14 (OR = 8.4; pcor = 0.0001) and pemphigus vulgaris was found. In this group of patients a decreased frequency of HLA-DRB1*07 (OR = 0.08; pcor = 0.006) was also identified. We have shown for the first time a positive association of TNF-alpha polymorphism in position -308 with pemphigus foliaceus.

FOXP3, IL-10, and TGF-β genes expression in children with IgE-dependent food allergy.

BackgroundRegulatory T cells (Tregs) have an essential role in tolerance and immune regulation. However, few and controversial data have been published to date on the role and number of these cells in food allergic children. The forkhead/winged-helix transcription factor box protein 3 (FOXP3) is considered the most reliable marker for Tregs.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the FOXP3, interleukin (IL)-10, and transforming growth factor (TGF-β) genes expression in children with IgE-dependent food allergy.Material and MethodsThe study group consisted of 54 children with IgE-dependent food allergy (FA) and a control group of 26 non-atopic healthy children. The diagnosis of FA was established using questionnaires, clinical criteria, skin prick tests, serum sIgE antibodies (UniCAP 100 Pharmacia Upjohn), and a double-blind placebo control food challenge. In order to assess gene expression, the isolation of nucleated cells was performed using Histopaque-1077 (Sigma-Aldrich, Germany). The concentration of RNA obtained was measured using a super-sensitive NanoDrop ND1000 spectrophotometer (Thermo Scientific, USA). A reverse transcription reaction was performed using a commercially available set of High Capacity cDNA Archive Kit (Applied Biosystems, USA). Analysis have been carried out in the genetic analyzer 7900HT Real-Time PCR (Applied Biosystems, USA).ResultsThe average level of the FOXP3 gene expression in the studied group was 2.19 ± 1.16 and in the control group 2.88 ± 1.66 (p = 0.03). The average level of IL10 mRNA expression in the study group was 13.6 ± 1.07 and was significantly lower than corresponding values in the control group 14.3 ± 1.1 (p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in the average level of the TGF-β mRNA expression in the study group (3.4 ± 0.4) and controls (3.5 ± 0.3; p > 0.05). The FOXP3 gene expression was the highest in children who acquired tolerance to food (3.54 ± 0.75), lower in heated allergen-tolerant children (2.43 ± 0.81), and the lowest in heated allergen-reactive children (1.18 ± 0.5; p = 0.001 control vs heated allergen reactive; p = 0.005 heated allergen tolerant vs heated allergen reactive; p = 0.001 outgrown vs heated allergen reactive). The significant tendency toward lower total IgE levels with a higher FOXP3 mRNA expression was detected (n = 54; Pearson r = −0.4393; p = 0.001).ConclusionsChildren with FA showed statistically significant lower level of the FOXP3 and IL10 gene expression than healthy children. Children acquiring tolerance to the food show significantly higher levels of the FOXP3 gene expression than children with active FA. The correlation between the level of FOXP3 and total IgE was detected.

β2-ADR haplotypes/polymorphisms associate with bronchodilator response and total IgE in grass allergy

Association and linkage studies of β2‐adrenergic receptor (β2‐ADR) polymorphisms in relation to the expression of asthmatic phenotypes and immune regulatory mechanisms have shown inconsistent results. In order to analyse the relevance of particular combinations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or haplotypes of β2‐ADR gene to bronchial asthma, bronchodilator response and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) we determined by direct DNA sequencing five SNPs (in positions: −47, −20, 46, 79, 252) in a group of 180 Caucasian subjects (110 patients with grass allergy and 70 nonatopic controls). The eight different β2‐ADR haplotypes were identified, with three the most common of them representing 92% of the studied cohort. Significantly higher (pcor = 0.0045) bronchodilator response was observed in patients with homozygotic genotype 46A/A in comparison with respective homo‐ and hetero‐zygotes. There was no significant difference in bronchodilator response when β2‐ADR haplotypes were analysed. Significantly higher (pcor = 0.0005) total IgE levels were found in patients with β2‐ADR haplotype −47T/−20T/46A/79C/252G and homozygotic carriers of 46A (pcor = 0.0015) and 79C (pcor = 0.003) genotypes. No significant associations were found in regards to asthmatic phenotype and atopy. These results indicate that depending on phenotype studied, either an individual β2‐ADR SNP or β2‐ADR haplotype might affect disease manifestation.

Polymorphisms of TNF and IL‐10 genes and clinical outcome of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Genetic variations in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) were reported to influence susceptibility to and outcome of patients with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. Therefore, we investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms in TNF and IL‐10 may play a role in the clinical course of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). TNF‐308G>A, IL‐10‐3575T>A, and IL‐10‐1082A>G seem to be functionally relevant, were genotyped in 292 previously untreated patients with CLL. The control group consisted of 192 randomly selected blood donors. The patients carrying TNF‐308GG and IL‐10‐1082AA genotypes presented a higher 3‐year treatment‐free survival (56.6 vs. 40.6%, P = 0.05) as well as a 10‐year overall survival (OS) rates (92.3 vs. 57.6%, P = 0.005) than those with other TNF‐308 and IL‐10‐1082 genotype combinations. Multivariate analysis demonstrated the Rai stage (P = 0.0002), IGHV mutation status (P = 0.01), TNF‐308G>A (P = 0.03), and TNF/IL‐10 polymorphism‐based risk groups (P = 0.05) to be independent factors predicting OS. When the mutated IGHV patients were analyzed, the homozygotes TNF‐308GG and IL‐10‐1082AA presented a higher 10‐year OS rate than those carrying other TNF‐308 and IL‐10‐1082 genotypes (100 vs. 67.7%, P = 0.01). In the unmutated IGHV patients, only the TNF‐308G>A polymorphism influenced OS. The genetic variations in TNF and IL‐10 genes work as independent predictors of survival and may play a role in the clinical course of CLL. It suggests inherited ability of the host to shift the balance between the Th1 and Th2 response, which in turn might contribute to the pathogenesis and prognosis of B‐cell malignancies.

Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV Inhibitors Are Efficient Adjunct Therapy in HNF1A Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young Patients—Report of Two Cases

BACKGROUND In HNF1A maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), sulfonylurea (SU) is the first-line treatment. Over time, such therapy fails, and additional treatment is required. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors are new agents that lower blood glucose by prolonging the activity of circulating incretins. METHODS We applied DPP-IV inhibitors in two HNF1A MODY patients whose earlier therapeutic regimen included SU. RESULTS Case 1, a 39-year-old woman, a carrier of the ArgR171X HNF1A mutation, with a 7-year history of diabetes was on 160 mg of gliclazide and 2,000 mg of metformin. Her initial hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level was 7.2%, while the mean glucose level on the CGMS((R)) (Medtronic, Northridge, CA) record was 162 mg/dL. Sitagliptine, in a dose of 100 mg/day, was added to the previous treatment. Case 2, a 62-year-old woman, a carrier of the IVS7nt-6G>A mutation, with a 41-year history of diabetes was treated with 240 mg/day gliclazide and 6 IU of insulin/day. Her initial HbA1c was 8.8%, and average glycemia reached 172 mg/dL. In her case, we started the combined therapy with 50 mg of vildagliptine twice daily. Patients were reexamined after 3 months, and HbA1c fell to 6.3% in both subjects. Similarly, significant improvement in glycemic control on CGMS was observed as the average glycemia decreased to 114 mg/dL and 134 mg/dL in Case 1 and Case 2, respectively. No episodes of hypoglycemia or other side effects were recorded. As intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTTs) were performed before and after DPP-IV implementation, we were able to assess their impact on insulin secretion under fasting conditions. We saw a substantial rise in insulin level increment during IVGTT (by 9.8 and13.4 mIU/L in Case 1 and Case 2, respectively). CONCLUSIONS DPP-IV inhibitors may be an effective tool of combined therapy in HNF1A MODY, and they seem to improve beta-cell function under fasting conditions.

Characterization of human invariant natural killer T cells expressing FoxP3

Recently described forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) transcription factor is a key molecule in CD4+ CD25hi+ T-cell characterization. Invariant NK T (iNKT) cells are also characterized as regulatory cells modulating the immune response by rapidly producing T(h)1 and T(h)2 cytokines. We aimed to analyze cellular markers important in regulatory features of human iNKT cells and to study their role in functional assays. iNKT cells were single cell sorted from peripheral mononuclear cells of healthy individuals after immunostaining of invariant TCR α-chain. We found FoxP3 expression in human iNKT clones. Randomly selected iNKT cell clones (CD4+, double negative, CD8+) expressed FoxP3 mRNA and protein at different levels upon stimulation as supported by various approaches. FoxP3 mRNA and protein expression was detected in unstimulated iNKT cells as well. Furthermore, different stimulations changed the FoxP3 expression in iNKT cells over time and the most dramatic changes were observed upon anti-CD3 stimulation. Both the supernatant of iNKT cells and iNKT cells themselves exerted similar stimulation effects on PBMC proliferation in functional assays and these stimulations showed a negative correlation with FoxP3 expression. Our data indicate that the FoxP3 expression in iNKT cells may be a key transcriptional factor in controlling the regulatory function of the iNKT cells.