Although the mitochondrial genome exhibits high mutation rates, common mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation has not been consistently associated with pancreatic cancer. Here, we comprehensively examined mitochondrial genomic variation by sequencing the mtDNA of participants (cases=286, controls=283) in a San Francisco Bay Area pancreatic cancer case-control study. Five common variants were associated with pancreatic cancer at nominal statistical significance (p<0.05) with the strongest finding for mt5460g in the ND2 gene (odds ratio (OR)=3.9, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.5–10; p=0.004) which encodes an A331T substitution. Haplogroup K was nominally associated with reduced pancreatic cancer risk (OR = 0.32, CI=0.13–0.76; p=0.01) when compared with the most common haplogroup, H. A total of 19 haplogroup-specific rare variants yielded nominal statistically significant associations (p<0.05) with pancreatic cancer risk, with the majority observed in genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation. Weighted-sum statistics were used to identify an aggregate effect of variants in the 22 mitochondrial tRNAs on pancreatic cancer risk (p=0.02). While the burden of singleton variants in the HV2 and 12S RNA regions was three times higher among European haplogroup N cases than controls, the prevalence of singleton variants in ND4 and ND5 was two to three times higher among African haplogroup L cases than in controls. Together, the results of this study provide evidence that aggregated common and rare variants and the accumulation of singleton variants are important contributors to pancreatic cancer risk.

Brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) are an important cause of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in young adults. Gene expression profiling of blood has led to the identification of stroke biomarkers, and may help identify BAVM biomarkers and illuminate BAVM pathogenesis. It is unknown whether blood gene expression profiles differ between 1) BAVM patients and healthy controls, or 2) unruptured and ruptured BAVM patients at presentation. We characterized blood transcriptional profiles in 60 subjects (20 unruptured BAVM, 20 ruptured BAVM, and 20 healthy controls) using Affymetrix whole genome expression arrays. Expression differences between groups were tested by ANOVA, adjusting for potential confounders. Genes with absolute fold change ≥ 1.2 (false discovery rate corrected p ≤ 0.1) were selected as differentially expressed and evaluated for over-representation in KEGG biological pathways (p ≤ 0.05). Twenty-nine genes were differentially expressed between unruptured BAVM patients and controls, including 13 which may be predictive of BAVM. Patients with ruptured BAVM compared to unruptured BAVM differed in expression of 1490 genes, with over-representation of genes in 8 pathways including MAPK, VEGF, Wnt signaling and several inflammatory pathways. These results suggest clues to the pathogenesis of BAVM and/or BAVM rupture and point to potential biomarkers or new treatment targets.

Human aging is a complex, multifactorial process influenced by a number of genetic and non-genetic factors. This article first reviews genetic strategies for human aging research and considers the advantages and disadvantages of each. We then discuss the issue of phenotypic definition for genetic studies of aging, including longevity/life span, as well as disease-free survival and other endophenotypes. Finally, we argue that extensions of this area of research, including incorporation of gene × environment interactions, multivariate phenotypes, integration of functional genomic annotations, and exploitation of orthology – many of which are already initiated and ongoing – are critical to advancing this field.

Background

Brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVM) are high-flow vascular lesions prone to intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Abnormal angiogenesis is a key characteristic of BAVM tissue. Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4), a secreted glycoprotein, is thought to be involved in angiogenesis and required for proper postnatal blood vessel partitioning. We investigated whether common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ANGPTL4 were associated with risk of BAVM or ICH.

Methods and Results

We conducted a case-control study of 216 Caucasian BAVM cases and 246 healthy controls, and a secondary case-only analysis, comparing 83 ruptured (ICH) with 133 unruptured BAVM cases at presentation. Four tagSNPs in ANGPTL4 captured variation over a 10-kb region (rs2278236, rs1044250, rs11672433, and rs1808536) and were tested for association with BAVM or ICH. The minor allele (A) of rs11672433 (exon 6, Pro389Pro) was associated with an increased risk of BAVM (p = 0.006), which persisted after adjusting for multiple comparisons (p = 0.03). After adjustments for age and sex, carriers of the minor allele (A) remained at higher risk for BAVM compared to noncarriers (odds ratio, OR = 1.56; 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.01–2.41; p = 0.046) and risk of BAVM was increased with increasing copy of the minor A allele (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.03–2.15; ptrend = 0.03). Five common haplotypes (frequency >1%) were inferred; overall haplotype distribution differed between BAVM cases and controls (χ2 = 12.2, d.f. = 4, p = 0.02). Neither SNPs (p > 0.05) nor haplotype distribution (χ2 = 1.1, d.f. = 4, p = 0.89) were associated with risk of ICH among BAVM cases.

Conclusion

A synonymous SNP in ANGPTL4 and haplotypes carrying it are associated with risk of BAVM but not with ICH presentation in BAVM cases.

Background

Pulmonary edema and associated impaired oxygenation are a major reason for rejection of donor lung allografts offered for transplantation. Clearance of pulmonary edema can be up-regulated by stimulation of ϐ adrenergic receptors (ϐAR). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ϐAR genes have functional effects in vitro and in vivo. We hypothesized that SNPs in ϐAR genes would be associated with rates of utilization of donor lung allografts offered for transplantation.

Methods

951 organ donors were genotyped for 4 amino-acid coding SNPs in the ϐAR genes. Lung allograft utilization was compared among donors stratified by genotypes.

Results

Utilization of donor lung allografts was 55% vs. 35% (p = 0.02) among donors with GG vs. AA/AG genotypes of the Ser49Gly SNP, 39% vs. 32% (p = 0.04) with GG vs. AA/AG genotype of Gly16Arg SNP and 37% vs. 32% (p = 0.1) with CC vs. GC/GG genotype of the Arg389Gly SNP. In combined analysis, donors carrying 0–1 associated genotypes had a utilization rate of 33%, whereas donors carrying two or three associated genotypes had utilization rate of 44% and 58% respectively (p=0.008). There was a stepwise decrease in chest radiograph infiltrates and increase in the PaO2/FiO2 with increasing number of these associated genotypes.

Conclusions

Genetic variants in the ϐAR genes among organ donors are associated with higher rates of lung allograft utilization. The increased utilization may be related to increased clearance of pulmonary edema and improved oxygenation in donors with favorable genotypes and suggests ϐAR agonists may have a role in donor management.

Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a rare but important cause of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in young adults. In this paper, we review both human and animal studies of brain AVM, focusing on the: (1) natural history of AVM hemorrhage; (2) genetic and expression studies of AVM susceptibility and hemorrhage; and (3) strategies for development of a brain AVM model in adult mice. These data target various mechanisms which must act in concert to regulate normal angiogenic response to injury. Based on the various lines of evidence reviewed in this paper, we propose a “response-to-injury” model of brain AVM pathogenesis.

Background & Aims

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) with normal serum levels of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase can result from mutations in ATP8B1 (encoding familial intrahepatic cholestasis 1 [FIC1]) or ABCB11 (encoding bile salt export pump [BSEP]). We evaluated clinical and laboratory features of disease in patients diagnosed with PFIC, who carried mutations in ATP8B1 (FIC1 deficiency) or ABCB11 (BSEP deficiency). Our goal was to identify features that distinguish presentation and course of these 2 disorders, thus facilitating diagnosis and elucidating the differing consequences of ATP8B1 and ABCB11 mutations.

Methods

A retrospective multi-center study was conducted, using questionnaires and chart review. Available clinical and biochemical data from 145 PFIC patients with mutations in either ATP8B1 (61 “FIC1 patients”) or ABCB11 (84 “BSEP patients”) were evaluated.

Results

At presentation, serum aminotransferase and bile salt levels were higher in BSEP patients; serum alkaline phosphatase values were higher, and serum albumin values were lower, in FIC1 patients. Elevated white blood cell counts, and giant or multinucleate cells at liver biopsy, were more common in BSEP patients. BSEP patients more often had gallstones and portal hypertension. Diarrhea, pancreatic disease, rickets, pneumonia, abnormal sweat tests, hearing impairment, and poor growth were more common in FIC1 patients. Among BSEP patients, the course of disease was less rapidly progressive in patients bearing the D482G mutation.

Conclusions

Severe forms of FIC1 and BSEP deficiency differed. BSEP patients manifested more severe hepatobiliary disease, while FIC1 patients showed greater evidence of extrahepatic disease.

Background

Epidemiologic evidence suggests a heritable component to risk for sudden cardiac arrest independent of risk for myocardial infarction. Recent candidate gene association studies for community sudden cardiac arrests have focused on a limited number of biological pathways and yielded conflicting results. We sought to identify novel gene associations for sudden cardiac arrest in patients with coronary artery disease by performing a genome-wide association study.

Methods

Tagging SNPs (n = 338,328) spanning the genome were typed in a case-control study comparing 89 patients with coronary artery disease and sudden cardiac arrest due to ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation to 520 healthy controls.

Results

Fourteen SNPs including 7 SNPs among 7 genes (ACYP2, AP1G2, ESR1, DGES2, GRIA1, KCTD1, ZNF385B) were associated with sudden cardiac arrest (all p < 1.30 × 10-7), following Bonferroni correction and adjustment for population substructure, age, and sex; genetic variation in ESR1 (p = 2.62 × 10-8; Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.277, 1.596) has previously been established as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In tandem, the role of 9 genes for monogenic long QT syndrome (LQT1-9) was assessed, yielding evidence of association with CACNA1C (LQT8; p = 3.09 × 10-4; OR = 1.18, 95% CI:1.079, 1.290). We also assessed 4 recently published gene associations for sudden cardiac arrest, validating NOS1AP (p = 4.50 × 10-2, OR = 1.15, 95% CI:1.003, 1.326), CSMD2 (p = 6.6 × 10-3, OR = 2.27, 95% CI:1.681, 2.859), and AGTR1 (p = 3.00 × 10-3, OR = 1.13, 95% CI:1.042, 1.215).

Conclusion

We demonstrate 11 gene associations for sudden cardiac arrest due to ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation in patients with coronary artery disease. Validation studies in independent cohorts and functional studies are required to confirm these associations.

Background:

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling has been shown to promote myocardial fibrosis and remodeling with coronary artery disease (CAD), and previous studies demonstrate a major role for fibrosis in the initiation of malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TGFß pathway genes may be associated with SCA.

Objective:

We examined the association of common SNPs among 12 candidate genes in the TGFß pathway with the risk of SCA.

Methods:

SNPs (n=617) were genotyped in a case-control study comparing 89 patients with CAD and SCA due to VA to 520 healthy controls.

Results:

Nineteen SNPs among 5 genes (TGFB2, TGFBR2, SMAD1, SMAD3, SMAD6) were associated with SCA after adjustment for age and sex. After permutation analysis to account for multiple testing, a single SNP in TGFBR2 (rs9838682) was associated with SCA (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.08-2.54, p=0.02).

Conclusion:

We demonstrate an association between a common TGFBR2 polymorphism and risk of SCA due to VA in the setting of CAD. If validated, these findings support the role of genetic variation in TGFß signaling in SCA susceptibility.

Growth hormone receptor knockout (GHRKO) mice live about 40%–55% longer than their normal (N) littermates. Previous studies of 21-month-old GHRKO and N mice showed major alterations of the hepatic expression of genes involved in insulin signaling. Differences detected at this age may have been caused by the knockout of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) or by differences in biological age between GHRKO and N mice. To address this question, we compared GHRKO and N mice at ages corresponding to the same percentage of median life span to see if the differences of gene expression persisted. Comparison of GHRKO and N mice at ∼50% of biological life span showed significant differences in hepatic expression of all 14 analyzed genes. We conclude that these changes are due to disruption of GHR gene and the consequent suppression of growth hormone signaling rather than to differences in “biological age” between mutant and normal animals sampled at the same chronological age.

Background

Brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVM) are a tangle of abnormal vessels directly shunting blood from the arterial to venous circulation and an important cause of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). EphB4 is involved in arterial-venous determination during embryogenesis; altered signaling could lead to vascular instability resulting in ICH. We investigated the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in EPHB4 with risk of ICH at clinical presentation in BAVM patients.

Methods and Results

Eight haplotype-tagging SNPs spanning ∼29 kb were tested for association with ICH presentation in 146 Caucasian BAVM patients (phase I: 56 ICH, 90 non-ICH) using allelic, haplotypic, and principal components analysis. Associated SNPs were then genotyped in 102 additional cases (phase II: 37 ICH, 65 non-ICH) and data combined for multivariable logistic regression. Minor alleles of 2 SNPs were associated with reduced risk of ICH presentation (rs314313 C, P=0.005; rs314308 T, P=0.0004). Overall, haplotypes were also significantly associated with ICH presentation (χ2=17.24, 6 df, P=0.008); 2 haplotypes containing the rs314308 T allele (GCCTGGGT, P=0.003; GTCTGGGC, P=0.036) were associated with reduced risk. In principal components analysis, 2 components explained 91% of the variance, and complemented haplotype results by implicating 4 SNPs at the 5′ end, including rs314308 and rs314313. These 2 SNPs were replicated in the phase II cohort, and combined data resulted in greater significance (rs314313, P=0.0007; rs314308, P=0.00008). SNP association with ICH presentation persisted after adjusting for age, sex, BAVM size, and deep venous drainage.

Conclusions

EPHB4 polymorphisms are associated with risk of ICH presentation in BAVM patients, warranting further study.

Background

Telomeres shorten as cells divide. This shortening is compensated by the enzyme telomerase. We evaluated the effect of common variants in the telomerase RNA component (TERC) gene on telomere length (TL) in the population-based Health Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study and in two replication samples (the TwinsUK Study and the Amish Family Osteoporosis Study, AFOS).

Methodology

Five variants were identified in the TERC region by sequence analysis and only one SNP was common (rs2293607, G/A). The frequency of the G allele was 0.26 and 0.07 in white and black, respectively. Testing for association between TL and rs2293607 was performed using linear regression models or variance component analysis conditioning on relatedness among subjects.

Results

The adjusted mean TL was significantly shorter in 665 white carriers of the G allele compared to 887 non-carriers from the Health ABC Study (4.69±0.05 kbp vs. 4.86±0.04 kbp, measured by quantitative PCR, p = 0.005). This association was replicated in another white sample from the TwinsUK Study (6.90±0.03 kbp in 301 carriers compared to 7.06±0.03 kbp in 395 non-carriers, measured by Southern blots, p = 0.009). A similar pattern of association was observed in whites from the family-based AFOS and blacks from the Health ABC cohort, although not statistically significant, possibly due to the lower allele frequency in these populations. Combined analysis using 2,953 white subjects from 3 studies showed a significant association between TL and rs2293607 (β = −0.19±0.04 kbp, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Our study shows a significant association between a common variant in TERC and TL in humans, suggesting that TERC may play a role in telomere homeostasis.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an inflammatory cytokine that influences the development of inflammatory and aging-related disorders and ultimately longevity. In order to study the influence of variants in genes that regulate inflammatory response on IL-6 levels and longevity, we screened a panel of 477 tag SNPs across 87 candidate genes in >5,000 older participants from the population-based Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS). Baseline plasma IL-6 concentration was first confirmed as a strong predictor of all-cause mortality. Functional alleles of the IL6R and PARP1 genes were significantly associated with 15%-20% higher baseline IL-6 concentration per copy among CHS European-American (EA) participants (all p<10−4). In a case/control analysis nested within this EA cohort, the minor allele of PARP1 rs1805415 was nominally associated with decreased longevity (p=0.001), but there was no evidence of association between IL6R genotype and longevity. The PARP1 rs1805415 – longevity association was subsequently replicated in one of two independent case/control studies. In a pooled analysis of all 3 studies, the “risk” of longevity associated with the minor allele of PARP1 rs1805415 was 0.79 (95%CI 0.62 – 1.02; p=0.07). These findings warrant further study of the potential role of PARP1 genotype in inflammatory and aging-related phenotypes.

Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVM) cause intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Molecular characterization of lesional tissue implicates angiogenic (VEGF, ANG-2, MMP-9) and inflammatory (cytokines and chemokines) pathways, but the pathogenesis remain obscure and medical therapy is lacking. Macrophage and neutrophil invasion has also been observed in the absence of prior ICH. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and activin receptor-like kinase-1 (ALK-1) are associated with AVM susceptibility, and SNPs in IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and APOE are associated with AVM rupture. These observations suggest that even without a complete understanding of the determinants of AVM development, the recent discoveries of downstream derangements in vascular function and integrity may offer potential targets for therapy development. Further, biomarkers can be established for assessing ICH risk. Finally, these data will aid in development of model systems for mechanistic testing, by development of surrogate phenotypes (microvascular dysplasia) and/or models recapitulating the clinical syndrome of recurrent spontaneous ICH.

Background

Mutations in ATP8B1 (FIC1) underlie cases of cholestatic disease, ranging from chronic and progressive (progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis) to intermittent (benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis). The ATP8B1-deficient mouse serves as an animal model of human ATP8B1 deficiency.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We investigated the effect of genetic background on phenotypes of ATP8B1-deficient and wild-type mice, using C57Bl/6 (B6), 129, and (B6-129) F1 strain backgrounds. B6 background resulted in greater abnormalities in ATP8B1-deficient mice than did 129 and/or F1 background. ATP8B1-deficient pups of B6 background gained less weight. In adult ATP8B1-deficient mice at baseline, those of B6 background had lower serum cholesterol levels, higher serum alkaline phosphatase levels, and larger livers. After challenge with cholate-supplemented diet, these mice exhibited higher serum alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels, greater weight loss and larger livers. ATP8B1-deficient phenotypes in mice of F1 and 129 backgrounds are usually similar, suggesting that susceptibility to manifestations of ATP8B1 deficiency may be recessive. We also detected differences in hepatobiliary phenotypes between wild-type mice of differing strains.

Conclusions/Significance

Our results indicate that the ATP8B1-deficient mouse in a B6 background may be a better model of human ATP8B1 deficiency and highlight the importance of informed background strain selection for mouse models of liver disease.

Background

Polymorphisms in the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β gene have been associated with systemic atherogenesis, thrombosis and rupture. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL-1β and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in the natural course of brain arteriovenous malformation (BAVM) patients.

Method

Two IL-1β promoter SNPs (−511C→T, −31T→C) and 1 synonymous coding SNP in exon 5 at +3953C→T (Phe) were genotyped in 410 BAVM patients. We performed a survival analysis of time to subsequent ICH, censoring cases at first treatment, death or last follow-up. A Cox regression analysis was performed to obtain hazard ratios (HRs) for genotypes adjusted for age, sex, Caucasian race/ethnicity and hemorrhagic presentation.

Results

Subjects with the −31 CC genotype (HR = 2.7; 95% CI 1.1–6.6; p = 0.029) or the −511 TT genotype (HR = 2.6; 95% CI 1.1–6.5; p = 0.039) had a greater risk of subsequent ICH compared with reference genotypes, adjusting for covariates. The +3953C→T SNP was not significantly associated with an increased ICH risk (p = 0.22). The IL-1β promoter polymorphisms were also associated with BAVM susceptibility among a subset of 235 BAVM cases and 255 healthy controls of Caucasian race/ethnicity (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

IL-1β promoter polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk of ICH in BAVM clinical course and with BAVM susceptibility. These results suggest that inflammatory pathways, including the IL-1β cytokine, may play an important role in ICH.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and has a higher prevalence in African Americans than Caucasians. Ankle arm index (AAI) is the ratio of systolic blood pressure in the leg to that in the arm, and, when low, is a marker of PAD. We used an admixture mapping approach to search for genetic loci associated with low AAI. Using data from 1040 African-American participants in the observational, population-based Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study who were genotyped at 1322 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) that are informative for African versus European ancestry and span the entire genome, we estimated genetic ancestry in each chromosomal region and then tested the association between AAI and genetic ancestry at each locus. We found a region of chromosome 11 that reaches its peak between 80 and 82 Mb associated with low AAI (p<0.001 for rs12289502 and rs9665943, both within this region). 753 African-American participants in the observational, population-based Cardiovascular Health Study were genotyped at rs9665943 to test the reproducibility of this association, and this association was also statistically significant (odds ratio(OR) for homozygous African genotype 1.59 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–2.27)). Another candidate SNP (rs1042602) in the same genomic region was tested in both populations, and was also found to be significantly associated with low AAI in both populations (OR for homozygous African genotype 1.89 (95% CI 1.29–2.76)). This study identifies a novel region of chromosome 11 representing an area with a potential candidate gene associated with PAD in African Americans.

Summary

Alterations of glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity have been associated with depression. Thus, variation in the glucocorticoid receptor gene that determines glucocorticoid sensitivity may influence risk for depression.

In a cross-sectional genetic association study of 526 white outpatients with chronic coronary heart disease, we examined whether haplotypes of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) are associated with depression. Participants were genotyped for four common glucocorticoid receptor gene polymorphisms (ER22/23EK, BclI C/G, N363S, and 9beta A/G) and haplotype analyses were conducted. Depression was assessed by an interview (Computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule).

Of the 526 participants, 355 (67.5%) were non-carriers, 153 (29.1%) had one copy, and 17 (3.2%) had 2 copies of the haplotype 3 allele, which includes the minor allele of the 9beta A/G polymorphism and which has been associated with reduced glucocorticoid sensitivity. The prevalence of depression ranged from 24.4% in the non-carriers to 34.4% in heterozygotes to 52.9% in participants homozygous for the haplotype 3 allele (p < 0.01). In logistic regression analyses, carriers of one haplotype 3 allele had an odds ratio of 1.64 (95% CI 1.1–2.5, p = 0.02) for depression, while the odds ratio of homozygous haplotype 3 carriers was 3.52 (95% CI 1.3–9.4, p = 0.01). These associations persisted after adjusting for potentially confounding variables.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), IGF-1 binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1), and IGF-1 binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) and fasting insulin, fasting glucose, adiposity, and mortality in older adults.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study with mean follow-up of 6.2 years.

SETTING

Participants were recruited and followed at two centers affiliated with academic medical institutions.

PARTICIPANTS

Six hundred twenty-five men and women aged 70 and older and in good health at the time of enrollment.

MEASUREMENTS

Serum IGF-1, IGFBP-1, and IGFBP-2; fasting serum insulin; fasting serum glucose; visceral fat; and total percent fat.

RESULTS

Higher IGFBP-1 and higher IGFBP-2 were significantly associated with lower fasting insulin, lower fasting glucose, and lower adiposity, but higher IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 were associated with greater mortality. In multivariate adjusted models, the hazard ratio for all-cause mortality was 1.48 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.14–1.92) per standard deviation (SD) increase in IGFBP-2 and 1.34 (95% CI = 1.01–1.76) per SD increase in IGFBP-1. No association was found between IGF-1 and all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 are associated with lower adiposity and decreased glucose tolearance but also with greater all-cause mortality. Higher levels of serum IGF-1 binding protein (IGFBP) may indicate greater IGF-1 activity and thus represent an association between higher IGF-1 activity and mortality in humans.

Background

Previous studies suggest β adrenergic receptor (βAR) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with out-of-hospital sudden cardiac death (SCD) and overall mortality, but did not specifically examine risk of ventricular arrhythmias (VA).

Objective

We examined the effects of functional SNPs of β1AR and β2AR on the risk of VA and SCD in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

β1AR (Ser49Gly, Arg389Gly) and β2AR (Gly16Arg, Gln27Glu) SNPs were genotyped in a case-control study comparing 107 patients with CAD and aborted SCD due to VA to 287 CAD controls and 101 healthy controls. These variants were also examined in the Heart and Estrogen Replacement Study (HERS) cohort of women with CAD followed for SCD (n = 66) and non-fatal VA (NFVA) (n = 33) over 6.8 years.

Results

In the case-control study, no statistically significant association was observed for odds of SCD with any of the SNPs or haplotypes tested. Similarly, HERS revealed null effects for these SNPs and haplotypes in relation to risk of SCD, SCD + NFVA, and all-cause mortality. Point estimates and confidence intervals for risk of SCD associated with β2AR27 were similar in both populations (Glu27 carriers vs. Gln27 homozygotes: adjusted OR 1.23 [95% CI 0.75–2.03, p=0.41] in the case-control study, and adjusted RR 1.18 [95% CI 0.69–2.00, p=0.55] in HERS). These null findings trend in the opposite direction and differ from previous published estimates (p=0.01 and 0.07, respectively).

Conclusion

We did not find an increase in risk of SCD associated with any of these common βAR polymorphisms.

The prevalence of obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2) is higher in African Americans than in European Americans, even after adjustment for socioeconomic factors, suggesting that genetic factors may explain some of the difference. To identify genetic loci influencing BMI, we carried out a pooled analysis of genome-wide admixture mapping scans in 15,280 African Americans from 14 epidemiologic studies. Samples were genotyped at a median of 1,411 ancestry-informative markers. After adjusting for age, sex, and study, BMI was analyzed both as a dichotomized (top 20% versus bottom 20%) and a continuous trait. We found that a higher percentage of European ancestry was significantly correlated with lower BMI (ρ = −0.042, P = 1.6×10−7). In the dichotomized analysis, we detected two loci on chromosome X as associated with increased African ancestry: the first at Xq25 (locus-specific LOD = 5.94; genome-wide score = 3.22; case-control Z = −3.94); and the second at Xq13.1 (locus-specific LOD = 2.22; case-control Z = −4.62). Quantitative analysis identified a third locus at 5q13.3 where higher BMI was highly significantly associated with greater European ancestry (locus-specific LOD = 6.27; genome-wide score = 3.46). Further mapping studies with dense sets of markers will be necessary to identify the alleles in these regions of chromosomes X and 5 that may be associated with variation in BMI.

Author Summary

Obesity is about 1.5-fold more prevalent in African Americans than European Americans. To determine whether genetic background may contribute to this observed disparity, we scanned the genomes of African Americans, searching for genomic regions where obese individuals have a difference from the average proportion of African ancestry. By examining genetic data from more than 15,000 African Americans, we show that the proportion of European ancestry is inversely correlated with BMI. In obese individuals, we detect two loci with increased African ancestry on chromosome X (Xq13.1 and Xq25) and one locus with increased European ancestry on chromosome 5 (5q13.3). The 5q13.3 and Xq25 regions both contain genes that are known to be involved in appetite regulation. Our results suggest that genetic factors may contribute to the difference in obesity prevalence between African Americans and European Americans. Further studies of the regions may identify the causative variants affecting susceptibility to obesity.

Background and Purpose

Vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) remains a leading cause of death and disability after aneurysm rupture. Decreased availability of nitric oxide (NO) may be crucial in the pathogenesis. We hypothesize that endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) polymorphisms may determine susceptibility to vasospasm in SAH patients.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of SAH patients, and determined vasospasm by cerebral angiography. We genotyped three eNOS polymorphisms: intron 4 variable-number-tandem-repeat (VNTR), promoter single-nucleotide-polymorphism (-786T>C SNP), and coding SNP in exon 7 (894G>T encoding E298D). Using multivariable logistic regression, we quantified the association of eNOS polymorphisms in patients with vasospasm confirmed by cerebral angiogram.

Results

For the eNOS promoter -786T>C SNP, the presence of the CC genotype compared to any T genotype (CT or TT) was associated with increased odds of vasospasm (OR 2.97, 95%CI 1.32-6.67, p=0.008). No association with vasospasm was observed for the eNOS 894G>T or VNTR polymorphisms.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that genetic variation influencing NO regulation contributes to risk of angiographic vasospasm in patients with SAH. The specific role of the promoter SNP (-786T>C) may determine the effect of NO regulated by this pathway distinct from other known eNOS polymorphisms.

SUMMARY

Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVM) cause intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), especially in young adults. Molecular characterization of lesional tissue provides evidence for involvement of both angiogenic and inflammatory pathways, but the pathogenesis remain obscure and medical therapy is lacking. Abnormal expression patterns have been observed for proteins related to angiogenesis (e.g., VEGF, Angiopoietin-2, MMP-9), and inflammation (e.g., IL-6 and MPO). Macrophage and neutrophil invasion has also been observed in the absence of prior ICH. Candidate gene association studies have identified a number of germline variants associated with clinical ICH course and AVM susceptibility. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in ALK-1 is associated with AVM susceptibility, and SNPs in IL-6, TNF-α and APOE are associated with AVM rupture. These observations suggest that even without a complete understanding of the determinants of AVM development, the recent discoveries of downstream derangements in vascular function and integrity may offer potential targets for therapy development. Further, biomarkers can now be established for assessing ICH risk. Finally, these data will generate hypotheses that can be tested mechanistically in model systems, including surrogate phenotypes, such as vascular dysplasia and/or models recapitulating the clinical syndrome of recurrent spontaneous ICH.

Background

Previous studies suggest that markers of inflammation are elevated in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, because inflammation has been implicated in contributing to risk of both AF and coronary artery disease (CAD), which are often present in the same populations, it is important to control for confounding by the presence of CAD. We therefore examined several biomarkers of inflammation and ultimately genotyped IL-6 polymorphisms in AF patients in a cohort of subjects with known CAD.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 971 participants in the Heart and Soul Study, 46 of whom had AF. IL-6, CRP, tumor necrosis factor-α, CD-40 ligand, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and fibrinogen levels were measured.

Results

In both unadjusted and adjusted analyses, IL-06 was the only biomarker significantly associated with AF (median IL-6 3.76 pg/ml and 2.52 pg/ml in those with and without AF, respectively, p=0.0005; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.77 p=0.032). The IL-6 –174CC genotype was significantly associated with the presence of AF in the adjusted analysis (OR 2.34, p=0.04) and with higher IL-6 levels (p=0.002).

Conclusions

In this cohort of subjects with CAD, AF was significantly associated with elevated IL-6 levels and the IL-6 –174CC genotype. No associations were found with other biomarkers, including CRP. This suggests that IL-6 is a uniquely important mediator in the pathophysiology of AF.

Background

Genetic association studies conducted in admixed populations may be confounded by population stratification resulting in spurious associations. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the presence and effect of population stratification in a case-control study of brain arteriovenous malformation (BAVM).

Methods

We tested 83 ancestry informative markers (AIMs) in BAVM cases and healthy controls of self-reported Latino race/ethnicity (n=294). Individual ancestry estimates (IAE) were obtained using Structure, assuming three underlying subpopulations. Summary χ2 tests comparing genotype frequency of AIMs were used to detect stratification, and IAE were included as covariates in logistic regression analysis to account for differences in genetic background.

Results

Admixture estimates for Latinos (overall 47% Native American, 45% European, and 8% African ancestry) revealed heterogeneity between individuals within ancestral groups. The summary χ2 test was significant (P=0.005), suggesting ancestral differences between cases and controls. Furthermore, genetic ancestry was associated with frequency differences in a promoter variant in the interleukin-6 gene (IL-6−174G>C). On average, subjects with the IL6−174 GG genotype had 6% greater Native American ancestry (P=0.023). Age and sex-adjusted risk of BAVM associated with the IL-6−174 GG genotype was 1.85 (95% CI=0.99−3.48, P=0.055), and further adjustments for IAE yielded an OR of 1.96 (95% CI=1.03−3.72, P=0.039).

Conclusion

The IL-6−174G>C polymorphism was associated with increased risk of BAVM among Latinos after accounting for differences in ancestral background. These results suggest subtle, negative confounding and illustrate the importance of addressing population stratification in case-control studies conducted in admixed populations.