Genetic association between human chitinases and lung function in COPD
HUMAN GENETICS
Authors: Aminuddin, F.; Akhabir, L.; Stefanowicz, D.; Pare, P. D.; Connett, J. E.; Anthonisen, N. R.; Fahy, J. V.; Seibold, M. A.; Burchard, E. G.; Eng, C.; Gulsvik, A.; Bakke, P.; Cho, M. H.; Litonjua, A.; Lomas, D. A.; Anderson, W. H.; Beaty, T. H.; Crapo, J. D.; Silverman, E. K.; Sandford, A. J.
Abstract
Two primary chitinases have been identified in humans-acid mammalian chitinase (AMCase) and chitotriosidase (CHIT1). Mammalian chitinases have been observed to affect the host's immune response. The aim of this study was to test for association between genetic variation in the chitinases and phenotypes related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Polymorphisms in the chitinase genes were selected based on previous associations with respiratory diseases. Polymorphisms that were associated with lung function level or rate of decline in the Lung Health Study (LHS) cohort were analyzed for association with COPD affection status in four other COPD case-control populations. Chitinase activity and protein levels were also related to genotypes. In the caucasian LHS population, the baseline forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was significantly different between the AA and GG genotypic groups of the AMCase rs3818822 polymorphism. Subjects with the GG genotype had higher AMCase protein and chitinase activity compared with AA homozygotes. For CHIT1 rs2494303, a significant association was observed between rate of decline in FEV1 and the different genotypes. In the African American LHS population, CHIT1 rs2494303 and AMCase G339T genotypes were associated with rate of decline in FEV1. Although a significant effect of chitinase gene alleles was found on lung function level and decline in the LHS, we were unable to replicate the associations with COPD affection status in the other COPD study groups.
Reduction of Inflammatory and Cardiovascular Proteins in the Blood of Patients with Psoriasis: Differential Responses between Tofacitinib and Etanercept after 4 Weeks of Treatment
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
Authors: Kim, Jaehwan; Tomalin, Lewis; Lee, Julie; Fitz, Lori J.; Berstein, Gabriel; Correa-da Rosa, Joel; Garcet, Sandra; Lowes, Michelle A.; Valdez, Hernan; Wolk, Robert; Suarez-Farinas, Mayte; Krueger, James G.
Abstract
Patients with psoriasis have an increased risk of myocardial infarction, and psoriasis is now recognized as an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease and cardiovascular mortality. To understand the effects of psoriasis medications on systemic inflammation associated with cardiovascular risks, we studied blood proteins related to inflammation and cardiovascular disease archived from a phase 3 clinical trial of tofacitinib and etanercept in adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. A total of 157 blood proteins were quantified by a proximity extension assay from 266 patients at baseline and week 4. Protein changes in the blood after 1 month of treatment were compared between tofacitinib (10 mg two times a day) and etanercept (50 mg biweekly), and by response status at week 12. Tofacitinib and etanercept commonly reduced IL-6, CCL20, and CXCL10, but IL-17A was significantly reduced only in responders of either treatment. Compared with etanercept, tofacitinib showed a wider spectrum of cardiovascular blood protein reduction, but the protein reduction effects of tofacitinib were strictly confined to treatment responders. Tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, E-selectin, hK11, tumor necrosis factorerelated activation-induced cytokine, CHI3L1, IL-16, and matrix metalloproteinase-12 were cardiovascular proteins significantly reduced only in tofacitinib responders. Our data suggest that a short-term systemic psoriasis treatment can cause reductions in circulating inflammatory and other proteins associated with cardiovascular risks.