A novel functional polymorphism, 16974 A/C, in the interleukin-12-3' untranslated region is associated with risk of glioma.

Genetic factors are important in the development of glioma. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a multifunctional cytokine that induces Interferon (IFN)-gamma secretion and plays an important role in antitumor immunity. Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is a novel IL-12 family member, and the present studies demonstrate that IL-27 mediates a potent antitumor activity.

[Association of the integrin gene polymorphisms with ischemic stroke and plasma lipid levels].

Objective: To study the association of integrin alpha-2 (ITGA2) gene C807T, integrin beta-3 (ITGB3) gene T176C polymorphisms with ischemic stroke and the effect of the polymorphisms on plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels.

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing were used to detect the integrin genotypes in 265 patients with ischemic stroke and 280 healthy controls. The plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels were measured by routine method.

Platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 gene polymorphism and its soluble level are associated with ischemic stroke.

Inflammation, characterized by the recruitment and adhesion of circulating leukocytes by cellular adhesion molecules, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Genetic analyses of platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), a key adhesion molecule in the progression of atherosclerosis, have provided conflicting results regarding the role of variation within the PECAM-1 gene and risk for coronary heart disease. No studies have examined the association of this polymorphism with ischemic stroke.

Association of the single-nucleotide polymorphism and haplotype of the P-selectin gene with ischemic stroke.

Inflammation has recently proven to be associated with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and inflammatory genes are good candidates for the risk of developing atherosclerosis. The early phase of atherosclerosis involves the recruitment of inflammatory cells from the circulation and their transendothelial migration. This process is mainly mediated by cellular adhesion molecules.

Single nucleotide polymorphism and haplotype association of the interleukin-8 gene with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The cytokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) may play a role in the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) through the modulation of tumor immune response or enhanced angiogenesis. Polymorphism of IL-8 gene, which may affect the production level of cytokine, has been inversely associated with a number of cancers. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the relationship of IL-8 gene polymorphisms and NPC in a Chinese population.