Project description:PurposeAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is reported to be associated with the two traditional estrogen receptor genes, ESR1 and ESR2. Yet, the novel estrogen receptor G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER) has not been studied. To investigate the association of GPER gene polymorphisms with the onset and deterioration of AIS, we performed a case-control study.MethodsClinical information was recorded, blood samples were taken and genomic DNA was extracted. After resequencing the gene in 45 cases and 45 controls who were randomly selected, 16 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected. Then the association study was extended by an additional 344 patients and 293 controls with direct sequencing and a TaqMan-based genotyping assay. The chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyse the genotypic and allelic association. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the mean maximum Cobb angles and ages with different genotypes in the case-only data set.ResultsNo association was observed between the polymorphisms of the GPER gene and susceptibility to AIS. However, heterozygotes in three SNPs of the gene (rs3808351, rs10269151 and rs426655s3) were related significantly with the curve severity in AIS patients (P = 0.004, 0.048 and 0.028, respectively).ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that GPER gene polymorphisms are associated with the severity of curvature in AIS; deficits of GPER may contribute to the deterioration of spine deformity.
Project description:Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is one of the most common spinal disorders in adolescents. Despite many studies, the etiopathogenesis of IS is still poorly understood. In recent years, the role of epigenetic factors in the etiopathogenesis of IS has been increasingly investigated. It has also been postulated that the development and progression of the disease is related to gender and puberty, and could be associated with estrogen action. Estrogen hormones act via estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2). It has been suggested that ESR2 expression is dependent on methylation within its gene promoter. So far, no studies have evaluated local, tissue-specific DNA methylation in patients with IS. Thus, our study aimed to analyze the methylation and expression level of ESR2 in the paraspinal muscles of the convex and concave side of the IS curvature. The methylation level within ESR2 promoter 0N, but not exon 0N, was significantly higher on the concave side of the curvature compared to the convex side. There was no significant correlation between ESR2 expression and methylation level in the promoter 0N on the convexity of thoracic scoliosis, whereas, on the concave side of the curvature, we observed a moderate negative correlation. There was no difference in the methylation levels of the ESR2 promoter and exon 0N between groups of patients with Cobb angle ≤ 70° and > 70° on the concave and convex side of the curvature. We also found no statistically significant correlation between the Cobb angle value and the mean methylation level in either the ESR2 promoter or exon 0N on the convex or concave side of the curvature. Our findings demonstrate that DNA methylation at the ESR2 promoter in deep paravertebral muscle tissue is associated with the occurrence but not with the severity of idiopathic scoliosis.
Project description:ObjectiveTo investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of the calmodulin1 (CALM1) and estrogen receptor-α genes correlate with double curve in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).MethodsA total of 67 Chinese patients with AIS with double curve and 100 healthy controls were recruited. Curve pattern and Cobb angle of each patient were recorded. The Cobb angle is at least 30°. There were 60 patients with Cobb angle ≥ 40°. According to the apical location of the major curve, there were 40 thoracic curve patients. Four polymorphic loci, including rs12885713 (-16C > T) and rs5871 in the CALM1 gene and rs2234693 (Pvu II) and rs9340799 (Xba I) in the estrogen receptor 1 (ER1) gene were analyzed by the ABI3730 genetic analyzer.ResultsThe current study indicates that: (i) there are statistical differences between patients with double curve, with Cobb angle ≥ 40° and with thoracic curve and healthy controls in the polymorphic distribution of the rs2234693 site of the ER1 gene, (P= 0.014, 0.0128, 0.0184 respectively); (ii) there is a difference between patients with double curve and controls in the polymorphic distribution of the rs12885713 site in the CALM1 gene (P= 0.034); and (iii) there is a difference between thoracic curve patients and controls in the polymorphic distribution of the rs5871 site in the CALM1 gene (P= 0.0102).ConclusionsDifferent subtypes of AIS might be related to different SNP. A combination of CALM1 and ER1 gene polymorphisms might be related to double curve in patients with AIS. Further study is necessary to confirm these hypotheses.
Project description:BackgroundThe age at menarche (AAM) is commonly in use in patients with IS as one of the maturity indicator suggesting deceleration of the growth velocity. The AAM was suggested to be related to predisposition and curve progression potential of IS. The late age at menarche was reported to be associated with higher prevalence of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The age at menarche is determined by both genetic and environmental factors as well as their interactions. Estrogen receptors 1 and 2 polymorphism were reported to be associated with AAM: in ESR1 XbaI and PvuII site polymorphism and in ESR2 AluI site polymorphism.The purpose of the study was to investigate associations of the ESR1 and ESR2 polymorphisms with AAM in IS patients and to evaluate association of AAM with IS severity.Methods208 females with IS Caucasian females from Central Europe underwent clinical, radiological and genetic examinations. Four SNPs were selected XbaI (A/Grs9340799) and PvuII (C/T rs2234693) in ESR1and AluI (A/G rs4986938) and RasI (A/G rs1256049) in ESR2. Samples were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragments length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP). The age of a menarche was established during personal interview with the patients and in case of children with their parents. The Cobb angle was measured.ResultsAll genotypes followed HWE. Mean AAM for patients was 154.8 ± 14.7 months (12.9 ± 1.2 years). The earliest AAM was 121 and latest 192 months. There was no statistically significant difference between AAM mean values in each genotype, for the XbaI, PvuII, AluI and RsaI site polymorphisms the p values were p=0.7141, p=0.9774, p=0.7973 and p=0.2282, respectively. Patients divided according to Cobb into mild (<30°), moderate (30°-49°) or severe (≥ 50°) IS revealed tendency to delay AAM: 151.9 ± 14.7; 155.2 ± 14.8 and 157.9 ± 14.0 months, respectively. There was statistical significant difference between patients with mild <30° and severe ≥ 50° IS, p=0.0267.ConclusionsIn IS patients estrogen receptors polymorphisms did not show association with the AAM. Patients with severe IS form revealed delayed AAM than patients with mild IS form.
Project description:BACKGROUND Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common spinal deformity, but its etiology is unclear. Multiple genetic mutations have been reported to be associated with AIS. MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled a cohort of 113 surgically treated AIS patients with available parental subjects from the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. We performed whole-exome sequencing in 10 trio families and whole-genome sequencing in 103 singleton patients. Luciferase assay was used to detect the functional alterations of candidate ESR1 and ESR2 variants. RESULTS Using a de novo strategy, a missense variant in ESR1 (c.868A>G) was selected as a candidate gene for AIS. The main Cobb angle of this patient was 41° (T6-T10). Another potential pathogenic variant in ESR2 (c.236T>C) was identified. The main curve of the patient was 45° at T10-L3. The transactivation capacities of the mutated ESR1 and ESR2 protein were both significantly decreased (p=0.026 and 0.014, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Potential pathogenic variants in ESR1 and ESR2 were identified in 113 AIS patients, suggesting that genetic mutations in ESR1/2 were associated with the risk of AIS.
Project description:BackgroundThe current consensus on idiopathic scoliosis maintains that it has a multifactorial etiology with genetic predisposing factors.AimEstrogen receptor alpha gene has been considered as candidate gene of idiopathic scoliosis.Material and methodsWe conducted a case-control study of Bulgarian population samples (eighty patients with idiopathic scoliosis and one hundred-sixty healthy unrelated gender-matched controls) trying to investigate the association between common genetic polymorphisms of estrogen receptor alpha and the susceptibility to idiopathic scoliosis. Molecular detection of the restriction polymorphisms XbaI and PvuII was performed by polymerase chain reaction following by restriction fragment length polymorphism. The statistical analysis was performed by Pearson's chi-squared test.ResultsOur case-control study showed statistically significant association between the PvuII polymorphism and susceptibility to idiopathic scoliosis and curve progression. No genotype or allele of XbaI polymorphism was found to be correlated with the onset or severity of the disease.ConclusionsThe identification of molecular markers with diagnostic and prognostic value could be useful for early detection of children at risk for the development of scoliosis and for prognosis of the risk for a rapid deformity progression. That would facilitate the therapy decisions and early stage treatment of the patient with the least invasive procedures.
Project description:The concept of disease-modifier genes as an element of genetic heterogeneity has been widely accepted and reported. The aim of the current study is to investigate the association between the promoter polymorphism TPH1 (rs10488682) and progression of idiopathic scoliosis (IS) in Eastern European population sample. A total of 105 patients and 210 healthy gender-matched controls were enrolled in this study. The TPH1 promoter polymorphism was genotyped by amplification followed by restriction. The statistical analysis was performed by Fisher's Exact Test. The results indicated that the genotypes and alleles of TPH1 (rs10488682) are not correlated with curve severity, curve pattern, or bracing. Therefore, the examined polymorphic variant could not be considered as a genetic factor with modifying effect of IS. In conclusion, this case-control study revealed no statistically significant association between TPH1 (rs10488682) and progression of IS in Eastern European population sample. These preliminary results should be replicated in extended population studies including larger sample sizes. The identification of molecular markers for IS could be useful for a more accurate prognosis of the risk for a rapid progression of the curve. That would permit early stage treatment of the patient with the least invasive procedures.
Project description:Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is a multifactorial disease with epigenetic modifications. Tissue dependent and differentially methylated regions (T-DMRs) may regulate tissue-specific expression of the estrogen receptor 1 gene (ESR1). This study aimed to analyze methylation levels within T-DMR1 and T-DMR2 and its concatenation with ESR1 expression of IS patients. The study involved 87 tissue samples (deep paravertebral muscles, both on the convex and the concave side of the curve, and from back superficial muscles) from 29 girls who underwent an operation due to IS. Patient subgroups were analyzed according to Cobb angle ≤70° vs. >70°. Methylation was significantly higher in the superficial muscles than in deep paravertebral muscles in half of the T-DMR1 CpGs and all T-DMR2 CpGs. The methylation level correlated with ESR1 expression level on the concave, but not convex, side of the curvature in a majority of the T-DMR2 CpGs. The T-DMR2 methylation level in the deep paravertebral muscles on the curvature's concave side was significantly lower in patients with a Cobb angle ≤70° in four CpGs. DNA methylation of the T-DMRs is specific to muscle tissue location and may be related to ESR1 expression regulation. Additionally, the difference in T-DMR2 methylation may be associated with IS severity.