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Biomedical subjects

Ann-Christine Syvänen

Publications and source records attributed to Ann-Christine Syvänen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Genetic variation in putative regulatory loci controlling gene expression in breast cancer.

Candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed for associations to an unselected whole genome pool of tumor mRNA transcripts in 50 unrelated patients with breast cancer. SNPs were selected from 203 candidate genes of the reactive oxygen species pathway. We describe a general statistical framework for the simultaneous analysis of gene expression data and SNP genotype data measured for the same cohort, which revealed significant associations between subsets of SNPs and transcripts, shedding light on the underlying biology. We identified SNPs in EGF, IL1A, MAPK8, XPC, SOD2, and ALOX12 that are associated with the expression patterns of a significant number of transcripts, indicating the presence of regulatory SNPs in these genes. SNPs were found to act in trans in a total of 115 genes. SNPs in 43 of these 115 genes were found to act both in cis and in trans. Finally, subsets of SNPs that share significantly many common associations with a set of transcripts (biclusters) were identified. The subsets of transcripts that are significantly associated with the same set of SNPs or to a single SNP were shown to be functionally coherent in Gene Ontology and pathway analyses and coexpressed in other independent data sets, suggesting that many of the observed associations are within the same functional pathways. To our knowledge, this article is the first study to correlate SNP genotype data in the germ line with somatic gene expression data in breast tumors. It provides the statistical framework for further genotype expression correlation studies in cancer data sets.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Multiple displacement amplification to create a long-lasting source of DNA for genetic studies.

In many situations there may not be sufficient DNA collected from patient or population cohorts to meet the requirements of genome-wide analysis of SNPs, genomic copy number polymorphisms, or acquired copy number alternations. When the amount of available DNA for genotype analysis is limited, high performance whole-genome amplification (WGA) represents a new development in genetic analysis. It is especially useful for analysis of DNA extracted from stored histology slides, tissue samples, buccal swabs, or blood stains collected on filter paper. The multiple displacement amplification (MDA) method, which relies on isothermal amplification using the DNA polymerase of the bacteriophage phi29, is a recently developed technique for high performance WGA. This review addresses new trends in the technical performance of MDA and its applications to genetic analyses. The main challenge of WGA methods is to obtain balanced and faithful replication of all chromosomal regions without the loss of or preferential amplification of any genomic loci or allele. In multiple comparisons to other WGA methods, MDA appears to be most reliable for genotyping, with the most favorable call rates, best genomic coverage, and lowest amplification bias.

DNA↗

A quality assessment survey of SNP genotyping laboratories.

To survey the quality of SNP genotyping, a joint Nordic quality assessment (QA) round was organized between 11 laboratories in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The QA round involved blinded genotyping of 47 DNA samples for 18 or six randomly selected SNPs. The methods used by the participating laboratories included all major platforms for small- to medium-size SNP genotyping. The laboratories used their standard procedures for SNP assay design, genotyping, and quality control. Based on the joint results from all laboratories, a consensus genotype for each DNA sample and SNP was determined by the coordinator of the survey, and the results from each laboratory were compared to this genotype. The overall genotyping accuracy achieved in the survey was excellent. Six laboratories delivered genotype data that were in full agreement with the consensus genotype. The average accuracy per SNP varied from 99.1 to 100% between the laboratories, and it was frequently 100% for the majority of the assays for which SNP genotypes were reported. Lessons from the survey are that special attention should be given to the quality of the DNA samples prior to genotyping, and that a conservative approach for calling the genotypes should be used to achieve a high accuracy.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗

Experimental validation of data mined single nucleotide polymorphisms from several databases and consecutive dbSNP builds.

Rapid development in the annotation of human genetic variation has increased the numbers of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes by several orders of magnitude. The selection of both useful target SNPs for disease-gene association studies and SNPs associated with the treatment response is therefore an increasingly challenging task. We describe a workflow for selecting SNPs based on their putative function and frequency in candidate genes extracted from PubMed resources. The annotation of each SNP and its frequency in a Caucasian population was assessed in several databases. Approximately 4000 SNPs were identified from an initial 233 candidate genes. In a case study, we performed actual genotyping of 1030 of these SNPs in 213 genes and obtained 710 successfully genotyped SNPs. Using the flow-chart outlined here, only 87 SNPs were monomorphic (approximately 12%). This study reports the frequency of SNPs in a Caucasian population, selected in silico, using a candidate gene approach and validated by actually genotyping 193 individuals. The selected genotypes represent a valuable set of verified candidate SNPs for pharmacogenetic studies in Caucasian populations.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Detection of alternatively spliced transcripts in leukemia cell lines by minisequencing on microarrays.

BACKGROUND: Recent genome-wide expression studies suggest that approximately 80% of the 25,000 human genes undergo alternative splicing. Alternative splicing may be associated with human diseases, particularly with cancer, but the molecular disease mechanisms are poorly understood. Convenient, novel methods for multiplexed detection of alternatively spliced transcripts are needed. METHODS: We devised a new approach for detecting splice variants based on a tag-microarray minisequencing system, originally developed for genotyping single-nucleotide polymorphisms. We established the system for multiplexed detection of 61 alternatively spliced transcripts in a panel of 19 cancer-related genes and used it to dissect the splicing patterns in cancer and endothelial cells. RESULTS: Our microarray system detected 82% of the splice variants screened for, including both simple and complex splice variants, in at least 1 of the leukemia cell types analyzed. The intraassay CV values for our method ranged from 0.01 to 0.34 (mean, 0.13) for 5 replicate measurements. Our system allowed semiquantitative comparison of the splicing patterns between the cell lines. Similar, but not identical, patterns of alternative splicing were observed among the leukemia cell lines. Size analysis of the PCR products subjected to the tag-array minisequencing system and real-time PCR with exon-junction probes verified the results from the microarray system. CONCLUSIONS: The microarray-based method is a robust and easily accessible tool for parallel detection of alternatively spliced transcripts of multiple genes. It can be used for studying alternative splicing in cancer progression and for following up drug treatment, and it may be a useful tool in clinical diagnostics for cancer and other disorders.

Alternative Splicing↗

Genetic variations in the tissue factor gene are associated with clinical outcome in acute coronary syndrome and expression levels in human monocytes.

OBJECTIVE: Tissue factor (TF) has, among other factors, a prominent role in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Our goal was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the TF gene (F3) are associated with plasma TF, risk, and outcome in patients with ACS. Moreover, we wanted to investigate the impact of associated TF SNPs on mRNA production in human monocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 725 patients with ACS [Fragmin and Fast Revascularization during Instability in Coronary Artery Disease II (FRISC-II) study] and 376 controls, 13 SNPs were genotyped and plasma TF measured. Thereafter, the 5466 A>G and the -1812 C>T were genotyped among all of the FRISC-II participants (n=3143) and assessed concerning clinical outcome. Associated SNPs were genotyped in 92 healthy blood donors for comparison of TF activity and TF mRNA expression. None of the SNPs were associated with patient/control status. The 5466 A>G SNP was associated with cardiovascular death (odds ratio, 1.8; P=0.025). The CG haplotype by -1812 C>T and 5466 A>G was associated with a 3-fold increased risk of death (P<0.001). TF mRNA and basal TF activity was significantly lower among 5466 AG carriers, whereas the increase in monocyte TF activity on lipopolysaccharide stimulation was significantly stronger (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The 5466 AG genotype is a novel predictor of cardiovascular death in ACS and may act through a high TF response.

Acute Disease↗

Silhouette scores for assessment of SNP genotype clusters.

BACKGROUND: High-throughput genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generates large amounts of data. In many SNP genotyping assays, the genotype assignment is based on scatter plots of signals corresponding to the two SNP alleles. In a robust assay the three clusters that define the genotypes are well separated and the distances between the data points within a cluster are short. "Silhouettes" is a graphical aid for interpretation and validation of data clusters that provides a measure of how well a data point was classified when it was assigned to a cluster. Thus "Silhouettes" can potentially be used as a quality measure for SNP genotyping results and for objective comparison of the performance of SNP assays at different circumstances. RESULTS: We created a program (ClusterA) for calculating "Silhouette scores", and applied it to assess the quality of SNP genotype clusters obtained by single nucleotide primer extension ("minisequencing") in the Tag-microarray format. A Silhouette score condenses the quality of the genotype assignment for each SNP assay into a single numeric value, which ranges from 1.0, when the genotype assignment is unequivocal, down to -1.0, when the genotype assignment has been arbitrary. In the present study we applied Silhouette scores to compare the performance of four DNA polymerases in our minisequencing system by analyzing 26 SNPs in both DNA polarities in 16 DNA samples. We found Silhouettes to provide a relevant measure for the quality of SNP assays at different reaction conditions, illustrated by the four DNA polymerases here. According to our result, the genotypes can be unequivocally assigned without manual inspection when the Silhouette score for a SNP assay is > 0.65. All four DNA polymerases performed satisfactorily in our Tag-array minisequencing system. CONCLUSION: "Silhouette scores" for assessing the quality of SNP genotyping clusters is convenient for evaluating the quality of SNP genotype assignment, and provides an objective, numeric measure for comparing the performance of SNP assays. The program we created for calculating Silhouette scores is freely available, and can be used for quality assessment of the results from all genotyping systems, where the genotypes are assigned by cluster analysis using scatter plots.

Alleles↗

Polymorphisms in the tyrosine kinase 2 and interferon regulatory factor 5 genes are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex systemic autoimmune disease caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Genome scans in families with SLE point to multiple potential chromosomal regions that harbor SLE susceptibility genes, and association studies in different populations have suggested several susceptibility alleles for SLE. Increased production of type I interferon (IFN) and expression of IFN-inducible genes is commonly observed in SLE and may be pivotal in the molecular pathogenesis of the disease. We analyzed 44 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 13 genes from the type I IFN pathway in 679 Swedish, Finnish, and Icelandic patients with SLE, in 798 unaffected family members, and in 438 unrelated control individuals for joint linkage and association with SLE. In two of the genes--the tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) and IFN regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) genes--we identified SNPs that displayed strong signals in joint analysis of linkage and association (unadjusted P<10(-7)) with SLE. TYK2 binds to the type I IFN receptor complex and IRF5 is a regulator of type I IFN gene expression. Thus, our results support a disease mechanism in SLE that involves key components of the type I IFN system.

Alleles↗

Toward genome-wide SNP genotyping.

Genome-wide association studies with SNP markers are expected to allow identification of genes that underlie complex disorders. Hundreds of thousands of SNP markers will be required for comprehensive genome-wide association studies. The development of microarray-based methods for SNP genotyping on this scale remains a demanding task, despite many recent advances in technology for the production of high-density microarrays. A key technical obstacle is the PCR amplification step, which is required to reduce the complexity of and gain sufficient sensitivity for genotyping SNPs in large, diploid genomes. The multiplexing level that can be achieved in PCR does not match that of current microarray-based methods, making PCR the limiting step in the assays. Highly multiplexed microarray systems for SNP genotyping have recently been developed by combining well-known reaction principles for DNA amplification and SNP genotyping in clever ways. These new methods offer the potential of genome-wide SNP mapping of genes involved in complex diseases in the foreseeable future, provided that issues related to selection of the optimal SNP markers, sample throughput and the cost of the assays can be addressed.

DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase↗

Genotyping single-nucleotide polymorphisms by minisequencing using tag arrays.

The need for large-scale and high-throughput methods for SNP genotyping has rapidly increased during the last decade. Our system, presented here, combines the highly specific genotyping principle of minisequencing with the advantages of a microarray format that allows highly multiplexed and parallel analysis. Cyclic minisequencing reactions with fluorescently labeled dideoxynucleotides (ddNTPs) are performed in solution using multiplex PCR product as template and detection primers, designed to anneal immediately adjacent and upstream of the SNP site. The detection primers carry unique 5' tag sequences and oligonucleotides complementary to the tag sequence, cTags, are immobilized on a microarray. After extension, the tagged detection primers are allowed to hybridize to the cTags; then the fluorescent signals from the array are measured, and the genotypes are deduced according to the label incorporated. The "array of arrays" format of the system, accomplished by a silicon rubber grid giving separate reaction chambers, allows either 80 or 14 samples to be analyzed for up to 200 or 600 SNPs, respectively, on a single microscope slide.

Genotype↗

Genetic regulation of birth weight and fasting glucose by a common polymorphism in the islet cell promoter of the glucokinase gene.

Rare mutations in the glucokinase (GCK) gene cause fasting hyperglycemia and considerably influence birth weight when present in a mother or her offspring. The role of common variation of GCK is uncertain. A polymorphism at position -30 of the GCK beta-cell-specific promoter, present in 30% of the population, has been variably associated with type 2 diabetes and diabetes-related quantitative traits. Using 1,763 U.K. Caucasian normoglycemic adult subjects, we demonstrated that the A allele at GCK(-30) is associated with a 0.06-mmol/l increase in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (P = 0.003). The A allele was also associated with an increase in FPG in 755 women who were 28 weeks pregnant (0.075 mmol/l, P = 0.003). We then went on to analyze the effect of GCK(-30) on birth weight using 2,689 mother/child pairs. The presence of the A allele in the mother was associated with a 64-g (25-102 g) increase in offspring birth weight (P = 0.001). We did not detect a fetal genotype effect. The increase in offspring birth weight in the 30% of mothers carrying an A allele at GCK(-30) is likely to reflect an elevated FPG during pregnancy. This study establishes that common genetic variation, in addition to rare mutations and environmental factors, can affect both FPG and birth weight.

Adult↗

Detecting imbalanced expression of SNP alleles by minisequencing on microarrays.

BACKGROUND: Each of the human genes or transcriptional units is likely to contain single nucleotide polymorphisms that may give rise to sequence variation between individuals and tissues on the level of RNA. Based on recent studies, differential expression of the two alleles of heterozygous coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may be frequent for human genes. Methods with high accuracy to be used in a high throughput setting are needed for systematic surveys of expressed sequence variation. In this study we evaluated two formats of multiplexed, microarray based minisequencing for quantitative detection of imbalanced expression of SNP alleles. We used a panel of ten SNPs located in five genes known to be expressed in two endothelial cell lines as our model system. RESULTS: The accuracy and sensitivity of quantitative detection of allelic imbalance was assessed for each SNP by constructing regression lines using a dilution series of mixed samples from individuals of different genotype. Accurate quantification of SNP alleles by both assay formats was evidenced for by R2 values > 0.95 for the majority of the regression lines. According to a two sample t-test, we were able to distinguish 1-9% of a minority SNP allele from a homozygous genotype, with larger variation between SNPs than between assay formats. Six of the SNPs, heterozygous in either of the two cell lines, were genotyped in RNA extracted from the endothelial cells. The coefficient of variation between the fluorescent signals from five parallel reactions was similar for cDNA and genomic DNA. The fluorescence signal intensity ratios measured in the cDNA samples were compared to those in genomic DNA to determine the relative expression levels of the two alleles of each SNP. Four of the six SNPs tested displayed a higher than 1.4-fold difference in allelic ratios between cDNA and genomic DNA. The results were verified by allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridisation and minisequencing in a microtiter plate format. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that microarray based minisequencing is an accurate and accessible tool for multiplexed screening for imbalanced allelic expression in multiple samples and tissues in parallel.

Alleles↗

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein B and low density lipoprotein receptor genes affect response to antihypertensive treatment.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia has been associated with hypertension. The present study explored if polymorphisms in genes encoding proteins in lipid metabolism could be used as predictors for the individual response to antihypertensive treatment. METHODS: Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in genes related to lipid metabolism were analysed by a microarray based minisequencing system in DNA samples from ninety-seven hypertensive subjects randomised to treatment with either 150 mg of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker irbesartan or 50 mg of the beta1-adrenergic receptor blocker atenolol for twelve weeks. RESULTS: The reduction in blood pressure was similar in both treatment groups. The SNP C711T in the apolipoprotein B gene was associated with the blood pressure response to irbesartan with an average reduction of 19 mmHg in the individuals carrying the C-allele, but not to atenolol. The C16730T polymorphism in the low density lipoprotein receptor gene predicted the change in systolic blood pressure in the atenolol group with an average reduction of 14 mmHg in the individuals carrying the C-allele. CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms in genes encoding proteins in the lipid metabolism are associated with the response to antihypertensive treatment in a drug specific pattern. These results highlight the potential use of pharmacogenetics as a guide for individualised antihypertensive treatment, and also the role of lipids in blood pressure control.

Analysis of Variance↗

Oestrogen receptor alpha gene haplotype and postmenopausal breast cancer risk: a case control study.

INTRODUCTION: Oestrogen receptor alpha, which mediates the effect of oestrogen in target tissues, is genetically polymorphic. Because breast cancer development is dependent on oestrogenic influence, we have investigated whether polymorphisms in the oestrogen receptor alpha gene (ESR1) are associated with breast cancer risk. METHODS: We genotyped breast cancer cases and age-matched population controls for one microsatellite marker and four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ESR1. The numbers of genotyped cases and controls for each marker were as follows: TAn, 1514 cases and 1514 controls; c.454-397C --> T, 1557 cases and 1512 controls; c.454-351A --> G, 1556 cases and 1512 controls; c.729C --> T, 1562 cases and 1513 controls; c.975C --> G, 1562 cases and 1513 controls. Using logistic regression models, we calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Haplotype effects were estimated in an exploratory analysis, using expectation-maximisation algorithms for case-control study data. RESULTS: There were no compelling associations between single polymorphic loci and breast cancer risk. In haplotype analyses, a common haplotype of the c.454-351A --> G or c.454-397C --> T and c.975C --> G SNPs appeared to be associated with an increased risk for ductal breast cancer: one copy of the c.454-351A --> G and c.975C --> G haplotype entailed an OR of 1.19 (95% CI 1.06-1.33) and two copies with an OR of 1.42 (95% CI 1.15-1.77), compared with no copies, under a model of multiplicative penetrance. The association with the c.454-397C --> T and c.975C --> G haplotypes was similar. Our data indicated that these haplotypes were more influential in women with a high body mass index. Adjustment for multiple comparisons rendered the associations statistically non-significant. CONCLUSION: We found suggestions of an association between common haplotypes in ESR1 and the risk for ductal breast cancer that is stronger in heavy women.

Aged↗

Transforming growth factor beta1 genotype and change in left ventricular mass during antihypertensive treatment--results from the Swedish Irbesartan Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Investigation versus Atenolol (SILVHIA).

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin II, via the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor, may mediate myocardial fibrosis and myocyte hypertrophy seen in hypertensive left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy through production of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1); AT1-receptor antagonists reverse these changes. The TGF-beta1 G + 915C polymorphism is associated with interindividual variation in TGF-beta1 production. No study has yet determined the impact of this polymorphism on the response to antihypertensive treatment. HYPOTHESIS: We aimed to determine whether the TGF-beta1 G + 915C polymorphism was related to change in LV mass during antihypertensive treatment with either an AT1-receptor antagonists or a beta1-adrenoceptor blocker. The polymorphism was hypothesized to have an impact mainly on the irbesartan group. METHODS: We determined the association between the TGF-beta1 genotype and regression of LV mass in 90 patients with essential hypertension and echocardiographically diagnosed LV hypertrophy, randomized in a double-blind study to receive treatment for 48 weeks with either the AT1-receptor antagonist irbesartan or the beta1-adrenoceptor blocker atenolol. RESULTS: Irbesartan-treated patients who were carriers of the C-allele, which is associated with low expression of TGF-beta1, responded with a markedly greater decrease in LV mass index (LVMI) than subjects with the G/G genotype (adjusted mean change in LVMI -44.7 g/m2 vs. -22.2 g/m2, p = 0.007), independent of blood pressure reduction. No association between genotype and change in LVMI was observed in the atenolol group. CONCLUSIONS: The TGF-beta1 G + 915C polymorphism is related to the change in LVMI in response to antihypertensive treatment with the AT1-receptor antagonist irbesartan.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

Approaches for analyzing human mutations and nucleotide sequence variation: a report from the Seventh International Mutation Detection meeting, 2003.

The Seventh International Symposium on Mutations in the Human Genome, Mutation Detection 2003, was held during 2-6 July 2003 in Palm Cove near Cairns, Australia. The meeting was organized under the auspices of the Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) as a satellite meeting of the International World Congress of Genetics, held in Melbourne the following week. Meeting participants reported on advances in mutation detection technologies, including advances in high-throughput detection systems for SNP genotyping applicable to the international haplotype mapping project (HapMap); and bioinformatics tools, including databases for handling and processing growing amounts of genome variation data. This meeting report summarizes the presentations and cites related articles from the special issue of Human Mutation (Volume 23#5, May 2004; available online at www.wiley.com/humanmutation).

Base Sequence↗

Single nucleotide polymorphisms predict the change in left ventricular mass in response to antihypertensive treatment.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to determine whether the change in left ventricular (LV) mass in response to antihypertensive treatment could be predicted by multivariate analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes reflecting pathways likely to be involved in blood pressure control. METHODS: Patients with mild to moderate primary hypertension and LV hypertrophy were randomized in a double-blind fashion to treatment with either the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist irbesartan (n = 48) or the beta1 adrenoreceptor blocker atenolol (n = 49). A microarray-based minisequencing system was used for genotyping 74 SNPs in 25 genes. These genotypes were related to the change in LV mass index by echocardiography, after 12 weeks treatment as monotherapy, using stepwise multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The blood pressure reductions were similar and significant in both treatment groups. Two SNPs in two separate genes (the angiotensinogen T1198C polymorphism, corresponding to the M235T variant and the apolipoprotein B G10108A polymorphism) for those treated with irbesartan, and the adrenoreceptor alpha2A A1817G for those treated with atenolol, significantly predicted the change in LV mass. The predictive power of these SNPs was independent of the degree of blood pressure reduction. CONCLUSION: SNPs in the angiotensinogen, apolipoprotein B, and the alpha2 adrenoreceptor gene predicted the change in LV mass during antihypertensive therapy. These results illustrate the potential of using microarray-based technology for SNP genotyping in predicting individual drug responses.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Quantitative evaluation by minisequencing and microarrays reveals accurate multiplexed SNP genotyping of whole genome amplified DNA.

Whole genome amplification (WGA) procedures such as primer extension preamplification (PEP) or multiple displacement amplification (MDA) have the potential to provide an unlimited source of DNA for large-scale genetic studies. We have performed a quantitative evaluation of PEP and MDA for genotyping single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using multiplex, four-color fluorescent minisequencing in a microarray format. Forty-five SNPs were genotyped and the WGA methods were evaluated with respect to genotyping success, signal-to-noise ratios, power of genotype discrimination, yield and imbalanced amplification of alleles in the MDA product. Both PEP and MDA products provided genotyping results with a high concordance to genomic DNA. For PEP products the power of genotype discrimination was lower than for MDA due to a 2-fold lower signal-to-noise ratio. MDA products were indistinguishable from genomic DNA in all aspects studied. To obtain faithful representation of the SNP alleles at least 0.3 ng DNA should be used per MDA reaction. We conclude that the use of WGA, and MDA in particular, is a highly promising procedure for producing DNA in sufficient amounts even for genome wide SNP mapping studies.

Alleles↗