Novel CYP2E1 haplotype identified in a South African cohort

Alcohol abuse accounts for approximately 2.5 million deaths annually and is the third highest risk factor for disease and disability. Alcohol is metabolised by polymorphic enzymes and the status of an individual with respect to alcohol metabolising enzymes may have forensic relevance in post-mortems. Baseline frequencies of gene variants involved in alcohol metabolism need to be established to aid the identification of suitable population-specific polymorphisms to genotype during molecular autopsies. The principal alcohol metabolising enzymes include alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) - rs1229984G>A and rs2066702C>Tin ADH1B, rs671G>A in ALDH2, and rs3813867G>C, rs2031920C>T and rs6413432T>A in CYP2E1 - were genotyped in 150 individuals from four South African populations: Xhosa, Zulu, South African white and South African coloured. Allele frequencies for each SNP in the four population groups were 0-10% for rs1229984A, 2-12% for rs2066702T, 0-2% for rs671A, 1-4% for rs3813867C, 0-1% for rs2031920T and 3-15% for rs6413432A. Haplotype analysis revealed a novel combination of three SNPs in CYP2E1 whose effects on alcohol metabolism need further investigation. Establishment of baseline frequencies adds to our knowledge of genetic variation in alcohol metabolising enzymes and additional research is required to determine the functional significance of this novel CYP2E1 haplotype

Ethical considerations in forensic genetics research on tissue samples collected post-mortem in Cape Town, South Africa

Background: The use of tissue collected at a forensic post-mortem for forensic genetics research purposes remains of ethical concern as the process involves obtaining informed consent from grieving family members. Two forensic genetics research studies using tissue collected from a forensic post-mortem were recently initiated at our institution and were the first of their kind to be conducted in Cape Town, South Africa. Main body: This article discusses some of the ethical challenges that were encountered in these research projects. Among these challenges was the adaptation of research workflows to fit in with an exceptionally busy service delivery that is operating with limited resources. Whilst seeking guidance from the literature regarding research on deceased populations, it was noted that next of kin of decedents are not formally recognised as a vulnerable group in the existing ethical and legal frameworks in South Africa. The authors recommend that research in the forensic mortuary setting is approached using guidance for vulnerable groups, and the benefit to risk standard needs to be strongly justified. Lastly, when planning forensic genetics research, consideration must be given to the potential of uncovering incidental findings, funding to validate these findings and the feedback of results to family members; the latter of which is recommended to occur through a genetic counsellor. Conclusion: It is hoped that these experiences will contribute towards a formal framework for conducting forensic genetic research in medico-legal mortuaries in South Africa

Basic science232. Certolizumab pegol prevents pro-inflammatory alterations in endothelial cell function

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a major comorbidity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a leading cause of death. Chronic systemic inflammation involving tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF) could contribute to endothelial activation and atherogenesis. A number of anti-TNF therapies are in current use for the treatment of RA, including certolizumab pegol (CZP), (Cimzia ®; UCB, Belgium). Anti-TNF therapy has been associated with reduced clinical cardiovascular disease risk and ameliorated vascular function in RA patients. However, the specific effects of TNF inhibitors on endothelial cell function are largely unknown. Our aim was to investigate the mechanisms underpinning CZP effects on TNF-activated human endothelial cells. Methods: Human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs) were cultured in vitro and exposed to a) TNF alone, b) TNF plus CZP, or c) neither agent. Microarray analysis was used to examine the transcriptional profile of cells treated for 6 hrs and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysed gene expression at 1, 3, 6 and 24 hrs. NF-κB localization and IκB degradation were investigated using immunocytochemistry, high content analysis and western blotting. Flow cytometry was conducted to detect microparticle release from HAoECs. Results: Transcriptional profiling revealed that while TNF alone had strong effects on endothelial gene expression, TNF and CZP in combination produced a global gene expression pattern similar to untreated control. The two most highly up-regulated genes in response to TNF treatment were adhesion molecules E-selectin and VCAM-1 (q 0.2 compared to control; p > 0.05 compared to TNF alone). The NF-κB pathway was confirmed as a downstream target of TNF-induced HAoEC activation, via nuclear translocation of NF-κB and degradation of IκB, effects which were abolished by treatment with CZP. In addition, flow cytometry detected an increased production of endothelial microparticles in TNF-activated HAoECs, which was prevented by treatment with CZP. Conclusions: We have found at a cellular level that a clinically available TNF inhibitor, CZP reduces the expression of adhesion molecule expression, and prevents TNF-induced activation of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, CZP prevents the production of microparticles by activated endothelial cells. This could be central to the prevention of inflammatory environments underlying these conditions and measurement of microparticles has potential as a novel prognostic marker for future cardiovascular events in this patient group. Disclosure statement: Y.A. received a research grant from UCB. I.B. received a research grant from UCB. S.H. received a research grant from UCB. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interes

Policy required for entry of DNA profiles onto the National Forensic DNA Database of South Africa

The recent Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act (2013) provides a definition for forensic DNA profiles and, in so doing, states that medical information about an individual may not be revealed through a forensic DNA profile. Yet chromosomal abnormalities can exhibit as tri-allelic patterns on DNA profiles and such information can expose medical conditions such as Down syndrome. This short report highlights this concern and suggests a policy be created for the entering of such DNA profiles onto the National Forensic DNA database of South Africa

Novel CYP2E1 haplotype identified in a South African cohort

Alcohol abuse accounts for approximately 2.5 million deaths annually and is the third highest risk factor for disease and disability. Alcohol is metabolised by polymorphic enzymes and the status of an individual with respect to alcohol metabolising enzymes may have forensic relevance in post-mortems. Baseline frequencies of gene variants involved in alcohol metabolism need to be established to aid the identification of suitable population-specific polymorphisms to genotype during molecular autopsies. The principal alcohol metabolising enzymes include alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) – rs1229984G>A and rs2066702C>T in ADH1B, rs671G>A in ALDH2, and rs3813867G>C, rs2031920C>T and rs6413432T>A in CYP2E1 – were genotyped in 150 individuals from four South African populations: Xhosa, Zulu, South African white and South African coloured. Allele frequencies for each SNP in the four population groups were 0–10% for rs1229984A, 2–12% for rs2066702T, 0–2% for rs671A, 1–4% for rs3813867C, 0–1% for rs2031920T and 3–15% for rs6413432A. Haplotype analysis revealed a novel combination of three SNPs in CYP2E1 whose effects on alcohol metabolism need further investigation. Establishment of baseline frequencies adds to our knowledge of genetic variation in alcohol metabolising enzymes and additional research is required to determine the functional significance of this novel CYP2E1 haplotype