IntroductionMany factors can contribute to the occurrence of COPD. Recent studies have pointed to the notion thatpolymorphism of candidate genes may also play a signifi cant role in COPD pathogenesis.GoalTo investigate the association of polymorphisms in ADRB2 and TNF-α genes with COPD.Materials and MethodsWe genotyped three SNPs included rs1042713 and rs1042714 in ADRB2, rs1800629 in TNF-α gene,using PCR-RFLP method.ResultsThere is no statistically signifi cant difference was observed for TNF-α rs1800629 between case andcontrol groups. Genotype frequency of the homozygote Gly16 (rs1042713) was more frequent in COPDpatients than controls (OR=3.25; 95%CI, 1.58–6.66, p=0.0037). Also, haplotype frequency of Gly/Gly16+Gln/Glu27 was signifi cant difference among cases and controls (OR=5.03; 95%CI, 1.8–14.2,p<0.01).Conclusion:Overall, ADRB2 rs1042713 and rs1042714 polymorphisms are associated with increased susceptibilityto the development of COPD. Further studies in large groups of patients with COPD are needed toaddress other genetic risk factors.

BACKGROUND. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA MIM#253300) is a heterogeneous group of neuromuscular disorders caused by degeneration of anterior horn cells. Spinal muscular atrophy is the second most common autosomal recessive disorder. The first substantive descriptions of SMA occurred at the end of the 19th century when Werdnig and Hoffman characterized the features of autosomal recessive SMA. SMA is broadly classified into four major categories characterized by the age of onset as well as severity of the disease. Clinically proximal weakness, predominantly athropy, upper muscle athropy and other muscle weakness including of facial, scapula and respiratory were reported. SMA is inherited by X chromosomal, autosomal recessive and dominant mode. In our study, we recruited an individual diagnosed with SMA, without SMN1 gene mutation to investigate BICD2 mutation. Peripherial blood from the patient and his family members were taken to extract genomic DNA according to commercial protocol. Amplification of target gene was done by special primers. DNA sequencing was done to detect a mutation. As a result, we identified a mutation in location c.484 C>T of third exon of BICD2 gene. This mutation is was a heterozygous in mother’ and child’ DNA, SIFT and Polyphen program was used to detect its pathogenic effect. We also checked by Grantham matrix score is 180.0 representing it,s changing acid and alkaline feature in this amino acid. We diagnoses a suspected case with SMA by his clinical symptoms as a SMA type III, Kugelberg-Belander desease. We detected a mutation of BICD2 gene in a patient with SMA. This mutation altered acid and alkaline checked by Grantham matrix. This mutation has never reported before, showing 100% pathogenic effect on protein function, but because of highly penetrate feature of this disease makes its inheritance mode of autosomal dominant pattern.

Background: The effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on valproic acid (VPA)-induced cell death was examined by using mouse RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Materials and methods, results: LPS inhibited the activation of caspase 3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and prevented VPA-induced apoptosis. LPS inhibited VPA-induced p53 activation and pifithrin-α as a p53 inhibitor as well as LPS prevented VPA-induced apoptosis. LPS abolished the increase of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, which is a critical indicator of p53-mediated mitochondrial damage, in response to VPA. The nuclear factor (NF)-κB inhibitors, Bay 11-7082 and parthenolide, abolished the preventive action of LPS on VPA-induced apoptosis. A series of toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands, Pam3CSK4, poly I:C, and CpG DNA as well as LPS prevented VPA-induced apoptosis. Conclusion Taken together, LPS was suggested to prevent VPA-induced apoptosis via activation of anti-apoptotic NF-κB and inhibition of pro-apoptotic p53 activation.

Introduction: Valproic acid (VPA) has been used in the treatment of seizures and bipolar disorders. In the present study, we examined how VPA affected PI3K-Akt pathway in response to LPS by using mouse RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Material and methods: Mouse RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells cultured and the cell viability checked by MTT and TUNEL assay. In addition, protein expression and protein interaction were detected by immune blotting and immune precipitation, respectively. TLR4 expression on cell surface studied by FACS analysis. Results: The MTT and TUNEL assays demonstrated no significant difference between VPA at 2 mM treated and untreated control cells. VPA attenuated LPS-induced phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt, but not nuclear factor (NF)-κB and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs). There was no significant difference in the TLR4 expression on the cell surface between cells treated with or without VPA. VPA inhibited LPS-induced PI3K/Akt signal transduction in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion VPA at 2mM exhibits nontoxic effect in the RAW 264.7 cells. VPA down regulates LPS-induced phosphorylation of Akt via inhibition of PI3K activation.