Background
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) with C1-inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) is a rare, autosomal dominant disorder, which belongs to bradykinin-mediated angioedemas [
1]. The deficiency of a serine protease protein C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) results in the activation of four plasma cascade systems (fibrinolytic, coagulation, kinin, and complement cascades), and this leads to the release of bradykinin from high-molecular-weight kininogen. Bradykinin, a vasoactive mediator, enhances capillary permeability. As a result, plasma leaks from the intravascular compartment into the extracellular space, leading to edema formation [
2]. The episodes of angioedema may involve the subcutis and/or the submucosa in patients with HAE. Angioedema attacks may cause severe abdominal pain, which resembles that occurring in an abdominal emergency, or upper airway edema, which can lead to asphyxiation [
3].
In general, C1-INH-HAE first occurs during the first decade of life [
4,
5]. Although a consensus parameter defining the severity of HAE is lacking, it is characterized by the frequency of edematous attacks, subjective described attack severity and the need of on demand C1-INH substitution.
The factors, which may trigger an attack, include infections, emotional stress, physical exertion, trauma, invasive medical procedures, menstruation, and contraceptive use, as well as treatment with certain medications (i.e. ACE-inhibitors). In our recent study, we found that emotional stress is the most common trigger factor of attacks [
6]. Chronic stress as a general risk factor for the development of several diseases; it can also modify disease activity [
7‐
10].
Stressor stimuli activate the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, and result in the release of mineralo- and glucocorticoids (GCs). The sustained elevation of glucocorticoid (GC) levels has been associated with hypertension, weight gain, glucose intolerance, and hypertriglyceridaemia. GCs exert their diverse actions through the GC receptor (GR), which is ubiquitously expressed in many tissues and cell types [
11]. Differences in individual glucocorticoid sensitivity may influence stress reactivity. Furthermore, altered glucocorticoid sensitivity has been shown to modify the manifestations of several diseases [
12‐
14]. A few polymorphisms in the GR gene are known to modify glucocorticoid sensitivity. The BclI (rs41423247), a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), results from an intronic region (C/G) nucleotide substitution associated with increased glucocorticoid sensitivity, as well as with increased abdominal obesity, greater body mass index (BMI), decreased insulin sensitivity and dyslipidemia [
15,
16]. The BclI polymorphism has been implicated in the pathogenesis or onset of various diseases [
12‐
14,
17,
18]. In the central nervous system, it has been linked to mood disorders and to the responsiveness of the HPA axis [
19,
20].
The N363S (rs6195) polymorphism in exon 2 of the
GR gene, the (A/G) substitution causes an asparagine-to-serine change, associated with enhanced glucocorticoid sensitivity [
21]. The results regarding the relationship of autoimmune diseases and carrier status are controversial [
11]. This polymorphism has been described to modify disease symptoms patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and may be involved in the pathogenesis of bilateral adrenal adenomas [
22,
23]. The A3669G (GR-9ß, rs6198) polymorphism is located in the 3’ untranslated region of the
GR gene. The (A/G) nucleotide substitution destabilizes the mRNA and causes a shift to the stabilization of the GRß (glucocorticoid receptor beta) splicing variant. The GRß isoform exerts a dominant, negative activity on the GRα (glucocorticoid receptor alpha) function, and the altered GRα/GRß ratio may lead to relative glucocorticoid resistance [
24]. The A3669G polymorphism has been linked to a more active immune system [
11], and to the development of rheumatoid arthritis [
25]. The A3669G SNP was also attributed a role to bipolar diseases and depressive disorders [
26,
27].
In this study, we investigated whether the clinical manifestations of C1-INH-HAE may be different in carriers of the three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of the GR gene because these SNPs have been associated with altered GC sensitivity. We hypothesized that they might have a role in mediating the effects of emotional stress on edema formation in patients with C1-INH-HAE, during attacks in the first place.
Methods
Patients
C1-INH-HAE group: All subjects had been diagnosed and receiving regular follow-up care at the Hungarian Angioedema Center. In each patient, we established the diagnosis of C1-INH-HAE according to standard clinical and laboratory criteria (positive family history, clinical symptoms of angioedema, low functional C1-INH level, low C4, normal C1q). During the scheduled visits, the time of occurrence, location, and severity of the edematous episodes were recorded along with the on demand therapy (e.g. C1-INH concentrate, icatibant) administered to relieve the attack. All these information was taken into account to modify long-term prophylaxis as necessary. Further, the concomitant medications taken on a regular basis and accompanying disorders were recorded, and the patients’ body height and weight were checked on these occasions.
The angioedema group comprised patients with angioedema, a negative family history, and normal C4, C1q, C1-INH antigen levels and functional activity.
Healthy controls: All had been referred for routine medical check-up, and volunteered for the study by giving informed consent. The healthy controls did not have any known disease (C1-INH deficiency was excluded by complement testing).
The study was approved by the institutional review board of Semmelweis University of Budapest. Informed consent was obtained from the subjects in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
Evaluation of the response to stress
The response of the subjects to stress was measured with Rahe’s Brief Stress and Coping Inventory [
28]. This instrument is used to categorize the population tested into four subsets, according to subjectively experienced stress level and coping capabilities. The test was completed by 43 patients diagnosed with C1-INH-HAE (mean age: 38.00 years, SD: 16.87 years; 22 females and 21 males), by 18 patients showing angioedematosus symptoms without C1-INH deficiency (mean age: 48.00 years, SD: 19.56 years, 15 females and 3 males), and 13 healthy controls. Statistical analysis was performed with the Kruskal-Wallis test.
Genotyping
We genotyped 139 patients diagnosed with C1-INH-HAE (mean age 38.9 years, range: 5–84 years, 76 females and 63 males). A Hungarian control population consisting of 160 healthy individuals was used for comparison as regards the prevalence of GR SNPs. Total genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood with a commercially available DNA isolation kit (QIAmp DNA Blood Mini Kit (Qiagen), according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The BclI and N363S polymorphisms were detected with allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), as described previously [
14,
29].
The A3669G polymorphism was measured with a predesigned TaqMan SNP Assay (C_8951023_10) (Applied Biosystems, LifeTechnologies), by real-time PCR, according to the recommended protocol, on a 7500 Fast PCR System (Applied Biosystems, LifeTechnologies).
Hormonal evaluation
Blood samples were collected from patients hospitalized (to the Semmelweis University, 3rd Department of Internal Medicine) for an edematous attack. During the attack-free period, morning fasting blood samples were obtained from these patients between 8:00 and 11:00 AM at the Hungarian Angioedema Center of the 3rd Department of Semmelweis University. Blood cortisol levels were measured during edematous attacks in 36 C1-INH-HAE patients. The blood samples were obtained by antecubital venipuncture. The samples were stored refrigerated (at −70 °C) until the measurement of serum cortisol levels and of C1-INH activity. Total cortisol levels in the plasma were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (Elecsys Immunoanalyser System, Roche). The functional level of the C1-inhibitor was determined with an enzyme immunoassay kit (Quidel, USA).
Statistical analysis
The allele frequencies of GR polymorphisms in C1-INH-HAE patients and in healthy controls were compared with Pearson’s
χ
2 or Fisher’s exact test. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was calculated for all polymorphisms. The associations between carrier status for polymorphisms and clinical or hormonal data were analyzed with ANOVA, and with the Kruskal-Wallis, or t-tests. We also performed statistical power analysis with a tool available online (
https://www.dssresearch.com/KnowledgeCenter/toolkitcalculators/statisticalpowercalculators.aspx). Statistical power over 80%, and a p-value less than 0.05 were considered significant.
Discussion
In this study, we showed that stress response is intact in patients with C1-INH-HAE, although the reported coping capabilities differed significantly among the subsets of the study population. The lifelong management of any chronic and/or life-threatening disease requires considerable mental strength [
30]. This might have contributed to the C1-INH-HAE-patients’ propensity for depression. The latter we have investigated in a previous study, the findings of which are in agreement with those published by
Fouche et al. [
31].
During stress, activation of the HPA axis results in the elevation of stress hormone levels: the serum concentrations of cortisol and of catecholamines reflect the activation of HPA axis. In our patient population, basal cortisol level was lower in C1-INH-HAE patients carrying the A3669G polymorphism. This SNP increases the stability of the splicing variant GRß [
24], which inhibits the function of GRα. Our results are consistent with those reported by van
Schoor et al., who found reduced serum fasting cortisol levels in female carriers of the A3669G polymorphism, compared with homozygous carriers of the wild type [
17]. In stressful situations, the elevation of the cortisol levels of C1-INH-HAE patients during an edematous attack might result from the activation of HPA axis. This offers a possible, alternative explanation for the increase of white blood cell count during attacks described previously by our study group [
32], which previously has been attributed to haemoconcentration. Remarkably, during non-severe attacks, carriers of the A3669G polymorphism had lower cortisol levels, and exhibited a smaller elevation of serum cortisol level than non-carriers. This suggests blunted responsiveness of the HPA axis – in agreement with the findings by
Kumsta et al. These authors reported higher awakening ACTH and salivary cortisol levels after dexamethasone administration in male A3669G carriers [
33]. Remarkably, they also found that healthy male carriers of the A3669G minor allele showed the highest ACTH and cortisol levels in response to social stress; however this observation was not confirmed by a subsequent study in adolescents [
33,
34]. These somewhat controversial results on the association between polymorphisms and cortisol levels under stress may be related to the differences in the study populations and stressors. Nevertheless, there is strong evidence that polymorphisms in the
GR gene gene thorough the negative feed-back effect of cortisol on the HPA axis may modify the responsiveness of the HPA, along with individual stress responses [
19]. Together, these data confirm that the A3669G carrier state is associated with relative glucocorticoid resistance during activation of the HPA axis. In C1-INH-HAE patients, edematous attacks are a chronic source of stress, permanently elevated glucocorticoid levels due to the chronic activation of the HPA axis may lead to the development stress related disorders, eg. dysfunction of the immune system, hypertension, diabetes and adverse cardiovascular events. Hypothetically alterations of HPA axis responsivity may influence these unfavourable outcomes of chronic stress, however the impact of GR polymorphisms on stress response needs further examinations, including the measurement of ACTH and prospective follow up of patients.
Stress responsiveness, and activation of the HPA axis are known to differ between the sexes [
35]. Furthermore,
Kumsta et al. found gender-specific differences in the modulation of the responsiveness of the HPA axis by GR polymorphisms [
33]. However, we could not observe sex-specific associations in our study.
We found that the allelic frequencies of the investigated three polymorphisms in the GR gene (BclI, N363S, A3669G) did not differ significantly between C1-INH-HAE patients and healthy controls. Although the A3669G homozygous carrier state was significantly lower in C1-INH-HAE patients, the low statistical power rather indicate this finding a bias.
We could not detect any relationship between the investigated GR polymorphisms and the severity of edematous attacks (as regards attack frequency, and C1-INH consumption) in C1-INH-HAE patients. Furthermore, the during-attack elevation of C1-INH functional levels did not exhibit any correlation with cortisol levels. These data suggest that glucocorticoids are not involved in the mechanism of edema formation due to C1-INH deficiency.
Glucocorticoids play an important role in the regulation of metabolism. Polymorphisms in the
GR gene have been previously linked with various clinical parameters [
11]. In our C1-INH-HAE patients, the prevalence of hypertension was higher in carriers of the polymorphic BclI allele. BclI polymorphism has been implied with an increased response to glucocorticoids. Our results are in accord with earlier observations regarding the unfavorable effect of BclI polymorphisms on blood pressure in different patient populations [
36‐
38]. Interestingly, carriers of the A3669G allele had increased BMI. This is rather intriguing, as lower serum cortisol levels are expected to protect the carriers against weight gain. This finding suggests a poor correlation among blood cortisol levels and metabolic parameters.
Acknowledgements
Not applicable.