Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene polymorphisms in chronic idiopathic urticaria

Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2014 Nov-Dec;42(6):533-8. doi: 10.1016/j.aller.2013.06.004. Epub 2013 Sep 17.

Abstract

Background: This study was performed to evaluate association of gene polymorphisms among proinflammatory cytokines and susceptibility to chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU).

Methods: Ninety patients with prolonged urticaria more than 6 weeks were included as case group. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-6 (G/C -174, G/A nt565) and TNF-α (G/A -308, G/A -238) were evaluated, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and the results were compared to the control group.

Results: G allele was significantly higher in the patients at locus of -238 of promoter of TNF-α gene (p<0.001). Frequency of following genotypes were significantly lower in patients with CIU, compared to controls: AG at -308 and GA at -238 of TNF-α gene (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively), CG at -174 and GG at +565 of IL-6 gene (p<0.05). Additionally, following genotypes were more common among patients with CIU: GG at -308 and -238 of TNF-α gene (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively), GG at -174 and GA at +565 of IL-6 gene (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Pro-inflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms can affect susceptibility to CIU. TNF-α promoter polymorphisms as well as IL-6 gene polymorphisms are associated with CIU.

Keywords: Interleukin 6; Single nucleotide polymorphism; Tumor necrosis factor alpha; Urticaria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics*
  • Iran
  • Male
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics*
  • Urticaria / genetics
  • Urticaria / immunology*

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha