IL-6 promoter polymorphisms in rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract

We investigated the possible association between the IL-6 promoter polymorphisms, at positions -622 and -174, and susceptiblity to, and/or outcome of, rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 163 patients with RA and 157 healthy controls were genotyped for IL-6 using a PCR-RFLP method. The -622 and -174 alleles were in complete linkage disequilibrium. No difference was observed in the distribution of IL-6 promoter genotype or allele frequencies between RA patients and controls. However, a significant difference in the mean age at disease onset between IL-6 genotypes was observed. The present data appear to rule out an important role of IL-6 promoter polymorphisms in the susceptibility to RA. However, IL-6 genotypes may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease by influencing the age at disease onset.

• Authors: M Pascual, A Nieto, L Matarán, A Balsa, D Pascual-Salcedo, J Martín
• Journal: Genes and immunity (Genes Immun) Vol. 1 Issue 5 Pg. 338-40 (Jun 2000) ISSN: 1466-4879 [Print] England
• PMID: 11196696 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-6

Topics

• Adult
• Age of Onset
• Alleles
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (genetics, immunology)
• Case-Control Studies
• Gene Frequency
• Genotype
• Humans
• Interleukin-6 (genetics)
• Linkage Disequilibrium
• Middle Aged
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Polymorphism, Genetic
• Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
• Promoter Regions, Genetic