A promoter polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor alpha associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in African-Americans.
OBJECTIVE
The polymorphic tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) gene encodes a cytokine involved in inflammation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. One polymorphic variant is associated with increased production of TNFalpha. This study examined the frequency of this polymorphic variant in African-American patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with controls.


METHODS
We determined the gene frequency of the polymorphic variant of TNFalpha in an African-American SLE patient population and in a geographically matched African-American control population.


RESULTS
The gene frequency of the TNFalpha -308A polymorphism was higher in the African-American SLE population than in the control population. This relationship was independent of major histocompatibility complex DR alleles.


CONCLUSIONS
The TNFalpha -308A polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of SLE in African-Americans.
Sullivan
K E
KE
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, 19104, USA.
Wooten
C
C
Schmeckpeper
B J
BJ
Goldman
D
D
Petri
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D001741:Black or African American
D017931:DNA Primers; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha