Polymorphism of the interleukin-10 gene is associated with susceptibility to Epstein-Barr virus infection.
There are indications that the cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 has a regulatory role in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced infections. Because the human IL-10 gene demonstrates polymorphism resulting in interindividual differences in cytokine production, the frequencies of the alleles defined by the base exchange polymorphism at the position -1082 (allele 1=G, allele 2=A) were analyzed in EBV-seronegative adults, seropositive adults, and in patients hospitalized because of a severe EBV infection. The frequencies of allele 1 were 0.80, 0.46, and 0.29, respectively. Because this allele is associated with a high IL-10-producing capability, these data suggest that high IL-10 levels protect against EBV infection and, conversely, that low IL-10-producing capability makes individuals more susceptible to a severe EBV infection.
Department of Pediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, P.O. Box 2000, FIN-33521, Tampere, Finland. klmehe@uta.fi
M
M
Helminen
N
N
Lahdenpohja
M
M
Hurme
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D005787:Gene Frequency; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D016753:Interleukin-10