Sib pair linkage and association studies between bone mineral density and the interleukin-6 gene locus.
A major determinant of the risk for osteoporosis in later life is bone mineral density (BMD) attained during early adulthood. Bone mineral density is a complex trait that, presumably, is influenced by multiple genes. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an attractive candidate gene for osteoporosis susceptibility, because it has effects on bone cells and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Furthermore, previous investigators have identified an association between a 3' UTR polymorphism of the IL-6 gene and BMD. In this study, we searched for linkage and association between this IL-6 gene polymorphism and peak BMD in a large population (812 individuals) of healthy premenopausal sibpairs. Although previous investigators identified only 6 IL-6 alleles, we identified 17 alleles by modifying electrophoretic conditions and evaluating a very large population. We found no evidence for either linkage or association between the IL-6 gene locus and BMD of the spine or hip in either Caucasians or African Americans.
Takacs
I
I
Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, USA.
Koller
D L
DL
Peacock
M
M
Christian
J C
JC
Evans
W E
WE
Hui
S L
SL
Conneally
P M
PM
Johnston
C C
CC
Foroud
T
T
Econs
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D015519:Bone Density / Q000235:genetics*; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009679:Nuclear Family; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American
D015850:Interleukin-6