The -174 G/C polymorphism of the interleukin-6 gene promoter is associated with Alzheimer's disease in an Italian population [corrected].
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine playing a crucial role in inflammation and tissue injury. A role for this molecule in neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been proposed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between a common polymorphism of the IL-6 gene promoter and AD in the Italian population. We found that the frequency of the GG genotype was significantly higher in AD patients than controls on both univariate ( rho< 0.0001) and multivariate analysis ( rho< 0.0001). In contrast, the CC genotype seems to be associated with a reduced risk of disease ( rho< 0.0001). Our data indicate that the IL-6 gene polymorphism is associated with AD in Italians and confirm that IL-6 is crucial in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders.
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D001483:Base Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D003596:Cytosine / Q000378:metabolism; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005838:Genotype; D006147:Guanine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D007558:Italy / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
D015850:Interleukin-6; D006147:Guanine; D003596:Cytosine