Cytokine polymorphisms in chronic inflammatory diseases with reference to occupational diseases.
Genes which encode inflammatory cytokines are subject to polymorphisms in their regulatory regions that may effect both the level and ratio of cytokines produced in response to exogenous stimuli. These variant alleles are observed in a large percent of the population and are often associated with increased or decreased susceptibility or severity (modifiers) to infectious, immune or inflammatory diseases. Environmental factors can also play either a direct (i.e., causative factor) or indirect (modifying factor) role in these diseases. Thus, it would follow that gene-environment interactions would effect the expression and/or progression of the disease. In the present review, the concept that some of the common allelic variants found in cytokine genes represent modifying factors in chronic inflammatory diseases associated with occupational exposure is discussed.
Yucesoy
Berran
B
Ankara University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, 06100, Tandogan-Ankara, Turkey. BYucesoy@cdc.gov
Kashon
Michael L
ML
Luster
Michael I
MI
D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics
D016207:Cytokines; D007378:Interleukins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha