The TGF-beta 1 gene codon 10 polymorphism contributes to the genetic predisposition to nephropathy in Type 1 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
We hypothesize that transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), a multifunctional growth factor which plays a key role in the development of tissue fibrosis, may be involved in the pathophysiology of diabetic nephropathy. Our aim was to examine three polymorphisms within the TGF-beta 1 gene, in codons 10, 25 and 263, for association with nephropathy in Type 1 diabetes.


METHODS
We conducted a large case-control study using cases with Type 1 diabetes and clinical nephropathy. Controls were Type 1 diabetic subjects who have been injecting insulin for at least 50 years and have extremely low risk of nephropathy. Genotyping was by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers.


RESULTS
There was a significant difference in the frequency of the TGF-beta 1 codon 10 genotypes in the diabetic nephropathy group (n = 420) when compared with the controls (n = 410, P = 0.007). There were no significant differences when the frequencies of the TGF-beta1 codons 25 and 263 genotypes in the diabetic nephropathy group were compared with the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
In our study the TGF-beta 1 codon 10 polymorphism is associated with nephropathy in Type 1 diabetes and variation in this gene may contribute to the genetic predisposition to this complication in Type 1 diabetes.
Patel
A
A
Division of Medical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, UK. ashpat100@hotmail.com
Scott
W R
WR
Lympany
P A
PA
Rippin
J D
JD
Gill
G V
GV
Barnett
A H
AH
Bain
S C
SC
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003062:Codon / Q000235:genetics*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
D003062:Codon; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1