A functional polymorphism in the IL1B gene promoter, IL1B -31C>T, is not associated with cerebral malaria in Thailand.
BACKGROUND
IL-1beta and IL-1RA levels are higher in the serum of cerebral malaria patients than in patients with mild malaria. Recently, the level of IL1B expression was reported to be influenced by a polymorphism in the promoter of IL1, IL1B -31C>T.


METHODS
To examine whether polymorphisms in IL1B and IL1RA influence the susceptibility to cerebral malaria, IL1B -31C>T, IL1B 3953C>T, and IL1RA variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) were analysed in 312 Thai patients with malaria (109 cerebral malaria and 203 mild malaria patients).


RESULTS
In this population, IL1B -31C>T and IL1RA VNTR were detected, while IL1B 3953C>T (i.e., IL1B 3953T) was not observed in the polymorphism screening for 32 patients. Further analyses for IL1B -31C>T and IL1RA VNTR in 110 cerebral malaria and 206 mild malaria patients showed no significant association of these polymorphisms with cerebral malaria.


CONCLUSIONS
The present results suggest that IL1B -31C>T and IL1RA VNTR polymorphisms do not play a crucial role in susceptibility or resistance to cerebral malaria.
Ohashi
Jun
J
Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. juno-tky@umin.ac.jp
Naka
Izumi
I
Doi
Akihiro
A
Patarapotikul
Jintana
J
Hananantachai
Hathairad
H
Tangpukdee
Noppadon
N
Looareesuwan
Sornchai
S
Tokunaga
Katsushi
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D016779:Malaria, Cerebral / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D013785:Thailand
C508585:IL1B protein, human; C507763:IL1RN protein, human; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins