TNFA-308G>A polymorphism influences the TNF-alpha response to altered vaginal flora.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between a tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene polymorphism, vaginal TNF-alpha level, and microbial flora in pregnant women.


METHODS
Vaginal samples from 203 women at 18-22 weeks' gestation were analyzed for microflora. TNFA-308G>A polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction endonuclease analysis and TNF-alpha concentration was determined by ELISA. Outcome data were subsequently obtained.


RESULTS
The vaginal TNF-alpha concentration was elevated in TNFA-308A carriers only in the presence of abnormal vaginal flora. A median TNF-alpha level of 10.94 pg/ml in TNFA-308A carriers with bacterial vaginosis (BV) was significantly higher than that of 1.77 pg/ml in TNFA-308A carriers without BV (P=.02), and 1.72 pg/ml in TNF-308G homozygotes with BV (P=.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The TNFA-308G>A polymorphism influences the local TNF-alpha response to altered vaginal microflora. This suggests that the nature of the host response to microbial invasion in the lower female genital is genetically determined.
Genç
Mehmet R
MR
Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston, MA 02446, USA. mgenc@partners.org
Vardhana
Santosh
S
Delaney
Mary L
ML
Witkin
Steven S
SS
Onderdonk
Andrew B
AB
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha