TNF-alpha polymorphisms in chronic beryllium disease and beryllium sensitization.
OBJECTIVE
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a potent cytokine involved in normal immune functions. The aim of this study was to investigate if there is an association between chronic beryllium disease or beryllium sensitization and two variants of the TNF-alpha gene located at -308 and -238 called TNF-alpha-308*02 and TNF-alpha-238*02.


METHODS
TNF-alpha-308 and TNF-alpha-238 genotyping was conducted in a large, population-based cohort consisting of 886 beryllium workers (92 individuals with chronic beryllium disease, 64 who were beryllium sensitized, and 730 individuals without sensitization or disease).


RESULTS
The odds of chronic beryllium disease in the presence of at least one TNF-alpha-308*02 or TNF-alpha-238*02 allele was not significant (OR=1.0; 95% CI=0.7, 1.7 and OR=0.8; 95% CI=0.4, 1.6). This was true regardless of whether a worker was homozygous or heterozygous for TNF-alpha-308*02 or TNF-alpha-238*02. Similarly, neither allele was associated with sensitization (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Unlike an earlier report, there was no association between these specific TNF-alpha alleles and either chronic beryllium disease or sensitization to beryllium.
McCanlies
Erin C
EC
Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, USA. EIM4@CDC/GOV
Schuler
Christine R
CR
Kreiss
Kathleen
K
Frye
Bonnie L
BL
Ensey
James S
JS
Weston
Ainsley
A
D000483:Alleles; D001607:Berylliosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D001608:Beryllium / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006682:HLA-DP Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D059868:HLA-DP beta-Chains; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D020539:Sequence Analysis, Protein; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D014481:United States
D006682:HLA-DP Antigens; D059868:HLA-DP beta-Chains; C071170:HLA-DPB1 antigen; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D001608:Beryllium