Investigation of the association between interleukin-1beta polymorphism and normal tension glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
In normal tension glaucoma (NTG), factors other than elevated intraocular pressure are likely to have a role in the pathogenesis of optic neuropathy. The potential similarities in cellular apoptosis leading to neurodegeneration between Alzheimer's disease and NTG were shown in recent studies. The interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta; -511) and IL-1beta (+3953) polymorphisms were found to increase risk with Alzheimer's disease. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the IL-1beta polymorphism is associated with NTG in the Chinese population.


METHODS
This is a cohort study in a Chinese population that involved 231 people with NTG and 245 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was amplified by a polymerase chain reaction, followed by the enzymatic restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Patients and controls were genotyped for the C/T polymorphism at position -511 and +3953 of the IL-1beta gene. Genotypes for NTG and control groups were compared for statistically significant differences.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in genotype frequency or allele frequency distribution of the IL-1beta gene polymorphisms (position -511 and +3953) between NTG patients and the control group (p >0.3).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed no evidence for an association between the IL-1beta (-511) and IL-1beta (+3953) polymorphisms and NTG. The IL-1beta gene polymorphisms (position -511 and +3953) may not play a key role in NTG pathogenesis in Chinese population.
Wang
Chun Yuan
CY
Department of Ophthalmology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Shen
Ying-Cheng
YC
Su
Chien-Hui
CH
Lo
Fai-Yun
FY
Lee
Shi-Huang
SH
Tsai
Hin-Yeung
HY
Fan
Seng-Sheen
SS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000235:genetics*; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D053583:Interleukin-1beta