title: Investigation of the association between interleukin-1beta polymorphism and normal tension glaucoma.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Chun Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ying-Cheng
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Chien-Hui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Fai-Yun
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Shi-Huang
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hin-Yeung
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Seng-Sheen
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D053583:Interleukin-1beta