Interleukin-8 promoter polymorphism -251A/T is a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether four expression-related cytokine polymorphisms are associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).


METHODS
DNA from 478 cases with AMD and 555 normal controls was genotyped for the pro-inflammatory IL1beta -511C/T, IL6 -174C/G, IL8 -251A/T and anti-inflammatory IL10 -1082G/A cytokine polymorphisms using the 5' nuclease TaqMan(R) assay for allelic discrimination. Associations with AMD were analysed using allelic frequencies.


RESULTS
The -251A allele of the IL8 promoter gene polymorphism was more prevalent in AMD patients than controls (p = 0.037, OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.44). Adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), current smoking and past smoking status did not alter the AMD association significantly (corrected p value = 0.043, OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.0 to 1.50).


CONCLUSIONS
The pro-inflammatory homozygous IL8 -251AA genotype is an important risk factor for AMD. This may have implications for future therapy with biological agents that could target this cytokine.
Goverdhan
S V
SV
Clinical Neurosciences Division, Mailpoint 806, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
Ennis
S
S
Hannan
S R
SR
Madhusudhana
K C
KC
Cree
A J
AJ
Luff
A J
AJ
Lotery
A J
AJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000235:genetics*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012307:Risk Factors
D016209:Interleukin-8