IL-12 RB1 genetic variants contribute to human susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome infection among Chinese.
BACKGROUND
Cytokines play important roles in antiviral action. We examined whether polymorphisms of interleukin (IL)-12 receptor B1 (IL-12RB1) affect the susceptibility to and outcome of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).


METHODS
A case-control study was carried out in Chinese SARS patients and healthy controls. The genotypes of 4SNPs on IL-12 RB1 gene, +705A/G,+1158T/C, +1196G/C and +1664 C/T, were determined by PCR-RFLP. Haplotypes were estimated from the genotype data using the expectation-maximisation algorithm.


RESULTS
Comparison between patients and close contacts showed that individuals with the +1664 C/T (CT and TT) genotype had a 2.09-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.90-7.16) and 2.34-fold (95% CI, 1.79-13.37) increased risk of developing SARS, respectively. For any of the other three polymorphisms, however, no significant difference can be detected in allele or genotype frequencies between patients and controls. Additionally, estimation of the frequencies of multiple-locus haplotypes revealed potential risk haplotypes (GCCT) for SARS infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate that genetic variants of IL12RB1confer genetic susceptibility to SARS infection, but not necessary associated with the progression of the disease in Chinese population.
Tang
Fang
F
Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Liu
Wei
W
Zhang
Fang
F
Xin
Zhong-Tao
ZT
Wei
Mao-Ti
MT
Zhang
Pan-He
PH
Yang
Hong
H
Ly
Hinh
H
Cao
Wu-Chun
WC
D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China; D017931:DNA Primers; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D053707:Receptors, Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics*; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*
D017931:DNA Primers; C508438:IL12RB1 protein, human; D053707:Receptors, Interleukin-12