title: The association of interleukin-16 polymorphisms with IL-16 serum levels and risk of colorectal and gastric cancer.
abstract: Interleukin (IL)-16, a multifunctional cytokine, plays a fundamental role in inflammatory diseases, as well as in the development and progression of tumors. Genetic variation in the DNA sequence of the IL-16 gene may lead to altered cytokine production and/or activity, and this variation may modulate an individual's susceptibility to both colorectal cancer (CRC) and gastric cancer (GC). To test this hypothesis, we investigated the association of IL-16 gene polymorphisms with serum levels of IL-16 and the risk of CRC and GC in a Chinese population. We analyzed single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the IL-16 gene in 596 cancer patients (376 patients with CRC and 220 patients with GC), and also in 480 age- and sex-matched controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing methods. Serum IL-16 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The rs11556218 T/G polymorphism of the IL-16 gene was significantly associated with the susceptibility to CRC and GC patients. Both male and female patients carrying the G allele had a significantly higher risk for developing CRC and GC compared with individuals carrying the T allele. Alternatively, women carrying the T allele (rs4072111 C/T) showed a decreased risk for CRC and GC compared with individuals carrying the C allele. In patients with CRC or GC, IL-16 serum levels were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls, although no significant association between IL-16 polymorphisms and serum levels of IL-16 was observed. Our data indicate that IL-16 polymorphisms may contribute to CRC and GC susceptibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Lin-Bo
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Yan-Yun
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wei-Bo
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Cui
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Mei-Li
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.forename: Xiao-Jiong
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D002681:China; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D019410:Interleukin-16 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D019410:Interleukin-16