IL-2, IFN-gamma, and IL-12 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multifactorial disease. Positive genetic background could predispose individuals to this chronic disabling disease. In order to investigate the role of some proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)) as a risk factor for MS, this study was performed.


METHODS
Two hundred and eleven patients with relapsing-remitting form of MS were enrolled in this study and compared with 359 healthy individuals. Using polymerase chain reaction based on sequence-specific primer method, the cytokine genes were amplified, and alleles and genotypes were detected on gel electrophoresis.


RESULTS
Significant increases for IFN-gamma AT (+874) genotype (54.5% vs. 37.8%, p = 0.0002) and IL-12 AA (-1188) genotype (60.8% vs. 49.7%, p = 0.014) were found in MS patients in comparison with healthy controls. A significant decrease in IFN-gamma TT (+874) genotype (17.7% vs. 27.5%, p = 0.01) and IL-12 CA (-1188) genotype (30.9% vs. 45%, p = 0.001) in MS patients was also detected. No significant differences of IL-2 G/T (-330) and IL-2 G/T (+166) in alleles and genotypes were observed between MS patients and normal subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
It could be suggested that the genetic variation in IL-12 A/C (-1188) and IFN-gamma A/T (+874) cytokine genes could be risk factors for MS patients.
Shokrgozar
Mohammad Ali
MA
National Cell Bank of Iran, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Sarial
Sheila
S
Amirzargar
Aliakbar
A
Shokri
Fazel
F
Rezaei
Nima
N
Arjang
Zohreh
Z
Radfar
Jalaledin
J
Yousefi-Behzadi
Manijeh
M
Ali Sahraian
Mohammad
M
Lotfi
Jamshid
J
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007376:Interleukin-2; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma