Polymorphisms in IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ and TGF-β1 genes and susceptibility to acute otitis media in early infancy.
BACKGROUND
Genetic susceptibility has a major role in the pathogenesis of acute otitis media (AOM). In the present study, we investigated the variability of 5 cytokine genotypes as related to susceptibility and outcome of AOM in early infancy.


METHODS
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-6 (-174 G→C), IL-10 (-592 C→A, -819 C→T and -1082 G→A), TNF-α (-308 G→A), IFN-γ (+874 A→T) and TGF-β1 (codon 10 C→T; codon 25 G→C) genes were investigated and related to clinical course and outcome in 96 infants younger than 9 months with AOM.


RESULTS
Compared with wild genotypes, IL-10 (-592, -819 and -1082) and TGF-β1 (codon 10) genotypes carrying the alternative allele were related to more AOM episodes (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001 and P = 0.002, respectively) and the need for tympanostomy tubes. Furthermore, IL-10 (-1082) and TGF-β1 (codon 10) genotypes carrying the alternative allele were related to later onset of first AOM episode than wild-type genotypes (P = 0.007 and P = 0.039, respectively). No relationship was found about AOM complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that IL-10 and TGF-β1 genotypes are related to the age of AOM onset, multiple AOM episodes and insertion of tympanostomy tubes, pointing to the involvement of anti-inflammatory cytokines in AOM during infancy.
From the *Department of Pediatrics, †Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Human Genetics, and ‡Department of Internal Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.
Stavroula
S
Ilia
George N
GN
Goulielmos
George
G
Samonis
Emmanouil
E
Galanakis
D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011446:Prospective Studies
D016207:Cytokines