title: Association of Interleukin-10 promoter polymorphisms with neurosyphilis.
abstract: Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine. Increased production of IL-10 has been found in late syphilis, presumably creating favorable conditions for bacteria persistence. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the promoter of IL-10 gene have been found to influence IL-10 production. We investigated whether SNPs in the IL-10 gene promoter are associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of IL-10 and neurosyphilis. Polymorphisms in the gene for IL-10 (G→A mutation at the position -1084 and C→A mutation at the position -592) were sought in 35 patients with syphilis and 24 healthy volunteers. CSF examination (i.e. routine laboratory tests and IL-10 levels) was performed in all syphilis patients. Neurosyphilis was defined as reactive CSF VDRL test or CSF white blood cells⩾5/μL and CSF protein concentration⩾45mg/dL. Overall, 31% of patients with syphilis had neurosyphilis. CSF IL-10 levels were significantly higher in patients with neurosyphilis when compared to those with syphilis but not neurosyphilis. -1082 GG and -592 CC genotypes were significantly associated with higher CSF IL-10 levels. Moreover, these genotypes were found to be more frequent in individuals with neurosyphilis in comparison to those without neurosyphilis. Anti-inflammatory immune response seems to be important in pathogenesis of neurosyphilis. Our data suggest that host-related factors, such as SNPs of immune regulatory genes may influence the susceptibility to neurosyphilis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Cracow, Poland. Electronic address: mpastuszczak@wp.pl.
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pastuszczak
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jakiela
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej Kazimierz
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Jaworek
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiology, Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wypasek
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zeman
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wojas-Pelc
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009494:Neurosyphilis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; C508609:IL10 protein, human; D016753:Interleukin-10
keywords: IL-10; Immunology; Neurosyphilis; SNP; Syphilis