title: Analysis of a Functional IL-6 Gene Polymorphism in HLAB27 Associated and Intermediate Uveitis Gives New Insight in Disease Pathogenesis and Commonality with Other Autoimmune Diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Interleukin 6 (IL-6) plays a crucial role in both adaptive and innate immunity. The rs1800795 gene polymorphism of IL-6 is associated with various autoimmune diseases, like multiple sclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  134 patients with HLAB27 positive iridocyclitis, 84 patients with intermediate uveitis, 132 controls, and 65 HLAB27 positive controls were recruited for the present case-control study. Main outcome measures were genotype distribution and allelic frequencies determined by polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of carriers of the minor allele for rs1800795 was significantly higher in patients with intermediate uveitis compared to controls (p = 0.04; OR: 1.46; CI: 1.02-2.11). Frequencies of the minor allele for rs1800795 did not differ significantly in patients with HLAB27 associated uveitis when compared to controls (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings further deepen our understanding of the commonality between multiple sclerosis and intermediate uveitis. Given the functionality of the investigated polymorphism, new pathophysiological insights are gained that help to evaluate possible therapeutic targets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 4, 8036 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Lindner
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ewald
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 4, 8036 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Langner-Wegscheider
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Beate
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital Klagenfurt, St. Veiter Strasse 47, 9020 Klagenfurt, Austria.
authors.forename: Sarny
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stephanie
authors.affiliation: Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Renner
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wilfried
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 4, 8036 Graz, Austria ; Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital Klagenfurt, St. Veiter Strasse 47, 9020 Klagenfurt, Austria.
authors.forename: El-Shabrawi
authors.initials: el-S
authors.lastname: Yosuf
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000235:genetics*; D058442:Capsule Opacification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015867:Uveitis, Intermediate / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6