title: Evaluation of MIF -173 G/C Polymorphism in Turkish Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease mainly affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints. Macrophage migration inhibitory(MIF)factor is a regulatory cytokine that inhibits random immune cell migration. MIF gene promoter polymorphisms play a role in the progression of several inflammatory disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between theMIF gene -173 G/Csingle-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and AS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, a total of 161 AS and 194 normal controls were recruited. The MIF gene -173 G/C SNP was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between groups in terms of genotype distribution (p>0.05). When wild-type G/G and G/C+C/C genotypes are compared in terms of clinical characteristics, there is a significant difference between the average age and the duration of disease in AS patients (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No significant relationship between AS disease andMIF -173 G/Cpolymorphism was found.MIF -173 G/Cpolymorphism (C allele) may affect the time of onset and the duration of disease in AS patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biology, Gaziosmanpaşa University School of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Çevik
authors.initials: Ç
authors.lastname: Gürel
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gaziosmanpaşa University School of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: İnanır
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, Giresun University, School of Medicine, Giresun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayşe Feyda
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Nursal
authors.affiliation: Ahi Evran University School of Health, Kırşehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Akın
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tekcan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biology, Gaziosmanpaşa University School of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aydın
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rüstemoğlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biology, Gaziosmanpaşa University School of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serbülent
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yigit
keywords: Ankylosing spondylitis; macrophage migration inhibitory factor; polymorphism