Association of interleukin 6, interleukin 7 receptor alpha, and interleukin 12B gene polymorphisms with multiple sclerosis

Acta Neurol Belg. 2018 Sep;118(3):493-501. doi: 10.1007/s13760-018-0994-9. Epub 2018 Aug 1.

Abstract

Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines have been shown to play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). We investigated the association between interleukin (IL) IL6-174 G/C (rs1800795), IL7RA C/T (rs6897932), and IL-12B A1188C (rs3212227) gene polymorphisms (SNPs) and MS. The study consisted of 297 unrelated MS patients and 135 healthy individuals. In IL6-174G/C (rs1800795), a significant association between the C allele and MS risk [OR 1.41, 95% CI (1.05-1.92); P = 0.025] was found. Carriage of genotypes CC and CG were more common in MS patients [OR 1.58, 95% CI (1.04-2.39); P = 0.031] and also in female MS patients [OR 1.68, 95% CI (1.02-2.79); P = 0.043]. However, after applying Bonferroni's correction the differences did not remain significant. No significant association between the IL7RA C/T (rs6897932) and IL12B A1188C (rs3212227) gene polymorphisms and MS susceptibility was observed. Regarding IL-12B A1188C (rs3212227), a significant association between the CC genotype and MS progression, expressed as MSSS, was demonstrated in the female MS group. Our results indicate that the distribution of IL6-174G/C (rs1800795) SNP was marginally associated with MS susceptibility. We also showed that IL-12B A1188C (rs3212227) can contribute to the progression of the disease in the Czech population.

Keywords: Gene; Interleukin 12B; Interleukin 6; Interleukin 7 receptor alpha chain; Multiple sclerosis; Single nucleotide polymorphism.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Gene Frequency / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis / genetics*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-7 / genetics*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-7 / metabolism

Substances

  • IL12B protein, human
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-12 Subunit p40
  • Interleukin-6
  • Receptors, Interleukin-7