Polymorphisms in candidate genes and risk of scarring trachoma in a Chlamydia trachomatis--endemic population

J Infect Dis. 2000 Nov;182(5):1545-8. doi: 10.1086/315891. Epub 2000 Oct 9.

Abstract

Genes involved in regulating antimicrobial immunity and inflammation may modulate the risk of tissue scarring and fibrosis in chlamydial diseases such as trachoma. By use of a large case-control study of scarring trachoma in The Gambia, the importance of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in several candidate genes was investigated. Overall, no significant differences were found between patients and control subjects in genotype frequencies for polymorphisms in cytokine promoters interleukin (IL)-10 (positions -1082, -819, -592), IL-4 (-590), or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (-376) or for codon 57 of the mannose-binding protein. Among the ethnic groups in the study, Mandinkas had the highest frequency of the IL-10-1082G allele (0.36). Within this ethnic group, the IL-10-1082G homozygote genotype was significantly more common among case patients than control subjects (odds ratio, 5.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-24.2; P=.009). This single association is consistent with data indicating that the IL-10-1082G allele is associated with higher levels of IL-10 transcription and that Th2-type immune responses are associated with risk of chlamydial disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / genetics*
  • Collectins
  • Cytokines / genetics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Risk
  • Trachoma / etiology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Collectins
  • Cytokines
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-4