Novel genetic association of Wegener's granulomatosis with the interleukin 10 gene

J Rheumatol. 2002 Feb;29(2):317-20.

Abstract

Objective: Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a necrotizing vasculitis characterized by clonal expansions of T cells and production of antibodies against proteinase 3. The disease is associated with expanded dinucleotide repeats in the cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) gene, suggesting that genetic variation(s) in T cell related gene(s) could contribute to the T cell hyperactivity in WG. We investigated the polymorphisms in the genes of 2 cytokines, interleukin 4 (IL-4) and IL-10, which are essential for the polarization of T cells towards Th2 development and for the Ig production by B cells.

Methods: Polymorphisms in the genes coding for IL-10 and IL-4 were analyzed in 32-36 Swedish Caucasian patients and 109 ethnically matched healthy individuals.

Results: There was no association with the IL-4 gene. A CA repeat polymorphism in IL-10 gene, IL-10.G, was associated with the disease. This polymorphism has earlier been associated with high autoantibody production.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that the IL-10 gene may influence the disease, perhaps by influencing the production of autoantibodies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • DNA / analysis
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genotype
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics*
  • Male
  • Microsatellite Repeats
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Genetic

Substances

  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-4
  • DNA