Association of interleukin (IL)-4 intron-3 and IL-6 -174 G/C gene polymorphism with susceptibility to end-stage renal disease

Immunogenetics. 2007 Feb;59(2):159-65. doi: 10.1007/s00251-006-0182-6. Epub 2007 Jan 4.

Abstract

Earlier studies suggest that end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with inflammatory state and have become a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study speculated the role of interleukins (IL)-2, -4, and -6 cytokines gene polymorphism with risk of susceptibility to ESRD. Polymorphism in IL-2 (-330 T/G, polymerase chain reaction [PCR]-restriction fragment length polymorphism), IL-4 (intron-3, variable number of tandem repeat, variable number tandem repeats analysis), and IL-6 (-174 G/C, amplification refractory mutation system, i.e. ARMS-PCR) were genotyped in 193 ESRD patients and 180 controls. Significant difference was observed in genotype frequencies of IL-4 and IL-6 between ESRD patients and control group (p<0.001 and p=0.032, respectively). Patients had higher frequency of homozygous B2B2 genotype (IL-4) than controls (62.7% vs 46.7) and GG genotype of IL-6 (73.1% vs 60.6%). The genotypic frequencies of IL-2 were comparable in patients and controls (p=0.102). Significant association of IL-4 was also observed in patients with glomerulonephritis (p=0.001). Combination of low IL-4 and high IL-6 genotypes were significantly associated with ESRD showing the highest risk, i.e. >threefolds risk (odds ratio=3.48, 95%CI=1.88-6.42; p < 0.001) among the four possible combinations taking high IL-4 and low IL-6 as reference. Our study suggests that polymorphism in IL-4 and IL-6 may be associated with susceptibility to ESRD. Further, combined analysis implicated a higher risk in ESRD patients with low IL-4 and high IL-6 producing genotypes. This study provided the basis for defined anti-inflammatory approaches to limit renal disease progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Base Sequence
  • Case-Control Studies
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2 / genetics
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics*
  • Introns
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / genetics*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Minisatellite Repeats
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • IL4 protein, human
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-2
  • Interleukin-6
  • Interleukin-4