TLR polymorphisms in FMF: association of TLR-2 (Arg753Gln) and TLR-4 (Asp299Gly, Thre399Ile) polymorphisms and myeloid cell TLR-2 and TLR-4 expression with the development of secondary amyloidosis in FMF

Inflammation. 2011 Oct;34(5):379-87. doi: 10.1007/s10753-010-9245-9.

Abstract

Amyloidosis is the major complication of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Toll-like receptors (TLR) are involved in the activation of an innate immune system TLR-2 and TLR-4 recognize lipoteichoic acid and lipopolysaccharides (LPS), respectively. While TLR-2 Arg753Gln polymorphism upregulates, TLR-4 Asp299Gly and Thre399Ile polymorphisms downregulate inflammation. We investigated the effect of these polymorphisms on the development of amyloidosis in FMF patients. We also investigated myeloid cell TLR-2 and TLR-4 expressions in these patients. We studied 26 FMF patients and 13 FMF patients with amyloidosis. TLR-2 Arg753Gln and TLR-4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms were analyzed with the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Myeloid cell baseline TLR-2 and TLR-4 and LPS-induced TLR-4 expressions were evaluated. The TLR-2 and TLR-4 polymorphism rate was compared with the results of 100 healthy subjects in our previous study. In addition, 13 healthy controls were enrolled for leukocyte TLR-2 and TLR-4 expressions. Serum amyloid A (SAA) levels were measured in these 13 control cases and in FMF patients during attack-free periods. The frequency of TLR-2 Arg753Gln, TLR-4 Asp299Gly, and Thr399Ile polymorphisms in healthy controls in our previous study were 1%, 3%, and 2%, respectively. The frequency of these polymorphisms were not different in FMF patients (with or without amyloidosis) compared to the control group. Likewise, myeloid cell TLR-2 and TLR-4 expressions were not different among the controls and FMF patients. However, LPS-induced TLR-4 expression in granulocytes was more prominent in FMF patients. There was no correlation between TLR-2 and TLR-4 expressions and SAA levels. Neither myeloid cell TLR-2 and TLR-4 expressions nor TLR-2 Arg753Gln, TLR-4 Asp299Gly, and Thr399Ile polymorphisms seem to affect the development of secondary amyloidosis in FMF patients in our study population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Amyloidosis / etiology*
  • Amyloidosis / genetics*
  • Amyloidosis / immunology
  • Base Sequence
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / complications*
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / genetics*
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myeloid Cells / immunology
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Serum Amyloid A Protein / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / genetics*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / genetics*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Serum Amyloid A Protein
  • TLR2 protein, human
  • TLR4 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4