The interleukin (IL)-1 family and its related family members are primary inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to assess the possible association between nine IL-1 family gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
To investigate the genetic association between IL-1 family gene polymorphisms and the risk of RA in a Korean population, 69 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the nine IL-1 family gene regions were selected. A total of 806 subjects (498 controls and 308 RA patients) were included in the study. The genotypes of the selected SNPs in the IL-1 family genes were determined using Illumina Sentrix Array Matrix chips. SNP Stats, Haploview, and SNP Analyzer, and Helixtree programs were used for the analysis of the genetic data.
We observed statistically significant associations between the SNPs of IL1F10 and IL1RN among the IL-1 family genes in the RA patients and the control population. When the patients were divided into two groups according to the parameters of disease activity, including C-reactive protein (CRP) level (> or = 0.5 or < 0.5 mg/dL), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (> or = 30 or < 30 mm/h), and parameters of severity, including rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), and bone erosion (positive or not), we found significant associations between the parameters, including CRP, ESR, and bone erosion, and SNPs of the IL-1 family genes in RA.
This study suggests that IL-1 family gene (IL1F10 and IL1RN) polymorphisms may play an important role in the susceptibility to developing RA.