Objective: 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).
Methods: 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.
Results: 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.
Conclusion: This study suggests that IL-1 family gene (IL1F10 and IL1RN) polymorphisms may play an important role in the susceptibility to developing RA.