OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) promoter polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Taiwan. METHODS: TNF promoter polymorphisms at positions -238, -244, -308, -376, -857, and -863 were determined in 97 patients with RA and 97 healthy controls using the PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS: The phenotypic frequency of TNF-308A was significantly lower in patients with RA than in healthy controls. This finding can only be found in HLA-DR4 negative patients, not in DR4 positive RA patients and controls. The TNF promoter polymorphisms at positions -238, -244, -308, -376, -857, and -863 were not related to the clinical manifestations of RA patients. CONCLUSION: TNF-308A itself or a neighboring gene may be a protective factor for the development of RA in the HLA-DR4 negative population in Taiwan. TNF promoter polymorphisms were not associated with the clinical manifestations of patients with RA in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) promoter polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Taiwan. METHODS:TNF promoter polymorphisms at positions -238, -244, -308, -376, -857, and -863 were determined in 97 patients with RA and 97 healthy controls using the PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS: The phenotypic frequency of TNF-308A was significantly lower in patients with RA than in healthy controls. This finding can only be found in HLA-DR4 negative patients, not in DR4 positive RApatients and controls. The TNF promoter polymorphisms at positions -238, -244, -308, -376, -857, and -863 were not related to the clinical manifestations of RApatients. CONCLUSION:TNF-308A itself or a neighboring gene may be a protective factor for the development of RA in the HLA-DR4 negative population in Taiwan. TNF promoter polymorphisms were not associated with the clinical manifestations of patients with RA in Taiwan.
Authors: A Barton; H Platt; F Salway; D Symmons; E Barrett; M Bukhari; M Lunt; E Zeggini; S Eyre; A Hinks; D Tellam; B Brintnell; W Ollier; J Worthington; A Silman Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2004-03 Impact factor: 19.103