OBJECTIVE: The polymorphic tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) gene encodes a cytokine involved in inflammation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. One polymorphic variant is associated with increased production of TNFalpha. This study examined the frequency of this polymorphic variant in African-American patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with controls. METHODS: We determined the gene frequency of the polymorphic variant of TNFalpha in an African-American SLE patient population and in a geographically matched African-American control population. RESULTS: The gene frequency of the TNFalpha -308A polymorphism was higher in the African-American SLE population than in the control population. This relationship was independent of major histocompatibility complex DR alleles. CONCLUSION: The TNFalpha -308A polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of SLE in African-Americans.
OBJECTIVE: The polymorphic tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) gene encodes a cytokine involved in inflammation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. One polymorphic variant is associated with increased production of TNFalpha. This study examined the frequency of this polymorphic variant in African-American patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with controls. METHODS: We determined the gene frequency of the polymorphic variant of TNFalpha in an African-American SLEpatient population and in a geographically matched African-American control population. RESULTS: The gene frequency of the TNFalpha -308A polymorphism was higher in the African-American SLE population than in the control population. This relationship was independent of major histocompatibility complex DR alleles. CONCLUSION: The TNFalpha -308A polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of SLE in African-Americans.
Authors: Berran Yucesoy; Val Vallyathan; Douglas P Landsittel; Petia Simeonova; Michael I Luster Journal: Mol Cell Biochem Date: 2002 May-Jun Impact factor: 3.396