Molecular Study of IL-18 and IL-33 Gene Polymorphism Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Zahraa AbdAl Razaq Al-Mahawele, Hasanain Khaleel Shareef, Zeyad Tareq Kareem Al HasnawiAbstract
Background:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoinflammatory disease that affects the connective tissue. It is characterized by certain systemic disorders and progressive joint damage. Numerous studies revealed that cytokine genetic polymorphism might have an impact on how long RA lasts. Furthermore, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to cytokines emerged as the accepted genetic marker for identifying disease-related alleles.
Objective:
The main objective of this study was to find polymorphisms in the interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-33 (IL-33) genes and any potential links to RA susceptibility.
Materials and Methods:
The IL-18 gene polymorphism (-607C/A, rs1946518) and IL-33 gene polymorphism (rs11792633 C/T) were investigated in 50 RA patients and 50 healthy control subjects using the Amplification Refractory Mutation System–polymerase chain reaction technique and TaqMan SNP genotyping assay.
Result:
The results showed that the frequencies of the CA and CC genotypes (-607C/A, rs1946518) were significantly different (0.00265 and 0.000757) between the RA patients and the control group, and the IL-33 polymorphisms TC homozygous genotype may be associated with increased susceptibility to RA.
Conclusion:
Our results indicated that the polymorphisms of IL-18 may be linked to a higher risk of developing RA.