Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and Interleukin-10 gene promoter polymorphisms in Turkish rheumatoid arthritis patients

Tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 10 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Certain single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the promoter region of the IL-10 and TNF genes have been associated with altered levels of circulating IL10 and TNF. We aimed to explore the association of IL-10 and TNF-α polymorphisms in Turkish RA patients. We analyzed the association of TNF-α (−308G/A, −238G/A, −376G/A) and IL10 (−1082G/A, −819C/T, −592C/A) polymorphisms in 98 Turkish patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 122 healthy subjects using ARMS-PCR. The correlation of these findings with RF positivity and erosive disease in RA patients was also sought. A significant association was found between having RA and −1082 G allele (p = 0.008; OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.11–1.86). There was no association between RA and −819C/T polymorphism. Significant differences were observed in IL10 GCC and ACC haplotypes distribution between RA and control subjects (p = 0.006; OR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.13–1.89 and p = 0.011; OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.09–1.88, respectively). No statistically significant association was found between TNF-α 308G/A, −238G/A, −376G/A polymorphisms and RA. No significant association was found between RF positivity and erosive disease and TNF-α, IL10 gene polymorphisms. In addition, when combined genotypes were analyzed, no significant difference was found between RA patients and healthy controls. Our findings suggest that IL-10 1082 G/A polymorphism or GCC, ACC haplotypes may be associated with RA in Turkish patients.