Interferon-gamma receptor-1 gene polymorphism in tuberculosis patients from Croatia

Scand J Immunol. 2003 May;57(5):480-4. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3083.2003.01253.x.

Abstract

Recent studies have indicated that the interleukin-12/interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) axis is important in mycobacterial infection susceptibility. Using an intronic (CA)n polymorphic microsatellite marker within the IFN-gamma receptor-1 (IFNGR1) gene, we have compared the allelic frequencies of this marker in hospitalized tuberculosis patients (n = 120) with that of controls (n = 87) from Rijeka, Croatia. We identified 13 (CA)n alleles in the tuberculosis patients, whereas only 10 were found in the controls. A significant difference between one allelic marker and the control group was observed (P = 0.02, 95% confidence interval 0.14-0.94), suggesting a possible protective association. In contrast, several other allelic markers showed a trend towards association with the disease. We also found a trend towards an increased frequency in homozygosity of one allelic marker in patients (11.7%) as compared with controls (4.6%). We conclude that there is no evidence for disease association of the IFNGR1 gene marker in Mendelian-type (single-allele) inheritance. However, our results also suggest that unidentified allelic variations in the IFNGR1 gene might elevate or decrease the risk in this ethnic population, as a part of the multigenic predisposition to tuberculosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alleles
  • Croatia / epidemiology
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Inpatients
  • Interferon gamma Receptor
  • Introns / genetics
  • Male
  • Microsatellite Repeats
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Receptors, Interferon / genetics*
  • Receptors, Interferon / physiology
  • Tuberculosis / ethnology
  • Tuberculosis / genetics*

Substances

  • Receptors, Interferon