Chronic tonsillitis is not associated with beta defensin 1 gene polymorphisms in Turkish population

Abstract

Background: Defensins are antimicrobial peptides expressed on mucosal surfaces. They function as part of the innate immune system. Palatine tonsils play important roles in innate immune system. However, our knowledge on the pathophysiology of chronic tonsils is limited.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between beta defensin 1 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and chronic tonsillitis.

Study design: Prospective, non-randomized, controlled clinical study.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Subjects and methods: Eighty six patients with chronic tonsillitis and eighty controls without history of chronic tonsillitis were enrolled in this study. Genotypes were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses after polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Genotype and allele frequencies of the -20G/A (rs11362), -44C/G (rs1800972) and -52G/A (rs1799946) single nucleotide polymorphisms were not statistically different between patients and control groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion: In this study, we found that DEFB1 gene -20G/A, -44C/G and -52G/A single nucleotide polymorphisms were not associated with chronic tonsillitis. Studies, which analyse other polymorphism of the beta defensin 1 gene in large case series, should be conducted to understand the role of DEFB1 gene on chronic tonsillitis.

Keywords: Chronic tonsillitis; DEFB1 gene; Genotype; Polymorphism.