TNF-alpha polymorphisms in Korean adult-onset Still's disease patients

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the role of TNF-alpha promoter polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of Korean adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) patients. Methods: DNA was isolated from blood samples collected from 58 patients with AOSD meeting Yamaguchi's criteria and 105 healthy controls. TNF-alpha promoter polymorphisms at positions -1013, -863, -857, -308 were analysed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Genotype, allele, and estimated haplotype frequencies were compared between the AOSD group and controls. Results: The genotype, allele distributions, and estimated haplotype frequencies of the TNF-alpha polymorphism between AOSD patients and controls were not significantly different. In addition, TNF-alpha polymorphisms did not appear to have an effect on the disease course of the Korean AOSD patients. Conclusion: Genetic polymorphisms of TNF-alpha do not play a significant role in the development or in their course of Korean AOSD patients.