ABSTRACT
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis [IPF] is characterized by a chronic inflammatory process and abnormal wound healing. Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha [TNF alpha] is considered to play a key role in fibroblast proliferation and increased collagen synthesis. It appears that there is a genetic predisposition to IPF. The genetic associations of TNF-alpha with IPF have been reported in different cohorts and revealing conflicting results. This study was conducted to evaluate the association of TNF- alpha-308 G/A polymorphism with IPF in Iranian patient by PCR-RFLP method. Materials and Methods: TNF alpha gene polymorphism at position 308 G/A was examined on DNA extract of 41 cases with IPF defined clinically, radiologically and histologically and compared with 82 unrelated healthy controls who were kidney donors. Results: The understudy population included 20 males and 21 females with the mean age of 50.4 yrs. Data showed that the frequencies of G allele [NO:72] and A allele [NO:10] were 87% and 12% respectively. The frequency of G/G genotype [NO:31] was 76%, followed by G/A [No:10] being 24%.we had no A/A genotype. Conclusion: There was no association between TNF alpha-308 G/A polymorphism and IPF in Iranian patients