Association of TNF-alpha G-308A polymorphism with rheumatic fever

ABSTRACT

Previous studies suggested that abnormal regulation of TNF-alpha production may have a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatic fever [RF]. Polymorphism at the promoter region of TNF-alpha gene [-308 G/A] has been shown to be associated with various inflammatory disorders. Our aim was to investigate TNF-alpha G-308A SNP in Egyptian children with RF. We studied 48 patients with RF; 32 had RHD and 15 had arthritis only. TNF-alpha G308A polymorphism was studied by PCR amplification then digestion with the restriction enzyme NcoI. The products were visualized on agarose gel electrophoresis. The A allele frequency was found significantly higher in RF patients when compared with the control group. Within the RF group, the frequency of the A allele was not significantly elevated than patients with arthritis alone. We conclude that TNF-alpha gene SNP G/A may be a genetic factor for exaggerated response to GAS infection and thus may lead to the development of this infection related autoimmune damage causing RF