Association between Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Gene Polymorphism and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Preterm Infants

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Several factors including prolonged inflammatory response are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The clinical findings can be explained by an increased production of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). We investigated the relationship between susceptibility to BPD and TNF-alpha promoter polymorphisms to identify genetic factors of the disease. METHODS: Thirty-eight preterm infants who had developed BPD and 55 controlled infants with a birth weight <1,500 g were analyzed for TNF-alpha genotypes. The alleles of five promoter sites (-1031/-863/-857/-308/-238) of TNF-alpha gene were determined using Taqman(R)-based allelic discrimination assays. RESULTS: Gestational age (27(+5)+/-2(+0) wk vs. 29(+2)+/-1(+4) wk, P<0.0001) and birth weight (990+/-270 g vs. 1,220+/-230 g, P<0.0001) were lower in the BPD group compared to the control group. The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (71.1% vs. 49.1%, P=0.035) and patent ductus arteriosus (71.1% vs. 50.9%, P=0.052) was higher in the BPD group compared to the control group. The frequencies of the alleles and genotypes of five promoter sites (-1031/-863/-857/-308/-238) of TNF-alpha gene did not show differences between the BPD group and the control group. CONCLUSION: TNF-alpha promoter polymorphisms are not associated with susceptibility to BPD in Korean preterm infants.