Association of interleukin (IL)-4 gene intron 3 VNTR polymorphism with multiple sclerosis in Turkish population

Abstract

Objective: Genetic risk factors are known to contribute to the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Interleukin (IL)-4 gene polymorphisms have been associated with immune-mediated diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the frequency of IL-4 gene intron 3 VNTR (variable number tandem repeat) polymorphism in a cohort of Turkish patients with MS.

Methods: The study included 125 patients with MS and 160 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was isolated and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses for the IL-4 gene intron 3 VNTR polymorphism.

Results: The distribution of genotype and allele frequencies of IL-4 gene intron 3 VNTR polymorphism was statistically different between MS patients and control group (p = 0.003 and p = 0.002, respectively). There were no statistically significant association between IL-4 VNTR polymorphism and clinical and demographical characteristics of MS patients.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that intron 3 VNTR polymorphism of the IL-4 gene was positively associated with predisposition to develop MS in Turkish population.