polymorphisms (SNPs) at — 607 and — 137 regions with risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their
association with activity and severity of the disease. The study Included 80 RA patients and 80 age and sex
matched healthy subjects. Forty RA patients and 40 control subjects were randomly chosen to measure their
serum IL-113 levels. IL-18 SNPs at — 607 and — 137 regions were analyzed using polymerase chain reactionsequence
specific polymorphism (PCR-SSP) analysis. The frequency of —137CC genotype was significantly
lower in RA patients than controls (012=0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.72, p= 0.012), while the —607C/A genotypes (CC,
CA, AA) showed insignificant differences between patients and controls. No association was found between
erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), hemoglobin (HB), DAS 28 and X ray grades
and —607C1A and — 1370/C genotypes. Serums levels of IL-18 were not significantly different among
individuals with different IL-18 —607 and —137 genotypes. It Is concluded that RA is negatively associated
with IL18 —137CC SNP, and that IL-18 607-S NPs may not be a risk factors for RA in Egyptian patients with no
specific genotype association with disease activity or severity. No specific genotype was associated with
higher IL-18 serum levels. |
