Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase, transforming growth factor-β1 and lymphotoxin-α genes polymorphisms and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a widely prevalent autoimmune disorder with suggested genetic predisposition. Objectives: The aim of this study is to detect the pattern of genetic polymorphism of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677 T and A1298 C), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1 T869 C) and lymphotoxin-alpha (LT-alpha A252G) in patients having rheumatoid arthritis and correlate these patterns to disease activity and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF), and osteopontin. Methods: A total of 194 subjects, 90 controls and 104 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were genotyped for MTHFR C677 T and A1298 C, TGF-beta 1 T869 C and LT-alpha A252G polymorphisms using a methodology based on PCR-RFLP. Also serum levels of TNF-alpha, osteopontin and BAFF were measured by ELISA kits. Results: The CT genotype and T allele of MTHFR C677 T and GG genotype and G allele of LT-alpha A252G are associated with the risk of RA and with higher levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF-alpha in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that there is association between MTHFR C677 T and LT-alpha A252G genes polymorphisms and increased risk of RA in this sample of Egyptian population. (C) 2016 Elsevier Editora Ltda.