Interaction analysis between 5-HTTLPR and TNFA −238/−308 polymorphisms in schizophrenia

This study investigated the potential interaction between the polymorphisms of serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4, a 44 base pair insertion/deletion in the promoter region, 5-HTTLPR) and tumor necrosis factor-α gene (TNFA; −238G/A and −308G/A polymorphisms) on the development of schizophrenia, as well as the interaction of the three polymorphisms in relation to symptomatology, family history, onset age and antipsychotic treatment response. Genomic DNA analyses with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the genotyping. One hundred and fifty-two (152) patients with schizophrenia and 152 normal controls participated in the study. Any associations between the individual polymorphism and schizophrenia were not found. However, marginal association between subjects with both TNFA −238 A allele (genotype AA plus AG) and 5-HTTLPR s allele (ss plus sl) and presence of family history was found (p = 0.023; p = 0.026). The subjects with TNFA −308 AG genotype showed higher change in PANSS total score (p = 0.028). No significant interaction effect between 5-HTTLPR and TNFA −238/−308 polymorphisms either on the development of schizophrenia or on antipsychotics treatment response and psychopathology was found, although a significant interaction effect for subjects carrying TNFA −238 AG and −308 AA genotypes on a positive family history was observed (p = 0.017). These results suggest that the interaction effects between 5-HTTLPR and TNFA −238/−308 polymorphisms gives no significant contribution to the susceptibility to schizophrenia, and is not associated with clinical variables, antipsychotic treatment response and psychopathological features, except for family history of disease, at least in the Korean population.