Assessment of the −174G/C (rs1800795) and −572G/C (rs1800796) Interleukin 6 Gene Polymorphisms in Egyptian Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

AIM This study aimed to investigate genotype and allele frequencies of -174 (rs1800795) and -572 (rs1800796) IL-6 promoter gene polymorphisms in Egyptian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in comparison to control group. METHODS The study was conducted on 198 Egyptian subjects (99 RA patients and 99 healthy control). The promoter region of the IL-6 gene was amplified by PCR using DNAs from patients and the controls, and their PCR products were digested by suitable enzymes. RESULTS No statistical differences were found in -572G/C genotype (P = 0.177) or allele (P = 0.147) frequencies between RA patients and controls. Significant differences were observed in -174G/C genotype (P < 0.001) and allele (P < 0.001) frequencies between RA patients and controls. CONCLUSION A significant association of IL-6 -174G/C gene polymorphism and RA in Egyptian population was found with significantly higher frequencies of GC and CC genotypes and C allele in RA patients compared to controls. No association was found between IL-6 -572G/C gene polymorphism and RA.