Functionally relevant variations of the interleukin-10 gene associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-negative Churg-Strauss syndrome, but not with Wegener's granulomatosis

S. Wieczorek*, B. Hellmich, L. Arning, F. Moosig, P. Lamprecht, W. L. Gross, J. T. Epplen

*Corresponding author for this work
79 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective. Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) and Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) belong to the heterogeneous group of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides. Current understanding of their pathogenesis and genetic background is limited. Expression levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), a potent and pleiotropic cytokine, are largely determined by variations in the gene encoding the IL-10 precursor. This study was undertaken to determine the impact of IL10 polymorphisms on the pathogenesis of both WG and CSS in large cohorts. Methods. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tagging the promoter haplotypes of the IL10 gene (IL10 -3575, IL10 -1082, and IL10 -592) were analyzed in 403 patients with WG and 103 patients with CSS as well as 507 matched control subjects from Germany. In addition, 3 informative SNPs in other parts of IL10 were genotyped. Results. None of the markers or their haplotypes was associated with WG or any of its subgroups classified according to ANCA status, sex, or presence of further WG genetic risk factors. In contrast, the IL10 -3575/-1082/-592 TAC haplotype, part of the extended ancient haplotype IL10.2, was highly significantly associated with ANCA-negative CSS (χ2 = 19.14, P = 0.000012, corrected P = 0.0003, odds ratio 2.16,95% confidence interval 1.52-3.06). Conclusion. These findings challenge those from previous studies of IL10 in WG and provide further evidence that CSS and WG have distinct genetic backgrounds. Because the IL10.2 haplotype has been correlated reproducibly with increased IL10 expression, the possible role of IL-10 in the pathogenesis of ANCA-negative CSS needs to be further elucidated.

Original languageEnglish
JournalArthritis and Rheumatism
Volume58
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)1839-1848
Number of pages10
ISSN0004-3591
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 06.2008

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Infection and Inflammation Research (ZIEL)

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