The MIF -173G/C polymorphism and risk of coal workers' pneumoconiosis in a Chinese population

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate the possible relationship between macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) -173 polymorphism (rs755622) and susceptibility to coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) in a Chinese population.

Methods:

A total of 699 patients with CWP and 677 controls were genotyped for the polymorphism by TaqMan method.

Results:

Our results showed that the MIF -173CC genotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk of CWP (adjusted odds ratio = 0.44, 95% confidence interval = 0.22–0.85), compared with the GG/GC genotype, particularly among smokers.

Conclusion:

Our results indicate that the functional MIF -173G/C polymorphism is involved in the etiology of CWP and susceptibility to this disease. Further studies are warranted to validate our findings.

Keywords::

• MIF
• polymorphism
• coal workers’ pneumoconiosis
• molecular epidemiology