IL-8 –251T/A and IL-12B 1188A/C polymorphisms are associated with gout in a Chinese male population

Abstract

Objectives: Gout is caused by monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced inflammation of the joints and periarticular tissues. MSU crystals activate NALP3 and mediate interleukin (IL)-1β generation from its inactive pro-form, resulting in cellular activation and an IL-8-mediated neutrophil influx into the joint. IL-8 and IL-12 are important chemokines related to the initiation and amplification of acute and chronic inflammatory processes. In this study, we investigated whether the IL-8 –251T/A and IL-12 1188A/C polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to gout in a Chinese Han male population.

Methods: Overall, 387 patients with gout and 576 controls were included in this study. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). An association analysis was carried out using the χ² test. A genotype–phenotype analysis was also conducted.

Results: The T allele of IL-8 –251 was associated with risk of gout [p = 0.031 (odds ratio (OR) 1.229, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.019–1.483]. There was a clear link between the IL-12 1188 AA and AC genotypic and A allelic frequencies between gout cases and controls (p < 0.001, df = 2 by genotype; p < 0.001, OR 1.404, 95% CI 1.165–1.691 by allele).

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the IL-8 –251T/A and IL-12B 1188A/C polymorphisms may be relevant host susceptibility factors for the development of gout.

Acknowledgements

We thank all of the probands for their participation. This work was supported by the National Basic Research Programme of China (2010CB534902), and the National Science Foundation of China (81070636, 30370890 and 30871192).