Evaluation of interleukin -1B (+3954) gene polymorphism in patients with chronic and aggressive periodontitis: A genetic association study

BACKGROUND: IL-1 cytokines have central roles in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. Polymorphism in the locus +3954 (C/T) of the human IL-1B gene has been shown to affect the levels of this cytokine. AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the IL-1 B (+3954) gene polymorphism and the occurrence of different clinical forms of periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genomic DNA was obtained from 90 individuals and amplified using the PCR with specific primers flanking the locus +3954 of IL-1B. PCR products were submitted to restriction endonuclease digestion and analyzed by gel electrophoresis, allowing for the determination of the genotypes and detection of the polymorphism. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Fisher's exact test was used for comparing the frequency of genotype distributions between groups. RESULTS: The chronic periodontitis group displayed a higher percentage of T alleles (38%) when compared to the aggressive periodontitis group (20%) and to the control group (19%). CONCLUSION: Our study data states that polymorphism in the locus +3954 of IL-1B gene could be a risk factor for chronic periodontitis in a sample of Indian population of Karnataka state.