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.