Transforming growth factor-β1 gene polymorphism in psoriasis vulgaris

BACKGROUND: Increased transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) in the epidermis and serum has been found in psoriatic patients. The mechanism for this increase remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To study the TGF-β1 gene polymorphism at codon 10 and its relation to psoriasis susceptibility in a sample of Egyptian patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 70 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 100 age- and sex- comparable healthy volunteers as a control group. Genomic DNA was prepared from peripheral blood lymphocytes from all subjects using QIAamp DNA mini kit (QIAGEN Inc., Germany). The TGF-β1 polymorphism was genotyped by PCR-based restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Amplification of codon 10, located in exon 1 of TGFβ1 gene was done through PCR reaction using gene-specific primers. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was found between psoriasis patient and controls as regards TGF-β1 (T869C) polymorphism (P=0.045). The presence of TT genotype was associated with a 3-fold risk of psoriasis compared to CC genotype (P=0.016, OR: 3.13 95% CI: 1.24–7.88). T allele was significantly more frequent in psoriasis patients (P=0.017). TGF-β1 gene mutation was significantly higher among psoriasis patients with positive family history (P=0.007). CONCLUSION: TGF-β1 gene polymorphism at codon 10 (T869C) is significantly associated with susceptibility to psoriasis in Egyptian patients. This polymorphism is more common in patients with a positive family history of psoriasis.