Cytokine Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha A Promoter Gene Polymorphism at Position-308 G-->A and Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Implications in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn´s Disease
2006
Abstract
Our pilot study aimed to determine the effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alfa) 308 G?A promoter single-nucleotide polymorphism in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), its influence on inflammatory activity and the clinical manifestations. METHODS: We obtained genomic DNA from 164 subjects, 82 with long-standing IBD aged 8 to 18 years: 46 with Crohn disease (CD) and 36 with ulcerative colitis (UC).
CONCLUSIONS: Although not necessarily dictating IBD initiation, the TNF-alfa 308 A polymorphism may play a role in modifying the CD phenotype. The polymorphism may influence disease activity as well as more intense inflammatory activity in both forms of IBD and may modify the progression of chronic digestive tract inflammation.