Selection for genetic variation inducing pro-inflammatory responses under adverse environmental conditions in a Ghanaian population.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chronic inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic age-associated, degenerative diseases. Pro-inflammatory host responses that are deleterious later in life may originate from evolutionary selection for genetic variation mediating resistance to infectious diseases under adverse environmental conditions.

Methodology/principal findings

In the Upper-East region of Ghana where infection has remained the leading cause of death, we studied the effect on survival of genetic variations at the IL10 gene locus that have been associated with chronic diseases. Here we show that an IL10 haplotype that associated with a pro-inflammatory innate immune response, characterised by low IL-10 (p = 0.028) and high TNF-alpha levels (p = 1.39 x 10(-3)), was enriched among G

SUBMITTER: Kuningas M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2771352 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature