Increased Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α and its promoter polymorphisms correlate with disease progression and higher susceptibility towards vitiligo.

ABSTRACT: Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α, is a paracrine inhibitor of melanocytes, which plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases including vitiligo, as abnormal immune responses have frequently been observed in vitiligo patients. Moreover, vitiligo patients show higher lesion levels of TNF-α. Genetic polymorphisms in the promoter region of TNF-α are involved in the regulation of its expression. The present study explores TNF-α promoter polymorphisms and correlates them with TNF-α transcript and protein levels in vitiligo patients and controls of Gujarat along with its effect on disease onset and progression. PCR-RFLP technique was used for genotyping of these polymorphisms in 977 vitiligo patients and 990 controls. TNF-α transcript and protein levels were measured by

SUBMITTER: Laddha NC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3527546 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature