Genome-wide associated loci influencing interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1Ra, and IL-6 levels in African Americans

Immunogenetics. 2012 May;64(5):351-9. doi: 10.1007/s00251-011-0596-7. Epub 2011 Dec 29.

Abstract

Interleukins (ILs) are key mediators of the immune response and inflammatory process. Plasma levels of IL-10, IL-1Ra, and IL-6 are associated with metabolic conditions, show large inter-individual variations, and are under strong genetic control. Therefore, elucidation of the genetic variants that influence levels of these ILs provides useful insights into mechanisms of immune response and pathogenesis of diseases. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of IL-10, IL-1Ra, and IL-6 levels in 707 non-diabetic African Americans using 5,396,780 imputed and directly genotyped single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with adjustment for gender, age, and body mass index. IL-10 levels showed genome-wide significant associations (p < 5 × 10(-8)) with eight SNPs, the most significant of which was rs5743185 in the PMS1 gene (p = 2.30 × 10(-10)). We tested replication of SNPs that showed genome-wide significance in 425 non-diabetic individuals from West Africa, and successfully replicated rs17365948 in the YWHAZ gene (p = 0.02). IL-1Ra levels showed suggestive associations with two SNPs in the ASB3 gene (p = 2.55 × 10(-7)), ten SNPs in the IL-1 gene family (IL1F5, IL1F8, IL1F10, and IL1Ra, p = 1.04 × 10(-6) to 1.75 × 10(-6)), and 23 SNPs near the IL1A gene (p = 1.22 × 10(-6) to 1.63 × 10(-6)). We also successfully replicated rs4251961 (p = 0.009); this SNP was reported to be associated with IL-1Ra levels in a candidate gene study of Europeans. IL-6 levels showed genome-wide significant association with one SNP (RP11-314E23.1; chr6:133397598; p = 8.63 × 10(-9)). To our knowledge, this is the first GWAS on IL-10, IL-1Ra, and IL-6 levels. Follow-up of these findings may provide valuable insight into the pathobiology of IL actions and dysregulations in inflammation and human diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 14-3-3 Proteins / genetics
  • Adult
  • Black or African American / genetics*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Humans
  • Immunogenetic Phenomena
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / blood*
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / genetics*
  • Interleukin-1 / genetics
  • Interleukin-10 / blood*
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-6 / blood*
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multigene Family
  • MutL Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • 14-3-3 Proteins
  • ASB3 protein, human
  • IL10 protein, human
  • IL1RN protein, human
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
  • Interleukin-1
  • Interleukin-6
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • PMS1 protein, human
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins
  • YWHAZ protein, human
  • Interleukin-10
  • MutL Proteins