Objective: The polymorphic tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) gene encodes a cytokine involved in inflammation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. One polymorphic variant is associated with increased production of TNFalpha. This study examined the frequency of this polymorphic variant in African-American patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with controls.
Methods: We determined the gene frequency of the polymorphic variant of TNFalpha in an African-American SLE patient population and in a geographically matched African-American control population.
Results: The gene frequency of the TNFalpha -308A polymorphism was higher in the African-American SLE population than in the control population. This relationship was independent of major histocompatibility complex DR alleles.
Conclusion: The TNFalpha -308A polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of SLE in African-Americans.