Comparison of TNF-α promoter region with TNF receptor 1 and 2 (TNFR1 and TNFR2) in susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis; by PCR-RFLP

Pulmonary tuberculosis, is a granulomatous disease of the lungs that caused by Mycobaterium tuberculosis. A number of genes have been identified in studies of diverse origins to be important in tuberculosis. Out of which the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) gene has been identified to plays a major role in the initial and long-term control of tuberculosis. In this study, the TNF-α gene at -238, -308, -857 and -863 position and tumor necrosis factors receptors one and two (TNFR1, TNFR2) at A36G and T587G position were analyzed and compared, respectively. The genotypes was studied in confirmed TB patients (n=151) and control group (n=83) using PCR-RFLP. The results showed a strong correlation between two polymorphisms in different loci of TNF-α gene including TNF-α T-857 C and A238G. Although no association were found in TNF receptors and susceptibility to TB. Additionally, no correlation between TNF receptors and gene polymorphisms were found. In conclusions, among studied cases only single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at TNF-857 and TNF-238 regions were associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis.