Association between polymorphisms of interleukin 10 with inflammatory biomarkers in East Chinese Han patients with rheumatoid arthritis

ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to examine the association between polymorphisms of IL-10 with inflammatory biomarkers in East Chinese Han patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsWe examined IL-10 rs1800872 A/C polymorphisms in 615 RA patients, and 839 controls, in an East Chinese Han population. Genotyping was performed using a custom-by-design 48-Plex SNP scan TM Kit. The blood plasma concentration of IL-10 was measured using an Iodine [125I] IL-10 Radioimmunoassay Kit, in 90 RA patients and 90 controls.ResultsIL-10 rs1800872 A/C polymorphisms were associated with risk of RA. Following stratified analysis, an increased risk of RA was associated with the CC genotype among male, older, C-reactive protein-positive, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody-positive, and rheumatoid factor-positive-patients, and among patients with a DAS28 of ≥ 3.20 or an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of ≥ 25, and in functional class I and II patients. The average plasma concentration of IL-10 was significantly higher in RA patients compared with controls. RA patients positive for the homozygote CC were characterized by significantly higher levels of IL-10 compared with patients with the heterozygote AC. We also found that there were significant relationships between the single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human IL-10 rs1800872 A/C and production of IL-10.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the IL-10 rs1800872 A/C allele might increase the risk of RA. The IL-10 rs1800872 A/C allele might also impact the inflammatory reaction of IL-10 in patients with RA.