The macrophage migration inhibitory factor − 173 G/C polymorphism is not significantly associated with necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants

Background and PurposeNecrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among premature infants. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that has been implicated in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases. The MIF promoter contains a functionally relevant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) G→C at position − 173, with the MIF − 173*C allele being associated with higher MIF expression in vitro and with higher MIF levels in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the G/C polymorphism at − 173 of the MIF promoter is associated with the development of NEC.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, 107 preterm infants (GA ≤ 32 weeks), of whom 41 had NEC (NEC Stage I n = 20, Stage II n = 3, Stage III n = 18) and 66 were not affected, were genotyped for the MIF − 173 SNP. MIF genotyping was carried out by PCR and DHPLC.ResultsWe did not find significant differences in the prevalence of the − 173 G/C polymorphism and in the distribution of the − 173 MIF genotype in infants with NEC compared to controls. Moreover, we did not observe an association between the polymorphism and mortality.ConclusionsThe polymorphism − 173 G/C of the MIF promoter does not appear to be of major importance in the pathophysiology of NEC in preterm infants.