Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines gene polymorphisms and Helicobacter pylori infection: interactions influence outcome

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there was any correlation between Helicobacter pylori-associated diseases and (1) H. pylori virulence genes or (2) IL-1B, IL-1RN, IFN-G, TNF-A, IL-10 genetic polymorphisms. Patients with non-cardia gastric cancer (NCGC, n = 129) or benign gastroduodenal diseases (n = 792) were studied. IL-1RN intron 2 VNTR polymorphism (PCR), IL-1B −31 C/T (RFLP), the SNPs of IFN-G (+874 A/T), TNF-A (−1031 C/T, −857 C/T, −376 A/G, −308 A/G, −238 A/G), IL-10 (−1082 A/G, −819 C/T, −592 A/C) (Taqman chemistry) were studied. cagA, s1 and m1 vacA, were PCR amplified. Duodenal ulcer was more frequent in TNF-A −857 TT and in IL-1RN 1,2 subjects. TNF-A −857 TT genotype was also correlated with gastric ulcer. IL-10 −819 TT genotype was associated with intestinal metaplasia and NCGC. Antral inflammation was associated with TNF-A −1031 TT, while corpus activity with IL-10 −819 CC. H. pylori infection was associated with TNF-A −308 AG genotype, while IFN-G +874 AA genotype was associated with cagA. In conclusion, among host genetic factors contributing to H. pylori disease outcome, IFN-G +874 AA genotype favors cagA positive infections, TNF-A −857 TT duodenal ulcer while IL-10 −819 TT intestinal metaplasia and NCGC.