Transforming growth factor-beta-1 variants are not associated with chronic nonalcoholic pancreatitis

Background: Pancreatic fibrosis is a key pathological feature of chronic pancreatitis. In vivo and in vitro data have demonstrated that pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) play a central role in pancreatic fibrosis. PSC activation and collagen synthesis are highly controlled by transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-β1). We evaluated whether functionally relevant genetic variants of TGF-β1 are associated with chronic nonalcoholic pancreatitis. Methods: The promotor as well as exon 1 variants of the TGF-β1 gene (G-800A, Leu10Pro and Arg25Pro) were investigated. Forty-two CP patients with a family history of nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis (group A) and 88 patients without a family history of nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis (group B) were studied. One hundred blood donors served as controls (group C). Results: The allelic frequencies of G-800A, Leu10Pro and Arg25Pro were 12, 38 and 6% in group A; 7, 40 and 6% in group B and 12, 29 and 3% in group C, respectively. The differences were not significant. Conclusion: Functionally relevant genetic variants of the TGF-β1 gene are not associated with nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis.