Recurrent aphthous stomatitis and gene polymorphisms for the inflammatory markers TNF-alpha, TNF-beta and the vitamin D receptor: no association detected.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the possibility that minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (MiRAS) is associated with the inheritance of specific gene polymorphisms for markers associated with macrophage driven inflammation, i.e. tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), TNF-beta or the vitamin D receptor (VDR).

SETTING

MiRAS is a common, painful, ulcerative condition of the mouth. Its etiology is unknown although mononuclear inflammatory cells are thought to play an important role. There is no clear genetic mode of inheritance, however, many patients report a positive family history and disease concordance is significantly higher in monozygotic than dizygotic twins, suggesting a polygenic mode of inheritance.

METHODS

Ninety-five MiRAS patients and an ethnically matched control population were genotyped for TNFA-308, TNFB Ncol and VDR (intron 8 and exon 9) polymorphisms. Chi-square analysis was used to compare the allele frequencies and genotypes of cases and controls.

RESULTS

No significant association was identified between inheritance of specific alleles or genotypes of the TNFA-308, TNFB Ncol and VDR (intron 8 and exon 9) polymorphisms and susceptibility to MiRAS.

CONCLUSIONS

Inheritance of specific gene polymorphisms for TNF-alpha, TNF-beta or VDR does not appear to be a significant factor in determining susceptibility to MiRAS.