Association of -1087 IL10 and -308 TNFA gene polymorphisms with serological markers of coeliac disease.

Coeliac disease (CD) is known to have a strong genetic background. We analyzed the association between serological markers of CD and the -1087 IL10 and -308 TNFA gene polymorphisms in Swedish patients. A higher frequency of the TNF2 allele was present in the patients compared with the controls (p < 0.0001). The frequency of the AA genotype of the IL10 gene in the patients was unexpectedly higher in comparison with the controls (p < 0.05). The levels of IgA anti-endomysium and antitissue transglutaminase antibodies were associated with IL10 but not with TNFA genotype. The patients with the AA or GG -1087 IL10 genotypes had significantly lower levels of antibodies in comparison with those with the AG genotype (p < 0.05 to p < 0.0005). However, when divided according to potential level of IL-10 production, the group of potentially high IL-10 producers among the CD patients demonstrated significantly lower levels of antitissue transglutaminase antibodies compared to potentially low IL-10 producers (p = 0.01). Our results show a relationship between the levels of IgA antibodies involved in CD with the IL10 genotypes. This suggests a possible involvement of IL-10 in the development of the disease.