Relationships of interleukin-17 polymorphisms with recurrent aphthous ulcer risk in a Han Chinese population.

OBJECTIVE

Interleukin (IL)-17 is a multifunctional cytokine with important roles in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This case-control study explored the relationships of IL-17A rs2275913 and IL-17F rs763780 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) morbidity and severity.

METHODS

IL-17A rs2275913 and IL-17F rs763780 SNPs were measured in 125 patients with RAU and 116 healthy control participants. The genotype distributions, disease risks, and relationships with RAU severity were analyzed.

RESULTS

RAU risk was associated with rs2275913 after adjustment for age, body mass index, sex, smoking status, and drinking status (AA vs. GG: odds ratio [OR], 2.759; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.381-5.512; A allele vs. G allele: OR, 1.783; 95% CI, 1.242-2.560). TC and CC genotypes in rs763780, and the corresponding C allele, demonstrated greater prevalence among patients with RAU, compared with the TT genotype (TC vs. TT, OR: 1.895; 95% CI: 1.088-3.301; CC vs. TT, OR: 4.080, 95% CI: 1.079-15.425; C allele vs. T allele, OR: 1.969, 95% CI: 1.257-3.083). Serum IL-17 concentrations were also higher in patients with RAU than in control participants. These concentrations were associated with IL-17 polymorphisms.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-17 polymorphisms might be associated with greater risk of RAU pathogenesis.