A Tumour Necrosis Factor Beta Gene Polymorphism in Relation to Monokine Secretion and Insulin‐Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

HLA-class III region genes may be associated with susceptibility to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). In this study an Ncol polymorphism of the tumour necrosis factor beta (TNF-β) gene, which is positioned next lo the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene in the HLA class 111 region, was detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). This polymorphism has previously been reported lo be located in the TNF-α gene. Caucasian HLA-DR3.4 heterozygous IDDM patients (n=-26) and DR-matched healthy controls (n=19). as well as randomly selected IDDM patients (n = 27) and controls (n = 25) were studied. In addition four multiplex families (49 individuals) and eight HLA-non-identical sibpairs concordant for IDDM were analysed. The TNF-β gene RFLP analysis showed fragments of 5.5 kb and 10.5 kb, which behaved as alleles. In all groups there was a haplotype assignment of the TNF-β 5.5-kb allele to BS, DR3 haplotypes, and of the TNF-β 10.5-kb allele to B15.DR4-positive haplotypes. The allelic and genotypic frequencies differed between DR3.4 IDDM patients and DR3,4 controls, and the DR3.4 control group differed significantly from the randomly selected control group (P < 0.0079), In HLA-DR3,4-atid DQw8-positive persons, the DR3 haplotypes carried the 10.5-kb allele ihrcL- times more frequently in IDDM patients than in controls, suggesting that the 10.5-kb allele when present on DR3 haplotyes may contribute lo susceplibility to IDDM in DR3.4 heterozygous individuals, A contributory role of the Hl.5-kballele in genetic IDDM susceptibility was supported by the sibpair analysis, in which all were TNF-/1 identical. Five were 10,5 kb homozygous. and the remaining three pairs were 5.5.10,5 kb heterozygous. Twenty-five healthy and eight newly diagnosed IDDM patients were randomly selected to study the Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-purified protein derivate (tuberculin) (PPD)-, and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated monocyte (Mo) secretions of interleukin 1 bela (IL-1/J)and TNb-α in relation lo the Ncol TNF-/f gene polymorphism. The LPS- and PHA stimulated Mo IL-l/f and TNF-a: secretions were significantly lower for the TNF-β 5.5.10,5 kb heterozygous individuals than for TNF-β 10.5 kb homozygous individuals. Furthermore, the Mo IL-1β and TNF-a secretions of IDDM patients were significantly higher than the Mo secretions of TNF-β genolype-matched healthy controls. This study suggests an association between the 10.5 kb TNF-β allele and IDDM, and demonstrates an association between monokine responses and TNF-β genotypes. These observations may have implications for understanding the pathogenesis of HLA-associated autoimmune diseases including IDDM.