Promoter Polymorphisms of TNF-α Gene as a Risk Factor for Schizophrenia

• Published in: Archives of medical research Vol. 49; no. 4; pp. 248 - 254
• Main Authors: Suchanek-Raif, Renata, Raif, Paweł, Kowalczyk, Małgorzata, Paul-Samojedny, Monika, Kucia, Krzysztof, Merk, Wojciech, Kowalski, Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-05-2018
• Subjects: Adult; Alleles; Case-Control Studies; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease - genetics; Genetics; Genotype; Haplotypes; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Polymorphism; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide - genetics; Promoter Regions, Genetic - genetics; Psychopathology; Risk Factors; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - genetics; Suicide; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - genetics; Schizophrenia; Genetics; Psychopathology; Suicide; Polymorphism
• ISSN: 0188-4409; 1873-5487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2018.09.007

The latest data showed a link between mental disorders and altered immune function. Schizophrenia is a multifactorial disease with numerous changes in the immunological system. The TNF-α gene is a strong candidate for schizophrenia susceptibility. The focus of this paper were the −1031 T/C, −863 C/A, −857 C/T, −308 G/A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the TNF-α gene.
We conducted a case-control study of 401 patients with schizophrenia and 606 healthy subjects. The connections between tested SNPs and clinical variables (PANSS, age of onset, a family history, and suicide attempts) were also examined.
The presence of genotypes: the C/C at −1031 T/C; the C/C at −863 C/A; the G/G at −308 G/A in the TNF-α gene was associated with a higher risk of schizophrenia in men. The presence of A allele at −308 G/A increased a risk of schizophrenia in women. Three haplotypes were associated with a higher risk of schizophrenia in men but not women. We did not reveal any associated tested SNPs with intensity of schizophrenia symptoms.
Our results indicate that in addition to −308 G/A, other promoter polymorphisms of TNF-α gene are associated with schizophrenia susceptibility depending on the sex. Tested SNPs are not associated with the psychopathology of schizophrenia.