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A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy
06:58

A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy

Published on: July 12, 2021

Febrile seizures: interleukin 1beta and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist polymorphisms

Gul Serdaroğlu1, Asude Alpman, Ayse Tosun

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, Ege University Medical School, Izmir, Turkey. gul.serdaroglu@ege.edu.tr

Pediatric Neurology
|January 13, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Genetic variations in IL-1beta and IL-1 receptor antagonist genes are linked to febrile seizures in children. Specific genotypes and alleles were more prevalent in children experiencing febrile convulsions, suggesting a role in susceptibility.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Pediatrics
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Febrile seizures are common in children.
  • Genetic factors are suspected to play a role in febrile seizure susceptibility.
  • Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) and its receptor antagonist are key inflammatory mediators.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between IL-1beta -511 C-->T and IL-1 receptor antagonist intron 2 variable tandem repeat polymorphisms and febrile seizures in children.

Main Methods:

  • Case-control study involving 90 children with febrile seizures and 106 healthy controls.
  • Polymorphisms analyzed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and agarose gel electrophoresis.
  • Genotype and allele frequencies compared between patient and control groups.

Main Results:

  • The TT genotype of IL-1beta -511 polymorphism was significantly more frequent in patients (23.3% vs 10.4%, P=0.044).
  • The T allele frequency was significantly higher in the patient group (0.50 vs 0.36, P=0.040).
  • The RN2/2 genotype and RN2 allele of the IL-1 receptor antagonist gene were significantly higher in patients (P=0.007 and P=0.020, respectively).

Conclusions:

  • IL-1beta -511 C-->T polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of febrile seizures in children.
  • IL-1 receptor antagonist intron 2 variable tandem repeat polymorphisms may also contribute to febrile seizure susceptibility.
  • These genetic variations could be important factors in the pathogenesis of febrile convulsions.

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