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Published on: March 25, 2016
Interleukin-6 G(--174)C polymorphism is associated with mental retardation in cystic periventricular leucomalacia in
B Resch1, A Radinger, C Mannhalter
1Department of Paediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 30, Graz A-8036, Austria. bernhard.resch@meduni-graz.at
Insights
The interleukin-6 (IL-6) G(-174)C polymorphism is linked to mental retardation in children with cystic periventricular leukomalacia (cPVL). Specific IL-6 genotypes may influence the severity of perinatal brain injury.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Genetics
- Inflammatory response
Background:
- Fetal inflammatory response syndrome, involving cytokines like IL-6, is linked to cystic periventricular leukomalacia (cPVL).
- The IL-6 G(-174)C polymorphism's role in cPVL development requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the IL-6 G(-174)C polymorphism is associated with the development of cPVL.
- To explore the relationship between IL-6 genotypes and mental retardation in children with cPVL.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort analysis comparing 52 children with cPVL to control groups (46 preterm, 395 term).
- IL-6 genotyping performed using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in IL-6 G(-174)C polymorphisms between cPVL and control groups.
- A significant association was found between mental retardation and IL-6 C/C and G/C genotypes in children with cPVL compared to the G/G genotype.
Conclusions:
- The IL-6 (-174) C/C and G/C genotypes are associated with mental retardation in cPVL.
- These IL-6 genotypes may modify the severity of perinatal brain injury in affected infants.
Objective:
The fetal inflammatory response syndrome involving proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been associated with cystic periventricular leukomalacia (cPVL). We evaluated whether the development of cPVL is associated with the IL-6 G(-174)C polymorphism.
Methods:
52 children with cPVL were compared to 46 preterm and 395 term controls using retrospective cohort analysis. IL-6 genotyping was performed using an allele specific polymerase chain reaction technique.
Results:
IL-6 G(-174)C polymorphisms did not differ between groups, but an association between mental retardation and the IL-6 C/C (78%) and G/C (43%) genotypes compared to the G/G (25%) genotype was found (p = 0.003 and 0.043, respectively; RR 3.11 (95% CI 1.54 to 6.29) and 1.79 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.92), respectively).
Conclusions:
The IL-6 (-174) C/C and G/C genotypes were associated with mental retardation in cPVL and seem to modify the severity of perinatal brain injury.