IL-8 and ER-α gene polymorphisms as potential risk factors for leiomyoma

In this study, we aimed to investigate the difference between ICAM-1, IL-8, and ER-α gene polymorphisms and the effects of the formation of leiomyomas by measuring serum levels of IL-8 and ICAM-1 in uterine leiomyoma and control patients.

The roles of ERS-1, TNSFIP2, ICAM-1, and IL-8 gene polymorphisms in leiomyoma development were investigated using TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. In addition, serum IL-8 and ICAM-1 levels of leiomyoma and control group individuals were measured using the ELISA method. The sample included in the study consisted of 75 people diagnosed with uterine leiomyoma (leiomyoma group) and 75 healthy volunteers without ovarian pathology (control group) who came to Sivas Cumhuriyet University Medical Faculty Gynaecology and Obstetrics Clinic.

TNFAIP2 rs8126, ICAM-1 rs5498 and ESR-1 rs17847075 polymorphisms were not associated with leiomyoma disease. In addition, individuals carrying heterozygous genotypes of ESR-1 rs9322331 (p = 0.01, OR = 2.4), IL-8 rs4073 (p = 0.02, OR = 2.4) and IL-8 rs2227306 (p = 0.01, OR = 2.246) polymorphisms may be at risk for leiomyoma. Similarly, mutant alleles of ESR-1 rs9322331 (p = 0.005, OR = 2.172), IL-8 rs4073 (p = 0.01, OR = 2.204) and IL-8 rs2227306 (p = 0.004, OR = 2.2) polymorphisms were found to be risk alleles. Furthermore, it was observed that IL-8 serum levels increased more in the leiomyoma group (1.83 ± 0.4 pg/mL) compared to the control group (1.02 ± 0.2 pg/mL). Likewise, a significant decrease in ICAM-1 levels was found in the leiomyoma group (1595.5 ± 80 ng/mL) compared to the control group (2939.3 ± 104 ng/mL).

In this context, it was concluded that polymorphisms of IL-8 and ESR-1 genes, which are thought to be risk factors in leiomyoma harvests, and factors affecting IL-8 and ICAM-1 expression should be further investigated.