Elevated interleukin-36γ and gene polymorphisms implicate novel risk in essential hypertension

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Genetics and Genomics
• Immunology

Background:

• Cytokines, including IL-36γ, are implicated in hypertension and vascular inflammation.
• The role of IL-36γ in essential hypertension remains largely unexplored despite its association with other cardiovascular diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical significance of serum IL-36γ levels and IL36G gene variants in relation to essential hypertension risk.
• To explore the potential of IL-36γ as a diagnostic biomarker for essential hypertension.

Main Methods:

• Serum IL-36γ levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
• IL36G gene polymorphisms (rs11690399 and rs11683399) were analyzed using PCR-RFLP in 264 essential hypertension patients and 264 controls.
• Mendelian randomization and ROC analysis were employed to assess causality and diagnostic performance.

Main Results:

• Patients with essential hypertension exhibited significantly higher serum IL-36γ levels compared to normotensive controls (p < 0.0001).
• Specific IL36G polymorphisms (rs11690399 and rs11683399) were significantly associated with essential hypertension susceptibility.
• A causal relationship was established between increased IL-36γ and hypertension risk (OR = 1.0066), with IL-36γ demonstrating good diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.862).

Conclusions:

• Higher circulating IL-36γ levels and specific IL36G gene variants are significantly associated with essential hypertension.
• Elevated IL-36γ may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension.
• IL-36γ shows promise as a potential clinical biomarker for essential hypertension diagnosis.