Lack of association between MIF gene -173G>C polymorphism with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate a possible association between the MIF -173G>C polymorphism and MS in Turkish patients.

Materials and methods: The study included 153 MS-patients and 210 controls. Genomic DNA was isolated and genotyped using PCR-RFLP assay for the MIF -173G>C promoter polymorphism (rs755622).

Results: There was no statistically significant difference in allele and genotype frequencies between MS-patients and controls (p=0.227 and p=0.157, respectively). Accordingly, no association was observed when the patients were compared against controls in terms of GG versus GC+CC genotypes and GG+GC versus CC genotypes (p=0.324 and p=0.179, respectively). Also, there was no statistically significant association between MIF-173G>C polymorphism and clinical and demographic characteristics of MS-patients. Conlusion: The results of the present study suggest no relation between MS susceptibility and MIF gene - 173G>C polymorphism in the examined Turkish population.

Keywords: -173G>C gene polymorphism; Multiple sclerosis; macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF); promoter polymorphism; susceptibility.