Clinical Study
Eye (2006) 20, 1040–1043. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6702078; published online 2 September 2005
TNF-
promoter polymorphisms and primary open-angle glaucoma
Proprietary interest: None
G Mossböck1, M Weger1, M Moray1, W Renner2, E M Haller-Schober1, D Mattes1, O Schmut1, B Wegscheider1 and Y El-Shabrawi1
- 1Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
- 2Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
Correspondence: G Mossböck, Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 4, 8036 Graz, Austria. Tel: +43 316 385 3817; Fax: +43 316 385 3261. E-mail: mossboeckg@gmx.net
Received 11 May 2005; Accepted 29 July 2005; Published online 2 September 2005.
Abstract
Purpose
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a multifactorial optic neuropathy with a strong hereditary component. Recent studies suggested a role for tumour necrosis factor-
(TNF-) in the pathogenesis of POAG. The purpose of the present study was to investigate a hypothesized association between the TNF--308G>A and -238G>A gene polymorphisms and the presence of POAG in a Caucasian population.
Methods
The present case–control study comprised 114 unrelated patients with POAG and 228 healthy control subjects, matched for age and gender. Genotyping of the TNF--308G>A and -238G>A polymorphisms was performed using polymerase chain reaction.
Results
Allelic frequencies and genotype distributions of both the TNF--308G>A and -238G>A gene polymorphisms did not significantly differ between patients with POAG and control subjects. Presence of the TNF--308A-allele was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.96 for POAG, whereas an OR of 0.52 was found among carriers of the TNF--238A-allele.
Conclusion
Our data suggest that none of the investigated TNF-gene polymorphisms is a major risk factor among Caucasian patients with POAG.
Keywords:
open-angle glaucoma, tumour necrosis factor-, genetic polymorphism
