Association of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF?) Gene Polymorphism with the Presence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Background: Only 10-20% of chronic heavy smokers will develop into COPD. This indicates a different susceptibility to damages caused by smoking and that may be linked to genetic factors. The purpose of this study was to analyze the occurrence of COPD and its association with the polymorphisms;  -308 G/A and -238G/A gene polymorphism in smokers. Methods: Case-control study, comparing the genetic group of people who have COPD (cases) and a group of people who doesn’t have COPD (control) with the same smoking history. Examination of lung function was done using spirometry and the existence of genetic polymorhism in the TNF? gene was performed using Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP). Results: From 186 subjects were enrolled, 93 people as the case group and 93 people as the control group. Analysis of the association between the -308G/A polymorphism with the COPD revealed the Odds Ratio (OR) of 0.436 (CI:0.224 - 0.850,  and p:0.014).  Polymorphism at -238G/A of the TNF? gene showed the OR of 2.094 (CI:0.608 to 7.211 and p:0.241).Conclusions: Polymorphism -308 TNF? gene  shown  to  be a  protective  factor  for  the occurrence of COPD. Polymorphism -238 TNF? gene did not show any significant association with COPD.

Keywords: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, TNF? gene, Polymorphism