Genes of tumor necrosis factors and their receptors and the primary open angle glaucoma in the population of Central Russia.

AIM: To examine the association of genetic polymorphisms (-308)G/A TNFα , (+250)A/G Ltα , (+36)A/G TNFR1 , (+1663)A/G TNFR 2 with the development of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) among people in Central Russia.

METHODS: The study sample included 443 individuals, of which 252 patients with POAG and 191 individuals in the control group. Genotyping of (-308)G/A TNFα , (+250)A/G Ltα , (+36)A/G TNFR1 , (+1663)A/G TNFR 2 was performed using polymerase chain reaction. The distribution of alleles and genotypes of the studied DNA markers in the groups was examined by 2×2 contingency tables and χ 2 with the Yates's correction for continuity and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS: Allele (-308)G TNFα ( Р =0.01, OR=1.78, 95%CI 1.12-2.85) was identified as a risk factor for POAG. Homozygotes (-308) AA TNFα are at a lowest risk for development of the disease ( Р =0.01, OR=0.0005). The following combination of genetic variants of cytokines were associated with a reduced risk of POAG: (+1663)A TNFR2 and (+250)G Ltα (OR=0.34).

CONCLUSION: Genetic polymorphisms (-308)G/A TNFα , (+250)A/G Ltα , (+1663)A/G TNFR2 associated with the development of POAG in the population of Central Russia.