Role of the Interleukin-6 −174 G>C Gene Polymorphism in Retinal Artery Occlusion

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Abstract
Background and Purpose— Proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6) are supposed to play a pivotal role in the development of atherosclerosis. A common polymorphism in the promoter of the IL-6 gene (IL-6 −174G>C) affects plasma IL-6 concentrations and has been suggested as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present case-control study was to investigate the role of this polymorphism for retinal artery occlusion (RAO). Methods— One hundred eighty-two patients with RAO and 307 control subjects were genotyped for the IL-6 −174G>C polymorphism. Genotypes were determined by fluorogenic exonuclease (TaqMan) assay. Results— The prevalence of the CC genotype was significantly lower in patients with RAO than in control subjects (10.4% versus 19.9%; P =0.006). Homozygosity for the C allele was associated with an odds ratio of 0.50 (95% CI, 0.28 to 0.89) for RAO. Conclusions— The CC genotype of the IL-6 −174G>C polymorphism may be associated with a protective effect against RAO.