Polymorphisms in the IL-10 and IL-12 gene cluster and risk of developing recurrent aphthous stomatitis

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common, painful, ulcerative condition of the mouth. Although there is no clear genetic mode of inheritance, there is evidence that inheritance of specific gene polymorphisms may predispose individuals to RAS. Also Th1 cell mediated immune responses under the control of IL-10/IL-12 are thought to play an important role in its pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility that susceptibility to RAS is associated with the inheritance of specific gene polymorphisms for the T cell regulatory cytokines interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interleukin-12 (IL-12). PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred RAS patients and 91 ethnically matched controls were genotyped for the IL-10-592, and -1082 polymorphisms, and the IL-12 1188 polymorphism. Chi-square analysis was used to compare the allele frequencies and genotypes of cases and controls. RESULTS: No significant association was identified between inheritance of specific alleles or genotypes of the IL-10-592 and -1082 polymorphisms of IL-12 1188 polymorphism and susceptibility to RAS. CONCLUSIONS: We were unable to demonstrate an association between the inheritance of specific IL-10 or IL-12 gene polymorphisms and RAS susceptibility.