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Pathological Implications of Th1/Th2 Cytokine Genetic Variants in Behçet’s Disease: Data from a Pilot Study in a Sicilian Population

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Abstract

Cytokines act as pleiotropic polypeptides able to regulate inflammatory/immune responses and to provide important signals in physiological and pathological processes. Several cytokines (Th1, Th2, and Th17) seem to be involved in the pathophysiology of Behçet’s disease, a chronic immune-mediated disease characterized by oral and genital lesions and ocular inflammation. Its individual susceptibility seems to be modulated by genetic variants in genes codifying these cytokines. Th1 and Th17 seem to be involved in the disease’s active phases, and Th2 seems to affect the development or severity of the disease; however, contrasting data are reported. In this study, some genetic variants of the Th1/Th2 cytokine genes were investigated in Sicilian patients and age- and gender-matched controls. Three very significant associations with Behçet’s disease were detected, and combined genotypes associated with increased disease risk were identified. Results obtained point to the key role of Th1/Th2 cytokine genetic variants in disease susceptibility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathobiology and Medical and Forensic Biotechnologies, University of Palermo, Corso Tukory 211, 90134, Palermo, Italy

    L. Vaccarino, L. Scola, M. Palmeri, M. Bova, G. Candore, D. Lio & C. R. Balistreri

  2. Rheumatologic Unit of Palermo University Hospital, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    G. Triolo & A. Accardo-Palombo

Authors
  1. L. Vaccarino
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  2. G. Triolo
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  3. A. Accardo-Palombo
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  4. L. Scola
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  5. M. Palmeri
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  6. M. Bova
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  7. G. Candore
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  8. D. Lio
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  9. C. R. Balistreri
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. R. Balistreri.

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Vaccarino, L., Triolo, G., Accardo-Palombo, A. et al. Pathological Implications of Th1/Th2 Cytokine Genetic Variants in Behçet’s Disease: Data from a Pilot Study in a Sicilian Population. Biochem Genet 51, 967–975 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10528-013-9621-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10528-013-9621-x

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