Tumor necrosis factor α promotor polymorphism and nonsegmental vitiligo: a molecular susceptibility marker in Egyptian women

Background Exchange of guanine by adenine at position –308 of the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α ) promoter region is associated with higher serum levels of soluble TNF α and has been associated with susceptibility to a wide variety of diseases including vitiligo. Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the possible association between the TNF α –308 G/A promotor polymorphism and susceptibility to nonsegmental vitiligo in Egyptian women. Patients and methods Genotyping of TNF α –308 G/A by a PCR-RFLP assay was performed for 100 female patients and 200 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls. Results The frequency of TNF α – 308 polymorphic genotypes was higher in vitiligo patients compared with controls and conferred an almost three-fold increased susceptibility to vitiligo (odds ratio 2.9, 95% confidence interval 1.56–5.36). No statistically significant differences were found between patients with the wild or the polymorphic genotypes in their clinical characteristics. Conclusion TNF α – 308 G/A promotor polymorphism can be considered a genetic risk factor for nonsegmental vitiligo in Egyptian women.