Genetic Polymorphisms in Cytokine Genes and their Association with Susceptibility to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Author(s): Carine Nguefeu Nkenfou-Tchinda, Calvino Fomboh Tah, Andrillene Laure Deutou Wondeu, Gillian Njuo Ngeh, Wilfried Olivier Ngandjeu Tchamdjeu, Nora Kefeyin Kemei, Xaviera Jamieson Pouwawe Moumami, Marina Lucie Ngo Gwed, Honore Awanakam, Jimmy Loic Keumo Takendong, Celine Nguefeu Nkenfou, Wilfred Fon Mbacham

Major advances have been made in understanding the mechanisms that are involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). It has been hypothesised that inflammation has a role in the pathogenesis of T2DM. Cytokines are immunomodulatory proteins or glycoproteins which control or modulate the activities of cells within the immune system. Therefore, the genetic polymorphisms that regulate the expression levels of these cytokines might have an essential impact on the interindividual differences in T2DM. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible association of IL-1'-511C/T and IL-22 rs1179251G/C polymorphisms with T2DM amongst individuals attending the Yaounde Central Hospital, Cameroon. Totally, 100 patients with T2DM and 100 healthy controls were studied. The genetic polymorphisms for IL-1'-511C/Tand IL-22 rs1179251G/C were analyzed by PCR-RFLP method. The results were analyzed with SPSS software using '² test and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The GC genotypes of the IL-22 rs1179251 polymorphism showed a decreased risk of T2DM (OR= 0.479, P= 0.015, 95% CI= 0.272-0.845). However, no significant difference was found for the IL-1' -511C/T polymorphism between the two groups. Our findings indicated that IL-22 rs1179251 intron 4 polymorphism affects the risk of T2DM in our study and this polymorphism might be involved in the pathogenesis of this disease.