Association Between Interleukin-19 (IL-19) and Interleukin-20 (IL-20) Genes Polymorphisms with Multiple Sclerosis in an Iranian Population

Myelin-directed autoimmunity seems to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Growing productions of both anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines are frequent findings in MS. The IL-10 is an immunosuppressive cytokine in the immune system. In the clinical trial, it is considered to be an anti-inflammatory therapy for inflammatory bowel disease and many other autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and MS. IL-19 as well as IL-20 belong to the IL-10 family. It appears that polymorphisms, within these genes, affected the level of gene expression. The goal of the present study was investigating the possible associations between IL-19 and IL-20 genes polymorphisms with multiple sclerosis. Therefore, 100 MS patients and 100 healthy controls were recruited in this study. Genotyping for the IL-19 (rs2243158GC, rs2243168GC) and IL-20 1053TG (rs2981572, rs2981573) were executed using Tetra-primer ARMS-PCR. The GC and AT genotypes related to IL-19 polymorphisms, rs2243158 and rs2243168, respectively, were significantly associated with multiple sclerosis (P = 0.004 and P