Association of Interleukin-10 Genotypes and Anticyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies with Rheumatoid Arthritis

According to recent evidence, there is an association between some genetic factors and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to determine whether genetic variations in the interleukin 10 (IL10) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (Anti-CCP) antibody loci were linked to RA.  

In this hospital-based case-control study with 224 cases and 194 healthy individuals, we investigated the association of IL-10 genotypes and anti-CCP antibodies with RA. Independent sample t, chi-square, and Fisher exact tests were used to assess the association between study variables.   

Frequency of IL-10 -1082 A/G genotype in RA patients is significantly higher than the control group (odds ratio [OR], 1.67 [95% CI, 1.11-2.51]) (p=0.009), while the frequency of IL-10-1082 A/A and G/G polymorphisms in RA patients was lower than controls and this finding for G/G polymorphism was statistically significant (p=0.01). No significant difference was observed between the 2 studied groups regarding IL-10-592 C/C, C/A, and A/A polymorphisms (p>0.05). The chance of RA occurrence among persons with positive anti-CCP was significantly (63.3 times [22.7-176.5]) higher than individuals with negative anti-CCP (p<0.001).  

According to our data, the chance of anti-CCP positivity in persons who have IL-10 genotype 1082 A/G is higher. Further studies are recommended to determine the relationship between IL-10 genotype 1082 G/A and RA. If such a relationship is proven, this finding as a diagnostic clue can help rheumatologists in the early detection of RA.