Protective role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor −173 G > C (rs755622) gene polymorphism in pediatric patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background The last decades have witnessed expanding evidence corroborating the major role of numerous cytokines involved in the pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory responses. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) may have major impact on the outcome of heart diseases; this pleiotropic cytokine is known to be implicated in myocardial inflammation. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the MIF promoter (rs755622) regulates MIF expression and can lead to worse prognosis. The aim of our study was to discuss the possible association between MIF-173 genetic polymorphism and pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Methods Our study enrolled 105 unrelated individuals (53patients with DCM, and 52age- and sex-matched healthy controls). Genetic polymorphisms of several cytokine genes are known to result in altered gene expression. TaqMan genotyping assay and Polymerase chain restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods were used. Results The overall data showed a significant correlation between MIF gene polymorphism and DCM patients. In codominant model, the frequencies of the GG, GC, and CC genotypes of MIF 173G/C were 54.7%, 34%, and 11.3% in cases and were 22%, 78%, and 0% in controls, respectively. A protective effect was observed under dominant genetic model CC + CG vs. GG ( p  = 0.0009, OR = 0.2334, 95% CI = 0.0987–0.5518). Conclusion The results obtained in our analysis provide evidence on the potential protective role that MIF-173G/C play in the development of DCM disease in the pediatric population. MIF 173G/C rs755622 was significantly associated with a reduction in risk of pediatric DCM.