TNF- α promoter polymorphisms and primary open-angle glaucoma

Purpose Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a multifactorial optic neuropathy with a strong hereditary component. Recent studies suggested a role for tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) in the pathogenesis of POAG. The purpose of the present study was to investigate a hypothesized association between the TNF-α -308G > A and -238G > A gene polymorphisms and the presence of POAG in a Caucasian population. Methods The present case-control study comprised 114 unrelated patients with POAG and 228 healthy control subjects, matched for age and gender. Genotyping of the TNF-α - 308G>A and -238G > A polymorphisms was performed using polymerase chain reaction. Results Allelic frequencies and genotype distributions of both the TNF-α -308G > A and -238G > A gene polymorphisms did not significantly differ between patients with POAG and control subjects. Presence of the TNF-a -308A-allele was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.96 for POAG, whereas an OR of 0.52 was found among carriers of the TNF-α -238A-allele. Conclusion Our data suggest that none of the investigated TNF-α gene polymorphisms is a major risk factor among Caucasian patients with POAG.