Association of High-Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) Gene Polymorphisms with Susceptibility and Better Survival Prognosis in Chinese Han Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis

BACKGROUND High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) plays a crucial role in a variety of diseases, including neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of HMGB1 gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with susceptibility and survival prognosis in Chinese Han neonates with NEC. MATERIAL AND METHODS The HMGB1 gene rs1360485, rs1045411, and rs2249825 site SNPs were genotyped in all participants. The mRNA expression of serum HMGB1 was examined using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The correlation of the HMGB1 rs1360485 SNP with NEC neonatal survival prognosis was evaluated by univariate analysis and logistic multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS The TC and CC genotype and C allele distribution frequencies of the rs1360485 SNP were lower in the NEC group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P 0.05). NEC neonates with HMGB1 gene rs1360485 site mutations had lower mRNA levels of serum HMGB1 than those with rs1360485 site wild-type, and the rs1360485 genotypes TC and CC could independently predict better survival outcomes in NEC neonates. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that the rs1360485 SNP of the HMGB1 gene is associated with susceptibility of NEC in neonates, and the rs1360485 genotypes TC and CC may affect HMGB1 expression and are associated with the survival prognosis of neonates with NEC.