Genetic association of interleukin-1 haplotypes with gastritis and precancerous lesions in North Indians

Background We evaluated the association of functional variants of IL-1 genes with the development of gastritis and precancerous lesions, which are known to be influenced by inflammatory response against Helicobacter pylori. Methods After upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, 120 patients with gastritis were tested for H. pylori infection using rapid urease test, modified Giemsa staining and IgG anti-CagA ELISA. All patients and 243 healthy controls were genotyped for IL-1B (-511 C/T) and IL-1RN (VNTR) genes using PCR-RFLP/PCR. Results IL-1B (-511 C/T) genotype/allele were not associated with gastritis. IL-1RN 1/2 genotype carriers had susceptibility to gastritis (p = 0.025, OR = 1.7). Individuals with the IL-1RN 1/1 genotype (p = 0.05, OR = 0.65) and IL-1B -511 *T-IL-1RN *1 haplotype were at low risk for gastritis (p = 0.043, OR = 0.72). High secretor haplotype combinations (C1-/T2+, C1-/T1+ and T1+/T2+) did not influence neutrophilic infiltration, glandular atrophy or intestinal metaplasia. Conclusions We identified that individuals with the IL-1RN 1/2 genotype had increased risk for gastritis. IL-1B -511*T-IL-1RN *1 (T1) haplotype carriers were at decreased risk for gastritis and no significant association was observed for precancerous lesions in North Indians.