Objective: The immune system (IS) plays a key role in the mechanisms underlying major depression (MD) and pro-inflammatory cytokines seem to be particularly involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. There is growing evidence of a relationship between commonly studied single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in cytokine genes and an increased risk of MD. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between the -308(G/A) SNP in the tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene and late-life MD in elderly people without dementia. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 50 subjects enrolled at the Geriatric Department of the San Gerardo Hospital in Monza, Italy, after screening with the geriatric depression scale (GDS≥15) and mini-mental state evaluation (MMSE≥24). The -308 (G/A) SNP was genotyped by SSP-PCR amplification. Two hundred and forty age-matched healthy volunteers were taken as the control group. Results: Genotype and allele distributions in patients with MD were significantly different from those of the controls. In subjects affected by MD we found a higher percentage of the GG genotype (84 vs. 68,3%; p = 0.007) and thus of the G allele (92 vs. 81,9%; p = 0.05). The GG genotype was associated with a greater risk of developing the disease (OR 2.433, CI 1.09-5.43). Conclusions: Our study suggests that the -308 (G/A) polymorphism in the TNF-α gene could play a role in determining susceptibility to MD. An activation of the TNF-α system could contribute to the development of MD in the elderly.
Cerri, A., Arosio, B., Viazzoli, C., Confalonieri, R., Vergani, C., Annoni, G. (2010). The -308 (G/A) single nucleotide polymorphism in the TNF-α gene and the risk of depression in the elderly. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, 25(3), 219-223 [10.1002/gps.2323].
The -308 (G/A) single nucleotide polymorphism in the TNF-α gene and the risk of depression in the elderly
CERRI, ANNA PAOLA;ANNONI, GIORGIO
2010
Abstract
Objective: The immune system (IS) plays a key role in the mechanisms underlying major depression (MD) and pro-inflammatory cytokines seem to be particularly involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. There is growing evidence of a relationship between commonly studied single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in cytokine genes and an increased risk of MD. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between the -308(G/A) SNP in the tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene and late-life MD in elderly people without dementia. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 50 subjects enrolled at the Geriatric Department of the San Gerardo Hospital in Monza, Italy, after screening with the geriatric depression scale (GDS≥15) and mini-mental state evaluation (MMSE≥24). The -308 (G/A) SNP was genotyped by SSP-PCR amplification. Two hundred and forty age-matched healthy volunteers were taken as the control group. Results: Genotype and allele distributions in patients with MD were significantly different from those of the controls. In subjects affected by MD we found a higher percentage of the GG genotype (84 vs. 68,3%; p = 0.007) and thus of the G allele (92 vs. 81,9%; p = 0.05). The GG genotype was associated with a greater risk of developing the disease (OR 2.433, CI 1.09-5.43). Conclusions: Our study suggests that the -308 (G/A) polymorphism in the TNF-α gene could play a role in determining susceptibility to MD. An activation of the TNF-α system could contribute to the development of MD in the elderly.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.