Association of -607C/A (rs1946518) and -137G/C (rs187238) polymorphisms and immune response in radiation-exposed workers

PURPOSE: Interleukin-18, transforming growth factor-β, and superoxide dismutase are important cytokines and antioxidants in protecting the body from damage caused by radiation exposure through an immune response mechanism. Genetic polymorphisms -607 C/A and -137 G/C are thought to affect the IL-18 cytokine in carrying out its function as a biomarker to indicate adverse conditions due to radiation. The purposes of this study were to investigate the association between 607 C/A and -137 G/C SNPs on the concentrations of IL-18, and to measure TGF-β and SOD activity in radiation workers and control group. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We enrolled 40 radiation workers and 40 non-radiation workers as a control group. We determined genotype distribution of -607 C/A and -137 G/C SNPs and their correlation with IL-18 concentration by using PCR-RFLP method. We also measured the IL-18, TGF-β concentration, and SOD activity by using Elisa assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: No relationship was found between -607 C/A and -137 G/C on IL-18 concentrations in all genotype groups, and no significant difference in IL-18 and TGF-β concentrations in the radiation worker and control groups. Significant differences were found only in lower SOD activity in radiation workers compared to controls. The -607 C/A and -137 G/C did not significantly correlate with IL-18 cytokine production in all genotypes. There was no significant difference between IL-18 and TGF-β concentrations in the radiation worker and control groups. However, there was a very significant decrease in the SOD activity of the radiation workers by 3.31 times compared to the controls.