Associations of the -238(G/A) and -308(G/A) TNF-α Promoter Polymorphisms and TNF-α Serum Levels with the Susceptibility to Gastric Precancerous Lesions and Gastric Cancer Related to Helicobacter pylori Infection in a Moroccan Population

Bounder, Ghizlane; Jouimyi, Mohamed Reda; Boura, Hasna; Touati, Eliette; Michel, Valerie; Badre, Wafaa; Jouhadi, Hassan; Kadi, Maria; Eljihad, Meriem; Benomar, Hakima; Kettani, Anass; Lebrazi, Halima; Maachi, Fatima

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2020.21.6.1623

Associations of the -238(G/A) and -308(G/A) TNF-α Promoter Polymorphisms and TNF-α Serum Levels with the Susceptibility to Gastric Precancerous Lesions and Gastric Cancer Related to Helicobacter pylori Infection in a Moroccan Population

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Helicobacter Pylori and Gastric Pathologies Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco.

² Biology and Health Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Ben M’sik, University Hassan II, Casablanca, Morocco

³ Pathogenesis of Helicobacter Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.

⁴ Gastroenterology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Casablanca, Morocco.

⁵ Department of Radiotherapy Oncology, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Casablanca, Morocco.

⁶ Histo-Cytopathology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco.

10.31557/APJCP.2020.21.6.1623

Abstract

Objective: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) induces the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), which is closely related to a gastric epithelial injury. TNF-α gene polymorphism and TNF-α serum levels are associated with various malignant conditions. Identification of the ideal marker for gastric cancer (GC) is still the leading aim of several trials. Physio-pathological considerations of GC led us to investigate the association of two TNF-α promoter polymorphisms (-308G>A and -238G>A), and TNF-α serum levels with the susceptibility to gastric precancerous (PL) and GC. Methods: Patients suffering from gastric lesions (65 chronic gastritis, 50 PL, 40 GC) related to H. pylori ‎infection , and 63 healthy controls (HC) were involved in this study. Individuals are genotyped by TNF-α gene promoter sequencing and TNF-α serum levels are measured by ELISA quantitative method. Results: Regarding TNF-α-308 G/A locus, we noticed higher risk for GC (OR=4.3, CI 1.5-11.9, p-value=0.005) and PL (OR=3.4, CI 1.2-9.2, p-value=0.01) for individuals with AA/GA genotypes compared to GG genotype. Concerning TNF-α-238 G/A locus, we noticed higher risk for GC (OR=5.9, CI 1.2-27.5, p-value=0.01) and PL (OR=4.8, CI 1.3-18, p-value=0.01) for individuals with GG genotype compared to AA/GA genotypes. We noticed that TNF-α serum levels have been increased together with gastric lesions severity. Moreover, TNF-α-308 and TNF-α-238 A alleles seemed to, respectively, upregulate and downregulate TNF-α serum levels. Conclusion: The TNF-α -308 A allele has a promotive effect for GC progression, whereas the TNF-α -238 A allele has a protective function against GC progression. High levels of TNF-α seemed to be associated with the aggressiveness of gastric lesions. TNF-α gene polymorphisms and TNF-α serum levels might be helpful to select those patients who are at high risk for GC.

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