Chemokine gene polymorphisms in idiopathic anterior uveitis

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether there are any associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms of the chemokine genes IL-8, MCP-1, their corresponding receptors CXCR1 and CCR2 and disease outcome in patients with acute idiopathic anterior uveitis. Methods: 60 Caucasian patients with idiopathic acute recurrent anterior uveitis together with 120 healthy Caucasian control subjects were tested for the presence of 16 bi-allelic polymorphisms and HLA-B27 using polymerase chain reaction in association with sequence-specific primers with mismatches at the 30 end. The genetic data was then compared between patients and controls, and within the patient group itself for association with clinical disease outcome. Results: As expected, the frequency of HLA-B27 was significantly higher in the patient group than the control group (63.33% versus 15.83%; Pearson’s P < 0.0001, Fisher’s P < 0.0001). In addition, the frequency of the T allele of MCP-1 63555 was found to be significantly higher in the control group when compared to the patient group (P = 0.0160). Conclusion: This study describes an association between acute anterior uveitis and MCP-1 63555 polymorphisms where the T allele may be a protective marker against the disease.