Evaluation of IL‐17A, IL‐17F, IL‐23R, VDR, CCL2, CCL5, CCR2, and CCR5 gene polymorphisms and expression in Chinese individuals with syphilis

Abstract

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the infection of Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. T-helper type 17-related genes, vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene, and chemokine/chemokine receptor genes are crucial in microbial infection. A total of 16 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in eight genes (interleukin [IL]-17A, IL-17F, IL-23R, VDR, C-C motif chemokine ligand [CCL] 2, CCL5, C-C chemokine receptor [CCR] 2, and CCR5) were analyzed in 188 patients with syphilis and 216 healthy controls. The results showed a strong correlation of IL-17A rs2275913 (AA vs AG + GG: odds ratio [OR], 1.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 2.92; P = 0.020; A vs G: OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.76; P = 0.043) and rs3819024 (GG vs AA + GA: OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.06 to 2.91; P = 0.028; G vs A: OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.80; P = 0.030) with syphilis. In haplotype analysis, IL-17A rs2275913A/rs3819024G showed a risk effect (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.82; P = 0.026), whereas IL-17A rs2275913G/rs3819024A showed a protective effect (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.998; P = 0.048). The expression levels of IL-17A messenger RNA (mRNA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and IL-17A secretion in plasma were further examined. No significant differences were found between patients with syphilis and healthy controls. The study also explored whether IL-17A rs2275913 and rs3819024 were associated with the expression of IL-17A mRNA and IL-17A secretion in patients with syphilis. Similar negative results were found. In conclusion, the polymorphisms of IL-17A rs2275913 and rs3819024 and the haplotype containing these two SNPs influenced the susceptibility to syphilis in a Han Chinese population.

The Utility of Biomarkers in the Clinical Management of Syphilis: A Systematic Review

“…Hu et al 21 analyzed single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes for 8 cytokines in 188 Chinese individuals with syphilis (77 of whom had early syphilis) and 216 healthy controls in a case-control study. No significant correlation was found between the levels of IL-17 mRNA and IL-17 secretion in plasma and T. pallidum infection.…”

An Exuberant Case of Ulceronodular-Rupioid (Malignant) Syphilis in an HIV Patient: A Proposal for New Diagnostic Criteria

“…Likewise, Wang and coworkers reported an HIV patient who had two episodes of UNRS, separated by 13 months, despite receiving ART after the first episode [ 19 ]. Thus, these two patients, despite improving CD4 counts and suppression of HIV viral load, had another unknown immunologic predisposition to develop UNRS, such as a specific genetic polymorphism that affects the expression of particular cytokines, chemokines, or their receptors [ 35 , 36 ].…”

The association of host genes with specific sexually transmitted infections

“…Furthermore, the researchers also investigated whether IL17A rs2275913 and rs3819024 were linked to IL17A mRNA expression and secretion in syphilis patients. Therefore, it was confirmed that the IL17A polymorphisms rs2275913 and rs3819024, as well as the haplotype including these two SNPs, influenced syphilis susceptibility (15). Not much research has been conducted on the association of host genes with syphilis and this calls for more investigations.…”

“…The findings showed a significant correlation of IL-17 A rs2275913 (AA vs. AG + GG) and rs3819024 (GG vs. AA + GA) for those with syphilis. The IL-17 A rs2275913A/rs3819024G haplotype showed a risk effect in haplotype analysis, while IL-17 A rs2275913G/rs3819024A showed a protective effect ( 15 ).…”