Abstract: | The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interferon (IFN)-γ
gene ( IFNG ) with different types of retinal scar lesions
presumably caused by toxoplasmosis were investigated in a cross-sectional
population-based genetic study. Ten SNPs were investigated and after Bonferroni
correction, only the associations between SNPs rs2069718 and
rs3181035 with retinal/retinochoroidal scar lesions type A (most
severe scar lesions) and C (least severe scar lesions), respectively, remained
significant. The associations of two different IFNG SNPs with two
different types of retinal lesions attributable to toxoplasmosis support the
hypothesis that different inflammatory mechanisms underlie the development of these
lesions. The in vitro analysis of IFN-γ secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear
cells stimulated with Toxoplasma gondii antigens was also
investigated. The association between SNP rs2069718 and type A scar
lesions revealed that differential IFN-γ levels are correlated with distinct
genotypes. However, no correlation was observed with IFN-γ secretion levels and the
SNP rs3181035 , which was significantly associated with type C scar
lesions. Our findings strongly suggest that immunogenetic studies of individuals with
congenital or postnatally acquired infection are needed to better understand the role
of IFN-γ and its polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of ocular toxoplasmosis. |