Polymorphic Variability in the Interleukin (IL)-1Beta Promoter Conditions Susceptibility to Severe Malarial Anemia and Functional Changes in IL-1Beta Production

Abstract

Interleukin (IL)-1beta is a cytokine released as part of the innate immune response to Plasmodium falciparum. Because the role played by IL-1beta polymorphic variability in conditioning the immunopathogenesis of severe malarial anemia (SMA) remains undefined, relationships between IL-1beta promoter variants (-31C/T and-511A/G), SMA (hemoglobin [Hb] level< 6.0 g/dL), and circulating IL-1beta levels were investigated in children with parasitemia (n= 566) from western Kenya. The IL-1beta promoter haplotype-31C/-511A (CA) was associated with increased risk of SMA (Hb level< 6.0 g/dL; odds ratio [OR], 1.98 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.55-2.27]; P<. 05) and reduced circulating IL-1beta levels (p<. 05). The TA (-31T/-511A) haplotype was nonsignificantly associated with protection against SMA (OR, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.18-1.16]; p=. 11) and elevated IL-1beta production (p<. 05) …