Affiliations: Department of Dermatology, Research Center, Armed
Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Note: [] Corresponding author: Prof.~Mohammad Tariq PhD, FRC Path, FRSC,
Sr. Consultant & Director of Research Center, Armed Forces Hospital,
P.O. Box 7897 (W 912), Riyadh 11159, Saudi Arabia. Tel.: +966 1 4777714 ext.
25602; Fax: +966 1 4777714 ext. 23066; E-mail: rkhres@yahoo.com
Abstract: The promoter region of human Interleukin −10 gene is highly
polymorphic and has been associated with numerous autoimmune diseases. Recent
studies have linked vitiligo with defective autoimmune system. This study is
aimed to explore a possible association between IL-10 gene polymorphism and
vitiligo in Saudi population. This case control study consisted of 184 Saudi
subjects including 83 vitiligo patients (40 males, 43 females mean age
27.85 ± 12.43 years) and 101 matched controls. Genomic
DNA was extracted from the blood samples of healthy controls and Vitiligo
patients visiting out patient clinic of Department of Dermatology, Riyadh Armed
Forces Hospital, using QIA amp^{R} DNA mini kit (Qiagen CA,
USA). Interleukin-10 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
using Arms primers to detect any polymorphism involved at positions
−592, −819 and −1082. The frequencies of GG genotype at −1082, and CC genotype at
positions −592 and 819 were significantly higher in vitiligo
patients compared to healthy subjects suggesting that GG and CC genotypes might
be susceptible to vitiligo in Saudis. On the other hand genotypes
−1082 GA, −819 CT, and
−592 CA of IL-10 were more prevalent in healthy controls
suggesting protective effects of GA, CT and CA genotypes against vitiligo. This
study indicates that the IL-10 gene may play a significant role in the etiology
of vitiligo among Saudis.
