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- Title
Tumour Necrosis Factor-α Promoter Polymorphism in Erythema Nodosum.
- Authors
Labunski, Svenja; Posern, Guido; Ludwig, Stephan; Kundt, G.; Bröcker, Eva-B.; Kunz, Manfred
- Abstract
Erythema nodosum is a common skin disease characterized by erythematous, tender subcutaneous nodules, mostly located on the lower extremities. Little is known about its pathogenesis, although a wide variety of aetiological factors (e.g. bacterial and viral infections, neoplastic diseases and drugs) have been described. Sarcoidosis, a typical granulomatous disease, often occurs in association with erythema nodosum (Loefgren syndrome). Since granulomatous diseases have been closely linked to a deregulated tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α production, it was tempting to speculate whether TNF-α might play a role in the pathogenesis of erythema nodosum, at least in cases associated with sarcoidosis. A previously described nucleotide exchange, (G A) at position -308 in the human TNF-α gene promoter, has been shown to be a major cause for enhanced TNF-α production. In the present report, we investigated the genomic TNF-α promoter region in patients suffering from EN with and without underlying sarcoidosis. Our results showed a strong correlation between the uncommon TNF A II allele and sarcoidosis-associated erythema nodosum. Patients with erythema nodosum without underlying sarcoidosis displayed a similar allele frequency compared with controls. Taken together, we provide evidence that erythema nodosum in association with sarcoidosis might be pathogenically linked to altered TNF-α production due to a genetic promoter polymorphism.
- Subjects
ERYTHEMA; TUMOR necrosis factors; GENETIC polymorphisms; PHYSIOLOGY; GENETICS
- Publication
Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 2001, Vol 81, Issue 1, p18
- ISSN
0001-5555
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1080/000155501750208128