Methylation status of interleukin-6 gene promoter in patients with Behçet's disease

Abstract

Background: IL-6 mRNA expression is significantly high in many autoimmune diseases such as Behçet's disease; this is often related with more aggressive phenotypes. Nevertheless, the essential molecular process for its high expression has not been completely realized. The aim of this study was undertaken to estimate the gene copy number variation and promoter methylation to IL-6's high expression.

Methods: This study was performed on 51 patients and 61 healthy controls. Initially, DNA and RNA were extracted from all specimens. Promoter methylation levels of IL-6 were evaluated by MeDIP-qPCR technique. Also, IL-6 gene expression was measured by Real-time PCR. After that, we evaluated the relationship between gene expression and methylation, as well as their relationship with clinical specification.

Results: As we expected, the expression level of IL-6 gene increased significantly in the patient group compared to the healthy subjects. Also, the relative promoter methylation level of the IL-6 mRNA was significantly lower in patient group compared to healthy group (p<0.001).

Discussion: We disclosed that the promoter hypomethylation may be considered as one of the main defects for IL-6 mRNA high expression in patients with Behçet's disease.

Keywords: Behçet's disease; IL-6; MeDIP-qPCR; Methylation; Metilación; Síndrome de Behçet.