Detection of TNF-α as a cofactor in the pathogenesis of nasal polypi

Background Nasal polyposis (NP) is a multifactorial disorder that is correlated with multiple inflammatory, environmental, as well as genetic factors. Moreover, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is regarded as the most prominent pro-inflammatory cytokine that contributes to the pathogenesis of NP. Multiple polymorphisms of that gene can influence its function. Aim The aim of this study was to detect TNF-α polymorphism in patients with nasal polypi to determine its contribution to the pathogenesis of nasal polypi in the Egyptian population. Methods This is a case–control study, in which 25 patients with NP as well as 25 healthy participants were included, who attended Ain Shams University hospital. Participants were examined and prepared for the study. Participants were subjected to DNA extraction, and restriction fragment length polymorphism–polymerase chain reaction was administrated to detect polymorphism. The comparison of the genotype frequency distribution and the TNF-alpha gene alleles with NP was done using χ2 test. Results The results showed a statistically marked difference between the G/G genotype in the two groups (P=0.0001). In addition, the presence of allele A in the patient group and control group was 10 and 1%, respectively, which is statistically significant (P=0.0001). The genotype G/G, A/A, as well as G/A frequency in the NP group was 8, 40, and 52%, and it was 76, 1, and 5% in the control group, respectively. The findings of the present study showed that the polymorphism in TNF-alpha gene is probably an important NP risk agent in the Egyptian population. The presence of the TNF-alpha G308A allele in our study was to some extent higher compared with the other populations in other previous studies. Conclusion According to the scientific evidence for G/A 308 polymorphism related to the promoter of TNF-α gene in Egypt, the genotypic pattern distribution in all regions appears to be the same. Nonetheless, the amount of allele A was higher in the current research than in the control group, in addition to the incidence of the NP-associated G/A genotype. However, to obtain accurate findings, larger samples are required. Regarding the results of the present study, this polymorphism may be determined as a risk agent for NP susceptibility in relation to the Egyptian population.