Genetic susceptibility to chronic Chagas disease: An overview of single nucleotide polymorphisms of cytokine genes

• Published in: Cytokine (Philadelphia, Pa.) Vol. 59; no. 2; pp. 203 - 208
• Main Authors: Vasconcelos, Romero H.T., Montenegro, Silvia M.L., Azevedo, Elisa A.N., Gomes, Yara M., Morais, Clarice N.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2012
• Subjects: Chagas disease; Chagas Disease - genetics; Chronic Disease; Cytokines; Cytokines - genetics; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide - genetics; Single nucleotide polymorphisms; Cytokines; Chagas disease; Single nucleotide polymorphisms
• ISSN: 1043-4666; 1096-0023
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2012.04.035

► Genetic susceptibility to Chagas disease is influenced by the complexity of host’s immune response. ► We made an overview of immunogenetic susceptibility to chronic Chagas disease. ► We analyzed SNPs of cytokine genes in Chagas disease published articles. Chagas disease is a parasitic infection that is a significant public health problem in Latin America. The mechanisms responsible for susceptibility to the infection and the mechanisms involved in the development of cardiac and digestive forms of chronic Chagas disease remain poorly understood. However, there is growing evidence that differences in susceptibility in endemic areas may be attributable to host genetic factors. The aim of this overview was to analyze the genetic susceptibility to human Chagas disease, particularly that of single nucleotide polymorphisms of cytokine genes. A review of the literature was conducted on the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus. The search strategy included using the following terms: “Cytokines”, “Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms” and “Chagas Disease”. After screening 25 citations from the databases, 19 studies were selected for the overview. A critical analysis of the data presented in the articles suggests that genetic susceptibility to Chagas disease and chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy is highly influenced by the complexity of the immune response of the host. Follow-up studies based on other populations where Chagas disease is endemic (with distinct ethnic and genetic backgrounds) need to be conducted. These should use a large sample population so as to establish what cytokine genes are involved in susceptibility to and/or progression of the disease.