Interleukin (IL)-1B and IL-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphisms in children with primary immune thrombocytopenia.

Background: The pathophysiology and susceptibility of children to primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) are linked to polymorphisms of the interleukin (IL)-1B and IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) antagonist genes.

Purpose: To investigate the association between the susceptibility and severity of primary ITP in children and the IL-1B and IL-1R antagonist gene polymorphisms.

Methods: This comparative case-control study was conducted at the Menoufia University Hospital Hematology and Oncology Unit, Pediatric Department, between August 2022 and September 2023. The children were divided into patients (28 boys, 22 girls) who received hospital and outpatient clinic care and controls (50 healthy age- and sex-matched children).

Results: The mutant homozygous GG genotype and mutant G allele of rs16944 of the IL1B gene were considerably greater in patients than in controls (P<0.001). Furthermore, the mutant homozygous II/II genotype and heterozygous I/II genotype of the IL-1R antagonist gene were considerably greater in the case versus control group. The mutant II allele was significantly more prevalent in patients versus controls (P<0.001).

Conclusion: IL-1B and IL-1R antagonists may have a major impact on the development of immune thrombocytopenia. Furthermore, we found a relationship between IL-1B and IL-1R antagonist gene polymorphisms and the etiology of and children's susceptibility to primary immune thrombocytopenia.