Study of interleukin-19 gene polymorphism in vitiligo

Background Vitiligo is as an acquired, progressive disease marked by a selective loss of some or all melanocytes present in the interfollicular epidermis. Numerous immune system-related genes are connected to vitiligo susceptibility. Nonimmune tissue cells and monocytes produce interleukin-19 (IL-19), a newly discovered cytokine in the IL-10 family, when inflammation occurs. Objective To assess the role of IL-19 polymorphism and serum level in patients with vitiligo. Patients and methods A total of 80 patients with vitiligo and 80 healthy volunteers of similar age and sex participated in this case–control study. They underwent TaqMan allelic discrimination test technology (real time PCR) and blood IL-19 (rs2243188) levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method for genotyping. Results Cases had a serum IL-9 level of 94.918.7 ng/ml compared with 28.713.1 ng/ml for controls (P = 0.001), which was significantly higher. AC and CC genotypes were considerably greater in patients (P = 0.035), but AA genotype was significantly higher in controls (P < 0.001). IL-19 gene (rs2243188) polymorphism and increased IL-19 gene serum level in patients with vitiligo were strongly linked. Conclusion IL-19 C alleles might be used as an indicator for detection of vitiligo.