Characteristics of Immune and Endocrine Regulation Associated with MTNR1A Gene Polymorphism (rs34532313) in the Child Population in the North of Siberia

Abstract

Introduction: Urban environment in large industrial centers is characterized by an excessive anthropogenic load that, combined with unfavorable climate conditions and distinctions of the geographical position of these territories, has negative effects on human health. Materials and methods: We analyzed characteristics of immune and endocrine regulation associated with various polymorphic variants of the gene of synchronization and circadian biorhythms of the melatonin receptor MTNR1A (rs34532313) in children living in an industrial center in the north of Siberia. The gene pool of the examined population is characterized by the predominance of the wild-type C allele (78.6%) and the maximum frequency of the CC genotype (67.7%) of the MTNR1A melatonin receptor gene (rs34532313). Results: We established that carriers of the homozygous TT-genotype of this section of the gene differed in a statistically significant (p<0.05) deficiency of T-helpers (CD3+CD4+), inhibition of IgG production, and activation of apoptosis processes (CD3+CD95+) relative to wild-type homozygotes, all attributed to inhibition of the immunomodulatory effect of melatonin. Carriers of variant homozygous genotypes showed a significantly (p<0.05) increased level of sensitization according to the general IgE criterion relative to heterozygotes and wild-type homozygotes against the background of a statistically significant (p<0.05) excess of the reference level of this indicator for the entire sample. Сonclusions: The revealed features of the immune status indicating the inhibition of cell and imbalance of humoral immune response against the general hypersensitivity and elevated cortisol significantly associate with the homozygous variant genotype of the gene locus MTNR1A (rs34532313) and form a complex of specific indicators of immune and endocrine regulation in children living in the north of Eastern Siberia that are associated with stress effects of adverse climatic and geographical factors of the region.