TLR4 Gene Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Gastric Carcinoma and Epstein-Barr Virus-associated Gastric Carcinoma in Northern China

Abstract

Background: Various polymorphisms in toll like receptor (TLR) genes have been identified and are associated with susceptibility to various malignancies, such as gastric carcinoma (GC), hepatocellular carcinoma, papillary thyroid cancer, and prostate cancer. However, little is known about the polymorphisms of TLR genes and the susceptibility to GC in Northern China, especially to Epstein–Barr virus associated GC (EBVaGC). The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential associations between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TLR genes and the risk of GC, especially to EBVaGC. Methods: Polymorphisms of the TLR4 (rs10759932 and rs11536889) gene were assessed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 43 cases of EBVaGC and 110 cases of EBV negative GC (EBVnGC). 100 cases of peripheral blood samples from healthy individuals were also examined. Results: As for the TLR4 gene rs10759932, there was significant differences between the GC group and the control group in both genotype and allelic frequency. As for the TLR4 gene rs11536889, there was no association between the GC group and control. In all the indicators, no polymorphisms were found to be related to EBVaGC in the studied population. Conclusions: The polymorphisms of TLR4 gene rs10759932 were associated with susceptibility to GC in Shandong Province of China. There was no interaction between EBV and TLR gene polymorphisms in EBVaGC.