Influence of interleukin-1 beta gene polymorphisms on age-at-onset of sporadic Parkinson's disease

We studied genetic polymorphisms in the promoter region (position -511) and exon 5 (position +3953) of the interleukin (IL)-1 beta gene in 122 Japanes e patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 112 controls. We also examined polymorphisms in the IL-1 alpha and the IL-1 receptor antagonist genes. No significant difference was found in these genetic markers between PD patie nts and controls. However, PD patients with homozygotes for allele 1 at pos ition -511 of the IL-1 beta gene (IL-1B-511*1), a low producer of IL-1 beta , were significantly earlier in the disease onset than those with the IL-1B -511*2 homozygotes, a high producer of IL-1 beta. This suggests that Il-lp might play a role, possibly a protective effect for dopaminergic neurons, i n PD. Further population and functional studies are necessary to clarify th e role of IL-1 beta in PD patients. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.