Polimorfismo do gene de IL6 e TNFα: estudo da relação com o papilomavírus humano

Abstract

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly prevalent DNA virus with a strong association with cervical cancer. In Brazil, HPV infection is common among young women, with a high number of cervical cancer cases reported annually. This study aimed to investigate the association between the IL6 -174 G>C (rs1800795), TNF-α -308 G>A (rs1800629), and TNF-α -238 G>A (rs361525) polymorphisms and susceptibility to HPV infection.This is a cross-sectional study involving 184 sexually active women (≥21 years old), attended at Primary Health Care Units in São Luís, Maranhão, between 2019 and 2021. Participants answered a questionnaire and underwent collection of cervicovaginal samples for cytological analysis and HPV genotyping. In addition, polymorphisms in the IL6 and TNF-α genes were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The prevalence of HPV was 31%, with type 16 being the most frequent, and coinfection detected in 26.32% of the samples. Most HPV DNA-positive women had normal cytology, similar to the HPV DNA-negative group. A statistically significant association was observed between the TNF-α -308 G>A polymorphism and HPV presence, especially in infections caused by high-risk types and single infections. In contrast, the IL6 -174 G>C and TNF-α -238 G>A polymorphisms showed no significant association with HPV infection. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium analysis revealed that the IL6 -174 G>C and TNF-α -308 G>A polymorphisms were in equilibrium, whereas TNF-α -238 G>A was not, suggesting the possible influence of population-specific factors. In conclusion, the TNF-α -308 G>A polymorphism may be associated with an increased risk of HPV infection, reinforcing the role of genetic factors in the inflammatory response and in susceptibility to viral infection and potential cervical lesions.