Vitamin D pathway gene polymorphisms, vitamin D level, and cytokines in children with type 1 diabetes

Gene. 2021 Jul 30:791:145691. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145691. Epub 2021 May 5.

Abstract

Aims: The study aimed to examine genetic polymorphism of vitamin D-related genes and association between those genes and vitamin D and cytokines levels in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Materials and methods: This study was conducted among 100 T1D children and 100 controls at Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, during 2016 to 2018. Vitamin D metabolite levels were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method, serum cytokine levels of IFN- ɣ, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-α by immunoassay, and genetic variations at VDR, CYP2R1, CYP27B1, GC, DHCR7, and CYP24A1 by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

Results: A relationship between studied single nucleotide polymorphisms and T1D was found in CYP2R1 (rs10741657) (GA, OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.01-3.31; p = 0.04). VDR haplotypes were also remarkably different between T1D patients and controls. Controls had higher frequency of haplotype TACT than T1D patients (p = 0.02). Vitamin D and all cytokine levels, except for IL-17α, were significantly increased in T1D compared to controls. The polymorphism of DHCR7 (rs12785878) was positively associated with 25OHD3 and 3epi25OHD3 levels and was negatively associated with 25OHD2 level. On the other hand, polymorphism of CYP27B1 (rs4646536) was negatively associated with 3epi25OHD3 level. Polymorphisms of CYP27B1 (rs4646536) and GC (rs2282679) were positively associated with TNF-α levels. VDR variation of rs1544410, rs731236, and rs7975232 also showed negative association with IL-10 levels. In contrast, the level of IL-10 was positively associated with DHCR7 (rs12785878).

Conclusion: Relationships between T1D and CYP2R1 polymorphism and VDR haplotype were found. Vitamin D gene-related variations were associated with vitamin D and circulating cytokine levels in children with T1D.

Keywords: Children; Cytokines; Type 1 diabetes; Vitamin D; Vitamin D pathway gene polymorphisms.

MeSH terms

  • 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase / genetics*
  • 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase / metabolism
  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Cholestanetriol 26-Monooxygenase / genetics*
  • Cholestanetriol 26-Monooxygenase / metabolism
  • Cytochrome P450 Family 2 / genetics*
  • Cytochrome P450 Family 2 / metabolism
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / immunology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / metabolism
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Haplotypes
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors / genetics*
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors / metabolism
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Receptors, Calcitriol / genetics*
  • Receptors, Calcitriol / metabolism
  • Vitamin D / blood
  • Vitamin D / genetics*
  • Vitamin D / metabolism
  • Vitamin D-Binding Protein / genetics
  • Vitamin D-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Receptors, Calcitriol
  • VDR protein, human
  • Vitamin D-Binding Protein
  • Vitamin D
  • Cytochrome P450 Family 2
  • CYP2R1 protein, human
  • Cholestanetriol 26-Monooxygenase
  • 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase
  • CYP27B1 protein, human
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors
  • 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase