Genotype distribution of T cell receptor β gene in Indonesian nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

Abstract

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a multifactorial genetic disease, characteristically endemic and shows considerable differences in its geographical distribution. Besides infection with EBV, genetic factors such as polymorphisms of TCR-β gene contribute to the incidence of NPC. This study investigates the association of TCR-β gene polymorphisms with individual susceptibility to develop NPC in Indonesian ethnic groups.

Methods: The study was carried out by the PCR-RFLP method using Bgl II restriction enzyme to digest TCR-β gene. The PCR-RFLP analysis of TCR-β gene was used to determine allotypes of TCR-β gene in NPC patients and control among ethnic Chinese and indigenous groups in the population of Indonesia.

Results: The  results  indicate  that  the  distribution  of  TCR-β  gene  allotypes  between  NPC  patients  and  controls  are  not  signifi cantly different (p > 0.05); however, the frequency of A allele tends to increase in NPC patients. The distribution of TCR-β gene allotypes between Chinese ethnic group was not signifi cantly different from indigenous groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The  distribution  of  TCR-β  gene  allele  between  NPC  group  and  control  groups  showed  no  difference.  The  distribution of TCR-β  gene between ethnic Chinese and indigenous groups showed no difference. Polymorphisms of TCR-βgene are not associated with NPC and ethnic groups in Indonesian population. (Med J Indones 2011; 20:171-7)