Genetic link between TNF-β rs2229094 and multiple sclerosis in Lithuanian women

Background. Tumour Necrosis Factor-beta (TNF-β), also known as lymphotoxin-alpha (LT-β), plays a complex role in multiple sclerosis (MS), contributing to both protective and harmful effects by modulating immune responses and promoting inflammatory lesions in the central nervous system. Numerous genetic variants have been associated with susceptibility to MS, and variants located in genes involved in specific pathways, such as those affecting TNF-β, can contribute to the risk of MS. This study investigates the association between the TNF-β rs2229094 polymorphism and MS in a Lithuanian female population. Aim. To assess the relationship between the TNF-β rs2229094 polymorphism and MS occurrence in women of the Lithuanian population. Methods. The study included 173 female patients with MS and 174 healthy female controls. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes using the DNA salting-out method. Genotyping was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 30.0. Results. Statistically significant differences were observed in the occurrence of genotypes for TNF-β rs2229094 in relation to MS (p = 0.034). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the CT genotype is associated with a 1.7-fold decreased odds of MS occurrence (OR = 0.604; CI: 0.382–0.956; p = 0.031) under the overdominant model. Conclusion. This study demonstrates an association between the TNF-β rs2229094 polymorphism and MS occurrence among women in the Lithuanian population.