SERUM LEVELS OF INTERLEUKIN-1β ALONG WITH ITS GENETIC POLYMORPHISM IN PATIENTS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Abstract Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive inflammatory lung disorder characterized by persistent airflow limitation and systemic inflammation. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a key pro-inflammatory cytokine, has been implicated in COPD pathogenesis; however, data on its serum levels and genetic polymorphisms in the Indian population remain limited. Material & Methods: A case–control study was conducted involving 160 participants, comprising 80 COPD patients and 80 healthy controls aged ≥40 years. Serum IL-1β levels were measured using sandwich ELISA. Genotyping of IL-1β polymorphism was performed using ARMS-PCR following DNA extraction. Results: Levels of serum IL-1β were significantly higher in the COPD group at 2.28 (1.7–2.685) pg/dl compared to 1.52 (1.05–2.17) pg/dl in controls (p < 0.0001). The CC genotype was significantly more frequent among COPD patients (32.5%) than controls (15%), whereas the TT genotype was more prevalent in controls (43.75% vs 17.5%; p=0.0006). The C allele was significantly associated with increased COPD risk (57.5% vs 35.63%; p<0.0001), while the T allele demonstrated a protective association. Conclusion: Elevated serum IL-1β levels support the role of persistent systemic inflammation in COPD. The IL-1β C allele appears to confer increased susceptibility to COPD, whereas the T allele may be protective. These findings emphasize the combined contribution of inflammatory and genetic factors in COPD pathogenesis and highlight IL-1β as a potential biomarker for disease risk assessment.