Description

Helicobacter pylori () infection is the strongest recognized risk factor for gastric adenocarcinoma. Since previous observations have shown that polymorphisms in innate immune system genes, as well as vitamin D (VitD) levels, could modify the risk of infection with (), we analyzed the relation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in (, , ) , and VitD levels with infection. A case-control study on four hundred sixty Lebanese individuals was conducted. Eleven SNPs in total were genotyped and gene expression analysis using real-time PCR was performed in white blood cells of a subsample of eight individuals. A total of 49% of the participants were affected. Although no direct association was found between the SNPs and infection, rs4986790G>A and rs4986791T>C in were negatively associated with VitD levels (β = -0.371, = 5 × 10 and β = -0.4, = 2 × 10, respectively), which was negatively associated with infection (OR = 0.01, < 1 × 10). expression was 3× lower in individuals with compared with non-infected ( = 0.01). polymorphisms, expression, and VitD could be implicated in infection and further development of gastric adenocarcinoma.