Investigation of association between IL-8 serum levels and IL8 polymorphisms in Chinese patients with sepsis

To assess the clinical relevance of IL8 gene polymorphisms in patients with sepsis and its association with systemic IL-8 levels. PCR and DNA sequencing were used to examine the polymorphism of IL8 in 152 patients with sepsis and in 199 healthy volunteers in China. The distribution frequencies of the genotype and allele were compared among different groups. The serum IL-8 was measured by ELISA and analyzed in relation to polymorphisms of IL8. The homozygote TT genotype and T allele of rs4073 (genotype: p=0.01, allele: p=0.002), the homozygote CC genotype and C allele (genotype: p=0.03, allele: p=0.003) of rs2227306, homozygote AA genotype and A allele of re1126647 (genotype: p=0.01, allele: p=0.002) were associated with susceptibility to sepsis in males. Serum IL-8 levels were significantly increased in patients with sepsis but showed no correlation with IL8 rs4073, rs2227306 and rs1126647 polymorphisms. The male population carrying the homozygote TT genotype and T allele of rs4073, the homozygote CC genotype and C allele of rs2227306 and homozygote AA genotype and A allele of rs1126647 are more susceptible to sepsis, suggesting there is a protective effect in females carrying these genotypes and alleles respectively. There was no association between rs4073, rs2227306 and rs1126647 polymorphisms and serum levels of IL-8 in patients with sepsis. •IL8 gene polymorphisms and its association with IL-8 levels in sepsis patients•Serum IL-8 levels were significantly increased in patients with sepsis.•IL-8 levels showed no correlation with rs4073, rs2227306 and rs1126647 polymorphisms.•Certain genotypes were associated with susceptibility to sepsis in males.•There may be a protective effect to sepsis in females carrying certain IL8 genotypes.