Functional Gene Polymorphisms in Canadian Aboriginal Populations with High Rates of Tuberculosis

The present study determined whether a pattern of functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was present that could predispose a Dené cohort to a suboptimal response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Compared with a Caucasian cohort, the Dené and Cree were found to maintain a significantly higher frequency of SNPs associated with low expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR), interferon (IFN)-γ (+874), and tumor necrosis factor-α (-308) and high production of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 (-2518) and interleukin (IL)-6(-174). Given the roles played by IFN-γ and VDR in facilitating macrophage containment of M. tuberculosis and the opposing role of MCP-1 and IL-6, the observed allelic variation by ethnicity may in part contribute to the high rates of tuberculosis among the Dené.