Association of insulin-like growth factor-1 gene polymorphism with psoriasis

Background Psoriasis vulgaris is a multifactorial disease of the skin. Several studies have reported elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in psoriasis. Objective To investigate the association of IGF-I [cytosine adenosine (CA)] gene polymorphism with psoriasis in a sample of Egyptian patients compared with controls. Patients and methods This case control study included 144 psoriasis vulgaris patients and 140 healthy individuals. We searched for the IGF-I (CA) 19 gene polymorphism by PCR. Results A significant difference existed between psoriatic patients and controls with regard to the distribution of IGF-I (CA) gene polymorphism (Po0.0001), with the heterozygous genotype 192–194 and the homozygous (o192) genotype being significantly encountered in the psoriasis group (Po0.0001 and Po0.019, respectively), whereas the homozygous (4194) genotype was significantly encountered in the control group (Po0.0001). No significant difference was found between male and female patients with regard to IGF-I (CA) genotypes (P40.55). Conclusion It seems that IGF-I (CA) gene polymorphism may play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris.