Association of Interleukin-6 −174 (G/C) Gene Polymorphism and IL-6 Expression in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Case–Control Study
1 Indian Council of Medical Research, V. Ramalingaswami Bhawan, P.O. Box No. 4911 Ansari Nagar, New Delhi - 110029, India.
2 Central Research Laboratory, Multi-disciplinary Research Unit, University College of Medical Sciences (University of Delhi) and G.T.B. Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi-110095, India.
3 Noida International Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) Uttar Pradesh 203201, India.
4 Department of Paediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences (University of Delhi) and G.T.B. Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi-110095, India.
Research Article
International Journal of Life Science Research Archive, 2026, 10(01), 118-125.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijlsra.2026.10.1.0022
Publication history:
Received on 10 January 2026; revised on 16 February 2026; accepted on 18 February 2026
Abstract:
Background: Understanding the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying cerebral palsy (CP) may facilitate improvements in its diagnosis and management. Investigation of genetic susceptibility factors, particularly cytokine gene polymorphisms, offers a targeted approach to elucidate the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of CP.
Methods: This case–control study included 65 children diagnosed with cerebral palsy and 65 age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched healthy controls. Healthy controls had no history of neurological disorders or known inflammatory conditions. Genotyping of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) −174 (G/C) polymorphism was performed using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Serum IL-6 levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression pattern of the IL-6 gene in cerebral palsy patients was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Results: The distribution of the IL-6 −174 (G/C) polymorphism did not differ significantly between cerebral palsy patients and controls. The C allele was more frequent than the G allele in both groups, indicating a higher prevalence of the G>C variant in the study population. Serum IL-6 levels were higher in cerebral palsy patients compared to controls, although this difference was not statistically significant. The CC genotype was associated with altered IL-6 synthesis, demonstrating a significant effect on IL-6 expression (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The lack of a significant genetic association between the IL-6 −174 (G/C) polymorphism and cerebral palsy may be attributed to the limited sample size. Larger, well-powered studies incorporating environmental and perinatal risk factors are required to further elucidate the role of IL-6 gene polymorphisms in the etiopathogenesis of cerebral palsy.
Keywords:
Cerebral Palsy; Interleukin - 6; −174 (G/C) Polymorphism; PCR-RFLP
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