Serum Transforming Growth Factor ß1 and Its Genetic Variants Are Associated with Increased Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 1ß and Susceptibility to Idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common entrapment neuropathy in which one of the body's peripheral nerves becomes pinched or crushed. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of CTS. An association between TGF-ß1 polymorphisms and the susceptibility or progression of a number of diseases has been reported. In this study, three TGF-ß1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), serum TGF-ß1, and macrophage inflammatory protein 1 beta (MIP-1ß) were investigated as potential diagnostic markers for the progression of CTS in Egyptian patients. One hundred CTS patients and 100 healthy controls were recruited for the study. TGF-ß1 SNPs +915G/C, -509C/T and -800G/A were determined by TaqMan genotyping assay. Serum TGF-ß1 and MIP-1ß levels were measured by ELISA. Serum TGF-ß1 and MIP-1ß levels increased significantly and were strongly correlated with the occurrence of CTS. The C allele of +915G/C, the T allele of -509C/T, and the G allele of -800G/A occurred more frequently in patients from CTS than in controls. The serum levels of TGF-ß1 and MIP-1ß in the group of carriers of the genotypes +915G/C GC and CC, the genotype -509C/T TT and the genotype -800G/A GA and AA were significantly higher in CTS patients. TGF-ß1 and its +915G/C, -509C/T, and -800G/A SNPs and MIP-1ß could be useful prognostic markers for the occurrence of CTS.