Influence of Intron II Microsatellite Polymorphism in Human Toll-like Receptor 2 Gene in Leprosy

Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by the obligate intracellular organism Mycobacterium leprae. \{TLR2\} plays a key role when activated by M. leprae lipoproteins initiating protective responses which induce bacterial killing and therefore control of disease spread. Microsatellite polymorphisms in intron2 of \{TLR2\} gene have been reported to be associated with development of clinical features of several infectious diseases. The study aims to evaluate the influence of \{GT\} microsatellite on the expression of \{TLR2\} which could make humans prone to M.Leprae infections. A total of 279 individuals were enrolled in the study, 88 were leprosy patients, 95 were house hold contacts (HHC) and 96 were healthy controls (HC). Genotyping was done using PCR-Sequencing method. \{TLR2\} mRNA expression was analyzed by RT-PCR. IL-10 and IFN-γ levels were measured using \{ELISA\} in \{MLSA\} stimulated cell culture supernatants. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-Square (χ2) test and t-tests. Allele/genotype of \{TLR2\} microsatellite which includes longer \{GT\} repeats was associated with low \{TLR2\} mRNA expression and high IL-10 production while that including shorter \{GT\} repeats was associated with high \{TLR2\} mRNA expression and low IL-10 production. High \{IL10\} producing allele of \{TLR2\} microsatellite might predispose house hold contacts to leprosy. "