TNF microsatellite alleles a2 and b3 are not primarily associated with celiac disease in the Finnish population

Abstract: Recently, an independent association between tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene polymorphism and ceiiac disease was observed in the Irish population. We tested this association in Finnish patients with celiac disease. The TNF microsatellite alleles a2 and b3 were strongly associated (P_corr<0.0001 for both) with celiac disease when the patients were compared to the random population. However, when the comparison was made with the DQ2-matched controls, no association could be found. We therefore conclude that in Finland the TNFa2 and b3 alleles are associated with DQ2-positive haplotypes rather than celiac disease.