Molecular-genetic study of peculiarities of functioning of basic immunoregulatory cytokines in highly qualified athletes by the sport "swimming"

Galimova Elvira Mansurovna, Galikeeva Guzel Fanilevna, Galimov Azat Musavirovich, Gubaidullina Rinata Ilshatovna, Khasbatullina Gulnaz Venerovna

In this work, we studied serum concentrations and mitogen-induced production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein by cells of whole blood ex vivo in highly qualified athletes specializing in the sport of “swimming”. We also analyzed the associations of polymorphic markers of the genes of the interleukin-1 cluster IL-1β (rs1143634) and (VNTR-polymorphism 86 bp) with the mean values of the quantitative indicators of IL-1β and IL1RA in carriers of various genotypes. It was found that the serum concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL1RA and IL6) in athletes - swimmers is significantly lower in comparison with the control group. Mitogen induction of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL1RA in athletes showed positive dynamics, the mitogenic stimulation index was 6.43 and 2.78, respectively, which indicates a positive reactivity of the immune system. Correlations were revealed for the cytokines IL4 / IL10 (r = 0.74), IL6 / IL10 (r = 0.54), IL6 / α-TNF (r = 0.69). Analysis of associations of polymorphic markers of genes of the interleukin-1 family (IL-1β (rs1143634) and (VNTR-polymorphism 86 bp)) with the mean values of the quantitative indicators of IL-1β and IL1RA in the blood serum in carriers of different genotypes revealed an association of increased concentration of IL-1β with allele * E2 of the IL-1β gene (p = 0.05) and the association of low IL-1β values with the IL1RA * I allele (p = 0.04), as well as association of the genotype IL1RA * II / * II with a high level of IL-1β (p = 0.04).

Keywords:cytokines, mitogen induction, stress response, gene polymorphism, exercise, immunity.