The () polymorphism could protect against development of severe sepsis.

Primary responses in sepsis-mediated inflammation are regulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines. Variations in the cytokine genes might modify their transcription or expression, plasma cytokines levels and response to sepsis. Activation protein-1 (AP-1) and NF-κB regulate cytokines gene expression in sepsis. A total of 90 severely septic and 91 non-infected patients were prospectively studied. (), (), (), (), (), () and () SNPs, plasma IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-γ, TNF-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) levels, and and gene expression by neutrophils were assessed. allele carriers of () SNP were less frequent among septic patients. IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α and MCP-1 levels were higher, and and gene expressions lower in septic patients. Sepsis was independently associated with higher fibrinogen, neutrophils counts and IL-8 levels, lower prothrombin, absence of the variant allele of the SNP, and haemodynamic failure. Death was independently associated with a higher APACHE II score, higher IL-8 levels, and the diagnosis of sepsis. () SNP could protect against sepsis development. Higher IL-8 levels are predictive of sepsis and mortality.