Association of Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha with Periodontitis Patients in North Indian Population

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic multifactorial disease influenced by genetic susceptibility. Identifying genetic markers may facilitate early detection and improved risk assessment. Aim: To evaluate the association between tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene polymorphisms and periodontitis in a North Indian population. Subjects and Methods: A total of 364 participants were recruited and divided into two groups: Group A (healthy; n = 182) and Group B (periodontitis; n = 182). Detailed case histories were recorded, and buccal swab samples were collected and stored at 4°C in a sterile medium. Genomic DNA was extracted and analysed using tetraprimer amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. Allele frequencies were calculated using Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and Chi-square tests (GenAlEx software). Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype analyses were performed using SHEsis. Correlation analysis was conducted to assess the association between TNF-α polymorphisms and disease prevalence. Results: A high frequency of TNF-α polymorphisms was observed in the North Indian population. Linkage analysis revealed that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) loci −278A/C and −378C/T were significantly associated with both healthy and periodontitis groups compared to other SNPs. The −308G/A polymorphism was not detected in the study population. Conclusion: TNF-α gene polymorphisms are prevalent in the North Indian population. SNP loci −278A/C and −378C/T demonstrate significant association with periodontal status and may serve as potential genetic markers for susceptibility to periodontitis. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings in larger and diverse populations.