Abstract : Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic chronic inflammatory, autoimmune disease
depicted by persistent symmetric polyarthritis which commonly affects joints of hands and
feet. Current study aims to examine the probable link between serum interleukin-6 (IL-6)
levels and (-174 G/C) IL-6 gene promoter polymorphism in RA in Babylon Province. 60
patients with RA and 60 apparently healthy individuals were subjected topresent study.
Measurement of serum IL-6 was assayed using commercially available ELISA kit. Disease
severity score of RA patients was determined by use DAS-28. The polymorphism of (-174
G/C) IL-6 gene promoter was examined by the technique of polymerase chain reactionrestriction

fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Present study find significant high
levels of serum IL-6 and anti cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACCPA) in patients
withRA in comparison with healthy controls .Genotype of (-174 G/C) IL-6 gene promoter
polymorphism in RA patient were 80% GG,18.3% GC and 1.6% CC, whereas in healthy
control were 98.3% GG, 1.6% GC and 0% CC. The elevated concentration of IL-6, and its
positive association with DAS-28 may proposes a probable role ofIL-6 in RA pathogenesis.
The polymorphisms of (-174G/C) IL-6 are also linked with the risk of RA, and the allele C has
dramatically elevation in the susceptibility of RA in the population of Babylon.
Keyword:Rheumatoid arthritis, interleukin-6, (-174 G/C) IL-6 polymorphism, anti-cyclic