The Journal, Human Genetics, Publishes Results Supporting Interleukin Genetics' Heart Health Test

Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (AMEX:ILI), has announced publication of the results of clinical studies that support the company's Heart Health Genetic Test to assess cardiovascular risk. The article, titled, "IL1B Gene Promoter Haplotype Pairs Predict Clinical Levels of Interleukin-1β and C-reactive Protein," was published in the journal Human Genetics (123:387-398; May 2008) and further confirms prior studies associating variations in the Interleukin 1B (IL1B) gene with the inflammatory response.

The IL1B gene is among the first genes activated when the body encounters a challenge of almost any type, ranging from bacterial infections to bad cholesterol. IL-1β initiates a complex cascade of related immune responses. Interleukin Genetics' approach, started over fifteen years ago, is to study variations in regulatory, or on/off switch, regions for these first mover genes and then link them to biological events and risk of inflammatory disease.