IL‐4 gene polymorphisms and their relation to steroid‐induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in Chinese population

摘要

BackgroundSteroid‐induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a debilitating disease characterized by the activation and infiltration of macrophages into the necrotic site. Interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) administration helped reduce the infiltration of M1 phenotypic macrophages and maintain the activation of M2 phenotypic macrophages, resulting in restriction of inflammation and decrease in osteocyte apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of polymorphisms of IL‐4 gene with steroid‐induced ONFH in Chinese patients.