What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Lipids and Body Fat: 9/10 evidence, 15 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): C/C
Typical Lipids and Body Fat Distribution
This genotype is associated with baseline blood lipid levels and a typical distribution of body fat. It also carries a lower relative risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma compared to carrying the T allele.
What this genotype means: Typical cholesterol and triglyceride levels; Standard abdominal fat distribution; Lower relative risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/T
Slightly Favorable Lipids with Moderate Lymphoma Risk
Carrying one copy of the T allele is linked to slightly improved cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, it also moderately increases the risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
What this genotype means: Slightly higher HDL cholesterol; Slightly lower triglycerides; Moderate increase in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma risk.
Sample genotype (not yours): T/T
Favorable Lipids and Body Fat with Higher Lymphoma Risk
This genotype is linked to highly favorable cholesterol levels and lower abdominal fat. However, it is also associated with an elevated risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
What this genotype means: Higher HDL cholesterol levels; Lower circulating triglycerides; Elevated risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The TNFAIP8 gene encodes tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced protein 8, a key regulator of inflammation, immune homeostasis, and cell survival. It primarily acts as an anti-apoptotic factor, helping cells survive under inflammatory stress by inhibiting caspase-mediated cell death pathways. Because of its role in promoting cell survival, abnormal activity of this gene is frequently linked to tumor development, progression, and resistance to therapies. Additionally, TNFAIP8 is involved in lipid transport and cellular metabolic signaling, linking immune responses to metabolic health.
Variant Impact: This variant is located in the 3 prime untranslated region of the TNFAIP8 gene, a regulatory zone where microRNAs bind to control protein translation. The genetic change can alter these binding sites, thereby modifying the expression levels of the TNFAIP8 protein. The C allele is associated with a higher waist-hip ratio and less favorable lipid profiles, including elevated triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol. Conversely, the T allele is linked to more favorable metabolic markers but also correlates with an increased susceptibility to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in specific populations.
Key Insight: The same genetic variant that helps maintain a highly favorable cholesterol profile and lower abdominal fat distribution is also linked to an increased susceptibility to certain lymphatic cancers.
Location: TNFAIP8. Chromosome 5 · 5q23.1 · 119.4 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 49.4%; European 51.2%; African 41.1%; East Asian 75.3%; South Asian 57.1%; Americas 55.2%; Ashkenazi 54.4%; Finnish 45.5%; Middle Eastern 52.0%; Amish 32.9%.
Estimated CC genotype frequency.
Global 41.4%; European 40.7%; African 46.0%; East Asian 22.9%; South Asian 36.9%; Americas 38.2%; Ashkenazi 38.7%; Finnish 43.9%; Middle Eastern 40.2%; Amish 48.9%.
Estimated CT genotype frequency.
Global 9.2%; European 8.1%; African 12.9%; East Asian 1.7%; South Asian 6.0%; Americas 6.6%; Ashkenazi 6.9%; Finnish 10.6%; Middle Eastern 7.8%; Amish 18.2%.
Estimated TT genotype frequency.
Showing effects for C/C genotype
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Obesity & Body Composition
Waist-to-Hip Ratio. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 30239722. Typical.
Lipids & Cholesterol
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Typical.
Triglycerides. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Typical.
Cancer & Oncology
Blood Cancers
Lymphoma. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 22666399. Typical.
Showing effects for C/T genotype
Waist-to-Hip Ratio. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 30239722. Slightly Lower.
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Slightly Higher.
Triglycerides. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Slightly Lower.
Lymphoma. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 22666399. Increased Risk.
Showing effects for T/T genotype
Waist-to-Hip Ratio. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 30239722. Lower.
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Higher.
Triglycerides. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Lower.
Lymphoma. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 22666399. Higher Risk.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: CC (Homozygous)
Having two copies of the common C allele means metabolic markers and body fat distribution tend to align with general population averages. Large-scale genome-wide association studies show that this genotype does not provide the lipid-lowering or waist-reducing benefits seen with the T allele [1] [2]. However, this baseline metabolic state comes with a notable immunological benefit. Clinical research indicates that individuals with the C/C genotype have a significantly lower susceptibility to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma compared to T allele carriers [3]. This is likely because lower expression of the anti-apoptotic TNFAIP8 protein allows the immune system to clear abnormal cells more effectively [3].
Typical cholesterol and triglyceride levels; Standard abdominal fat distribution; Lower relative risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Sample genotype: CT (Heterozygous)
Inheriting a single copy of the T allele provides a modest metabolic advantage. This genetic profile is associated with slightly higher levels of protective HDL cholesterol and a minor reduction in circulating triglycerides [1] [2]. It also correlates with a slightly lower waist-to-hip ratio, suggesting a more favorable distribution of body fat [3]. On the clinical side, carrying this single T allele is associated with a moderate increase in susceptibility to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, particularly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma [4]. This dual effect highlights how regulatory variants in immune-related genes can influence both metabolic pathways and cellular survival mechanisms simultaneously.
Slightly higher HDL cholesterol; Slightly lower triglycerides; Moderate increase in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma risk.
Sample genotype: TT (Homozygous)
Carrying two copies of the T allele is strongly associated with an optimized metabolic profile. Genome-wide studies show that this genotype correlates with significantly higher levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol and lower levels of triglycerides [1] [2]. It is also linked to a lower waist-to-hip ratio, indicating less abdominal fat accumulation [3]. However, this highly favorable metabolic state is accompanied by a distinct genetic trade-off. Clinical studies have identified a strong association between the T/T genotype and an increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [4]. This is thought to occur because altered microRNA regulation increases TNFAIP8 expression, which can suppress normal cell death and allow abnormal immune cells to persist [4].
Higher HDL cholesterol levels; Lower circulating triglycerides; Elevated risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs1045242 · TNFAIP8 Gene · Chr 5 · Gynecologic Cancer Risk
rs7133378 · DNAH10 Gene · Chr 12 · Heart and Lipid Health
rs10401969 · SUGP1 Gene · Chr 19 · Cholesterol and Liver Risk
A large electronic-health-record-based genome-wide study of serum lipids.
Content updated August 2026.
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