The rs3768777-G allele of ITGAV gene is associated with rheumatoid arthritis

Association of ITGAV polymorphisms and risk of rheumatoid arthritis: evidence from a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Currently published papers regarding the relationship between integrin alpha V (ITGAV) gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are contradictory. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the associations between the ITGAV gene polymorphisms and RA risk.

METHODS

Comprehensive literature search based on four electronic databases was applied to retrieve all related data. Two independent reviewers screened each article for eligibility according to the predetermined inclusion criteria. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to assess associations between ITGAV gene polymorphisms and RA.

RESULTS

Six articles involving 5794 RA patients and 5297 healthy controls were included in this meta-analysis. The combined data indicated that rs3911238, rs3738919, rs3768777, and rs10174098 in ITGAV gene were not associated with RA risk in the overall population. However, stratification analysis by ethnicity suggested that rs3768777 was related with risk of RA among Caucasian population (OR 3.51, 95%CI 2.06, 5.97; P < 0.0001), but not among Asian population (OR 1.06, 95%CI 0.67, 1.69; P = 0.81).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis confirmed that the ITGAV gene rs3768777 polymorphisms might be a risk factor among Caucasians. However, larger-scale studies in Caucasian population are still warranted to confirm the findings of our study.

Genetic polymorphisms of cell adhesion molecules in Behcet's disease in a Chinese Han population

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are involved in various immune-mediated diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CAMs with Behçet’s disease (BD) in a Chinese Han population. A two-stage association study was carried out in 1149 BD patients and 2107 normal controls. Genotyping of 43 SNPs was performed using MassARRAY System (Sequenom), polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and TaqMan SNP assays. The expression of CD6 and CD11c was examined by real-time PCR and cytokine production was measured by ELISA. A significantly higher frequency of the CT genotype, and a lower frequency of the CC genotype and C allele of CD6 rs11230563 were observed in BD as compared with controls. Analysis of CD11c rs2929 showed that patients with BD had a significantly higher frequency of the GG genotype and G allele, and a lower frequency of the AG genotype as compared with controls. Functional experiments showed an increased CD11c expression and increased production of TNF-α and IL-1beta by LPS stimulated PBMCs in GG carriers of CD11c rs2929 compared to AA/AG carriers. Our study provides evidence that CD6 and CD11c are involved in the susceptibility to BD in a Chinese Han population.