Association between interleukin 17A polymorphisms and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis in a Chinese population

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have revealed an association between interleukin 17A (IL17A) polymorphisms and the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Japanese and Caucasian patients. We hypothesized that IL17A polymorphisms might also affect RA susceptibility in the Chinese population.

Methods: We studied IL17A rs2275913 G/A, rs3819024 A/G, rs3819025 G/A, rs4711998 A/G, rs8193036 C/T and rs8193037 G/A polymorphisms in 615 RA patients and 839 controls in a Chinese population. Genotyping was performed using a custom-by-design 48-Plex SNP scan™ Kit.

Results: Our results indicated that IL17A rs4711998 A/G and IL17A rs8193037 G/A polymorphisms were not associated with RA, and IL17A rs2275913 G/A and IL17A rs3819024 A/G variant alleles decrease the risk of RA, while IL17A rs3819025 G/A and IL17A rs8193036 C/T variant alleles increase the risk of RA.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that IL17A polymorphisms may be associated with RA. Future larger studies with other ethnic populations are required to confirm current findings.

Keywords: Interleukin 17A; Molecular epidemiology; Polymorphisms; Rheumatoid arthritis.