Identification of a novel candidate gene KLRC1 within the putative susceptibility locus for systemic lupus erythematosus at 12p12.3-13.2 in a Chinese cohort / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the candidate genes within the putative susceptibility locus for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at 12p12.3-13.2.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>KLRC1 was selected as the candidate gene according to the results of previous gene chip studies. TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR was performed for detecting KLRC1 mRNA expression in 55 SLE patients and 30 controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS AND CONCLUSION</b>KLRC1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the mononuclear cells and T cells of SLE patients than in the healthy controls (P<0.01), but showed no significant difference in the B cells. No obvious correlation was found between the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and KLRC1expression level, suggesting that KLRC1 can be a probable candidate gene for SLE on 12p12.3-13.2, but which is not associated with the disease activity.</p>