Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms in association with susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis in an Iranian population.

BACKGROUND: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic autoimmune disease, in which genetic polymorphisms are critically important in establishing inflammatory state. Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase (ERAP) 2 gene has been implied to be involved in AS etiopathogenesis. The current study evaluated the association of ERAP2 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with susceptibility to AS in an Iranian population. METHODS: Two hundred and forty AS patients and 240 healthy individuals were recruited. DNA extraction was performed from whole blood samples and RNA content was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Real-time allelic discrimination approach was exerted to genotype all subjects for rs2910686, rs2248374, and rs2549782 SNPs. After cDNA synthesis, mRNA expression of cytokines was determined. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was exerted to evaluate the cytokine levels in serum of participants. RESULTS: None of the SNPs were associated with AS risk in the whole population. However, allele and heterozygote genotype of rs2910686 SNP were associated significantly with higher risk of AS in Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 positive group. mRNA expression and serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-23, interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was increased in AS patients compared with controls. Nonetheless, mRNA expression and serum levels of cytokines was not significantly different among HLA-B27 positive AS patients with different three genotypes for rs2910686 SNP. CONCLUSIONS: AlthoughERAP2 gene rs2910686 polymorphism was significantly associated with increased risk of AS susceptibility, it might not be involved in regulation of the inflammatory cytokines during AS pathogenesis.

Association of CD46 IVS1-1724 C>G Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in Iranian Women with Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion (URSA).

There are several known and unknown factors for unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA). Among them, complement regulatory protein CD46 plays a pivotal role in preventing uncontrolled activation of complement and successful continuation of pregnancy. We aimed in this study to investigate the possible association of CD46 IVS1-1724 C>G polymorphism with RSA in Iranian women. 141 women with RSA and 153 women with normal pregnancy were enrolled in this study. RSA was confirmed as the history of having at least three consecutive abortions without any known immunologic, pathologic and genetic reason. Genomic DNA was extracted and RFLP-PCR was done using a specific primer pair and HindIII restriction enzyme. Statistical analysis was done for determining the genotype and allele frequency, and also for odds ratio (OR). Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in genotype frequency between two RSA and normal groups. However G allele was significantly more frequent in fertile women and represented as a protective allele (p=0.04, OR=0.8, CI 95%). In contrary to similar studies in other two ethnic populations, our study showed no genotype differences in CD46 IVS1-1724 C>G Single nucleotide polymorphis (SNP) between RSA and fertile women. On the other hand, G allele was revealed as a protective allele for RSA. CD46 polymorphisms may predict the outcome of pregnancy; however, more studies in different ethnic groups are required.