ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pediatric-onset SLE (pSLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease. Recently, the ficolin-2 (FCN2) gene has emerged as a potential candidate gene for susceptibility to SLE. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of the FCN2 gene polymorphisms at positions -986 (G/A), -602 (G/A), -4 (A/G) and SNP C/T (rs3124954) located in intron 1, with susceptibility to pSLE in Egyptian children and adolescents. METHODS: This was a multicenter study of 280 patients diagnosed with pSLE, and 280 well-matched healthy controls. The FCN2 promoter polymorphisms at -986 G/A (rs3124952), -602 G/A (rs3124953), -4 A/G (rs17514136) and SNP C/T (rs3124954) located in intron 1 were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction, while serum ficolin-2 levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The frequencies of the FCN2 GG genotype and G allele at -986 and -602 positions were significantly more represented in patients with pSLE than in controls (p < 0.001). Conversely, the FCN2 AA genotype and A allele at position -4 were more common in patients than in controls (p < 0.001). Moreover, patients carrying the FCN2 GG genotype in -986 position were more likely to develop lupus nephritis (odds ratio: 2.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.4-4.78); p = 0.006). The FCN2 AA genotype at position -4 was also identified as a possible risk factor for lupus nephritis (odds ratio: 3.12 (95% confidence interval: 1.25-7.84); p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: The FCN2 promoter polymorphisms may contribute to susceptibility to pSLE in Egyptian children and adolescents. Moreover, the FCN2 GG genotype at position -986 and AA genotype at position -4 were associated with low serum ficolin-2 levels and may constitute risk factors for lupus nephritis in pSLE.
Subject(s)
Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Lectins/genetics , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics , Lupus Nephritis/genetics , Adolescent , Alleles , Case-Control Studies , Child , Egypt , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , FicolinsABSTRACT
The aim of this pictorial review is to present a variety of abnormalities of the sinonasal cavities to emphasize the diversity of lesions occurring in this region. These include congenital, neoplastic and granulomatous disorders and some allergic and inflammatory lesions with uncommon radiological appearances, as well as expanding lesions of the facial bones or of dental origin with secondary involvement of the related sinus(es).
