Polymorphisms of ST2‐IL18R1‐IL18RAP gene cluster: a new risk for autoimmune thyroid diseases

In this study, we investigated whether polymorphisms of IL33, ST2, IL18R1, and IL18RAP are associated with Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), two major forms of AITD, among a Chinese population. A total of 11 SNPs were explored in a case–control study including 417 patients with GD, 250 HT patients and 301 controls, including rs1929992, rs10975519, rs10208293, rs6543116, rs1041973, rs3732127, rs11465597, rs1035130, rs2293225, rs1035127, rs917997 of IL 33, ST2‐IL18R1‐IL18RAP gene cluster. Genotyping of these SNPs was performed using matrix‐assisted laser desorption / ionization–time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) platform from Sequenom. The frequencies of allele A and AA+AG genotype of rs6543116 (ST2) in HT patients were significantly increased compared with those of the controls (P = 0.029/0.021, OR = 1.31/1.62). And in another SNP rs917997, AA+AG genotype presented an increased frequency in HT subjects compared with controls (P = 0.046, OR = 1.53). Furthermore, the haplotype GAGCCCG from ST2‐IL18R1‐IL18RAP gene cluster (rs6543116, rs1041973, rs1035130, rs3732127, rs1035127, rs2293225, rs917997) was associated with increased susceptibility to GD with an OR of 2.03 (P = 0.022, 95% CI = 1.07–3.86). Some SNPs of ST2‐IL18R1‐IL18RAP gene cluster might increase the risk of susceptibility of HT and GD in Chinese Han population.

Source: International Journal of Immunogenetics - November 15, 2015 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: X. Wang, Y. F. Zhu, D. M. Li, Q. Qin, Q. Wang, F. S. Muhali, W. J. Jiang, J. A. Zhang Tags: Original Article Source Type: research