Implication of IL-2/IL-21 region in systemic sclerosis genetic susceptibility.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interleukin 21 (IL-21) locus at chromosome 4q27 has been associated with several autoimmune diseases, and both genes are related to immune system functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the IL-2/IL-21 locus in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Patients and methods

The case control study included 4493 SSc Caucasian patients and 5856 healthy controls from eight Caucasian populations (Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, USA, Italy, Sweden, UK and Norway). Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2069762, rs6822844, rs6835457 and rs907715) were genotyped using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays.

Results

We observed evidence of association of the rs6822844 and rs907715 variants with global SSc (pc=6.6E-4 and pc=7.2E-3, resp

SUBMITTER: Diaz-Gallo LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3887514 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature