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C-reactive protein +1444CT (rs1130864) genetic polymorphism is associated with the susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus and C-reactive protein levels

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Abstract

The T rare allele of +1444CT (rs1130864) polymorphism of C-reactive protein (CRP) has been associated with increased CRP levels in some inflammatory conditions, but its role on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility and on CRP levels in SLE patients remains uncertain. The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between the rs1130864 CRP polymorphism with SLE susceptibility, disease activity, and CRP levels in SLE Brazilian patients. The study enrolled 176 SLE patients and 137 controls. SLE disease activity was assessed using the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). The rs1130864 CRP polymorphism was determined using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. SLE patients presented higher body mass index (p = 0.046) and CRP levels (p = 0.017) than controls. The genotype and allele frequencies of patients differed from controls [CC vs. CT = odds ratio (OR) 1.730, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.068–2.803, p = 0.035; CC vs. TT = OR 3.667, 95% CI 1.410–9.533, p = 0.009; C vs. T = OR 1.883, 95% CI 1.299–2.728, p = 0.001)]. Patients carrying the T allele presented higher CRP levels (p = 0.009), were more frequent Caucasians (p = 0.018), and with no use of immunosuppressive treatment (p = 0.004) than those carrying the C allele. However, the SLEDAI and anti-double-stranded DNA positivity did not differ from those carrying T vs. C allele (p = 0.595 and p = 0.243, respectively). The rs1130864 CRP polymorphism was associated with SLE susceptibility and CRP levels, but not with disease activity, suggesting that this polymorphism may play a role in the pathophysiology of SLE through increasing the CRP that, probably, plays an inflammatory role in SLE pathophysiology.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by grants from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level of Education Personnel (CAPES) of Brazilian Ministry of Education; Institutional Program for Scientific Initiation Scholarship (PIBIC) of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq); and State University of Londrina (PROPPG). We thank the University Hospital of State University of Londrina for technical supports.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Sciences Postgraduate Program, Health Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil

    Francieli Delongui, Neide Tomimura Costa, Daniela Frizon Alfieri & Tamires Flauzino

  2. Department of Pathology, Clinical Analysis, and Toxicology, Health Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Av. Robert Koch, 60, Londrina, PR, 86038-440, Brazil

    Marcell Allyson Batisti Lozovoy, Andréa Name Colado Simão & Edna Maria Vissoci Reiche

  3. Outpatient Clinic for Rheumatology, University Hospital, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil

    Tatiana Mayiumi Veiga Iriyoda & Neide Tomimura Costa

  4. Experimental Pathological Postgraduate Program, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil

    Tatiana Mayiumi Veiga Iriyoda & Nicole Perugini Stadtlober

  5. Department of Internal Medicine, Health Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil

    Isaias Dichi

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  1. Francieli Delongui
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Correspondence to Edna Maria Vissoci Reiche.

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The study was approved by the Institutional Research Ethics Committee of the State University of Londrina (CAAE: 01865212.0.0000.5231, CEP: 210.328), and all subjects provided written informed consent.

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Delongui, F., Lozovoy, M.A.B., Iriyoda, T.M.V. et al. C-reactive protein +1444CT (rs1130864) genetic polymorphism is associated with the susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus and C-reactive protein levels. Clin Rheumatol 36, 1779–1788 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-017-3695-5

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