Association between polymorphisms in the FCGRT gene and lupus nephritis in Chinese patients

Objective Studies oil mouse models have indicated that the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) plays important roles in a variety of autoimmune diseases. A variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms within the FCGRT gene have been detected, and were found to affect the expression and functioning of FcRn. This study investigated the possible association of FCGRT VNTR polymorphisms with susceptibility and clinical manifestations in patients with lupus nephritis (LN). Methods A total of 404 Hall Chinese subjects, comprising 200 patients with LN and 204 geographically-matched healthy controls, participated in the study. The FCGRT VNTR polymorphism was genotyped by DNA amplification using a touchdown polymerase chain reaction followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results The distribution of VNTR polymorphisms within the FCGRT gene in Chinese subjects was different to that in Caucasians. Analysis of allele and genotype frequencies revealed no significant difference between LN patients and controls. There was no significant difference in the clinical features or prognosis in LN patients when stratified by VNTR polymorphism. Conclusion Our results suggest that VNTR polymorphisms within the FCGRT promoter are not associated with LN in the Chinese population.RheumatologySCI(E)PubMed5ARTICLE4609-6142