The Fc gammaRIIIA-158F allele is a risk factor for systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
To study whether the Fc gammaRIIIA-158V/F polymorphism, which affects IgG binding affinity, is a risk factor for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
We genotyped a group of 70 Caucasian SLE patients for all known Fc gammaR polymorphisms. Of this group, 45 patients (64%) had nephritis. In 35 patients, this diagnosis was confirmed by renal biopsy.


RESULTS
In the total group of 70 SLE patients, the frequency of the Fc gammaRIIIA-158F allele was 0.74, versus 0.57 in healthy controls (P = 0.003). The genotype distribution of the Fc gammaRIIIA-158V/F polymorphism was also significantly different from that of the control population (P = 0.004). The distribution of the other Fc gammaR polymorphisms--Fc gammaRIIA-131R/H, Fc gammaRIIIB-NA(1,2), and Fc gammaRIIIA-48L/R/H--was similar in SLE patients and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
In our group of SLE patients, only the distribution of the alleles of the Fc gammaRIIIA-158V/F polymorphism was significantly different from that in the control group. This might indicate that macrophage expression of the Fc gammaRIIIA-158F isoform is involved in the disturbed clearance of immune complexes in patients with SLE.
Koene
H R
HR
Central Laboratory of The Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, and Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam.
Kleijer
M
M
Swaak
A J
AJ
Sullivan
K E
KE
Bijl
M
M
Petri
M A
MA
Kallenberg
C G
CG
Roos
D
D
von dem Borne
A E
AE
de Haas
M
M
D000483:Alleles; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics*; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000235:genetics*; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
D017452:Receptors, IgG