Glutathione S-transferase gene polymorphisms in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of polymorphisms of the glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1), GSTT1, and GSTP1 genes in determining susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and association with the clinical features.


METHODS
Polymorphisms of the GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genes in 108 Japanese patients with RA and in 143 healthy controls were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism.


RESULTS
The frequency of the GSTM1 null genotype was significantly higher among RA patients than among control subjects (60.2% and 44.1%, respectively. P = 0.011). Moreover, the female patients with GSTM1 homozygous null genotype showed significantly higher serum MMP-3 level than the female patients with non-null genotype (P = 0.030). Frequencies of the GSTT1 and GSTP1 gene polymorphism were not different between RA patients and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The GSTM1 homozygous null genotype could be a genetic factor that determines susceptibility to RA and may have influence on the disease process.
Morinobu
S
S
Department of Clinical Pathology and Immunology, Kobe, Japan.
Morinobu
A
A
Kanagawa
S
S
Hayashi
N
N
Nishimura
K
K
Kumagai
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; C413545:glutathione S-transferase T1; C496556:GSTP1 protein, human