Association of the 3050G>C polymorphism in the cyclooxygenase 2 gene with systemic sarcoidosis.
BACKGROUND
We investigated the potential association between cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene polymorphisms and clinical manifestations of sarcoidosis.


METHODS
This observational cross-sectional study involved seven hospitals in Spain. We diagnosed patients with sarcoidosis according to the International Criteria. The following variables were recorded: age, gender, initial diagnostic methods, serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels, pulmonary function tests, radiological stage, and clinical findings at diagnosis. Manifestations of sarcoidosis were classified as systemic vs. nonsystemic. Genotyping of four COX-2 polymorphisms (COX2.5909T>G, COX2.8473T>C, COX2.926G>C, and COX2.3050G>C) was undertaken on DNA extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes using fluorescent hybridization probes and melting curves.


RESULTS
A total of 131 sarcoid patients (63 males, mean age: 47 +/- 15 years) were studied. One hundred twenty-six of these patients had one or more positive biopsies. The results demonstrated that genotype distribution for the COX2.3050G>C polymorphism was significantly different between patients with systemic sarcoidosis and those with nonsystemic forms (p = 0.046). After adjustment for age, gender, and serum ACE levels, a significant association between the carriage of at least one C allele of the COX2.3050G>C polymorphism and systemic sarcoidosis was observed (odds ratio [OR]: 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-5.12, p = 0.031). Other polymorphisms were not associated with either clinical manifestations of the disease or serum ACE levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate for the first time that the C allele of the COX2.3050G>C polymorphism is associated with systemic sarcoidosis.
Unidad Médico-Quirúrgica de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain. lcampos@separ.es
José Luis
JL
Lopez-Campos
D
D
Rodriguez-Rodriguez
E
E
Rodriguez-Becerra
I Alfageme
IA
Michavila
J Fernandez
JF
Guerra
F J García
FJ
Hernandez
A
A
Casanova
J Fernández
JF
de Córdoba Gamero
A Romero
AR
Ortiz
E
E
Arellano-Orden
A
A
Montes-Worboys
D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*
D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human