Cyclooxygenase-2 polymorphisms confer susceptibility to sarcoidosis but are not related to prognosis.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this multicenter study was to investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) gene and susceptibility to sarcoidosis, as well as the relation between these SNPs and the evolution of the disease.


METHODS
This multicenter investigation involved seven hospitals in Spain. We used a case-control design followed by a prospective follow-up study. Sarcoid patients were recruited from the participating institutions during outpatient routine visits. Age- and gender-matched control subjects were recruited mainly from among outpatients attending the participating hospitals. Four SNPs in the COX2 gene (COX2.5909 T > G, COX2.8473 T > C, COX2.926 G > C, and COX2.3050 G > C) were genotyped using fluorescent hybridization probes among 131 patients with sarcoidosis (63 males; mean age: 47 +/- 15 years) and 157 healthy controls (83 males; mean age: 50 +/- 16 years). We employed a binomial multiple logistic regression analysis to test the association between the selected SNPs and disease susceptibility. The clinical, functional and radiological prognosis of the sarcoidosis patients was determined after a mean follow-up of 37.4 +/- 30.4 months.


RESULTS
Carriers of the homozygous CC genotype of the COX2.8473 T > C polymorphism had a higher risk of sarcoidosis compared with TT carriers (OR: 3.08; 95% CI: 1.2-7.7; p = 0.035). 84% of patients achieved improvement or complete remission at follow-up. No association between the investigated SNPs and prognosis was seen.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that the homozygous CC genotype of the COX2.8473 T > C polymorphism may be associated with sarcoidosis susceptibility. No significant association with prognosis was detected.
Lopez-Campos
José Luis
JL
Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain. lcampos@separ.es
Rodriguez-Rodriguez
David
D
Rodriguez-Becerra
Eulogio
E
Alfageme Michavila
Inmaculada
I
Guerra
Jose Fernandez
JF
Hernandez
Francisco Javier García
FJ
Casanova
Alvaro
A
Fernández de Córdoba Gamero
Javier
J
Romero-Ortiz
Ana
A
Arellano-Orden
Elena
E
Montes-Worboys
Ana
A
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001483:Base Sequence; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics*
D017931:DNA Primers; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2