Association of estrogen receptor alpha gene polymorphisms with cytokine genes expression in systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the association of estrogen receptor alpha (OR alpha) gene polymorphisms with cytokine genes expression in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and controls.


METHODS
Genomic DNA was extracted and polymorphisms of XbaI, Ukrainian (XX, Xx, or xx genotype) and PvuII (PP, Pp, or pp) in intron 1 of OR alpha gene were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) method. The messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-4, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and IL-2 were assessed by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
In patients with SLE with PpXx genotype, IL-10 and IL-4 mRNA expression was higher (P < 0.001 and P = 0.013, respectively), while in patients with SLE with Ppxx genotype IFN-gamma and IL-2 mRNA expression was lower than in controls (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in mRNA expression of 4 cytokines among controls with various genotypes.


CONCLUSIONS
OR alpha gene polymorphism may be associated with the expression of IL-10, IL-4, IL-2, and IFN-gamma in patients with SLE.
Lu
Zhi-Ming
ZM
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250021, People's Republic of China.
Wang
Zi-E
ZE
Liu
Yi-Qing
YQ
Wu
Chun-Xiao
CX
Wang
Chang-Yin
CY
Zhang
Bing-Chang
BC
Shao
Song
S
Jiao
Yu-Lian
YL
Che
Zhi-Xiang
ZX
Chen
Zi-Jiang
ZJ
Zhao
Yue-Ran
YR
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D055815:Young Adult
D016207:Cytokines; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D012333:RNA, Messenger