title: Angiotensin-converting enzyme  gene I/D dimorphism does not play a major role in the susceptibility of  Malaysian systemic lupus erythematosus patients.
abstract: Systemic  lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that causes systemic damage,  involving auto-reactive antibodies and over-deposition of immune complexes.  Susceptibility to SLE is believed to be multifactorial, and genetics is one of  the proven etiological factors; it can affect SLE development, severity and  prognosis. We investigated a possible association between the  angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and susceptibility to SLE in the Malaysian  population. PCR was employed for the determination of I/D dimorphism of this  gene. The I allele was more frequent than the D allele in both the SLE patients  (N = 170) and healthy controls (N = 190). However, there was no significant  difference in the distribution of these two alleles between both groups studied  (χ(2) =  0.284, P > 0.05). Interestingly, the DD homozygous genotype scored notably  higher in the healthy control group (χ(2) = 7.568, P < 0.05), while the ID  heterozygote was observed to be significantly associated with SLE (χ(2) =  11.143, P < 0.05). In conclusion, with respect to the Malaysian population,  the DD genotype might play a protective role in the development of SLE while in  contrast, those who carry the ID genotype might be at potential risk for onset  of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. lhlian@ummc.edu.my
authors.forename: L-H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Lian
authors.forename: T-P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: A-S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ching
authors.forename: K-H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chua
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017931:DNA Primers; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics*; D008296:Malaysia; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A