title: The angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism in Indian patients with vitiligo: a case-control study and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitiligo is a common, acquired, idiopathic depigmenting skin disorder. Although the exact pathogenesis remains unknown, genetic susceptibility and autoimmune responses play a role in vitiligo development. Previous studies have suggested that the D allele of the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with vitiligo in Indians and Koreans. Furthermore, significantly higher serum ACE levels have been demonstrated in patients with some autoimmune and autoinflammatory disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objectives were to investigate any association between the ACE I/D polymorphism and vitiligo susceptibility in an Indian population, and to compare serum ACE levels in patients with vitiligo and healthy subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ACE I/D genotypes of 79 patients with vitiligo and 100 normal individuals were determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification. A meta-analysis was done to compare the distribution of the ACE I/D alleles and genotypes in the current and three previous studies. Serum ACE levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant increase in the frequency of the ACE I/D D allele was evident in patients with vitiligo in both the case-control study [P=0·005; odds ratio (OR) 1·87; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1·22-2·85] and the meta-analysis (P=0·044; OR 1·44; 95% CI 1·01-2·06). Serum ACE levels were significantly increased in patients with vitiligo compared with healthy subjects (P<0·0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In agreement with earlier reports, the ACE I/D D allele is associated with vitiligo susceptibility in the Indian population. The significantly elevated serum ACE levels in our cohort of patients with vitiligo concur with those previously found in patients with some other autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, National Institute of Immunohaematology, Indian Council of Medical Research, Mumbai 400012, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patwardhan
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pradhan
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Thakkar
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kharkar
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Khopkar
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gawkrodger
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Teare
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Weetman
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Kemp
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D054643:INDEL Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000235:genetics*; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A