title: Genetic association of MiR-146a with multiple sclerosis susceptibility in the Chinese population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  miR-146a polymorphisms have been involved in susceptibility to multiple diseases. The aim of the present study was to analyze the potential association between two functional miR-146a polymorphisms (rs2910164 and rs57095329) and multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Han Chinese population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of 525 patients and 568 healthy controls were genotyped to detect the two polymorphisms by SNaPshot.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were detected in the distribution of the two miR-146a polymorphisms between the patients and controls (P > 0.05). However, stratification by gender showed a statistically significant difference in the frequency of the genotype rs2910164 between MS patients and control females (P=0.009). Further stratification analysis by subgroup revealed that the miR-146a rs2910164 C allele conferred a higher risk of developing relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) (P=0.018). In addition, the rs2910164 C allele was significantly associated with increased expression of miR-146a in patients with RRMS (P=0.025). Moreover, patients with the rs2910164 C allele released more TNF-α and IFN-γ, but not IL-1β, compared with individuals carrying the homozygous GG genotype (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results provide evidence that rs2910164 may play a role in MS susceptibility in females. The rs2910164 G>C variation may affect the expression of miR-146a and the release of proinflammatory cytokines.
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, China.
authors.forename: You
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Guoda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Haihong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Lifen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Keshen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006720:Homozygote; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012737:Sex Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; C542542:MIRN146 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma