title: IL-17A and IL-17F polymorphisms in rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of Th17 polymorphisms on the susceptibility or severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample comprised 206 individuals of both genders divided into three groups: exclusive rheumatoid arthritis (RA-100 patients), rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome (RA/SS-31 patients), and healthy controls (C-75 individuals). All the individuals were submitted to clinical evaluation, unstimulated sialometry, and Schirmer test; some patients with RA were also submitted to minor salivary gland biopsy for definition of SS diagnosis. Saliva samples were collected for isolation of DNA and genotyping of Th17 genes; IL-17A (-197G/A) and IL-17F (7488T/C).
  
  
  RESULTS
  IL-17A (-197G/A) and IL-17F (7488T/C) SNPs were not associated with susceptibility to RA or secondary SS (sSS, p > 0.05 for both SNPs). In addition, they did not influence RA activity or clinical markers of SS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IL-17A (-197G/A) and IL-17F (7488T/C) polymorphisms are not associated with the susceptibility nor to the severity of RA and sSS in the studied population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A better understanding of the pathogenesis of SS is demanded to an adequate treatment as well as to the development of new management strategies.
authors.affiliation: Oral Medicine Unit, Department of Clinical and Preventive Dentistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila Nunes
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Immunology section, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo Feliciano
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: do Carmo
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: Angela Luzia Pinto
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.affiliation: Oral Medicine Unit, Department of Clinical and Preventive Dentistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandra Albuquerque Tavares
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Oral Medicine Unit, Department of Clinical and Preventive Dentistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jair Carneiro
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Leão
authors.affiliation: Oral Medicine Unit, Department of Clinical and Preventive Dentistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. lagueiros@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Luiz Alcino
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Gueiros
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics*; D001706:Biopsy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C508717:IL17A protein, human; C440021:IL17F protein, human; D020381:Interleukin-17
keywords: Genetic polymorphism; Interleukin 17; Rheumatoid arthritis; Sjögren’s syndrome