Is the microRNA-146a (rs2910164) polymorphism associated with rheumatoid arthritis? Association of microRNA-146a (rs2910164) polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis could depend on gender.

BACKGROUND

To investigate a possible effect of a gene mutation on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we performed genotyping, in a hospital-based, case-control study in a Chinese cohort, relating the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of microRNA (miRNA)-146a (rs2910164) to RA and undertook a meta-analysis using the available literature.

METHODS

Six hundred and fifteen RA patients and 839 controls were enrolled in our study. A polymorphism of the miRNA-146a (rs2910164) gene was detected using a custom-by-design 48-Plex SNPscan TM Kit. In addition, we performed a systematic literature research and identified an additional 7 studies with 1066 cases and 1513 controls.

RESULTS

We did not find a significant association of miRNA-146a polymorphism with an RA risk in our data. And the results of the meta-analyses suggested no significant association between miRNA-146a polymorphism and RA in any genetic model. However, when the subgroup analyses were performed, genotype GG was observed to be significantly associated with RA in females. And the DAS28 score may also be significantly influenced by CC genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that miRNA-146a polymorphism might not be associated with RA susceptibility. However, the miRNA-146 GG genotype might increase the risk of RA in females, and CC genotype may influence disease activity when evaluated with DAS28 score.