Promoter rs5029924 Concomitant with rs2230926 and rs5029937 May Be a Prognostic Predictor for Joint Deformity or Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis.

BACKGROUND

There have been several studies regarding the susceptibility of gene SNPs (rs2230926 and rs5029937) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, little is known about the association between polymorphisms in the promoter and RA. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of promoter polymorphisms and the association between these polymorphisms and clinical significance in Chinese RA patients.

METHODS

PCR and sequencing were used to identify gene polymorphisms in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 123 RA cases and 31 healthy individuals.

RESULTS

Only one SNP (rs5029924) in the gene promoter was identified in RA patients and healthy individuals. 6 patients who carried heterozygous rs5029924 (3918C>T) together with heterozygous rs5029937 (11,571 G>T) and rs2230926 (12,486 T>G, Phe127Cys) suffered from joints deformity or refractory RA.

CONCLUSION

We reported the promoter polymorphism rs5029924 in RA patients for the first time. rs5029924 concomitant with rs2230926 and rs5029937 may be a prognostic predictor for joint deformity or refractory RA.