STAT4 rs7574865 G/T polymorphism is associated with rheumatoid arthritis and disease activity, but not with anti-CCP antibody levels in a Mexican population

STAT4 gene polymorphisms in human diseases

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) is a member of the STAT family, which is a group of transcription factors that regulate cytokine signaling. Genetic polymorphisms in STAT4 strongly influence immune responses and disease outcomes, especially in cancer and autoimmune diseases. Several studies have indicated that certain STAT4 gene variants are associated with alterations in STAT4 expression and/or activity and that there is a close relationship between STAT4 polymorphisms and drug efficacy. However, the underlying mechanisms are complex, and the roles of these polymorphisms in disease acquisition, progression, and severity are of widespread concern. Therefore, we provide an overview of the clinical significance of polymorphisms in STAT4 and the mechanisms by which these STAT4 variants are involved in various diseases.

STAT4 Gene Variant rs7574865 Is Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis Activity and Anti-CCP Levels in the Western but Not in the Southern Population of Mexico

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease. Currently, several genes play an important role in the development of the disease. The objective was to evaluate the association of the STAT4 rs7574865 and rs897200 gene variants with RA susceptibility, DAS28, RF, and anti-CCP in Western and Southern Mexico populations. Genotyping was performed on 476 samples (cases = 240; controls = 236) using the Taqman® system and qPCR probes. Disease activity was assessed using DAS28 and HAQ DI. CRP, ESR, RF, and anti-CCP were determined for clinical assessment. Our study showed there is a statistically significant association with susceptibility to RA for the rs7574865 variant in the Western population for the GT and TT genotypes. The same genotypes also showed a moderate-to-high activity according to DAS28 and positive anti-CCP compared to the control group. This association was not found in the Southern population. This work confirms the association of the rs7574865 variant with RA, as well as a moderate-to-high activity and positive anti-CCP in the Western population but not in the Southern population. No association of the rs897200 variant was found in any of the studied populations.

The influence of the -94 Ins/Del ATTG polymorphism of NFkB on the anti-CCP antibody levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by an inflammatory process that affects mainly synovial tissue in joints, and by the production of cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) antibodies. In the inflammatory process the regulation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) transcription factor activation is a key point in the production of inflammatory cytokines. On the other hand, polymorphisms in several genes could contribute to the promotion of the inflammatory process observed in RA, and the association of the rs28362491 polymorphism in the NFkB gene with RA has been studied in different population. Therefore, it could be one of the interest targets to analyze their association with RA in a Mexican population.This is a case-control study to determine the influence of rs28362491 in the NFkB gene on RA and on clinical features of this disease, such as anti-CCP antibody levels, Disease Activity Score, and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index.The genotype of rs28362491 in the NFkB gene was determined in 140 RA patients and 135 healthy controls using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method with the enzyme PflMI. The following clinical variables were also determined: anti-CCP levels, Disease Activity Score, and Spanish version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability-Index.Although no association of the polymorphism as a risk/protection factor with RA was found, the RA patients who carried the Ins/Ins genotype showed higher anti-CCP levels, while those with the Del/Del genotype showed higher Spanish version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index levels, compared to the other genotypes.The NFkB -94 Ins/Del ATTG (rs28362491) polymorphism is, therefore, associated with higher levels of anti-CCP antibodies, though no significant association as a risk or protection factor in RA cases was identified.

Psoriatic arthritis: A systematic review of non-HLA genetic studies and important signaling pathways

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a common, chronic inflammatory disease with complex pathogenesis. In recent years, a number of susceptibility non-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes of PsA have been revealed, which also act as important factors in the pathogenesis of PsA as well as HLA genes. By searching the databases National Center for Biotechnology Information, Google and PubMed, 37 articles are included and 50 susceptibility non-HLA genes for PsA are presented, such as IL23A, TNIP1, TYK2, STAT4, IL12B, RUNX3 and TRAF3IP2. In these non-HLA genes, some are common genes shared with other diseases, whereas most of these susceptibility genes are related to the pathogenesis of PsA by activation or inhibition of the signaling pathways. Several signaling pathways possibly implicated in the pathogenesis of PsA are introduced in this paper, including the 2 mainly signaling pathways, IL23/Th17 signaling pathway and NF-κB signaling pathway, and the other involved signaling pathways, such as JAK-STAT signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway.

The TNFA -857C/T Polymorphism: Association with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Anti-CCP Levels in a Mexican Population

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease whose association with SNPs has led to the identification of biomarkers in different populations. To determine the association of the -857C/T SNP of the TNFA gene with RA and clinical parameters, 233 RA patients and 237 healthy controls were included in this study. The -857C/T polymorphism was determined using the TaqMan® system and clinical features were also determined. We found that the -857C/T SNP was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Our results showed no association of the -857C/T SNP with RA; however, RA patients carrying the TT genotype showed lower anti-CCP levels than other groups. Therefore, the TT genotype could be a risk factor for developing anti-CCP-negative RA. Our results suggest that the T allele of the TNFA -857C/T SNP exerts an influence on anti-CCP levels and could be a candidate marker for anti-CCP-negative RA.

Increased Risk of Thyroid Dysfunction Among Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: Thyroid dysfunction seems to be common among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, but the risk of thyroid dysfunction in RA has not been well-defined. Methods: We performed a case-control study of 65 RA patients and 550 matched non-RA subjects to assess the risk of thyroid dysfunction among Chinese RA patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis was also conducted to comprehensively define the relationship between RA and thyroid dysfunction. Results: The case-control study indicated that the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was significantly higher in RA patients than controls (OR = 2.89, P < 0.001). Further subgroup analyses revealed positive correlations of RA with hypothyroidism (OR = 2.28, P = 0.006) and hyperthyroidism (OR = 8.95, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed an independent association between RA and thyroid dysfunction (Adjusted OR = 2.89, 95%CI 1.63-5.12, P < 0.001). Meta-analysis of 15 independent studies also showed an obviously increased risk of thyroid dysfunction among RA patients (RR = 2.86, 95%CI 1.78-4.58, P < 0.001). Further subgroup analysis showed RA could obviously increase risk of hyperthyroidism (RR = 2.73, 95%CI 1.29-5.77, P = 0.043) and hypothyroidism (RR = 2.02, 95%CI 1.49-2.74, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study provides strong evidence for the increased risk of thyroid dysfunction among RA patients. Screening of thyroid dysfunction may be recommended for RA patients.