Fc receptor gamma subunit polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus

To investigate the possible association between Fc receptor (FcR) gamma polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

We have investigated the full FcR gamma gene for polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformational polymorphism and DNA sequencing. The polymorphisms identified were genotype using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Systemic lupus erythematosus cases and controls were available from 3 ethnic groups: Turkish, Spanish and Caucasian. The study was conducted in the year 2001 at the Arthritis Research Campaign, Epidemiology Unit, Manchester University Medical School, Manchester, United Kingdom.

Five single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified, 2 in the promoter, one in intron 4 and, 2 in the 3' UTR. Four of the 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were relatively common and investigated in the 3 populations. Allele and genotype frequencies of all 4 investigated SNPs were not statistically different between cases and controls.

Fc receptor gamma gene does not appear to contribute to SLE susceptibility. The identified polymorphisms may be useful in investigating other diseases where receptors containing the FcR gamma subunit contribute to the pathology.