The Fcγ Receptor Genotype as a Risk Factor for Generalized Early-Onset Periodontitis in Japanese Patients

Genetic polymorphisms of immunoglobulin G (IgG) Fc receptors (FcγR) were recently shown to be associated with recurrence rates of adult periodontitis (AP). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether FcγR polymorphisms are also associated with generalized early-onset periodontitis (G-EOP) in Japanese patients.

Thirty-eight Japanese patients with G-EOP and 83 Japanese patients with AP were identified according to established clinical criteria, including measurements of probing depth, clinical attachment level, and alveolar bone level. FcγR genotypes for 3 bi-allelic polymorphisms were determined in these G-EOP and AP patients and 104 race-matched healthy controls by means of allele-specific polymerase chain reactions.

There was a significant difference in the distribution of FcγRIIIb genotypes between G-EOP patients and healthy controls (P = 0.02). Additionally, a significant over-representation of FcγRIIIb-NA2 allele was observed in G-EOP patients as compared to AP patients and controls (P = 0.02, P = 0.009, respectively). Moreover, we found a strong association between GEOP and the composite genotype comprising FcγRIIIb-NA2 and FcγRIIIa-158F (G-EOP versus controls: odds ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.0-6.0, X² = 4.13, P = 0.04).

This study indicates that the FcγRIIIb-NA2 allele and possibly FcγRIIIa-158F could be associated with susceptibility to G-EOP in Japanese patients. J Periodontol 2000;71:1425-1432.