IL-37 gene variant (rs3811047): A marker of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis: A pilot study

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a joint destructive disorder with great morbidity. Unraveling genetic determinants causing the disease would pave the road towards early detection and precise medicine. Interleukin 37 (IL-37), a natural inhibitor of innate immunity, was shown to be a key modulator in RA. Plasma levels were deregulated and correlated with disease activity. Therefore, we hypothesized the IL-37 gene variants could influence the clinical characteristics of RA patients.

This is a pilot study to assess the association of rs3811047 variant of IL-37 gene with RA development and disease activity in an Egyptian population.

A total of 100 individuals (50 RA patients and 50 healthy individuals) were enrolled in the study. Disease activity score of 28 joints (DAS28) was estimated for RA patients. Genotyping was performed using Real-Time PCR technology.

There was no statistically significant association between genotype frequencies of rs3811047 and RA risk. However, there was a significant relationship between the studied single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and disease activity. Patients carrying the GG genotype had higher DAS28 score than patients with AA or AG genotypes (p = .041).

IL-37 gene rs3811047 SNP was associated with more severe RA disease activity in the current population. Larger epidemiological study is warranted to validate our results.