Association of systemic beta-defensin-1 and -20G/A DEFB1 gene polymorphism with Behçet's disease

Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystem inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. Beta-defensins are antimicrobial peptides involved in epithelial host defense. To explore whether beta-defensins might be involved in BD pathogenesis, we examined plasma human beta-defensin-1 (hBD-1) and DEFB1 -20G/A polymorphism in BD patients.

This case-control study included 106 BD patients fulfilling the criteria of the International Study Group for BD and 156 controls. The -20G/A genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP analysis in all participants, and plasma hBD-1 was assessed by ELISA in 77 BD patients and 44 controls, only. Stepwise multiple regression models were applied to determine independent predictors for plasma hBD-1 in BD patients.

Distribution of -20G/A genotypes was different between BD patients and controls. Compared to GG genotype, "GA" genotype [OR (95% CI), 3.12 (1.56-6.16); p = .001] and "AA" genotype [2.57 (1.10-5.96); p = .027)] were associated with increased risk for BD. Plasma hBD-1 concentrations were significantly higher in BD patients than controls (9.81 ± 3.52 ng/mL vs. 5.30 ± 3.02 ng/mL; p < .001), and in BD patients with neurological involvement than those without (11.1 ± 4.12 ng/mL vs. 9.19 ± 3.10 ng/mL; p = .040). No variation was noted according to other clinical features, treatment received or -20G/A genotypes. In multivariate analysis, neurological involvement was the only predictor for plasma hBD-1 (β, 0.274; p = .029).

Findings suggest that hBD-1 and its encoding gene DEFB1 could modulate the risk for BD, especially for BD neurological involvement. Further work is needed for a better understanding of role of hBD-1 and its genetic variants in the pathogenesis of BD.