NLRP3 Gene Polymorphisms in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Primary Sjogren's Syndrome Patients

Aim: The activation of NLRP3 inflammasome leads to the stimulation of cytokines and is significantly involved in the pathogenesis and progression of autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this study is to examine the associations of NLRP3 gene polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS) patients. Methods: A total of 239 patients with RA, 285 patients with primary SS, and 170 healthy controls were enrolled. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and gene polymorphisms were genotyped through the TaqMan assay. Antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-Ro, and anti-CCP antibodies were detected using immunofluorescence immunoassay. Results: The T allele of rs4612666 CT elevated the susceptibility to RA disease. The RF titer during diagnosis of RA was significantly high in RA patients with the A allele of rs12079994 G/A polymorphism. The titer of anti-CCP during diagnosis of RA was high in the absence of the C allele of rs10754558 C/G polymorphisms in RA patients. Antinuclear antibody and anti-CCP were positively associated with the A allele of rs12079994 G/A polymorphism in primary SS. The C allele of rs4612666 C/T was negatively associated with ANA in primary SS. Conclusions: The results have shown that NLRP3 gene polymorphisms may play a role in the pathogenesis of RA and primary SS.