Investigation of the levels of C-reactive protein gene polymorphisms and c-reactive gene polymorphisms in systemic lupus erythematosus to clinical findings of the disease

Objective: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune, systemic disease that causes dysfunction in multıple organ systems. Complement system and opsonization defects take part in SLE etiopathogenesis. C-reactive protein is responsible for clearing apoptotic cell debris and opsonization. The factors affecting CRP functions, lead to SLE development by immune comlex accumulation. CRP gene polimorphisms affect CRP level and functions. There are studies showing that CRP gene polimorphisms are related to the frequency of clinical and laboratory findings of the disease. In our study, the single nucleotid polimorphisms (rs 1205, rs1130864, rs1800947) defined in CRP gene were studied in SLE patients and healthy controls. Relationship of CRP polymorphisms with the clinical findings of SLE patients as well as with CRP levels were investigated. Materials and Methods: Seventy four SLE patients which randomly selected according to SLICC 2012 criteria and 80 healthy controls included in this study. Control and patient groups were adjusted for age and gender. Findings: There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of CRP gene polymorphisms in the patient and control groups. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of rs1205, rs1130864, rs1800947 in the C-reactive protein gene were examined in the healthy and control group and were not associated with SLE susceptibility. However there are studies showing that these polymorphisms increase the frequency of SLE development. When we examined the association of these polymorphisms with clinical findings, rs1205 polymorphism found to be associated with the frequency of oral ulcers in SLE patients. On the other hand the relationship between polymorphisms and other clinical or laboratory findings of SLE, the results were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our study showed no association of single nucleotid polimorphisms rs1205, rs1130864, rs1800947 in CRP gene and SLE susceptibility. However it was associated with clinical findings (oral ulcers) of SLE. Studied CRP gene polymorphisms were not associated with CRP levels as well. We conclude that more studies are needed with larger patient groups Key Words: rs1205, rs1130864, rs1800947, CRP, polimorfizm, Sistemik Lupus Eritematozus