Analysis of serum levels and gene polymorphisms of soluble Fas and soluble FasL in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Analysis of serum levels and gene polymorphisms of soluble Fas and soluble FasL in Systemic Lupus ErythematosusObjective: The aim of this study is investigating the relationship of sFas and sFasL levels with clinical findings and determining the frequency of Fas-670A/G and FasL-844T/C single nucleotide polymorphisms together with the relevance of these polymorphisms with disease activity and clinical signs in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.Material and Method: Sixtyseven (67) patients (56/11, F/M) taken with the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus and 30 healthy controls were included into the study. Mean age of the patients 33.5 ? 10.8 and the healthy controls 33,4±7,2 respectively. sFas and sFasL levels were studied with ELISA method. PCR-RFLP technique was applied to detect the Fas-670A/G ve FasL-844T/C polymorphisms. sFas and sFasL levels and gene polymorphisms were studied in both Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients and healthy controls. Corelation of these levels with clinical and laboratory findings was investigated in patient group. Data was enrolled into SPSS 16 packet program for statictical analysis.Results: For sFas and sFasL levels and frequencies of gene polymorphisms, statistically significant difference was not detected between Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients and healthy controls. In comparison of sFas and sFasL levels with disease activity, sFasL level was shown to be higher in patients with hematological involvement of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and this increase was found to be statistically significant (p: 0.007). It was observed that Fas-670A/G and FasL-844T/C gene polymorphisms do not have any correlation with disease activity or clinical findings.Conclusion: In conclusion, the effects of sFas and sFasL levels and Fas-670A/G and FasL-844T/C gene polymorphisms on disease pathogenesis could not be demonstrated in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients. Correlation of sFas levels with hematological involvement of the disease need to be further evaluated with extended case control studies.Key words: Fas-670A/G and FasL-844T/C polymorphism, serum soluble Fas and FasL levels, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.