The programmed cell death 1 gene 7209 C>T polymorphism is associated with the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus in the Polish population.

Numerous investigations indicated that the programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1) gene polymorphisms contribute to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, their association with SLE has been found to be controversial. Therefore, in patients with SLE (n=102) and controls (n=140) we examined the association of six polymorphisms of this gene with susceptibility to SLE in the Polish population. We found that PDCD1 7209 CT or 7209 TT genotype exhibited 3.282-fold increased risk of SLE (95% CI=1.553 - 6.935; p=0.0017). The allele and genotype frequencies of the remaining polymorphisms: 5708 C>T, 6438 G>A, 7146 G>A and 8737 G>A did not exhibit statistical differences between SLE patients and controls. Our results confirmed the association of 7209 C>T polymorphism of PDCD1 gene with SLE that was previously observed in the Taiwanese population.