The NBS1 genetic polymorphisms and the risk of the systemic lupus erythematosus in Taiwanese patients.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a multisystemic autoimmune disease, is characterized by the production of a range of autoantibodies against nuclear constituents and other self-antigens. The studies in DNA repair deficiencies in SLE patients have been recently investigated. AIMS: Few studies have been conducted on DNA repair gene polymorphisms and their role in autoimmune diseases. Our study purpose was to examine and compare NBS1 genotype distributions in a group of Taiwanese SLE patients and controls in Taiwan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants were Taiwanese SLE patients and healthy controls. We studied associations among NBS1 polymorphisms--rs1061302, rs709816, and rs1805794--considering clinical features for the entire group and stratified subgroups. No statistically significant differences between the patients and controls were noted. However, we observed significant decreases in Ht1-GGG, Ht2-AAC, and Ht3-AGC in the SLE patients (Ht1-GGG, OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.16-0.41; Ht2-AAC, OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.17-0.53; Ht3-AGC, OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.19-0.71) and significant increases in Ht4-AAG, Ht5-AGG, and Ht8-GGC among the SLE patients. Combined, these results suggest an association between NBS1 genetic polymorphisms and Taiwanese SLE patients.