Fangyu Zhou1, Zhongzhi Liang2, Xin Wang1, Guiqin Tan1, Wenwen Wei1, Guangbing Zheng1, Xiaomin Ma1, Dan Tian1, Hua Li3, Hongsong Yu4. 1. School of Basic Medical Sciences, Special Key Laboratory of Ocular Diseases of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou 563000, China. 2. Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou 563000, China. 3. Yongchuan Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 402160, China. 4. School of Basic Medical Sciences, Special Key Laboratory of Ocular Diseases of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou 563000, China. Electronic address: yuhongsong@163.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Graves' disease (GD) is a common autoimmune disease manifesting with diffuse symmetric thyroid gland enlargement, pretibial myxedema, and Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). Recently, the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene has been linked to various autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association of VDR gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to GD and GO in the Southwest Chinese Han population. METHODS: A two-stage association study was performed in 1,209 controls and 650 GD patients by PCR-RFLP assay. Real-time PCR and ELISA were carried out to quantify gene expression and cytokine production. RESULTS: The first-stage study showed that the frequency of VDR/Apa I AA genotype was significantly increased in GD (Pc = 1.67 × 10-2, OR = 1.98). The second-stage and combined studies confirmed the association of VDR/Apa I with GD (AA genotype: Pc = 3.45 × 10-4, OR = 1.87; A allele: Pc = 2.62 × 10-2, OR = 1.20). The stratification analysis showed that GO patients had a higher frequency of the VDR/Apa I AA genotype (Pc = 8.69 × 10-5, OR = 2.84). Functional experiments showed a decreased VDR expression and TGF-β1 production as well as an increased IL-17 production in VDR/Apa I AA genotype carriers. CONCLUSION: The VDR/Apa I polymorphism is significantly associated with GD and GO, and it may be involved in the development of GD and GO by influencing VDR mRNA expression levels and the secretion levels of cytokines.
OBJECTIVE:Graves' disease (GD) is a common autoimmune disease manifesting with diffuse symmetric thyroid gland enlargement, pretibial myxedema, and Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). Recently, the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene has been linked to various autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association of VDR gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to GD and GO in the Southwest Chinese Han population. METHODS: A two-stage association study was performed in 1,209 controls and 650 GDpatients by PCR-RFLP assay. Real-time PCR and ELISA were carried out to quantify gene expression and cytokine production. RESULTS: The first-stage study showed that the frequency of VDR/Apa I AA genotype was significantly increased in GD (Pc = 1.67 × 10-2, OR = 1.98). The second-stage and combined studies confirmed the association of VDR/Apa I with GD (AA genotype: Pc = 3.45 × 10-4, OR = 1.87; A allele: Pc = 2.62 × 10-2, OR = 1.20). The stratification analysis showed that GO patients had a higher frequency of the VDR/Apa I AA genotype (Pc = 8.69 × 10-5, OR = 2.84). Functional experiments showed a decreased VDR expression and TGF-β1 production as well as an increased IL-17 production in VDR/Apa I AA genotype carriers. CONCLUSION: The VDR/Apa I polymorphism is significantly associated with GD and GO, and it may be involved in the development of GD and GO by influencing VDR mRNA expression levels and the secretion levels of cytokines.
Authors: Jane Fletcher; Emma L Bishop; Stephanie R Harrison; Amelia Swift; Sheldon C Cooper; Sarah K Dimeloe; Karim Raza; Martin Hewison Journal: Endocr Connect Date: 2022-03-31 Impact factor: 3.221