C-reactive protein gene polymorphism 1468g>a (rs 1205) and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis

Objectives: Low serum C- Reactive Protein (CRP) has been implicated in Systemic lupus Erythrematosus (SLE) pathogenesis, so we studied the CRP rs1205 polymorphism and its role in the risk association of both SLE and Lupus nephritis (LN). Methods: DNA from 90 patients who met the ACR criteria for SLE and 40 healthy controls was genotyped for CRP 1468G>A rs1205. Genotyping was performed using PCR-RFLP. Serum CRP levels were measured using particle enhanced immunonephelometry. Results: We Found the genotype distribution of CRP rs1205 G>A polymorphism was In SLE: AA, 6 (12%), GA, 9 (18%) and GG, 35 (70%), in LN: AA, 9 (22.9%), GA, 17 (42.5%) and GG, 14 (35%)(p value=0.041). Carriers of the rs1205 A allele were characterized by low serum CRP levels compared with major homozygotes 2.5(1.55 - 11.35) vs. 9.55(6.45 - 14.83)mg/L; p = 0.029). Conclusion: Our data indicates that rs1205 variant allele predisposes to SLE and LN, potentially being a genetic risk marker of disease progression.