Open AccessGalectin-9 gene (LGALS9) polymorphisms are associated with rheumatoid arthritis in Brazilian patients
Author(s) -
Kamila de Melo Vilar,
Michelly Cristiny Pereira,
Andréa Tavares Dantas,
Moacyr Jesus Barreto de Melo Rêgo,
Ivan da Rocha Pitta,
Ângela Luzia Branco Pinto Duarte,
Maíra Galdino da Rocha Pitta
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0223191
Subject(s) - rheumatoid arthritis , medicine , genetics , arthritis , gene , bioinformatics , immunology , biology
Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by synovial inflammation and hyperplasia, as well as cartilage and bone destruction. Several proteins are associated with the pathogenesis of the disease. Galectin-9 belongs to the family of lectins that are involved in various biological processes and have anti-inflammatory activity. Objective To investigate associations between the SNPs of the GAL-9 gene (LGALS9) and serum levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients. We extracted DNA from 356 subjects, 156 RA patients and 200 healthy controls from northeastern Brazil. Three polymorphisms (rs4795835, rs3763959, and rs4239242) in the LGALS9 gene were selected and genotyped using TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. Serum concentrations of galectin-9 were analyzed by ELISA. Results The rs4239242 TT genotype showed a positive association with RA (p = 0.0032, odds ratio = 0.28), and heterozygous TC were prevalent in the control group compared to RA patients (p = 0.0001, odds ratio = 7.99). Galectin-9 serum levels were significantly increased in RA patients compared to the control group (p<0.0001). Patients in remission had high levels of galectin compared to the moderate activity group (p<0.0001). Regarding the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), patients in remission or low activity presented high levels of galectin when compared to patients in severity (p<0.0001). Patients performing moderate activity had a significant value compared to patients who were in high disease severity (p = 0.0064). Interestingly, the AG genotype (rs3763959) has been associated with a higher presence of bone erosion in RA patients (p = 0.0436). The SNP rs4239242 TT genotype showed a positive association with RA in comparison to the control group. The AG genotype (rs3763959) has been associated with a higher presence of bone erosion in RA patients.