Association study of CCL20 rs6749704 with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Iraqi population

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic auto immune and inflammatory disease of obscure etiology. However, factors of genetic, immunological and environmental have a pivotal role in disease development. This study was investigated the polymorphisms of SNP (rs6749704) of CCL20 gene and the serum level of the chemokine CCL20 its association with susceptibility to RA .Genotypes for the gene was determined using HRM (High Resolution Melting) genotyping assay by RT-PCR. The chemokine serum level was determine using ELISA analysis. Accordingly, a case-control analysis was carried out on 60 patients with RA and 30 control. The results are given in the following: The mean of CCL20 level was increased highly significant in the serum of RA patients than that of controls (300.42 ±11.11 vs 108.55± 6.09pg/ml, P value=0.0001**). The analysis of Logistic regression for CCL20 gene (rs6749704) revealed that CC genotype was significantly more frequent in RA patients [P = 0.000, OR=22.52 ,CI 95% (4.76–205.87)]. Also, C allele was significantly more frequent in RA patients than in the control group [70.83% versus 16.67%, P = 0.000, OR=12. 14,CI 95% (5.57–27.36)],so the CC genotype and C allele and higher serum level of the chemokine CCL20 was associated with RA disease in Iraqi patients.