Objective: To assess the association between polymorphisms within the interferon-Gamma receptor gene(IFN-GammaR) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Chinese people.
Methods: The IFN-GammaR genotypes of 94 SLE patients and 80 healthy subjects were examined by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) method, RT-PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method and DNA sequencing.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the IFN-GammaR genotype frequencies between the two groups. The IFN-Gamma R2 Arg64/Arg64 genotype decreased the risk of SLE (OR = 2.481, 95% CI 0.992 - 6.203, P = 0.047). The decreased risk of the development of SLE was detected in the individuals who had the combination of IFN-GammaR2 Arg64/Arg64 genotype and IFN-GammaR1 Val14/Val14 genotype (OR = 2.481, 95% CI 0.992 - 6.203, P = 0.047).
Conclusion: The IFN-GammaR2 Arg64/Arg64 genotype does not determine susceptibility to SLE in Chinese people, and the combination of IFN-Gamma R2 Arg64/Arg64 genotype and IFN-Gamma R1 Val14/Val14 genotype does not, either.