Angiotensin II type 2 receptor gene polymorphisms and serum angiotensin-converting enzyme level in Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus. (February 2019) - Shoaib, R M S
Background: There are no reports about the association of angiotensin II type 2 receptor ( AT2R ) gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in children. Objective: The objective of this research is to study AT2R gene polymorphisms in exon 3 (C1593A) and intron 1 (A1675G) in Egyptian children with SLE and its correlation with disease manifestations and serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) level. Methods: Typing of AT2R gene polymorphisms was conducted in 123 children with SLE in comparison with 100 healthy controls using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Results: Significant differences were found between SLE patients and controls for A-containing genotypes (CA + AA) and A-allele frequencies of AT2R in exon 3 (C1593A) ( p = 0.01, odds ratio (OR) = 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3–5.05; p = 0.01, OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.2–4.1, respectively). G-containing genotypes (AG + GG) and G allele of AT2R in intron 1 (A1675G) were more frequent in SLE patients compared to controls ( p = 0.01, OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.2–4.5; p = 0.02, OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.2–3.7, respectively). Serum ACE level was significantly higher in SLE patients than in controls ( p < 0.001). There was no association between AT2R gene polymorphisms and ACE level in serum. Moreover, there was no association between AT2R gene polymorphisms and SLE clinical manifestations. Conclusion: AT2R gene polymorphisms can be considered risk factors for SLE development in Egyptian children.