The effect of genetic polymorphisms in STIM1 and ORAI1 on erythropoietin resistance in Egyptian patients with end-stage renal disease

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is an incurable disease with unique challenges. Anemia is a frequent complication affecting dialysis patients. Erythropoietin (EPO) is used to treat anemia, but a poor response may result. We investigated genetic polymorphisms of store-operated calcium channel (SOC) signaling, an important erythropoietin-activated pathway that may induce EPO resistance in patients with renal failure. A total of 108 end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients were selected for this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to their erythropoietin resistance index (ERI): 39 patients with an ERI>10 and 69 patients with an ERI<10. We selected four tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tSNPs) in STIM1 and five in ORAI1 in our study. A polymerase chain reaction was performed, and genotyping against EPO resistance was correlated. Patients with the AG genotype of rs1561876 in STIM1, the TC genotype of rs6486795 in ORAI1, and the TG or GG genotypes of rs12320939 in ORAI1 were associated with an increased risk of erythropoietin resistance. Overall, we reported a moderately significant relationship between genetic polymorphisms of STIM1 and EPO resistance. We also reported a highly significant relationship between genetic polymorphisms of ORAI1 and EPO resistance. The (A-A-G) haplotype of STIM1 and the (G-T-G-T-A, G-C-G-C-G, or G-T-T-C-G) haplotypes of ORAI1 were significantly associated with EPO resistance.