HIF-1α and VEGF polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility

Background

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and its downstream gene, vascular endothelial factor (VEGF), play an important role in modulating the immune system function and consequently alternation the susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease.

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the HIF-1α and VEGF gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to SLE.

Methods

The 140 patients and 150 healthy age and gender-matched people as a control group participated in the study. The PCR-RFLP method was used for genotyping.

Results

No remarkable differences in allele frequencies of HIF-1α (rs11549465) and VEGF (rs699947) were seen between the SLE and control groups. The frequencies of CT genotype of the HIF-1α (rs11549465) and CA genotype of VEGF (rs699947) in the control were significantly higher than SLE group (OR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.32–0.53; p = 0.014; OR = 0.57;95% CI = 0.33–0.99; p = 0.046, resp.). In the case of HIF-1α (C111A) polymorphism, the CA and AA variants were not found.

Conclusion

HIF-1α (rs11549465) CT and VEGF (rs699947) CA genotypes were identified as protective factors for SLE. However, additional studies are required to confirm the association between HIF-1α and VEGF polymorphisms and SLE.