Exploring Genetic Markers in Susceptibility of Lupus Nephritis through MCP-1 and MIF Polymorphisms

Abstract

Background: Lupus nephritis (LN) has not been fully elucidated genetically. Some distinct genetic factors have been demonstrated to be associated with LN development. The contributions of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) -2518A/G and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) -173 G/C single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to LN development have not been elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the potential role of MCP-1 -2518A/G and MIF -173 G/C SNPs in LN prediction. Methods: There were 52 participants (26 LN patients and 26 healthy controls). MCP-1 -2518A/G and MIF -173 G/C SNPs were analyzed by PCR. Results: There was no significant difference (P=0.93) in the distribution of wild (AA) and mutant (AG/GG) genotypes of -2518 MCP-1 A/G between control (50% vs. 50%) and LN (46% vs. 54%) groups. Despite that, -173 MIF mutant (GC/CC) genotypes were higher in LN patients (69%) compared to controls (35%) with the predominance of heterozygous (GC) genotype. Carriers of MIF-173*C allele were more common (P=0.011) in LN patients (42%) than controls (19%) and had an increased systemic-onset risk (OR 3.0; P=0.0124; 95% CI 1.24–7.44). The best inheritance model is the log-additive model, which yielded the strongest association with the smallest AIC and the minimum BIC (P=0.009, AIC=69.3, BIC=73.2). Conclusion: The present findings provide new evidence that -173 MIF G/C gene polymorphism can play an important role in the development of LN among Egyptians with systemic lupus erythematosus.