Association between IL-6, miRNA-146a, MALAT1 genetic polymorphisms and risk of rheumatoid arthritis

<b>Aim:</b> This study aimed to investigate the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of <i>IL-6</i> (-174G/C), <i>microRNA146a</i> (rs2910164C/G) and <i>MALAT1</i> (rs619586A/G) and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Egyptians.<b>Methods:</b> SNPs were genotyped in 101 RA patients and 104 controls. Expression levels were evaluated either by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IL-6 or quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) for miR-146a and MALAT1.<b>Results:</b> <i>IL-6-174</i> GC (OR = 3.422) genotype, IL-6-174 C allele (OR = 2.565), miR-146a (rs2910164) CG (OR = 2.190) and MALAT1 (rs619586) AA (OR = 4.125) genotypes and A allele (OR = 6.122) could be considered as risk factors for RA. An increase in the expression of IL-6, miR-146a and MALAT1 was detected in RA patients, which was independent of any SNP.<b>Conclusion:</b> SNPs of IL-6, miR-146a and MALAT1were linked to RA predisposition in Egyptians.