Assessment of the association of miR-499 and miR-146a polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus in Egyptians

Abstract Background Analysis of the relationship between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of micro-RNA genes and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has yielded contradictory findings. The current study assessed the association of microRNA-499 (miR-499) rs3746444 T/C and microRNA-146a (miR-146a) rs2910164 C/G with the occurrence and the severity of SLE in Egyptians. Results The study included 50 patients with SLE and 50 healthy control subjects. Genotyping was performed using the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) method. The CC (mutant), TC (heterozygous) genotypes, and C (mutant) allele of miR-499 (rs3746444) were found much more frequently in patients with SLE compared to healthy people. The mutant genotypes and alleles of the miR-499 SNP were more frequent in SLE patients with a high disease activity index (SLEDAI) compared to those with a lower SLEDAI and other genotypes. No association was observed between the miR-146a SNP and the occurrence of SLE. Conclusion The increased frequency of mutant genotypes and alleles of the miR-499 SNP among the patients with SLE compared to healthy ones suggests this SNP as a risk factor for SLE occurrence. The association between the miR-499 SNP and greater SLEDAI indicates that patients with this SNP are more likely to have a more severe disease than those with other miR-499 genotypes. It is assumed that miR-146a (rs2910164 C/G) is not linked to SLE susceptibility for the sake of future confirmatory research.