Serum progranulin and <i>GRN</i> rs3785817 variant in hypothyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: risk or protective factors?

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune thyroid disorder that includes thyroid parenchymal lymphocytic infiltration. Progranulin (PRGN) is an anti-inflammatory glycoprotein encoded by granulin precursor gene (GRN) and involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Neutrophil and platelet lymphocyte ratios (NLR, PLR) are established inflammatory markers. The study aimed to evaluate PRGN, GRN rs3785817 variant, NLR and PLR in hypothyroid HT. Complete blood count, serum TSH, free T4, anti-TPO, PRGN, and GRN rs3785817 genotyping were performed for 45 hypothyroid HT patients and 45 healthy controls. Results showed slightly significantly decreased serum PRGN levels in hypothyroid HT patients compared to controls (p = 0.048). NLR displayed significant higher levels in patients in comparison to controls (p = 0.036). The genotype distribution of GRN rs3785817 showed no significant variation between patients and controls with the predominance of the AA genotype in both groups. However, among patients, there was a significantly increased serum PRGN level in patients with AG+GG genotypes compared to those with AA genotype (p = 0.014). In conclusion, GRN rs3785817 is neither a risk nor a protective factor associated with hypothyroid HT. Nevertheless, PRGN variability between the rs3785817 genotypes may suggest their potential roles in hypothyroid HT.