Association between rs56066773 and rs56232250 polymorphisms of FOXP3 gene in target site of microRNA with rheumatoid arthritis in patients referred to Emam Ali clinic of Shahrekord

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the numder or function of regulatory T cells (Treg) is impaired. FOXP3 is one of the major factors of Treg function. Among the factors involved on FOXP3 expression are microRNAs (MIR) which bind to 3´UTR. A nucleotide substitution in the sequence of the target site of microRNA can affect the regulation of microRNA. Polymorphisms of rs56066773 and rs56232250 in the 3´UTR of gene FOXP3 can relate with rheumatoid arthritis through the target gene. This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between two polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis.
In this case-control study, 98 RA patients were recruited from Emam Ali rheumatology clinic and 124 healthy individuals (without the negative history of autoimmune diseases) served as control. Rs56066773 and rs56232250 polymorphisms in the 3´UTR of FOXP3 gene were investigated with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)- Restricted Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). The data were analyzed using SPSS.
In the study population, the frequency of the A/G in rs56066773 in patients and control was 3.1 and 1.6%, respectively. The frequency of the same genotype in rs56232250 was 1 and 1.6% in patients and controls respectively. It was not found any significant relationship between two polymorphism and disease.
Although not found a significant relationship between polymorphisms and arthritis, previous studies has been established the relationship between polymorphisms in the microRNA target site with a number of diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to examine other FOXP3 gene 3'UTR polymorphisms.