Glucocorticoid receptor gene polymorphism and juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Abstract

BackgroundThe glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) has been suggested as a candidate gene affecting juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) course and prognosis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the glucocorticoid receptor gene BclI polymorphism (rs41423247) in JIA patients, the gene's role in susceptibility to juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and its associations with JIA activity, course and bone mineralization.MethodsOne hundred twenty-two Caucasian children with JIA and 143 healthy ethnically matched controls were studied. We checked markers of clinical and laboratory activity: morning stiffness, Ritchie Articular Index (RAI), swollen joint count (SJC), tender joint count (TJC), physician's visual analog scale (VAS), hemoglobin level (Hb), leukocyte count (L), platelet count (Pl), Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, DAS and DAS28. Bone mineralization was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of lumbar spine L1-L4. Assessments of bone metabolism included osteocalcin, C-terminal telopeptide (CTT), parathyroid hormone (PTH), total and ionized calcium, inorganic phosphate and total alkaline phosphatase (TAP). BclI polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism.ResultsNo association was observed between glucocorticoid receptor gene polymorphism and the presence or absence of JIA. In girls with JIA, the presence of the G allele was associated with an unfavorable arthritis course, a younger age of onset of arthritis (p = 0.0017), and higher inflammatory activity. The higher inflammatory activity was demonstrated by the following: increased time of morning stiffness (p = 0.02), VAS (p = 0.014), RAI (p = 0.048), DAS (p = 0.035), DAS28 (p = 0.05), Pl (p = 0.003), L (p = 0.046), CRP (p = 0.01). In addition, these patients had bone metabolism disturbances as follows: decreased BA (p = 0.0001), BMC (p = 0.00007), BMD (0.005) and Z score (p = 0.002); and higher levels of osteocalcin (p = 0.03), CTT (p = 0.036), TAP activity (p = 0.01) and ionized calcium (p = 0.017). In boys with JIA, no significant differences were observed related to the polymorphic alleles or genotypes.ConclusionsWe suggest that G allele and the GG genotype of the glucocorticoid receptor gene BclI polymorphism contribute to an unfavorable course and low bone mineral density in girls with JIA.

NR3C1 polymorphisms in Brazilians of Caucasian, African, and Asian ancestry: glucocorticoid sensitivity and genotype association

“…Recently, the BclI polymorphism have been associated with younger age of onset, unfavorable course, and higher inflammatory activity in girls with idiopatic juvenile arthritis (41). The GG genotype was also associated with more severe lung damage in cystic fibrosis patients (42) and with Crohn's disease (43), suggesting a possible decrease in glucocorticoid sensitivity.…”

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of NR3C1 gene and recurrent depressive disorder in population of Poland

“…They are also characteristic for their first-degree relatives and might be a prodromal risk factor for the developing depression [11]. Moreover, HPA-axis dysfunction and HPA-related genes are associated with immune/inflammatory disorders [12]. There are also data informing that blood cells are resistant to GC [13] and it might possibly participate in the enhancement of inflammatory process.…”

Correlation analyses of clinical and molecular findings identify candidate biological pathways in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis

“…The comparable doses of exogenous steroids in the F and Q groups make it less likely that steroid therapy is inducing this pathway. Notably, polymorphism in the GCR gene is associated with the level of inflammatory activity in JIA [58]. Involvement of GCR signaling in systemic inflammation in SJIA and stronger association of this pathway with inflammation in SJIA versus POLY (at least as reflected in blood cells) is consistent with reduced responses in SJIA patients to non-glucocorticoid drugs that are efficacious in subsets of POLY patients (for example, methotrexate and anti-TNFα [59,60]).…”