%0 Journal Article
%T Vitamin D receptor gene BsmI polymorphisms in Thai patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
%A Wilaiporn Sakulpipatsin
%A Oravan Verasertniyom
%A Kanokrat Nantiruj
%A Kitti Totemchokchyakarn
%A Porntawee Lertsrisatit
%A Suchela Janwityanujit
%J Arthritis Research & Therapy
%D 2006
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/ar1910
%X The importance of genetic influences on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been recognized through cumulative genetic epidemiologic studies. Many population-based studies have shown associations between the disease and alleles of immunologically relevant genes, including certain major histocompatibility complex (MHC) loci, Fc¦Ã receptor, and cytokines [1]. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is thought to exert many of its action through interaction with a specific intracellular receptor. At the molecular level, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits the accumulation of mRNA for interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-¦Ã, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). At the cellular level, the hormone interferes with T helper cell (Th) function, reducing Th induction of immunoglobulin production by B cells. When given in vivo, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 has been particularly effective in prevention of autoimmune diseases such as experimental autoimmune encephalitis and murine lupus [2]. It has been demonstrated that patients with SLE have a lower level of 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 than do healthy controls [3]. In addition, high-dose 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and its analog may be useful therapeutic agents for psoriatic arthritis [4] and rheumatoid arthritis [5].Polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene was found to be associated with many diseases, including osteoporosis [6], hyperparathyroidism [7], and prostate cancer [8]. An association between VDR gene polymorphism and SLE in Japanese and Chinese patients has been reported with mixed results [9-11]. Although Asians are closely related ethnically, the genetic admixture in Japan or China is different from that of Thailand. Because a high prevalence and high clinical severity of SLE are also observed in the Thai population, we examined the characteristics of VDR gene BsmI polymorphisms in a larger cohort of Thai patients with SLE and the relationship of polymorphisms to the susceptibility and clinical manifestation
%U http://arthritis-research.com/content/8/2/R48