Tristetraprolin Gene Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms and mRNA Level in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

To observe and evaluate the correlation between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and messenger RNA (mRNA) level related to tristetraprolin (TTP) in Chinese rheumatoid arthritis (RA). TapMan SNP was used for genotyping analysis in 580 RA patients and 554 healthy people. Association between TTP gene polymorphisms (rs251864 and rs3746083) and RA was obtained. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) technology was applied for the detection of TTP mRNA level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in 36 RA patients and 37 healthy people. We observed that the allele T of TTP rs3746083 increased RA susceptibility (p = 0.019). A significant difference was found under the dominant model of rs3746083 (p = 0.037). Further analysis showed the allele distribution of rs3746083 was nominally correlated with RF phenotype of RA patients (p = 0.045). Nevertheless, the association between TTP rs251864 and the incidence of RA was no statistically significant (p > 0.05). The TTP expression level in PBMCs of RA patients was significantly reduced (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the results of this experiment support that TTP may be involved in the pathogenesis of RA.

Automated summary

The study explored the association between TTP gene polymorphisms and mRNA levels with RA susceptibility in Chinese populations. The results indicated that the T allele of rs3746083 in the TTP gene increased susceptibility to RA, with a significant difference found under the dominant model. However, the association of rs251864 with RA was not statistically significant. Furthermore, TTP expression levels were significantly reduced in RA patients, supporting its potential involvement in RA pathogenesis.