NOD2/CARD15 gene polymorphisms and Crohn's disease in the Chinese population

Background: Crohn's disease affects people world-wide, but the incidence in Asia is lower than in Western countries. This difference may be due to genetic and/or environmental factors. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the NOD2/CARD15 gene have been identified to be independently associated with the development of Crohn's disease in Caucasians. Whether these SNPs are involved in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease in the Chinese population is unknown. Aim: To determine if NOD2/CARD15 gene polymorphisms are found in Chinese patients with Crohn's disease. Methods: Sixty-five consecutive Chinese Crohn's disease patients had genotyping performed using sequence-specific PCR directed against the wild-type and the Arg702Trp, Gly908Arg and 3020insC variants of the NOD2/CARD15 gene. Controls consisted of 63 patients with ulcerative colitis and 70 patients with dyspepsia. Results: None of the patients with Crohn's disease had heterozygous or homozygous SNP variants. Similarly none of the ulcerative colitis or dyspeptic controls had these SNPs. Conclusion: The three previously described SNPs associated with the development of Crohn's disease in Caucasians are not found in Chinese patients with Crohn's disease.