Association analyses of the vitamin D receptor gene in 1654 families with type I diabetes

Type I diabetes (T1D) results from interactions between environmental exposures and genetic susceptibility leading to immune dysfunction and destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Vitamin D deficiency is likely to be one of the many environmental factors influencing T1D development and diagnosis, and, hence, the hormone receptor gene, VDR, was examined for association with T1D risk. The Type I Diabetes Genetics Consortium genotyped 38 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 1654 T1D nuclear families (6707 individuals, 3399 affected). Genotypes for 38 SNPs were assigned using the Illumina (ILMN) and Sequenom (SQN) technology. The analysis of data release as of July 2008 is reported for both platforms. No evidence of association of VDR SNPs with T1D at P<0.01 was obtained in the overall sample set, nor in subgroups analyses of the parent-of-origin, sex of offspring and HLA risk once adjusted for multiple testing. Genes and Immunity (2009) 10, S60-S63; doi:10.1038/gene.2009.93