The Association of HIF-1α/rs2057482 Polymorphism with Idiopathic Scleritis in a Chinese Han Population

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background To investigate the association of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), Janus tyrosine kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) gene polymorphisms with idiopathic scleritis in a Chinese Han population. Methods Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of HIF-1α, tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4), and retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptors-γ (ROR-γ) were selected for this study. A total of 496 idiopathic scleritis patients and 1009 controls were genotyped by the MassARRAY platform and iPLEX Gold Genotyping Assay. The allele and genotype frequencies were analyzed by Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Stratified analyses were performed based on gender and anatomic locations of idiopathic scleritis. Results The frequencies of CC genotype (p = 6.18 × 10−4, Pc = 0.04, OR = 0.67,95%CI = 0.53–0.84) and C allele (p = 7.08 × 10−4, Pc = 0.04, OR = 0.71,95%CI = 0.58–0.87) for HIF-1α/rs2057482 were found significantly lower in idiopathic scleritis patients when compared to healthy controls. Stratified analysis depending on gender showed significant decreased frequencies of CC genotype (CC: p = 4.04 × 10−4, Pc = 0.02, OR = 0.54, 95%CI = 0.39–0.76) and C allele (C: p = 1.62 × 10−4, Pc = 0.01, OR = 0.58, 95%CI = 0.44–0.77) in male patients. Stratification analysis of rs2057482 according to location of scleritis did not show any significant difference between three subgroups and healthy controls. Conclusion This study showed association between polymorphism of HIF-1α/rs2057482 and susceptibility to idiopathic scleritis in Han Chinese male patients.