Association of the MCP-1 -2518 A/G polymorphism and no association of its receptor CCR2 -64 V/I polymorphism with lupus nephritis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the A/G polymorphism at position -2518 in the regulatory region of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) or the V/I polymorphism at position -64 of the receptor, CCR2, are associated with lupus nephritis (LN) or any clinical characteristics of the disease or with renal survival in a patient population.

METHODS: We selected 197 patients with lupus nephritis and 220 matched healthy controls for study. MCP-1 and CCR2 genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction. Clinical and laboratory data were compiled from patients' charts over followup that ranged from 6 months to 10 years.

RESULTS: The G/G genotype of MCP-1 was more common in LN patients (p = 0.019), while the A allele was associated with healthy controls (p = 0.007) as was the V allele of CCR2 (p = 0.046) compared to LN patients. Clinical index measures [SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI)], immunological markers, renal histology, renal function at enrollment, and renal survival were not influenced by these polymorphisms. A less aggressive renal disease, measured by renal SLEDAI index, was associated with the V allele of the CCR2 gene polymorphism.

CONCLUSION: These findings support that MCP-1 -2518 G/G is associated with LN but there was no association of this genotype with renal function or renal survival. When studying CCR2 -64 V/I polymorphism we showed a positive association of the V allele with healthy controls but no association of the genotype with LN patients.