ASSOCIATION OF CHEMOKINE CCL2 GENE POLYMORPHISM WITH HENOCHE SCHONLEIN PURPURA DISEASE IN NORTH- WEST OF IRAN

Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP) is an autoinflammatory disease and systemic
small vessel vasculitis that more frequently occurs in children. It is characterized by skin lesion such
as Petechia and purpura, gasterointestinal involvement including abdominal pain and gastroint estinal
bleeding and arthiritis. Studies have shown that HSP could be due to different infections and genetic
factors. Based on the fact that cytokines have important role in this inflammatory disease, CCL2- a
chemokine encoding gene- is studied in HSP patients from northwestern Iran. To achieve this goal
molecular analysis of polymorphism located in promoter region of this gene is performed.
Materials & Methods: This study was conducted on 40 HSP patients who were referred by
immunology and allergy specialists to Genetic Center of Tabriz and after blood sampling and DNA
extraction, molecular analysis with PCR-RFLP method was performed to genotype polymorphic
region of promoter region of this gene. The results were compared to that of 50 ethnic-sex matched
control healthy people.
Results: Statistical analysis shows significant association of this polymorphism with development of
Henoch–Schönlein purpura disease in this cohort. The frequency of TT and TC genotypes and T allele
of CCL2 -C2518T gene polymorphism were significantly higher in HSP patients.
Conclusion: CCL2 C-2518T gene polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to HSP in
Northwestern Iran.