Frequency of the FcγRIIIA-158F allele in African American patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective. Defects in genes involved in immune complex clearance constitute one of the most common gene defects identified in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Defects in early complement components, complement receptors, and Fc receptors have all been implicated in the susceptibility to SLE. Recently, the role of functionally relevant Fc receptor polymorphisms in the etiology of SLE has been investigated. Specifically, a polymorphism of FCγRIII, termed FcγRIIIA-158F, has been found to be associated with SLE in 2 largely Caucasian populations and appeared to constitute a risk factor for nephritis. We investigated the association of the FcγRIIIA-158F and FcγRIIA-131R polymorphisms with SLE in an African American study population. Methods. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and allele-specific PCR was used to genotype patients with SLE and controls. Results. There was no difference in FcγRIIIA-158F or FcγRIIA- 131R gene frequencies in the SLE populations compared to controls. There was no significant association between FcγRIIIA-158F or FcγRIIA-131R and any specific clinical or laboratory variable. Conclusion. In our African American study population, there did not appear to be any association of FcγRIIA- 158F or FcγRIIA-131R with SLE.