Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I, Q222R/rs1053874 A/G) is associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) is a potential endonuclease enzyme implicated in several immune diseases such as SLE. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of rs1053874 A/G DNase I polymorphism on SLE susceptibility and to study its influence on serum DNase I levels. The genomic DNA for all participants was genotyped utilizing TaqMan™ assay and Serum DNase I levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay. Individuals with the GA, AA, GA + AA genotypes, and A allele of rs1053874 A/G in the DNase I gene had decreased SLE risk. Also, regression analysis revealed that patients with the genotype "GA + AA" and decreased DNase I levels had decreased risk for prediction of SLE activity (P < 0.05). In Conclusion, The DNase I rs1053874 A/G reduced the incidence of SLE in the Egyptian population. Moreover, “GA + AA” in the same SNP is thought to be an independent predictor of the progression of SLE by reducing serum DNase I levels.