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Deletion of LCE3C, LCE3B at PSORS4 not linked to PsA in German cohort
The deletion of LCE3C and LCE3B genes at the psoriasis susceptibility locus 4 was not associated with susceptibility to developing psoriatic arthritis in a group of German patients, according to researchers at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg.
The researchers studied 650 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who met Classification of Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) criteria and had similar clinical characteristics. Mean age of disease onset was 28.2 years; 61.9% of the patients included were men, and mean disease duration prior to recruitment was 3 years or longer for 78% of patients.
Oligoarticular joint involvement was present in 141 (21.7%) and polyarticular involvement was seen in 474 (72.9%) of patients. Spinal involvement was diagnosed based on symptoms of inflammation, restricted vertebral movement and subsequent radiographic confirmation of sacroiliitis or spondylitis. The researchers also analyzed the patients’ DNA.
Data analysis revealed deletions of the LCE3C and LCE3B genes were associated with skin manifestations of psoriasis, but not PsA. According to the researchers, this suggested that the associations with the deletions and skin manifestations, not joints, seen in the genotypes may be population-dependent, since the participants were all of German descent. - by Shirley Pulawski
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.