Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of antioxidant enzymes SOD2 and GSTP1 genes and SLE risk and severity in an Egyptian pediatric population

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease associated with increased oxidative stress that participates in immune dysregulation, and injury resulting in loss of immune tolerance and increased auto-antibody production. This study was designed to investigate the effects of genetic polymorphisms of the antioxidant enzymes genes that code for SOD2 (rs2758332) and GSTP1 (rs1695) on SLE risk and severity in Egyptian children and adolescents cohort from Delta region. Methods The frequencies of these genes polymorphic variants were compared between 100 SLE children and adolescents and 100 healthy control subjects. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the two antioxidants were determined using TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. Results Individuals with the TT and CT genotypes of rs2758332 in the SOD2 gene were of significant risk for SLE patients (OR = 1.831, 95% CI = 1.082 - 3.101, P = 0.024) and (OR = 1.864, 95% CI = 1.136 - 3.059, P = 0.014), respectively. Cases who have combined CT+TT genotype were of significant higher risk of SLE (OR = 1.851, 95% CI = 1.156 – 2.962, P = 0.010). While, they did not show any significant association between SOD2 genotypes or alleles with SLE clinical features. In case of the SNP rs1695 in the GSTP1 gene, no significant associations of genotypes or alleles with SLE risk or with SLE clinical features were detected. Conclusions This study among Egyptian children and adolescents showed a strong association of the SOD2 rs2758332 not GSTP1 rs1695 polymorphism with the risk of SLE disease.