Fcγ receptor IIIA polymorphism in Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by the presence of various autoantibodies and the deposition of immune complex, which is cleared by Fcγ receptors. Genotype analysis was done to investigate whether the FcγRIIIA-176F/V polymorphism is a risk factor for SLE in Koreans. We genotyped 145 Korean SLE patients and 75 control subjects for FcγRIIIA-176F/V. After amplifying a 1.7-kb fragment containing the FcγRIIIA-176F/V polymorphic site using two FcγRIIIA gene-specific primers, we performed a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for allele-specific genotyping at position 559 in FcγRIIIA. FcγRIIIA genotype or allele distribution was not significantly different between lupus patients and controls, and also between lupus nephritis patients and healthy controls. Neither creatinine clearance, 24 h urine proteinuria, number of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, nor the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC)/ACR damage index was different according to the genotype. In conclusion, FcγRIIIA-176F/V polymorphism is not associated with SLE in Koreans.