The polymorphism rs4696480 in the TLR2 gene is associated with psoriasis patients in the Turkish population.

Background: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have an important role in the host defense. Recent studies demonstrated that TLR polymorphisms might have a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris. The aim of this study was to indicate whether TLR2 rs11938228 and rs4696480 were associated with susceptibility to psoriasis in the Turkish population.

Methods: This case-control study included 140 psoriasis patients and 250 controls. Genotyping of 2 rs11938228 and rs4696480 SNPs of TLR2 were determined using LightSNiP Kit (Roche Diagnostic, GmBH, Mannheim, Germany).

Results: Our results demonstrated that the TLR2-rs4696480 AA genotype seemed to have a higher risk for psoriasis [crude 95% CI: 1.495-4.514, and p < 0.001, adjusted 95% CI: 1.349-4.292, and p = 0.003] while as TLR2-rs11938228 polymorphism has not shown any significant association with the risk of psoriasis [p > 0.005]. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean age, gender, onset age, and PASI level and genotypes for rs11938228 and rs4696480 polymorphisms (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: The SNP rs4696480 of TLR2 may have significant effects on the heritability of psoriasis in the Turkish population.