The level of thymic stromal lymphopoietin and its gene polymorphism are associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To study the correlation between TSLP gene SNPs and RA in a Han Chinese population.

Methods: The genotypes of TSLP genes rs11466749, rs11466750 and rs10073816 among 197 RA patients and 197 controls were analysed by direct sequencing. ELISA was used to detect the plasma TSLP level. Logistic regression analysis was also conducted to identify risk factors for RA.

Results: The rs11466749 locus GG genotype (OR = 5.30, 95% CI: 1.76-15.95, P < 0.01), dominant model (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.03-2.73, P = 0.04), recessive model (OR = 5.15, 95% CI: 1.72-15.43, P < 0.01), and G allele (OR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.33-3.09, P < 0.01) were associated with an increased risk of RA. The rs1073816 locus AA genotype (OR = 4.58, 95% CI: 1.49-14.01, P < 0.01), dominant model (OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.09-2.79, P = 0.03), recessive model (OR = 4.27, 95% CI: 1.40-13.00, P = 0.03) and A allele (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.29-2.91, P < 0.01) were associated with an increased risk of RA. The rs1073816 locus GA genotype (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.18-0.45, P < 0.01), dominant model (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.21-0.49, P < 0.01) and A allele (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.32-0.63, P < 0.01) were related to a decreased risk of RA susceptibility. The rs1466749 locus GG genotype, rs11466750 AA genotype, and rs10073816 GG genotype were independent risk factors for RA (P < 0.05). The AUC of plasma TSLP level in the diagnosis of RA was 0.8661 (95% CI: 0.8301-0.9002, P < 0.001). There were statistically significant differences in plasma TSLP levels among subjects with different genotypes at rs11466749, rs11466750, and rs10073816 in the TSLP gene (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Plasma TSLP levels are a potential molecular marker of RA. SNPs at rs11466749, rs11466750 and rs10073816 of the TSLP gene are related to the susceptibility of the Han Chinese population to RA.