Polymorphisms within Genes Coding for IL-17A and F and Their Receptor as Clinical Hallmarks in Ankylosing Spondylitis.

IL-17A and IL-17F together with their coreceptor (IL-17RA/RC) were reported to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of spondyloarthritis. The group of axial spondyloarthritis comprises ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a rheumatic disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints in the spine. This study is aimed at investigating , , , and polymorphisms as potential biomarkers of disease susceptibility, clinical parameters, and anti-TNF treatment outcome in a cohort of Polish ankylosing spondylitis patients. In total, 328 subjects, including 138 AS patients and 190 healthy volunteers, participated in the study. Genotyping of rs2275913 (G/A), rs763780 (A/G), rs4819554 (A/G), and rs708567 (G/A) was performed on real-time PCR instrument using LightSNiP assays. No significant differences were revealed in genotype and allele distribution between patients and controls despite the association of the rs708567 homozygosity with the earlier onset of the disease. Moreover, some relationships between rs763780 and rs4819554 polymorphisms with clinical parameters related to the disease activity and anti-TNF treatment outcome were observed. rs763780 G allele was found to be associated with high disease activity and BASDAI after 6 months and poor response to the treatment while higher VAS values were more common among rs4819554 G variant carriers. In conclusion, the rs763780 polymorphism should be considered as a promising biomarker of disease activity and anti-TNF treatment outcome. The rs48419554 G allele may serve as a potential marker of disease severity in Polish AS patients.