Interferon regulatory factor 5 gene polymorphism in Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus.

BackgroundIncreased expression of interferon-inducible genes is implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) is one of the transcription factors regulating interferon and was proved to be implicated in the pathogenesis of SLE in different populations.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between polymorphisms of the IRF5 gene and SLE susceptibility in a cohort of Egyptian children and to investigate their association with clinico-pathological features, especially lupus nephritis.Subjects and methodsTyping of interferon regulatory factor 5 rs10954213, rs2004640 and rs2280714 polymorphisms were done using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism for 100 children with SLE and 100 matched healthy controls.ResultsChildren with SLE had more frequent T allele and TT genotype of rs2004640 (Pc = 0.003 and 0.024, respectively) compared to controls. Patients with nephritis had more frequent T a...